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Old 02-13-2012, 08:33 PM   #1
Hoof Hearted
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Default I Want a CHEAP and RELIABLE recording set-up

I have an HP Pavilion dv5-2135dx laptop,

also a dell 519 inspiron desktop.


I've been using an ancient Fostex MR-8 recorder, with an sm-58 and/or sm-57.

There always seems to be a hiss,fizz,crackle and pops in the recordings, even in the dead silence of the room.

Is this because of the interface, mics, or both?

I would like to set up to record tracks crystal clear at minimal cost.

I don't care how many bells and whistles I'd be missing. I can do work arounds or what ever. I just want to record a clear track that I can import into Reaper.

What do you think? Should I go with an MXL 990/991 mic package along with perhaps an M-Audio Firewire Solo? OR...Am I overlooking other similar setups that may be a tad bit more or less expensive, but have advantages as well?

Can I even use the M-Audio Solo with either of my PCs as-is, or am I trying to make quiche without the eggs?

Please remember; I'm stupid but I'm also capable of learning. Thanks
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Old 02-13-2012, 10:03 PM   #2
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It would be REALLY helpful to diagnose what is going on
if you were to upload the noise you're getting to SoundCloud.

Your noise could come from any part of the chain - it would
be throwing good money after bad without determining what is
the cause of the noise. And replacing more than one thing
at a time is not good troubleshooting. It might work in the
end, but you might end up throwing money away.

Post up a file of what you're getting - that will help a LOT.

Jedi
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Old 02-13-2012, 11:53 PM   #3
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I have an ancient Korg D-8 with similar issues, so my money is on the Fostex as the culprit.

The following is clean, absolutely rock-solid and inexpensive:

M-Audio Audiophile 2496 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...tal-audio-card

Mackie 402-VLZ3 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...ct-audio-mixer

The 990/991 package won't hurt either. Not as a replacement for the 57/58, but just as an additional option, which just happens to be on sale for right now for $69. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...ophone-package

(I don't need it, I don't need it, I don't need it...)

Last edited by Panic; 02-14-2012 at 12:06 AM.
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Old 02-14-2012, 08:52 AM   #4
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Just a note on that Mackie - I've owned several Mackies, and that little 402-VLZ3 kicks ass. I use it all the time for my project workstation, mostly for line level stuff. It is super quiet, even compared to previous Mackie iterations. Also built like a tiny tank. I wish every piece of gear was built as great as that one is. : )
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Old 02-14-2012, 10:16 AM   #5
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Look into trhe used market, some studio guys like to keep up with technology, and sell off their gear quite often. I buy used, last generation MOTU stuff for extreamly cheap, and I have no issues with it.
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Old 02-16-2012, 09:58 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aste View Post
I have an ancient Korg D-8 with similar issues, so my money is on the Fostex as the culprit.

The following is clean, absolutely rock-solid and inexpensive:

M-Audio Audiophile 2496 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...tal-audio-card

Mackie 402-VLZ3 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...ct-audio-mixer

The 990/991 package won't hurt either. Not as a replacement for the 57/58, but just as an additional option, which just happens to be on sale for right now for $69. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...ophone-package

(I don't need it, I don't need it, I don't need it...)
I absolutely like the price of the 2496 at under a hundred bucks delivered to my door, and I take your word that it is clean and rock solid- BUT, I'm still wondering- How am I to plug in my instrument and microphone cables? I'm not seeing any jacks that will accept TRS or XLR connectors.

I am definitely ignorant, but it seems to me it should be commonplace for an interface to have TRS and XLR jacks. Aren't these the two most common cable heads used by musicians?

So are there other pieces I would need here to bridge the gap from my guitars and microphones to the sound card itself? Would a pre-amp be appropriate here as well?
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Old 02-16-2012, 10:10 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aste View Post
I have an ancient Korg D-8 with similar issues, so my money is on the Fostex as the culprit.

The following is clean, absolutely rock-solid and inexpensive:

M-Audio Audiophile 2496 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...tal-audio-card

Mackie 402-VLZ3 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...ct-audio-mixer

The 990/991 package won't hurt either. Not as a replacement for the 57/58, but just as an additional option, which just happens to be on sale for right now for $69. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...ophone-package

(I don't need it, I don't need it, I don't need it...)
Wait a minute...Are you suggesting using the Mackie along with the 2496? In my ignorance and confusion, I simply assumed with a name like MACkie that you were giving me 2 choices: the 2496 for a regular PC, or the Mackie if i had a MAC PC.

I didn't even bother to look at the Mackie...DOH!!

Another quick question? Would the addition of a pre-amp still be appropriate? if so, Do you have any suggestions as to which ones to use?

Thanks for ALL of your help and suggestions! I don't just use Reaper because of it's cheap, free and user friendly, but also because of the contributing community
on these here forums. Hats off!
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Old 02-16-2012, 10:25 AM   #8
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The 24/96 is the soundcard & the mackie is the mic pre. You'd be buying both.

24/96's are indeed rock solid and can't be beat for their price.
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Old 02-16-2012, 11:13 AM   #9
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I would have thought that most interface mixers now-a-days would have USB ports or firewire ports.
Even on my old dinosaur Fostex Mr-8, there is the Midi-Out port, a USB port, a Digital Out port, plus a slot of a flash card.


I noticed on the Mackie there there are 1/4 inch outs, as well as the unbalanced RCA outs. Looking at the 2496 card, I see only the RCA and Midi-Out jacks.

Am I to use the RCA jacks only when connecting the Mackie to the sound card. or am i missing something?

Will either unit come with the cables I would need for the connections? If I need to buy them, Are there any that are recommended for this application?
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Old 02-16-2012, 11:19 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aste View Post
If you care about how it sounds:
Don't use the vlz3 preamps.
I have a 802-vlz3. It's nice as monitor-mixer, but the preamps gets worse and worse the more you listen to them. IMO

I've heard good things about Presonus and Focusrite audio interfaces
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Old 02-16-2012, 11:31 AM   #11
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Are you suggesting to cut out pre-amps all together, or just the Mackie's and perhaps going with another pre-amp?
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Old 02-16-2012, 12:07 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoof Hearted View Post
Are you suggesting to cut out pre-amps all together, or just the Mackie's and perhaps going with another pre-amp?
Yes, I'm suggesting just an interface. You'll get cheap, reliable interfaces with totally adequate preamps now adays. Two xlr/guitar-jack combo and 2 ch line out + midi in/out should cover the basics. More in/out if you want that for the future.
Usb or firewire.

http://geir-music.blogspot.com/2010/...interface.html
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Old 02-16-2012, 12:16 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G-Sun View Post
Yes, I'm suggesting just an interface. You'll get cheap, reliable interfaces with totally adequate preamps now adays. Two xlr/guitar-jack combo and 2 ch line out + midi in/out should cover the basics. More in/out if you want that for the future.
Usb or firewire.

http://geir-music.blogspot.com/2010/...interface.html
I totally thought midi in/out should be a standard too, yet I'm not seeing it on the Mackie. Am I missing something?
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Old 02-16-2012, 01:47 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoof Hearted View Post
I totally thought midi in/out should be a standard too, yet I'm not seeing it on the Mackie. Am I missing something?
The Mackie is not an interface. It's a small preamp/mixer.

Something like this is what you want:
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/compu...io_interfaces/
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Old 02-16-2012, 02:49 PM   #15
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I've been looking at Motu 2408 MK2's for a while now.

Any thoughts on these? Used they seem to be under $200.

Would I still need a sound card to go with it?
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Old 02-16-2012, 03:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G-Sun View Post
The Mackie is not an interface. It's a small preamp/mixer.

Something like this is what you want:
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/compu...io_interfaces/
So, If I were to get the Mackie, would I still need an interface to convert the signal into my DAW, or is this where the M-Audio 2496 soundcard comes in?

I'm just trying to figure out why I would be spending money on a mixer if I've already got a mixer in Reaper. Is an interface not essential in being able to record and manipulate the recordings on my PC?
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Old 02-16-2012, 05:18 PM   #17
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Hoof

Think of the mixer as a fancy breakout box. I use a 2496 and being PCI it has excellent latency and decent sound quality(converters). I get around 3.5ms at 64 sample rate. The midi in/out is good for hardware (keyboards) and the RCA goes to the mixer where you have all your various phono options.
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:13 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoof Hearted View Post
So, If I were to get the Mackie, would I still need an interface to convert the signal into my DAW, or is this where the M-Audio 2496 soundcard comes in?

I'm just trying to figure out why I would be spending money on a mixer if I've already got a mixer in Reaper. Is an interface not essential in being able to record and manipulate the recordings on my PC?
Yes, with the makcie vlz3 there is no audio interface.

At home I have three mixers that get's used all the time:
- Reaper, DAW (could be used for monitoring yourself while playing, but often not the best choice)
- RME HDSP Mixer: A router and mixer for my computers ins and outs (This is the audio-interface mixer, a good choice for monitoring)
- My Mackie 402 vlz3. Basically I use this to regulate different hardware signals, monitor volume and headphone-volume)

In your setup, you could do without the last of those, but the two first are IMO mandatory.
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