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Female Microphone Cables

December 3rd, 2010

Various Ways To Interface Your Instrument To Your Computer

If you’re like me, you are obsessed with home recording. I’ve spent a lot of time and money figuring out the best way to connect my microphones and guitars to my computer over the years. Here are the routes I chose and what worked best.

Platform

From the beginning I decided to go with the Mac platform, just because I had played with their iLife included software “GarageBand” and was somewhat satisfied with its recording capabilities. I don’t think it has everything, but I got a Powerbook G4 in 2003 and now own a MacBook Pro.

Straight Line-In w/ Radio Shack Adapter

The first thing I tried was to use the built-in line-in on my Mac, which is a 1/8 inch female stereo port. So, I got a 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch adapter from Radio Shack. This was the worst way to interface my guitar to my computer. The part from Radio Shack didn’t fit my instrument cable just right, it caused undue wear on my Mac’s port, and the sound was super tinny.

iMic

The iMic is basically the same as the Radio Shack adapter, only its got a short cable on it and it fit my instrument cable better. I still got a pretty tinny sound.

M-Audio Fastrack USB Audio Interface

I had my first fruits of success with this $99 audio interface. Essentially it takes your guitar’s or microphone’s analog signal and turns it into a digital one. It sends the digital data via USB to your recording software, and voila!

This solution was my first experience of semi-professional sounding recordings, paired with some GarageBand post-production mixing and effects. There was still a problem with buzzing and feedback, however.

I also borrowed a friend’s mixer which would allow me to do some mixing, and balancing, and pretty soon I was making stereo recordings. It sounded pretty good, but the interference increased. I had too many connections and cables and opportunities for signal loss and corruption.

Alesis 8-Channel USB Mixer

This is the solution that has worked best for me for a small home-grown budget while getting virtual recording studio quality. This mixer was around $200, but acts as both a regular analog mixer, and a USB interface (both parts of which can be used independently of the other). This mixer/USB interface removes some of the seams of the rig, allowing for purer sounding, higher quality recordings. The mixer also features 100 different pre-amp effects.

So, essentially, the signal goes from my guitar, through a cable to my USB mixer, through the USB cable straight to my computer. There are very few analog connections involved.

Behringer iAXE 393

There is one more option that has even less analog connections. The Behringer iAXE 393 has a USB port right on it, allowing you to plug it straight into your computer digitally. This is quite an incredible idea, allowing seamless digital recording. Hopefully more guitar companies will jump in and add their own USB versions of their guitars.

I tested the iAXE, and I must say that although the action was a little high, the guitar sounded great, pumping data straight into Garageband.

About the Author

Cameron Postelwait
is Content Manager for SewellDirect.com, retailers of the
Behringer iAXE 393
.

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Complete Microphone Kit for CCTV Security System, 25 $22.00

Model: DSC-Mic package # Extremely Sensitive # S/N Ratio: 58dB # Audio Output: RCA Female # Range up to 150 Square meters # Sensitivity with 200mA/ubar # Power Input with 4-14V / 5mA-60mA # Max output Voltage 5V-upp # Package Included: 1pc CCTV Microphone, 1pc 25FT white color audio and power Cable, 1pc DC12V 1A (1000mA) Power Supply UL Listed, 2pcs BNC Female to RCA Male Adapter….

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Complete Microphone Kit for CCTV Security System, 100FT $34.99

Model:DSC-Mic package-100 # Extremely Sensitive # S/N Ratio: 58dB # Audio Output: RCA Female # Range up to 150 Square meters # Sensitivity with 200mA/ubar # Power Input with 4-14V / 5mA-60mA # Max output Voltage 5V-upp # Package Included: 1pc CCTV Microphone, 1pc 100FT white color audio and power Cable, 1pc DC12V 1A (1000mA) Power Supply UL Listed, 2pcs BNC Female to RCA Male Adapter….

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16 Channel Mixer Cabling Bundle Studio Live 16-Channel XLR to XLR Microphone Cable Pack $99.95

This specially priced cable bundle contains numerous types of cables. (16) XLR male to XLR female. Great for microphones. (4) TRS to TRS for any outboard equipment. (2) XLR male to TRS for monitors. (2) Female XLR to TRS for converting between XLR and 1/4 inch for outboard effect, and professional cd players….

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AmazonBasics USB Cable – 2.0 A Male to Micro B (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters) $6.76

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Belkin Speaker and Headphone Splitter $0.31

Belkin audio video accessories offer a variety of ways to install, expand, and upgrade stereo and home theater systems. This Speaker and Headphone Splitter connects two mini-stereo headphones or speakers to the same jack on your iPod mobile digital device, portable cassette or CD player. Belkin audio accessories offer excellent connections for your portable audio devices. This Headphone Splitter c…

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Hot Wires Microphone Cable $5.49

Hot Wires microphone cables are professional balanced cables with nickel plated male XLR to female XLR connectors for durability. Available in various popular lengths, Hot Wires Lo-Z Microphone Cables are flexible, durable, and have a black jacket. The 10 ft. cable is also available in a Hi-Z model, with XLR-QTR connector ends. All models ship in our eye-catching 4-color packaging and with a Velcro strap!

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CBI LowZ Microphone Cable with Neutrik Connectors $12.95

The CBI MLN Performer Series mic cables are extremely flexible and durable cables. They are constructed with Beldens 22-gauge, 2-conductor super low noise, ultra flexible audio cable, then fitted to Neutrik male and female XLR connectors.

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Neutrik 1/4 Female Connector $3.95

This coupler connects 1/4 in. cables via its 2-conductor 1/4 in. female to female mono jacks.

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Nady XLR Microphone cable 25 Foot $11.98