Did Guitar Center rip me off?
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Posted on Aug 21, 2007 12:42 pm
Swappo
Member Since: Aug 15, 2007
I needed a mic preamp. All I record are vocals. I went to Guitar Center and explained that and dude picked out a premap. When I asked him how it connects to the PC he asked what kind of interface I have. Told him I don't have one and he said that's what I need and sold me a much more expensive Lexicon Omega interface.
Do I need the interface or could I have gotten away with just the preamp?
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Aug 21, 2007 12:45 pm Man, normally I'd default answer "yes" to the generic "did GC rip me off" question, as they usually try to upsell (most stores do), but no, he's right, you do need an interface, but I wonder, up until now, how did you record?
(Hint: fill out your profile)
Though I would have leaned you toward a Line 6 TonePort UX1 me thinks...
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Aug 21, 2007 01:01 pm You need an interface. An an interface could also be a soundcard. Basically you need something that is going to translate the analog audio to digital audio. Soundcards often do that, or you can get an interface which is often the converters plus a preamp... The lexicon sounds like a really high end interface (to be honest i'm kinda guessing on that so...) so you may have been able to get by with a more moderately priced one...or you may not need one at all. As db said, how are you recording currently (previously).
SwappoMember
Since: Aug 15, 2007
Aug 21, 2007 01:16 pm Prior to the interface I had my mic connected directly to the PC. It "supposedly" doesn't require any external voltage, but I was getting weak power from it.
The interface is small, so it takes up almost no room and I don't mind having it. The only thing I don't like is it doesn't have a pwer switch. I don't like leaving it on all the time and it doesn't say anything in the manual about unplugging it other than for lightning storms and long periods when it's not in use.
Aug 21, 2007 01:24 pm I use one of those computer power center panels for my components. Individual switches for each outlet, plus a master on/off. Very convenient for gear without power switches.
Aug 21, 2007 01:25 pm Realize that "sound card" and "interface" are essentially the same thing.
You can unplug it any time your want...that's a beauty of USB...
You are better off with the Omega than what you had, but I wouldn't say you needed it, I also wouldn't say he ripped you off, however, idle curiousity, what did you pay for it?
SwappoMember
Since: Aug 15, 2007
Aug 21, 2007 01:31 pm I paid $200 for it.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Aug 21, 2007 01:49 pm TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! Are you serious?!!
Just kidding, price point is right where it should be.
Aug 21, 2007 02:06 pm yeah, thats right in the normal price range...so no, you didn't get ripped off...upsold, but not ripped off.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 21, 2007 02:36 pm On a good note, like mentioned, that is a pretty decent device. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
So you know:
Audio interfaces convert audio signal to binary data (A/D conversion) and back again (D/A conversion) so we can hear it.
Preamps boost mic level signal (very small) up to line level signal (much bigger). Line level is the level that audio components work with.
Your onboard soundcard was working as your audio interface, doing your conversion. If you were plugging your mic into your line in, then you're trying to boost mic level signal with normal line level components. Tough to do, as the signal is not boosted yet by a preamp.
The omega will do a much better job of converting from analog to digital as well. Plus the preamp is probably very nice.
Aug 21, 2007 02:52 pm A/D = analog-to-digital
D/A = digital-to-analog
...just posted in the interest of total clarity...or, as much as possible.
SwappoMember
Since: Aug 15, 2007
Aug 21, 2007 04:35 pm You guys are awesome.
Aug 21, 2007 04:40 pm yes, yes we are!
::pats self on back::
Aug 22, 2007 04:54 am yeah, screw plugging ANYTHING into a stock soundcard (wow! i sound like a car guy when i say stock....reminds me of Cannon Ball Run when the hottie was all "is it stock?" "it sure isn't baby!")
yeah the interface is a good investment....as far as not turning it off...just unplug the power cable when you're done. it does the same thing.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Aug 22, 2007 08:25 am Agreed with all above. Your sales person did right by you for sure. Nothing wrong with the unit he sold you either. You might want to buddy up to that sales person, if that sales person lasts. It's all volume at GC. Anybody that takes the time to actualy help is usualy cut at quarter's end.
Aug 22, 2007 08:29 am Quote:
You might want to buddy up to that sales person, if that sales person lasts.
Very true, I had one single guy at GC I would talk to whenever I went there...wouldn't deal with anybody else...for just that reason, he was honest with me so I was loyal to him.
TomkatMember
Since: Jul 27, 2007
Aug 22, 2007 10:07 am www.zzounds.com.../item--LEXOMEGA
Well, let's see, you're only using ONE mic for recording vocals, yet the Lexicon Omega has TWO mic channels, plus FOUR MORE line channels, a little overkill there, don't you think?
Plus, you already have Cool Edit Pro 2.0 so... so that unnecessary "Cubase" recording software is part of that $200 price tag.
All you needed was something to boost the line in signal from your mic to your soundcard, a thorough salesman would have taken the time to ask the right questions, and only sold you what you needed... in this case just a simple pre-amp would have been sufficient.
You definitely got "upsold," but it's not like you got a piece of junk for your money, so you didn't get "ripped-off." The real question is... was it worth the money? If you're satisfied with the Lexicon Omega interface, and are getting the desired results, then the only person who can truly answer that question is you.
SwappoMember
Since: Aug 15, 2007
Aug 22, 2007 05:36 pm Thomas, I know you disapprove. I wanted to see what the other chaps thought. I agree with everyone here in one way or another.
I agree, I don't need Cubase or the other inputs. I'm not too impressed with Guitar Center after my two outings there. I am pleased with the Omega thus far. I'm getting the reults I wanted and I'll make back the money I spent on it times ten this weekend. Of course, I owe about nine jillion dollars aside from that.
I guess the question was did Guitar Center upsell me and the answer seems to be a resounding "yes".
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Aug 22, 2007 06:01 pm Hold on a sec. I thought you didn't have an audio interface. A pre-amp by itself isn't going to do anything other than boost the signal. You would still need a way to get it into your PC (other than your built-in soundcard).
Seems to me that he didn't really upsell you as much as give you the piece of gear you needed. Perhaps you could have gotten away with a cheaper brand/model but I think he got it right in my opinion.
SwappoMember
Since: Aug 15, 2007
Aug 22, 2007 06:04 pm I didn't have anything prior to buying this interface. Just the mic.
Aug 22, 2007 06:10 pm If you're just recording vocals as you say, a simple preamp to plug into the sound card's line input would have been plenty good. But the rig you bought offers room for branching out. Go for it. Leave the past behind ye...
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Aug 22, 2007 06:14 pm Quote:
Leave the past behind Herb, that is just plain spooky. I am right now while reading your post, listening to a rough track of our new song called.... yup, Leaving the Past Behind.
SwappoMember
Since: Aug 15, 2007
Aug 22, 2007 06:17 pm Creepy.
Aug 22, 2007 06:21 pm Just call me Herbstradamus.
Aug 22, 2007 07:05 pm or Smelzadamus
TomkatMember
Since: Jul 27, 2007
Aug 22, 2007 10:29 pm I don't really "disapprove," I just wanted to voice my opinion here, so that if someone, who was in the same situation that you were in, reads it, they'll have a better understanding of their options.
SwappoMember
Since: Aug 15, 2007
Aug 22, 2007 11:27 pm I was just being cheeky.
Aug 23, 2007 05:30 am i don't mean to be pickey, but some information here is a bit confusing...
Quote:
Plus, you already have Cool Edit Pro 2.0 so... so that unnecessary "Cubase" recording software is part of that $200 price tag.
those programs are it two separate leagues *read apples to oranges* it dependes on what he's using the programs for...cubase is HANDS DOWN much better when dealing with midi composers, whereas CEP is better for more 'mastering' type scenarios.
Quote:
All you needed was something to boost the line in signal from your mic to your soundcard,
this is NOT TRUE. your microphone put's a MUCH smaller outpute then a "line level" signal.....THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT PREAMPS DO. they boost the relatively weak mic signal up to 'line level'.
i just wanted to clarify.
all the best,
wyd
Aug 23, 2007 07:39 am In addition I am laying odds it was bundled with Cubasis, not Cubase...Cubasis is to Cubase what _________ is to _________.
Sorry, I am blanking on a good comparison, but Cubasis is a very entry level application...
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Aug 23, 2007 10:25 am Actually its probably Cubase LE, which seems to have replaced Cubasis as the OEM bundled version of Cubase. LE gets a pretty bad rap as far as user-friendliness, which I think accounts for a lot of the bad name that Cubase gets as far as beginner-friendly software.
Heck, they'd probably be better off if they did continue to bundle hardware with Cubasis.
TomkatMember
Since: Jul 27, 2007
Aug 23, 2007 12:20 pm Quote:
All you needed was something to boost the line in signal from your mic to your soundcard,
Quote:
this is NOT TRUE. your microphone put's a MUCH smaller outpute then a "line level" signal.....THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT PREAMPS DO. they boost the relatively weak mic signal up to 'line level'.
What I meant by "line in signal" is where he plugs the cable into the back of his PC...into the "line in" jack.
The signal chain is still...
Mic => Preamp => PC
regardless of what piece of equipment is used as a Preamp. I use a DJ mixer, he has a Lexicom interface, but a simple preamp would have worked, as well.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
