Adequate setup for home recording? MIC Q.

[Go Nigel Go]

You would probably get your best results buying an inexpensive 2 or 4 channel interface (firewire or USB depending on your computer and budget). The interface will almost always have phantom power. You will probably get better results from the shorter signal chain. You recording software most likely has effects such as EQ etc. that will also probably be superior to the ones in your DJ board. If you really like the board in the signal chain you can always connect it to the interface when you need it. Another option would be a phantom power box that plugs in between the mic and the soundboard. That would power your condenser mic in your existing setup.

[Electronandonica]

Does interface mean a preamp? And by dj board do you mean the mixer? I've been looking at phantom adaptors all evening and good quality ones are hard to recognise as reviews are lacking. The audio technica at8080 looks good but expensive, especially after the initial cost of the mic. Anyone know a good cheapish one?

Thanks for the input mate.

[Go Nigel Go]

Most interfaces have built in pre amps, just not necessarily the other way around. There are stand alone preamps (that can be used with an interface even if it has preamps already), and stand alone converters that require some sort of pre-amp to be used. Stand alone preamps are more common for the most part. What I was referring to was an interface with built in pre's

Also, yes I was referring to your mixer. With an interface you can still use the mixer if you want, but you can also just plug in the mic to the interface and set the input level there. That would give you the phantom power and simplify your signal chain quite a bit. It may even sound better unless you have a really nice mixer.

[Electronandonica]

Ah ok, got ye. The audio 8 is an interface, and upon closer inspection has an XLR input on it, negating the need for the mixer. Therefore shortening the signal chain. The audio 8 doesn't have phantom power however, so it looks like this is what I need to sort. Thanks Nigel.

[GordZilla]

Originally Posted by Electronandonica

Have just bought a Rode NT1-A, although may have made a mistake, thinking it can run on batteries, (and I can't imagine the xone 32 has phantom power). Can anyone clarify if it takes batteries? If not, how best to get a phantom power source to the mic?

The NT-1A does NOT take batteries... it is a condenser mic, that requires phantom power to operate. So you will need a preamp or interface that can provide 48v phantom power. A quick check online in the xone32's manual reveals that indeed it does NOT have phantom power.... as per this excerpt from the manual:

"MIC input Balanced XLR. Plug your DJ microphone in here if you choose to use one. It is best to use a mic with integral on/off switch so that the DJ can turn it off when it is not being used. Use rugged, good quality low impedance dynamic microphones such as those specifically designed for vocals. Do not use high impedance or unbalanced microphones, or condenser types which require phantom power."

[holdmyfinger]

I would buy an interface such as focusrite pro 24 and a second condenser mic to record acoustic while singing. Perhaps rode nt5 or oktava mk012.

[Electronandonica]

I think I will leave the interface and see how the audio 8 gets on, it is £300 worth of hardware so it might do a pretty good job.

Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ Soundcard only

That is the spec for anyone that cares to have a looksy.

Will definitely think about having a look at another mic in the future but at the moment I'm probably gonna have enough trouble controlling this one properly seeing as I have a condenser mic setup in a room with no insulation etc!

[phatbeatstudio]

Not to intensionally be a ARS HOLE but .
Don't let Jimi Hendrix record at the Montereax pop festival with that. You seen what he did to that nice strat.

No that is not adequate at all. your best piece of gear is the RODE mic and it won't work because your DJ equipment doesn't have phantom power. THAT BY DEFINITION IS NOT ADEQUATE.

Digi003 $400 used .
That is the barebones of adequate to me .Assuming professional aspiration are not a concern.

[Electronandonica]

Yes thank you phatbeatz for reiterating the phantom power point. I'm not sure if you actually you read any text between the OP and your own post, but I'm all over the phantom power issue.

I'm not looking to set the world alight with the quality of my recording (I'll leave that to the music ), just looking to obtain a reasonable home recording sound as I am new to it and have a lot of songs I want to capture.

[LimeMusic]

Phantom power aside, Any reason in particular you chose a condenser mic in the first place? Did you try to use this setup with a dynamic, and think a condenser was needed?

Just hearing about your room treatment, a nice dynamic might give you some great results with vox and acoustic.

[Electronandonica]

@Limemusic

I went with a condensor because I wanted the detailed sound of the acoustic guitar, primarily. I have found a spot in the room where echo is at a minimum and have reduced any further echo as best I can, with good results.

The audio 8 soundcard works great with the condensor mic it would appear, very happy with its performance.