help connecting mic to digital inputs...

help connecting mic to digital inputs on pc...

Posted on Jan 10, 2005 08:02 am
c_martini
Member Since: Jan 10, 2005

My pc has an interface for digital in/out (optical and spdif). I would like to connect my dynamic microphone (XLR balanced) to this input for home recording as the analog inputs are noisy. I know I will need some type of A/D converter to get the signal into the pc. I have been searching for some type of direct box or converter to acomplish this but the solutions I have found on the net are far too expensive for my purposes. What I need is something similar to what the Edirol UA-25 or UA-5 USB Audio and MIDI Interface www.edirol.com/products/info/ua5.html but without all the extras. I just need the simplest form of input for my mic, with perhaps a limiter to avoid digital clipping to the spdif or optical line input of the pc.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

[ Back to Top ]

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Jan 10, 2005 08:25 am

This is the only thing I am finding to do such a thing service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear as it has preamps and various digital outputs it appears...no matter which route you take, it's gonna cost a bit.

Wait, my mistake, I just found this: service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear it's a bit more reasonably priced...

c_martini
Member
Since: Jan 10, 2005

Jan 10, 2005 09:27 am

dB Masters,
Thanks for the advice. Actually, the Edirol UA-5 can be had for less than the ART unit you recommend. I have also just found this www.dvforge.com/plug.shtml unit which is an alternative for use through the usb port. I have contacted the company via email to find out if the connector will work on a pc with windows as well as mac. If so, this would definately be the least expensive alternative for me at around $50 (U.S.) when it is released later this month.

Thanks again and if anyone else has suggestions, feel free.

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Jan 10, 2005 10:30 am

Yeah, it is cheaper...and less expensive too. Edirol has some decent stuff, but I have never really considered them up in the semi-pro category. Just me I suppose...they JUST got into finally making 24-bit stuff, a lot of their gear is 16-bit limited which is a drawback right there.

I'm not saying it's junk, cuz I don't know, I just know I don't see a lot of people using their stuff in semi-pro or pro situations, or getting a lot of media coverage for those markets...makes me a bit skeptical...