Best Audio In? (iMic, PowerWave, SB Deck?)

michaelsanford

michaelsanford

Translator, Web Developer
I'm getting a small external [analogue] mixer soon ($200), so that I can pipe through and record my acoustic instrument (Oud). Since the microphone (powered, condenser) I use to use to record it it almost as expensive as the mixer, I'd really like a good feed. :cool:

I've got a Griffin iMic right now, which I don't find is that great (the USB bus power leaks into the audio line :mad: ).

I remember that SoundBlaster had a FireWire deck I could use, highly functional (even has optical in...and I have some optical outs).

What would you guys suggest? As you can see, I have the 700MHz iMac, so no line in...

I'm guessing FireWire is the best way to go? I can easily give a USB device a dedicated port though (instead of plugging it through a hub).
 
The only OS X non - usb I can think of is M-Audio. I'm not sure if it is good at recording.

The Powerwave looks encouraging. I tend to wait for a couple of months when a new product comes out to see other people's experiences. Good luck.
 
Cool I took a look at the M-Audio Sonica and it doesn't say anything about input, so I'll keep looking. But thanks.
 
Emagic has a 6 input, 2 output +S/PDIF USB system, which I've heard is great. It's $300-400, though. The best way to go is a MOTU interface, but they're a little bit expensive :D
 
Originally posted by michaelsanford
ksv you mean this (http://www.crmav.com/15/emagic_multichannel_interface_2_6.shtml)? It's 2 in 6 out...
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No, I'm talking about the EMI 6|2 :)
http://www.emagic.de/products/hw/emi62/index.php?lang=EN

Originally posted by michaelsanford
A MOTU interface like this one?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MTU828

(That page really doesn't display properly in OmniWeb by the way :eek: It looks pretty freakin' cool, but I don't have a rack...
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Yeah. If you could afford one, you'd probably afford a rack, too :p
http://www.motu.com
 
Hehe I tried emagic.com (not what I was looking for :p )

I can't afford either (at the moment) but I'll definitely keep these in mind, thanks ksv!
 
If your only problem with the iMic is what you mention, I might look more into that problem. I use an iMic to record vinyl into the Mac and never had that. Only thing I would like is for things to be louder, but I get the feeling that is inherent to the medium.
 
I've isolated the problem as being the iMic (in my device chain, so it's not my effects processors or amps or anything).

I am designing a plug to ground the audio line, to see if that solves the problem...
 
I have the iMic as well and the noise can be introduced from many sources. Your power outlet being a prime culprit of 60 cycle hum. The best way I have found to combat the hum is to make sure the input level from the Microphone is very hot. Also, are there any appliances near where you record? Believe it or not, having a fridge near your mic, even in the same room, can add all sorts of unwanted sounds to your mix.

If you had $500, I would recommend the Mbox by ProTools (http://www.digidesign.com) because it comes bundled with ProTools LE (Limited Edition of the full version of ProTools.) The iMic's other drawback is that it does not allow you to hear any other tracks while you are recording. A bitch for multitrack recordings...If you have an amazing board and Mic, you should probably go all the way with the interface too. If you don't, it won't matter what mic you are using your sound is still going to be less than you want.

Hope this helps!
 
Originally posted by Natobasso
Believe it or not, having a fridge near your mic, even in the same room, can add all sorts of unwanted sounds to your mix.
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Having a fridge in the same room as you are recording music is a stupid idea anyway because refrigerators hum 20 minutes of every hour, so you'll be getting a lot of noise as it is, much less interference in your signal. (But every serious musician should know this already...)
 
Touche...but when you think about it, if your computer and your fridge/appliances (and other home appliances and flourescent lights) were plugged into the same power source/breaker, you might then pick up that hum regardless of where those appliances are in relation to each other.
 
If it's on the same circuit right.

I'm in a rather small flat now so I think the only one that's isolated is my stove (which is rather obvious given it's 240V) since they're cheap.

They also painted over (with about 7 coats of paint) the breaker box so I can't open it and check for myself :p
 
Yea. It's transformers that do it - any trafo makes electromagnetical interference. But in computers and other advanced electronic appliances, they are so well shielded that nothing gets out.
The best way to avoid 100/120 Hz humming noise is to use XLR cables.They have 3 leads + shielding unlike RCA/minijack cables that only have 2.

XLR: Signal (+) right, signal (+) left, signal (-), shielding/ground (-).
RCA: Signal (+) right, signal (+) left, signal/shielding/ground (-).

That way, all shielding can be connected to one, only one, grounding point and keep the - signal for itself. This eliminates the 'ground loop' problem, the problem that the cable shielding between different appliances become antennas for all kinds of interference.
 
Originally posted by michaelsanford
They also painted over (with about 7 coats of paint) the breaker box so I can't open it and check for myself :p
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And electrocute yourself... :eek: But you're more careful than that, right? ;)
 
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