You should definitely get a computer interface for any type of recording that you plan on doing. Also don't get your audio gear at Radio Shack. But that's up to you.

For the budget direction you are going currently: link removed

What I recommend: link removed

thanks Guitarfreak. What is a computer interface?

A box containing DACs (Digital Analog Converters) and a connection to the PC.

Basically allows you to get audio signals onto the PC.
Most are equipped with preamps for mics and some have other such goodies as MIDI and S/PDIF connections which you probably don't need.

In your case you can get a single/dual channel interface with preamps - this is the cheapest solution, on the whole.
At some point you'll want to get a better mic too.

caprice wrote: thanks Guitarfreak. What is a computer interface?

Basically it converts the analog sound waves into something the computer understands (digital). Also called an analog to digital converter. I linked you to two of them. The first one is one that my friend uses, I have used it and have been disappointed. The FireBox is something that I own, and I'd rate it a 9.5/10. Really a quality line of products PreSonus has going there.

They both have built in preamps, so you most likely wouldn't want to spend the money right now on a dedicated preamp. The preamps on the FireBox are extremely good for the money, it can drive the signal very hard before you get feedback or hiss and the tone quality is amazing for the price. With the FireBox you also get Cubase LE, which I don't use but many people around here do, and it's better than GarageBand.

The M-Audio piece is a USB interface, and the FireBox is a FireWire interface. The benefits of Firewire are great and I'll list a few of them. You don't need a wall adapter because the FW cable also transfers power. Firewire communicates better and faster than USB in both directions. Ways you will see this is zero latency monitoring, ability to re-amp effectively, and higher possible sample rates (I think).

You also are probably going to want to upgrade your mic, but that's already been said. I mean think about it, if you have bad quality at the first stage of production, then it won't translate well to later stages. Crap in = Crap out. One of the big dogs around here can check my facts, but other than that I'm pretty sure I've covered everything.

Comes down to budget, knowledge, and choice, and the choice is yours buddy.

Thank you all for your input, I think I am going to go with the Firebox, it seems like a very solid piece of equipment that can last me awhile.

My next question is:
What is a good, basic, industry standard mic to record with? One that everyone should have in their collection as a good backup mic if anything. I was looking at something less than $100.
I don't like a very clear sound much but I assume it would be best to record a very clear signal and then later change the sound through the editing software? But I guess most musicians have their own methods to achieving the sound that they want.

SM57 SM58. Industry standards, and probably the best launching pad mics out there. Very versatile and will last your entire career if you decide to move on from here.

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Well I have the Firebox and it is paired with the Shure SM57. I did some recording yesterday and noticed that there is a hiss when recording my acoustic guitar. A friend told me that it could be the cable I'm using (the cable is a cheap one from Radioshack, the one that came with the Radioshack Dynamic Microphone).

I'm going to study more today on whatever tips I can find on recording acoustic guitar. In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas?

caprice wrote: Well I have the Firebox and it is paired with the Shure SM57. I did some recording yesterday and noticed that there is a hiss when recording my acoustic guitar. A friend told me that it could be the cable I'm using (the cable is a cheap one from Radioshack, the one that came with the Radioshack Dynamic Microphone).

I'm going to study more today on whatever tips I can find on recording acoustic guitar. In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas?

It's not the cable. According to the specs, the Firebox gives 55dB of gain. However, its unity-gain SNR of 105dB only leaves a 55dB noise floor at maximum gain, which in practice will produce an audible hiss.

If the hiss troubles you, you will have to find a closer compromise position for the microphone that give you acceptable sound coupled with enough output not to have to run at high gain on the pre-amp.

Man, 55dB.

Mine is typically 54dB and it's comprised of radio interference, a grounding problem AND hissing.