Beginner advice for preamp or interface
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Posted on Dec 11, 2008 10:23 am
bjornm
Member Since: Dec 11, 2008
Hi all
I realize that this is probably the most asked noob question, but anyway I sould greatly appreciate your help. I am looking for advice for a beginner home studio recorder.
Primarily I need advice for a vocal + guitar scenario and have some questions regarding preamp vs. interface
1. Do I need an interface or is a preamp sufficient? As I understand it an interface is basically a preamp + soundcard combined, where the soundcard is tailored for music production. Is this correct? What would the difference be in practical terms?
2. What kind of product can be recommended? Preferred specs
* 2 channels
* Phantom power for condenser mic
* USB, preferrably Mac and PC copmpatible
I really would appreciate your help!
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 11, 2008 12:14 pm Hey bjorn, welcome to HRC.
Yeah, that one does get asked a lot =).
The UX2 from line6 is pretty well recommended. 2ch, phantom power, modeling, etc.
No midi, but if you're not needing it, then it's a nice little unit.
There's a studio version I just saw in sweetwater catalog. It must be new or improved.
Edirol makes some devices, that include midi but not the modeling. Tascam also does the same, and also offering SPDIF for digital inputs, midi, but no modeling.
I use a tascam 122 (older) and a line6 guitar port, and they both work quite well for my needs.
Interface is basically the conversion from analog to digital, and back digital to analog. How it does this, how many channels, software, etc. is what separates the hi-$$$ from the lo-$$$. Preamp is often built into interfaces, but not always. You will always need a preamp somewhere in the circuit, to being MIC level signal up to LINE level signal, which the audio system will use.
hth.
bjornmMember
Since: Dec 11, 2008
Dec 11, 2008 01:15 pm Thanks pjk
When searching the most common brands seem to be m-audio and e-mu. Is there a consensus regarding these brands and their different models?
emu 0202
emu tracker
emu 0404
maudio mobilepre
maudio fasttrack
maudio fasttrack pro
Midi is not necessary, but Hi-Z seems nice (does it make a difference?).
ps. Will check out the UX2
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 11, 2008 01:55 pm Hi-z is high impedance, normally instruments.
Lo-z is low impedance, normally microphones.
You should have both options on any interface you get (xlr preamp in, and instrument in: 1/4" )
I had a maudio delta 1010lt, that was nice. I replaced it with an ESP1010 from ESI after it burned in a fire.
I'd probably lean toward the maudio line, if I were choosing between those two.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 13, 2008 12:37 am I th ink if you look closely at the features you will find the UX-2 offers more for what you are looking for.
I use one and love the high end pre amp models it has. They are astounding and really can make a difference compared to the others.
E-mu is now owned by Creative, it is basically a glorified Sound Blaster with a break out box. A few have gotten them to work great. But for your needs I don't think that will fit the bill.
M-Audio is a better choice, but again I'm not sure it would be any better then the UX-2. And it doesn't have any of the better features that the UX has.
