Just a little confused as to what the phantom power actually does if I still need a preamp.

i'm using the cheapo mxl990/991 set of condensers, with a seperate phantom power supply, plugged in to a line 6 pod xt via XLR -> 1/4" adapter

the pod is plugged in to my macbook via usb

How would I hook up the M-Audio Buddy to my Audiophile 2496 sound card to get the best quality. And also which would be better, The Audio Buddy with the Shure SM58 or the Audio Buddy with the MXL 990?

Curently i have a fender blues deville 4x10 from 1994. I record using a sm57, into a firestudio project to my software. My amp sounds pretty good when i play with it live in overdive..but when i record it..it just sounds weak and fuzzy. I have about 1500 to spend, Would i be better off with a great preamp like a groove tubes SuPRe, or would i be better off getting a mesa boogie amp.

Right now I'm running an sm57 through a PreSonus Firestudio project into Cakewalk sonar, to record guitar. My question is..would a preamp such as an Avalon make a huge difference? someone told me it wouldnt make any difference at all unless i buy a high end a/d converter..is this true?

and one more question. How do studios seem to get their stereo spectrum so much wider then mine?

Hi there folks. It's been awhile since I've been here but alas, I have another question.

Right now my main recording rig is:

Desktop PC w/ XP
Emu 0404 USB Interface
AKG Perception 220
Shure SM57

I'm looking for some type of upgrade. I believe for now my mics are okay, but let me know your INPUT (ahaha) on that. I do all sorts of styles of music.

I own Guitar Rig 3 and Amplitube. Not satisfied with any of the sounds. Ive also built a dummy load box so i can run a line from my Orange heads into a 4x12 simulator and then into my interface for silent recording... And still not happy haha.

So.. Is there any other programs or Preamps you guys would suggest? Ive looked at the ENGL and Mesa Recording preamps.

ART MPA gold, not so great stock tubes. I've heard putting in some new ones can make a big difference, but what kind?

Hi all! first time posting here so go easy on me ;) was just wondering if someone could help with a dilemma of mine...

Recently, my Creative X-Fi Platinum refused to record anything from the mic (SM58) without clipping/distortion:

Just need some suggestions.

At the moment I'm recording straight from a sm57 into a PreSonus firebox into cubase. Theres not a lot of volume even with the mic preamp jacked.

I've got an ok voice.

I'm going to go on a one to two month long research project into preamps, and then I'll buy one. I don't want the cheapos and I won't ride the bus because I sold my car for one. I'm looking at these 8 channel ones and I think, my two channels on my mbox2 is almost one channel too many. I do everything in layers cuz it's just me. So can you stear me in the direction of one or two channels?