Easy(?) PC Recording Question
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Posted on Jul 13, 2008 08:16 pm
harry
Member Since: Jul 13, 2008
Hello, I'm new here. I have been looking through previous posts, and didn't see exactly what I'm looking for. Basically I need some advice on what I think is a very simple recording project.
I need to create practice recordings for singers. What I will be doing is
- recording piano, one track at a time
- one track for the accompaniment
- one track for bass part
- one track for tenor
- etc.
Later I'll put them together into different recordings, each emphasizing a single voice part. That part I know how to do, using PC software. What I don't know about is the recording part. If I can just end up with good quality .WAV files on the PC, I'll be happy. (MP3 might even be adequate.)
A couple other notes:
- The pianist has her own top quality microphone, with an XLR plug
- and which needs "phantom power"
My question is how do I get the sound from the microphone into my PC (probably a laptop as the recording will not be at my home)? I know nothing about this. I have read a couple of discussions here, implying that some options are:
1. Some sort of conversion from XLR into a standard "microphone" input to my built-in sound card. It seems that I will need a pre-amp for this, which can also provide the phantom power and the cable conversion. I can then control the recording from PC software through my sound card.
2. Some kind of "audio interface" between the microphone and the PC which apparently acts the role of soundcard here instead of the built-in one. I am guessing that recording in this case is still controlled from the PC. But supposedly the recording is better quality by bypassing the internal sound card.
3. Stand-alone recorder that will record the tracks itself, then export results as .WAV to the laptop. (This is the way I know someone else does this, using Boss BR-1180CD.)
4. Anything else I missed?
Would appreciate comments on pros/cons, keeping in mind that I
- don't want to spend a fortune
- don't want to have to carry more than necessary to recording sessions
Any recommendations of brands also would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much.
Harry
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 13, 2008 10:57 pm For what your looking to do it would be much easier and quicker to go with a USB type interface and yes, bypass the internal sound card as the audio ins not too good for this. And they honestly are not up to the task of multi track recording/playback which is what you will need.
There are a few good USB type interfaces out there that actually have the pre amp built in and they are pretty good. And are at a reasonable price.
If her mic is a condenser they also come with phantom power built in as well for that.
What kind of budget are looking at for this? That will help find a proper interface that will work for you.
harryMember
Since: Jul 13, 2008
Jul 14, 2008 01:37 am Thanks for the response, Noize2u.
Is there a solution for under $100?
And can you tell me how great would the quality difference be if I spent more? $300? $600?
I assume then the solution would look like this:
pc <--USB--> audio i/f <-XLR-----> mike
where the audio i/f has its own power supply, but recording is controlled by software on the PC, yes?
harryMember
Since: Jul 13, 2008
Jul 14, 2008 09:09 am BTW, the prices mentioned would be just for the audio i/f. I already have a good laptop. And the microphone.
Of course I would need recording software too. I'm assuming that the audio i/f comes with something; but from discussions here it sounds like there are better choices without too much cost: Reaper, Audacity, ...?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jul 14, 2008 09:20 am Hey there Harry, it sounds like you've got most stuff in the right place.
You will need a preamp, which brings the MIC level signal up to LINE level.
Most external USB or FIREWIRE interfaces have a XLR / Preamp built in, and most have phantom power, so you would be in good shape with a 2 channel USB device.
The line6 UX1 is pretty cheap, but I don't believe it has phantom power. The UX2 has 2 channel input, 2 xlr preamps, plus phantom power. I think it's around 150 - 200$.
Since you're creating practice recordings, I certainly wouldn't worry about spending more than the 200$ for an interface. The higher spendy ones will give you, maybe 1 - 5% better sound, but most improvements will be in features, like digital inputs, midi, etc. Stuff you probably won't need.
Keith on here is using a US144 and working along well. I have an older us122, and it's worked well for me, but others have had problems.
The maudio line has a bunch of usb interfaces, fasttrack (& pro), among others. I think mostly the maudio usb line is pretty solid, as I don't hear much bad press about them.
there's also edirol stuff, but they start getting spendier, and there's others above that, but I don't think you need that level of tech.
so your connection chain looks like this:
mic ----> interface (with preamp & phantom) ----> usb cable ----> PC (with multitrack software)
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jul 14, 2008 09:25 am oo, yeah, i totally dig the reaper. free to try, uncrippled shareware.
Tons of great features, really stable, and fast workflow.
www.reaper.fm
3.2 meg download too =).
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 14, 2008 10:25 pm OK, pjk has got that knocked out.
YOu can also look into M-Audio as they have a good 2 channel interface as well. I think it is also in the $150 or above range as well.
And honestly, for what you are doing. No you won't need a high end interface at all.
harryMember
Since: Jul 13, 2008
Jul 14, 2008 11:25 pm Thanks so much, n2u and pjk. This has been a great experience.
I looked at the M-Audio and Line 6 USB boxes; and they both look great. Also looks like you are right that the lowest price models (one microphone port), do NOT have phantom power; but in both cases the 2-port versions do. The Tascam US-144 also has it. So I think one of those 3 should do well. Thanks again.
