Recording Help

[screamoutmyname]

I'd like to say in advance that I don't fully understand the whole "Phantom Power" thing, but I am trying to grasp it before I make a stupid purchase.

I am looking to buy an audio interface/sound card to connect to my computer, but it does not have Phantom Power. I also would like to buy a condenser mic, but everything I am coming across requires at least 48v of Phantom Power.

I was wondering if there is a way around this dilemma. Any help at all would be much appreciated. Thanks! =)

[screamoutmyname]

Anyone... Anyone?... Buehler... Buehler...

[alex.parent]

To my knowledge there isn't really a way around your interface not having phantom power. What interface are you looking a getting? Presonus makes an awesome one that hooks up by firewire, that's what I use and it has phantom power and the quality is excellent.

[screamoutmyname]

To my knowledge there isn't really a way around your interface not having phantom power. What interface are you looking a getting? Presonus makes an awesome one that hooks up by firewire, that's what I use and it has phantom power and the quality is excellent.

Ahh that's awesome... How much did it cost you?

I'm looking at a Lexicon interface that connects via USB, which sounds really convenient... But it doesn't have phantom power.

Thanks for the info, and it sounds like I'm definitely going to have to keep looking haha

[bassdrummer2333]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000TP57E/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1Y2BUUVZ49AZ4&v=glance#productPromotions

ching.

[alex.parent]

Ahh that's awesome... How much did it cost you?

I'm looking at a Lexicon interface that connects via USB, which sounds really convenient... But it doesn't have phantom power.

Thanks for the info, and it sounds like I'm definitely going to have to keep looking haha

I think they're like $400 I didn't buy it, it's my band's guitarist. But if you can afford it, it's really an awesome interface.

[screamoutmyname]

I think they're like $400 I didn't buy it, it's my band's guitarist. But if you can afford it, it's really an awesome interface.

ahhh, nice! it's a little pricy for what i'm going to use it for... but it definitely looks awesome!

the guitarist in my old band had a whole ton of cool recording stuff (he ultimately went to 2 years of recording school) and it was awesome to start recording everything... it's a huge learning process.

thanks for the advice man... if you're interested at all, here's the interface i ended up settling on.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-LEX-LAMBDA

pretty sweet for 150 bucks... and to my knowledge, it comes with Cubase software... can't go wrong there! =)

[alex.parent]

That's not a bad interface. My bassist actually has that one, and the quality is great. I wasn't sure what you were going to use the interface for, but if that's enough channels than that's all you need!

[The Boathouse]

Fuck USB interfaces, just as a heads up. I have to second the Presonus Firebox. Add up how much you'll spend on phantom power, maybe $45. Then add in aggravation for extra cables, extra plugs in the wall, extra noise in your signal if you have a ground loop, blah blah blah. It's easier to get a decent interface to begin with. You won't be sad you got a firebox, and it simplifies the process a lot. I have my old USB interface and a firebox, and the firebox doesn't kill the mood for me. With my USB interface, there's the whole process of plugging that in, then plugging in phantom power, then running the mic into the power and then that into the interface. Takes twice as long to set up. Fuck that.

[wearelexington]

I run an Edirol UA-25 (though i may upgrade to the FA version) very good interface with phantom power and Hi-z for guitar. I would recommend looking at the Audio Technica condensers, decent sound if you buy mid price range.

hope that helps a bit.

[The Boathouse]

The AT condensers are pretty fucking solid. I also recommend Sterling Audio!

[brandnew741]

I have a couple AKG condensers and I love them. They're pretty cheap and sound great. AT ain't too shabby either.
And personally, I hate cubase. I think I'd rather use Adobe Audition ;-)

[bassdrummer2333]

Agree ^ it's a way nicer interface in my opinion. I'm gonna switch up to pro tools once I get really good with audition. is pro tools hard to use?

[thefollowthroug]

I'll second everyone else here. Get a better interface. Your other option though is to buy the audio card, then also buy something like an M-Audio Audiobuddy--a mic preamp with phantom power--or a mixer to run your mics through.

[ChrisCTL]

M-Audio is the way to go my friend

[dietoseeyoufail]

People hate Pro Tools because it's sooo hard.
Once you get it, it's fucking awesome

I used Adobe Audition, it was cool. 3.0 was cool, but hogged up memory. Everything ran slow.

Cubase is awesome too though, but I never really used it for recording.
Just making beats.