Posts Tagged ‘usb’
USB Recording Interface
September 28th, 2010List of Instrument/Computer Interface Options
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
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BaCH Les Paul test with Pod XT Live in USB recording
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PreSonus AudioBox USB Recording Interface $149.95
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ESI Audio U46XL USB Audio Interface $199
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The new head of its class is the multifaceted is the Roland TRI-CAPTURE USB interface — a unique, compact audio interface optimized for personal and mobile recording, vocal and guitar recording, and streaming-internet applications. With its mixer-like design and dedicated front-panel controls, Roland’s TRI-CAPTURE makes it easy to mix, control, and monitor a variety of signals. Plug a microphone into the XLR input, an instrument into the 1/4-inch jack, and a stereo instrument or device into the AUX input.
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ESI Audio MAYA44 USB Audio Interface $119
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Behringer C-1U Studio Condenser Microphone with USB Interface $54.99
The C-1U is a digital home recording or podcasting enthusiast’s dream come true. This professional quality condenser microphone is identical to the acclaimed BEHRINGER C-1 mic with one awesome difference: it has a built-in USB interface so you can be ready to record faster than ever, and with minimal preparation and equipment. Just plug it into your computer and start recording!
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Mackie Onyx Blackjack USB Audio Interface $149.99
Mackie’s Onyx Blackjack Premium 2×2 USB Recording Interface offers industry-leading recording quality in a compact and ergonomic desktop design perfect for home studios. With two boutique-quality Onyx preamps and premium 24-bit AD/DA conversion, Blackjack delivers unmatched fidelity, headroom and transparency for your recordings. True analog hardware monitoring of inputs provides hassle-free zero latency tracking, in either mono or stereo.
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Yamaha Audiogram3 USB Audio Interface (Mac and Windows) $99.99
With a focus on simplicity and ease-of-use, the Audiogram3 delivers a compact audio interface complete with both a mono and stereo input channel. Providing maximum flexibility for recording from almost any audio source, the mono input channel features a combo-type connector that can be set for microphone or line level input, while the stereo channel has both phone and RCA connectors. Of course, as this interface is USB bus-powered, it needs no external power supply and is an ideal solution for mobile applications.
Click here to learn more about Yamaha Audiogram3 USB Audio Interface (Mac and Windows)
Tascam US1800 USB 2.0 Audio Interface $299.99
The US1800 from Tascam is an affordable interface for recording up to 16 sources to your computer. Based on high-speed USB 2.0 technology, the US1800 has eight high-quality XLR microphone preamps with phantom power on the front panel for easy access. An additional six balanced line inputs are included on the rear panel, as well as S/PDIF digital I/O and MIDI I/O. The US1800 is bundled with Steinberg’s Cubase LE5 48-track recording software. For Tascam-quality recording live or in the studio, you can rely on the US1800.
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Tascam LaunchPad Recording Starter Pack $39.95
LaunchPad – The TASCAM recording kit includes headphones, cables and a microphone to help musicians start recording at an affordable price. Since revolutionizing home recording 25 years ago with the Portastudio, the name TASCAM has become synonymous with creative home recording. The LaunchPad is the ideal accessory for musicians to start recording with their TASCAM DP-01 Digital Portastudio, cassette Portastudio or USB computer interface.
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BLUE Icicle USB Microphone Interface $39.95
The Icicle is Blue’s new stylish USB converter and mic preamp combo that allows you to connect any XLR microphone directly into your computer via USB! The Icicle features a studio quality microphone preamp, 48V phantom power, fully balancedlow noise front end, analog gain control, and driverless operation. Setup is a snap! The Icicle works with both dynamic and condenser microphones, providing high quality and hassle-free connectivity with Mac or PC. Whether you’re using amicrophone for digital recording, podcasting, voice messaging, or voice recognition applications, the Icicle is the quick and easy way to get connected.
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