Noob Information for basic laptop setup

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Member Since: Jul 15, 2006

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum and I'm trying to get a basic setup going. I currently have a laptop (Toshiba M40 - 1.6 Ghz Centrino, 1.5 Gigs of Ram, 60 Gigs HD) but the internal sound card isn't very good and I'm using a cheap 10 dollar mic from a computer store. I find that the recording quality is really poor and the recording really misses a lot of the quality of the music I record. I primarily record acoustic guitar and vocals, but the guitar (especially the higher pitch high e string) doesn't come out sounding very good at all. I'm guessing this has to do with the poor sound card and mic.

My goals are the get something setup within a reasonable price (~200 just for the hardware soundcard/mic) which is easy to use and take around with me and will obviously have really good recording quality. I'd obviously prefer something that isn't too high end and obtrusive that requires it's own power source or something. Something that's PCMCIA would be ideal so I can transport it with me when I go around. I am currently thinking about getting the creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 7.1 Ch PCMCIA Notebook Sound Card (Type II CardBus Slot Only). It's about 100 dollars and will be a huge improvement over my default hardware. I know it's probably not the best solution, but is the quality in recording going to be that different between this card and something really high end?

For the mic I'm hearing a lot of people reccomend the Shure sm57 or Shure sm58 and the Studio Project B1 mic. Which is the best for my purposes? I only need one because I'll only be recording one track at a time. The only two things I will be recording are acoustic guitar and vocals. Maybe eventually start doing some piano recording? But primarily it will be acoustic guitar (no direct line, just by the sound hole) and vocals. I have a fairly low voice if that matters. I've heard things about omni directional vs. uni directional or something.. Anyways, which mic would be best suited for me, especially on a budget.

And lastly, will I notice a really big difference from the built in sound card + 10 dollar mic to a nice sound card with a 100 dollar mic?

Thanks a lot! Hopefully you guys can provide some good suggestions!!

a. What kind of music do you want to do?
Acoustic Guitar and Vocals

b. Do you want to record individual tracks at a time or a whole band at once?
Individual Tracks

c. What do you want to do with your recordings? Demos? Fun for friends? Get gigs? Make a million and get a record deal?
Demos/Fun

d. What kind of instruments will you be recording? Live drums? Vocals?
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

e. What kind of computer do you have (or want)? Desktop? Laptop? Include: Operating System, Processor speed, RAM, Hard Drive Space, Sound Card type. USB? Firewire? CD Burner?
Laptop, Windows XP, 1.6 GHz Centrino, 1.5 Gigs RAM, Built in crappy sound card, USB, FIREWIRE, CD/DVD Burner

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I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jul 15, 2006 08:38 pm

Quote:
will I notice a really big difference from the built in sound card + 10 dollar mic to a nice sound card with a 100 dollar mic?


Absolutely!

So you want something cheap, with preamps, for a laptop for hobbyist recording?

Hmmm, I don't usually recommend Sound Blaster stuff for recording but it may suit your needs OK. Take a look at the Line6 TonePort, M-Audio FastTrack or MobilePre, Lexicon Alpha, or other comparable devices. Those are all in the $100-$150 range, and they're all USB interfaces with 1 or 2 inputs and preamps built in.

As for mics, if you're only going to own 1 microphone in my opinion it should be a Shure SM57. It'll do OK with vocals and OK with acoustic guitars but not stellar for either. Just get a wind screen if you do decide to sing into one.

Other than that, maybe a budget large diaphragm condensor from a brand like MXL, CAD, Behringer or Studio Projects would suit your needs. They're great for vocals and OK for acoustic guitar (and perfect if you want to record both at the same time). Just make sure that your sound card includes phantom power if you want to use a large diaphragm condensor (it'll be listed in the features of the sound card).

Good luck, and come back to ask any other questions you may have!

Member
Since: Jul 15, 2006


Jul 15, 2006 10:19 pm

Thanks for the quick reply Tadpui.

So the M-Audio Fasttrack is Sound Card? That's what is meant by audio interface?

You reccomend the Fasttrack for recording and just day-to-day mp3 playback? It will be an upgrade over my built in crappy sound card I'd think.

The FastTrack doesn't seem to support the phantom power from what I've seen. Most people are suggesting the Studio Projects B1 Diaphragm Condenser which is what I think I would get, but it doesn't seem the low end USB devices support the phantom power. Or maybe I'm just over looking something.

Thanks!

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 16, 2006 06:34 pm

Hey sim, welcome to HRC.

Indeed the Fasttrack and many others on the lower end of the spectrum do not have the 48v phantom power you will need with a Large Diaphragm Condensor mic. Which honestly I would highly recomend for recording vocals and acoustic over a dynamic mic such as the SM57. Although the 57 is an absolute workhorse and many people have done very good things with them, it might not give you quite what you are looking for in quality.

I think investing the bit of extra in something like the Line 6 Toneport UX-2 would benfit you in the end as it has some great pre amp models that will not only benifit your vocal recordings but the micced acoustic as well. And if the urge ever hits to use an electric you have those models as well as bass amp models too. And there are many effects that are built in and will not tax your laptops CPU when using them. It will run 48v phantom power right from the USB port and as well does not tax the system at all from my use of it.

In the Large Diaphragm condensor market you will find something along the lines of the Audio Technica AT2020 which is around the $100.00 mark and is a good all around mic that is very suitable for both vocal and acoustic guitar.

Just my 2 cents worth,

Noize

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