High impedance

[Buda]

Why do the vocals sound like I'm holding my nose when I plug into the soundcard in my computer Realtek ac97, 1/4".

[Electriclight]

Is this a real question?

Ok, I'm slow witted -let's suppose this is a real question.
Would you like to share any more information with us? Like what kind of microphone, room acoustics, software, computer?

Or maybe you're really holding your nose?

[Buda]

SM-58 to Fender Keyboard Amp (Which sounds great live), RCA out on the amp to the 1/8" soundcard input (realtek ac97), using Sonar.Computer is an HP..... And noseplugs for the pool

[Electriclight]

OK, thanks.

First, I'll tell you that an amp output is not made for recording purposes. In fact it's pretty dangerous for your soundcard. The impedances are all wrong, for starters.

Second a keyboard amp is not a mic preamp (no matter how good you may think it sounds live) so there's going to be all kinds of coloration of the signal. Again the impedances are not compatible and damage to the hardware is not out of the question.

Microphone preamps start at about $30 (like the ART MP). If you're dead set on preamping your mic with the Fender, then you'll need a "Direct Box" between your amp and the computer. Again thes start at about $30.

Honestly, this set up is never going to give quality results. Just don't shoot the messenger.

[Buda]

Thanks for the advice. I used the amp because it's all I had. I was looking into buying some equipment, but there is so much out there. When I used the soundcard wizard, it gives you a ton of choices. I was going to buy the Mackie pro fx8, mainly because it could double as a PA. I just don't know.

[Electriclight]

I'll give it to you straight. This is a decent mixer that they stuck some USB on. It's really not an audio interface for serious recording because it doesn't use ASIO drivers. Whenever a device says plug and play using Windows drivers...that's bad news. It means high latency and all kinds of the worst USB issues.

I'm not sure if you are recording yourself as a one man singer/songwriter kind of operation or what. But for recording a band, like for a demo, this really is a bad choice. The Mackie only has stereo inputs and outputs so that means you have to make all the mixing decisions first and then record. You can't change much later. For the same price you could find an interace with say 6 inputs. That gives you a couple mics on the drums, separate vocal, guitar, whatever...the point is that once you record those track then you have all the time in the world to mix them and add effects etc. later.

If you just wanted to capture a stereo mix of a live performance then this will work.

Figure out how many inputs you think you will need and if you prefer USB or Firewire and we can give you some suggestions.

If it's only you and you will be overdubbing tracks,then two inputs is fine. But you still want the low latency of ASIO drivers.

[Buda]

which audio interface would you suggest for under $200, all i need is the bare minimum.What is an asio driver?

[Electriclight]

There are dozens in this price range. You might want to get some more opinions nthe Gear Selection forum.

For Firewire check out ECHO Audiofire or
Tapco Link Firewire 4x6

For USB look at Edirol UA-25EX USB or
EMU 0404 USB


ASIO drivers allow your computer to work with audio with low latency. These drivers are created by the hardware manufacturers for their devices and come in the box with the interface, or you can download them from the internet.

[Digitech]

connect a 1 million ohm resistor to the + side speaker terminal to the tip of jack ....earth from speaker terminal to earth on plug..........shove it in the line in on sound card and your set to go............

The way it has been done on nearly every amp for direct recording ......

make sure you never use the Microphone input .....the microphone has a small voltage to operate and drive a microphone ....using this input for anything other than what is was designed for will result in burning out the IO address on the motherboard............

a headphone out from amp can be also used for recording purposes ........