Newbie needing to get mic and audio interface - advice please!

[Therese]

Hiya -

I'm copying below some of what I wrote in the "introduce yourself" forum, so I don't have to more or less type the same thing, twice! :

I play the acoustic steel string guitar and classical guitar, and have recently taken up old time/clawhammer banjo. I also play the piano and sing although none of this is in a professional way.

I've been doing a lot of soul searching and am finally remembering the importance of "my music" for me and what a lifeline it is for me to play, regardless of the fact that I'm not doing anything beyond that with the talent I may or may not have. All that said, I'm ready to make some recordings, primarily because -- with regard to the banjo -- I'd like advice from people on the banjo forum I occasionally hang out on; which is to say I'd like them to hear samples and give me feedback and tips! I've also been thinking about recording lullabies for my kids since they love it when I play for them or sing for or with them.

I've been looking into what I'll need to make simple but good-quality/good-sounding recordings into my Mac Powerbook G4 laptop. The laptop came with Garage Band and of course itunes so I'm hoping that's all the software I need (am i hoping against hope?). Since I don't have a pick-up on any of my instruments, I'll need a condenser mic and then I THINK I'll need an audio interface/pre-amp. A music store clerk told me at some point in time that I should require phantom power...was that cause I wanted to avoid needing a power source beyond just using the laptop's power? Well anyway I obviously am fuzzy on many of the details and that's why I'm here.

I know I want both interface and mic to be of good quality but around a hundred bucks each, maybe a little more for the interface if it makes a significant difference in some way (and yet I don't even know what that way would be!). I don't plan on recording more than two instruments at one time, as far as I know (maybe jam with a friend for kicks...I could see that happening) although I may want one or up to two people singing, too. I want to be sure that the mic, the pre-amp/interface and the laptop are all compatible (or I suppose the software needs to be compatible?). I need to hurry up and get going on this and I'd like to buy what'll be needed sometime in the next 24 hours!

(I also want to record/preserve records and tapes digitally, which I'm hoping the audio interface will be good for.)

I can't seem to find many reviews online which is weird. I have read that as far as condensor mics go, the Sterling ST51 produces a very good for the hundred-dollar price. Just below that in quality but almost equal in quality is the M-Audio Nova. Am I missing anything else out there in that price range? I also heard something about MXL brand being popular but I've seen no reviews (don't even remember if that was in reference to a mic or interface). As for the audio interface/pre-amp, that's where things get more confusing. Two inputs (?) is probably good enough if it means a gigantic difference in what I'd have to shell out. I'm clueless about things like speed and power and don't know what that would mean for my situation. Since I'm leaning toward the Sterling mic, does that factor in to what kind of interface I need to get? Ugh - so confusing! Can anyone point me in the direction of some unbiased online reviews?

Thanks so much!
Therese

[Electriclight]

I've been doing a lot of soul searching and am finally remembering the importance of "my music" for me and what a lifeline it is for me to play, regardless of the fact that I'm not doing anything beyond that with the talent I may or may not have.

Well said. I have no pretensions of anything professional but I can tell you this recording stuff is really satisfying. I can enjoy my music even if no one else can...And I think that is important.

I've also been thinking about recording lullabies for my kids since they love it when I play for them or sing for or with them.

That's very sweet! But one day they'll rip your heart out.

I've been looking into what I'll need to make simple but good-quality/good-sounding recordings into my Mac Powerbook G4 laptop. The laptop came with Garage Band and of course itunes so I'm hoping that's all the software I need (am i hoping against hope?).

I think that's a fine place to start although some else (you'll be getting lots of advice, I just happen to be first) will have to confirm that it works with ASIO drivers which is really what you want.

Since I don't have a pick-up on any of my instruments, I'll need a condenser mic and then I THINK I'll need an audio interface/pre-amp.

A music store clerk told me at some point in time that I should require phantom power...was that cause I wanted to avoid needing a power source beyond just using the laptop's power?

You don't necessarily need a condensor microphone but if you have the extra money it's worth it. That's where phantom power comes in...

Dynamic mics don't require a separate power source but condensor mics do. Many good audio interfaces have phantom power for this reason. Nearly all of them also have preamps built in so that is not something to worry about.

I know I want both interface and mic to be of good quality but around a hundred bucks each, maybe a little more for the interface if it makes a significant difference in some way (and yet I don't even know what that way would be!).

Use the soundcard wizard on this site. You want these features: phantom power, two inputs. You might get it done for $100 or a little more.

There are many condensor microphones under $100. Get a Large Diaphragm Condensor. There are many opinions. Electronic Musician magazine just ran an article on exactly this subject. they compared the Behringer B-1, M-Audio Nova, MXL 2006 and Sterling Audio ST51. Actually there are many others. They selected the Sterling and M-Audio as the most consistent and versatile, closely followed by the MXL. (As I said, you will soon get plenty of advice).

I want to be sure that the mic, the pre-amp/interface and the laptop are all compatible

The mics will be compatible with any interfaceand I'm sure nearly any interface is compatible with a MAC. Stay away from ProTools which has software that only runs on certain hardware. Which brings me to the fact that many of these audio interfaces come with "Lite" software versions which willprobably be superior to Garage Band.

(I also want to record/preserve records and tapes digitally, which I'm hoping the audio interface will be good for.)

I'm clueless about things like speed and power and don't know what that would mean for my situation.

Speed and power are not a consideration in your case. It's all good!

[MetalDave]

Before you spend a bunch of money just realise a condenser mic sounds really good. You can buy condensers nowdays that plug directly into a USB. these work fairly well. The only thing about plugging direct is you cant do anything with it until you edit. You can get some cheap Mixers from you "friendly" online music store that work pretty good. You would want to get one with Phantom Power so you could use a condensor mic if you feel the need. One thing to remember is A shure 57 is still awesome for instruments and a shure 58 is still great for vocals. You may want some other plug ins as you get going but you don't need to spend an arm and a leg. If you get more specific what exactly you want to do after you get started we can certainly help you from there. I never sang to my kids my son is my drummer nowdays. I have put some songs I have written on CD for my daughter she likes them. They haven't torn my heart out yet. ones 19 and the other 22. Anyways Shop around and ask people on here what Mics they would recommend. Behringers B1 Condenser mic sounds pretty damn good but, I always have to eq the bass out of it when I record almost everything I record with it. I have a $1200 board but I also have a board I bought on ebay for $100.00 it works well. it is the behringer erorack UB1204FX-Pro they aren't too much more than that new nowdays. There are also some less expensive boards than that. this gives you the option to EQ your stuff so it sounds good right on to the hard drive. Good luck!!

[stringz4kids]

If you want a cheap mixer with good quality look into the Behriner Xenyx series. They may not fit your needes if you just record alone, but I would check them out if you record with a group. I would not recomend the euroracks for recording.

[MetalDave]

This is a nice board. It has eight direct outs check it out...
Buy Behringer EURORACK UB2442FX-PRO Mixer online at Musician's Friend
Not a bad price! And it works just as good a the xenyx.

[Ken Bennett]

I can vouch for MXL mics. I have one with a built in preamp. It comes with an adapter that you can plug directly into the mic input on the computer, or you can plug it into an audio interface or a standard mixing board and go in through your computer sound card. The cool thing about this mic is that it's built in preamp runs on phantom power or a 9 volt battery! I got it for $70 at Guitar Center. It think it's discontinued, but they have a replacement model--Model number MXL-DRK $99 at musicians friend

I haven't tried USB mics.


Check this out:

TASCAM TNT Bundle US-122L & Condenser Microphone - NEW! - eBay (item 310060335075 end time Jun-24-08 09:14:15 PDT)

Mic, interface, and Cubase LE software for $169

All new on an ebay store.

Good luck,
KB

[Nan On Fire]

yo i am new aswell but go on Videos on ExpertVillage.com | How to videos, free video clips & more and search 'home music studio'

[Charlie_M]

The most common types of mic are "dynamic" and "condenser". Without getting too far into the physical differences, for your stated purpose, the condenser will most likely be best. That will require phantom power. Phantom power is simply a 48V DC bias that condensers require so most any interface out there has phantom power built in.

My take is this: get an interface with basic capabilities, but not so basic that any slight expansion of your plans would trigger an upgrade. For right now it sounds like 1 or 2 inputs is all you'll want. However it's not much expense to get additional inputs. If you can foresee that there might come a time when you want multiple singers and instruments going simultaneously, there are some good low cost options out there that'll support that. Presonus firepod is $400 or so and will do all you want and more. Yes these are good times when you can get such a capable thing in that range.

Mics are so personal.... there are plenty good ones out there. At the low cost end, the Audio Technica At3035 has served me well, and could be had for a little over $100 online and shipped to your door. CAD is another good brand. I've used the CAD GXL3000 and been happy with that too. Bummer about mics is that you can't really try before you buy and different ones are good for different things. It's ideal if you can find a rental house near where you live and see if they'll rent you a couple condensers for a week so you can try them out.

Most any audio interface you get will come with a basic set of software to support it so don't sweat that part. People get into which software is better and all that but... really for a hobbyist all the major brands that come bundled with hardware are plenty good enough. I personally like Reaper as a software package but I don't know where the mac version of that stands at the moment so for you I won't recommend it. I say just run with whatever comes with your interface for now, and possibly reassess in a year or so. By the time you are ready to upgrade software, have a look in on the status of a mac version of Reaper, but that is down the road.

Good luck and have fun recording!

Charlie

[brandondrury]

Garageband is just fine for your type of recording. You won't be doing any crazy techno work and Garageband does just fine in this setting.

I personally wouldn't go with the mixer as I don't see the benefit in using one in most home recording situations:
Why You Don't NEED A Mixer For Home Recording

As for the audio interface, check out the Home Recording Soundcard Wizard. I'd make sure to purchase an audio interface that had phantom power built in. External phantom power supplies cost too much on their own.

As for $100 condensers, the AT2020 is a great first mic.

Brandon

[Therese]

Thanks so much Brandon and everyone... I've been meaning to write back and EVERY DARN DAY something stops me. Ugh - my life is so hard right now! Sorry to get personal but I just have to say that!!!!!!!

Well what I'd sort of decided on my own (tell me if I'm being stupid here) is to get a ProSonus Firebox and a condenser mic with good reviews such as the Sterling Audio ST51. I may need special cords/cables...that part I don't know about.

Well off I go again...babies (2 year olds i mean - ahem) are crying!