more questions; M-Audio

[ELSOL102]

OK...Is anybody familiar with the M-Audio Jobile Pre-USB? I am READING MANUAL AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTIONS: first of all...with M-Audio box connected to my computer, my printers aren't connected, and if I go on myspace I cannot hear any other music.
Question #1: Does anybody know in general can I just disconnect the box when I am not recording and plug in the other stuff into the USB?
Question #2: for M-Audio direct monitor allows you to hear signal without delay caused by latency. Checking MUTE stops the signal from reaching recording software. Directions say (this is assuming 1st guitar is recorded now overdubbin) when using direct monitor to make sure mute is NOT checked. I assume I set this at some level {Choices are +12, +6, 0, -6, -12-50 (??) Don't know what the choices mean maybe will experiment...any advice here?
Question #3: I am using a Shure SM58 mic that I bought used with no directions or paperwork. Is this the same type of mic as the Shure SM57 which is a dynamic mic which does not need phantom power?
Question #4: It says to turn off direct monitoring in recording software so you are not monitoring twice. So I should monitor using the M-Audio software...when I open the Ableton Live5 then the M-Audio box on screen isn't visible.
This is just directions on the interface...I find these directions very hard to understand...

[brandondrury]

Question #1: Does anybody know in general can I just disconnect the box when I am not recording and plug in the other stuff into the USB?

If it was me, I would just use this soundcard for everything. I can think of no good reason not to use it for basic stuff like Myspace.

Question #2: for M-Audio direct monitor allows you to hear signal without delay caused by latency. Checking MUTE stops the signal from reaching recording software. Directions say (this is assuming 1st guitar is recorded now overdubbin) when using direct monitor to make sure mute is NOT checked. I assume I set this at some level {Choices are +12, +6, 0, -6, -12-50 (??) Don't know what the choices mean maybe will experiment...any advice here?

I'd start at zero and only change it if you have problems.

Question #3: I am using a Shure SM58 mic that I bought used with no directions or paperwork. Is this the same type of mic as the Shure SM57 which is a dynamic mic which does not need phantom power?

This is correct. The SM 57 and SM 58 are similar microphones. They are both made by Shure. They are both dynamics. They are both cardiod. They do not require phantom power.

Question #4: It says to turn off direct monitoring in recording software so you are not monitoring twice. So I should monitor using the M-Audio software...when I open the Ableton Live5 then the M-Audio box on screen isn't visible.

They are right. There is no reason to hear yourself through Ableton Live if you are using the M-Audio for monitoring. So you say the M-Audio box isn't visible. Can you not click on it to make it visible?

If you are not pushing your computer too hard with your recordings, you could probably get away with monitoring within the Ableton instead if you can't figure out the M-Audio box. There are advantages to both methods.

Brandon