Home studio

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I wouldn't use any EMU soundcards, I'm certain they are all UNBALANCED which you should stay away from.

Ten years ago I think your suggestion would have been more valid than it is today.  Back then buying a card with balanced ins and outs assured the purchaser that the card had OTHER quality issues built into it's guts.

The other long-standing recommendation has been to never buy a sound card that was doing all of it's work inside your machine.  Get one that does the A/D and D/A conversion work external to the computer case, away from the electrical noise.

The original question came from someone apparently setting up their "first real studio" for home use.  He/she may be ready to establish not just a quality studio, but an extraordinary studio.

In my set-up the longest cable run is from the sound card to the powered speakers and does not exceed 10 feet.  My mic-to-preamp-to-sound card is maybe 4 feet plus 3 feet.  For those who are setting up their first rig, or slightly upgrading a really primitive set-up,  I offer the suggestion that a card with unbalanced ins and outs may serve your current needs and dreams VERY WELL.  I find that ambient room noise far exceeds any electrical flotsam that may exist.  A bit of gating and a bit of noise reduction puts noise levels down at -80 or -90.  So if I go spend $400 to $700 on a new balanced card what do I get?  -93?

Check the thickness of your wallet and buy in your comfort zone.

[gunterm]

I beg to differ, the only unbalanced audio card I ever paid more than $400 for was the Orban PC 1100 which obviously had other qualities

Right now at musician's friend you can find either a USB or PCI for WAY less than $150 even, including my favorite the M-Audio Delta 44 which has not two but FOUR inputs and outputs and is a beautiful card!

Lexicon Alpha for $79: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lexicon-Alpha-USB-Audio-Interface?sku=245507

M Audio 44: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=701346V

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I beg to differ, the only unbalanced audio card I ever paid more than $400 for was the Orban PC 1100 which obviously had other qualities

Right now at musician's friend you can find either a USB or PCI for WAY less than $150 even, including my favorite the M-Audio Delta 44 which has not two but FOUR inputs and outputs and is a beautiful card!

Thanks for making be go back and read some product specs.  For someone from "the old-school" like me, these modern day ambidextrous non-transformer inputs and outputs are quite a convenience.  But you never know when they are going to bite you.  I really hate it even when you buy the product and have the owners manual in your hand, they often do not tell you if that quarter inch jack is a two-wire tip-and-ring, or is it a three-wire tip-ring-and-sleeve connection when they say it is balanced or un-balanced compatible.

They do not make it clear whether you will get in noise trouble if you use the input as balanced and the output as unbalanced.  I guess that is why some of us were born with an experimental heart!

My message to the newbies is:  Don't put off learning and experimenting because you can't afford to have all your components meet the expectations of the experienced pros.  Jump in and start learning and experimenting with what you have.

[Chuck]

If I had a lazy way to use the USB port I would use the SM7. What are folks using for this purpose?

For simplicity the USB adapter and mic processor would be the best choice.  It all depends on the automation system in use and if you are doing real time vt.

Chief, you might want to check out this discussion on the Production Board. Bottom line is that there's a quick-and-dirty mic-to-USB device from MXL called the Mic Mate, and a better mic-to-USB device from CEntrance called the MicPort Pro. Not discussed is an upgrade from MXL called the Mic Mate Pro.

The Mic Mate goes for around $50.00, The MicPort Pro is in the $125-150 range, and the Mic Mate Pro for $75-100. All supply phantom power, and will allow you to plug almost any mic into your USB port seamlessly. The MicPort Pro and Mic Mate Pro both offer zero latency monitoring through a 1/8" stereo headphone jack.

I've been using the MicPort for over a year now. I don't leave home without it.  Just plug it into your laptop, launch your favorite audio capture program and record.  You can edit the bit, email it to the station and using a remote desktop software solution, put it on the air in minutes.  It works great.

These are interesting times we live in.

[AugC]

I really do appreciate all the help from you all! Experienced in voice work, BUT NOT the set up of a home studio. I really like the idea of the mic-pro and laptop setup...have fun on the go!! Now, I have to learn the setup part:)