Budget home recording help

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GJSNeptune

[H]F Junkie
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Mar 31, 2004
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I'm looking for a decent, inexpensive solution for recording guitar and vocals through my computer, but I'm not sure what the best route for me is. I don't need professional-grade equipment. My brother works at a studio, so I could cut tracks there if I ever wanted to.

Basically, I want an easy solution that sounds better than using a cheap PC mic with Audacity. I don't want to have a big chain of equipment. I'd prefer to plug my guitar and mic directly into my computer.

I'm pretty new to advance audio stuff, so I need some direction. I want at least one 1/4" port for my guitar, and an XLR port for my mic. I don't know if I'd need phantom power or not. In addition, would I want mono for guitar and stereo for vocals, or what? I don't want to spend more than $100. I think I have a Guitar Center gift card, which I think is $40 or $50.

I've looked at M-Audio solutions, but I need input. The Delta 1010LT is overkill and too expensive. Would the Delta 44 suit my needs? I've also looked at the M-Audio MobilePro, which is said to be pretty good. Any suggestions and/or experience?


Equipment:
Yamaha CPX8 A/E (piezo and condenser mic)
Shure SM58 Vocal mic
Stone guitar amp (don't remember specs or model number, haven't used it much. This at least seems to look like it.)


Thanks.
 
I think the E-MU 0404 is right up you're alley. If you can spend the $50 more, it is one of the best "bang for your buck" recording products out there at the moment.
 
Garfing Sharks said:
I think the E-MU 0404 is right up you're alley. If you can spend the $50 more, it is one of the best "bang for your buck" recording products out there at the moment.
Click to expand...

Bah! Musician's Friend has it for $150. I could buy it from them and use my Gear Card for something else. I'll keep the 0404 USB in mind. Thanks for the recommendation.
 
If I come across the thread, I'll link it. It was at htguide.com. It was dealing with measurement of speakers, but recording is recording.
 
The only M-Audio FireWire solution in his price range is the M-Audio FireWire Solo. Which has the same sampling rate, has less I/O's than the 0404, and is more expensive. The 0404 has been proven to be a great DAC/recoring interface, just read the reviews.
 
What are your recording needs? Similar to mine?

It's a little pricey, but I'll keep it in mind.
 
GJSNeptune said:
What are your recording needs? Similar to mine?

It's a little pricey, but I'll keep it in mind.
Click to expand...

Yep, pretty much exactly like yours. I got an external because I take it with me when I'm gigging or to record my friends when they are.

I've never seen one of the EMU units suggested, but the Fast Track Pro sounds great and will put up with the abuse a musician might give it.
 
So far I guess it's between the M-Audio MobilePre and the M-Audio Fast Track Pro.
 
GJSNeptune said:
So far I guess it's between the M-Audio MobilePre and the M-Audio Fast Track Pro.
Click to expand...

The Fast Track Pro is more versatile and has better construction quality - I recommend it. I don't know what you're using for a sound card now, but you may find yourself using this instead. Having the digital out is nice is you're connecting your PC to a receiver of some sort.
 
Right now an Audigy 2 ZS, and I may put it in my new AM2 build this weekend. Not sure. I'm using a Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 set, so just PC connectivity.
 
But they aren't sound cards, right? Better quality for recording, yes, but I can't plug my Klipsch speakers into them unless I use a 1/4" adapter.
 
GJSNeptune said:
But they aren't sound cards, right? Better quality for recording, yes, but I can't plug my Klipsch speakers into them unless I use a 1/4" adapter.
Click to expand...

Sure they're sound cards - plug your Klipsch speakers into the outputs. The Fast Track Pro has RCA outs, so all you'd need is a RCA to 1/8" cable. You might even have something like that cable hanging around.
 
I'll have to see what I can do. If I remember correctly, the sub has the 1/8" cable going to the computer. Wouldn't an adapter downgrade quality?
 
GJSNeptune said:
I'll have to see what I can do. If I remember correctly, the sub has the 1/8" cable going to the computer. Wouldn't an adapter downgrade quality?
Click to expand...

Nope. You could also buy the proper cable (it's very common) and no adapter would be required.
 
Actually, I lied. I just looked at my sub and the cable to my computer is actually component -> 1/8".
 
No. The sub has raw wires that are clamped into the sub, and each pair has a 1/8 end that go into the satellites. The sub then has a component cable with a 1/8 end for the computer.

http://www.laaudiofile.com/images/pm21a.jpg


Ultimately, the audio has to go through the sub, so I would need a component/VGA to RCA cable.
 
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