Hello all, this is my first post here but I have been reading and this is a really great place. I have a couple of questions I'm sure you guys might have advice about.
I have been doing home recordings for about 7 years now but this is the first time I am going to be able to purchase a decent soundcard for my computer (I've been using a soundblaster live for a few years). That brings me to my first question: What soundcard ($500 or less) would you recommend? I've been looking at an E-mu 1820M which seems nice.
One problem that I'm having is that while some of these cards have breakout boxes it seems that I would need a mixer with direct outs to get the full potential out of them. Which brings me to my second question :)
Are Behringer mixers the only inexpensive mixers with direct outs around?
Last question: Would any of you recommend MXL mics?
Thanks for reading. I can't believe I hadn't found this place before!
Laters,
Abel Garikai
Comments
check out the presonus firebox i would recommend the presonus f
check out the presonus firebox
i would recommend the presonus firebox. $299 or less
2 mic/instrument preamps
2 line ins
stereo monitor out
headphone out
comes with Cubase LE
skip the mixer and go straight in through firewire. do all the mixing on the PC. unless you really llike the hands on mixing with the faders. then disregard what i am saying.
i've seen some good reviews on the MXL mics, some bad. your choice. i can't say one way or the other.
simran wrote: IF U ARE REAL GOOD THEN GO FOR A CREATIVE X-FI EL
simran wrote: IF U ARE REAL GOOD
THEN GO FOR A CREATIVE X-FI ELITE PRO WHICH IS OF ABOUT 500$I HAVE ONE IT ROCKS 8-)
AND WHEN IT COMES TO MIXER.........GO FOR ANY FIREWIRE MIXER
I'm pretty sure it's not neccessary to have a $500 soundcard if your mixer has a firewire audio interface.
Anyway... some of the MXL mics are quite good, such as the 603's for overheads. The 990 is just allright, but will do fine if you arn't doing any serious vocal recording.
Behringer Makes some new mixers called XENYX, which come in anywhere from 4-24 channels and have a USB audio interface, which would mean no need for the sound card anymore.
That's my 2 cents for you, hope I helped in someway
MXL MXL's are good for the price. Especially if you get a packa
MXL
MXL's are good for the price. Especially if you get a package deal. The trick with them is to try them out as soon as possible and make sure they work to your standards. If not, make sure you can return them, or exchange them. Because they are so cheap, they aren't very consistent in the quality department. I have an MXL 990, 991, and 2001 and they work great. But I know many other people who hate theirs. It's just an inconsistency in quality control, but that's what you get for the price.
visualecho wrote: One problem that I'm having is that while som
visualecho wrote:
One problem that I'm having is that while some of these cards have breakout boxes it seems that I would need a mixer with direct outs to get the full potential out of them.
not necessarily. just make sure your interface has enough mic preamps, or that you have enough preamps for the amount of sources you want to record at once.
visualecho wrote: Are Behringer mixers the only inexpensive mixers with direct outs around?
i dont believe they are, but as i said before you will achieve better results using "real" preamps or interface preamps than using cheap mixer preamps anyway.
simran wrote:
AND WHEN IT COMES TO MIXER.........GO FOR ANY FIREWIRE MIXER
not the best choice if you are already buying a soundcard/audio interface... firewire mixers imo limit your options by trying to put everything in one box. the firewire option adds to the price and looks good on paper, but imho a solid firewire audio interface (mix in the DAW) is the best option
twon
you could look into m-audio and edirol stuff, it should be in yo
you could look into m-audio and edirol stuff, it should be in your budget. i had the 1820 but it wasn't very compatible with my computer. be sure to research that sort of thing before buying anything.