Need recomendations to buy a simple preamp, just to match the out impedance with the in impedance of the computer. Doesn’t need to have any complex function…
Thank You!
I use the ART DJ Pre-II - see http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=90&cat=13&id=109 . I feed the signal to my PC via an Edirol UA-1EX external USB soundcard. This combination produces excellent results recording from vinyl.
Kozikowski, another regular contributor to this forum uses the TCC TC-750LC see http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750lcpp.html
WC
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Right about now you should be wondering if you should have told us what you’re amplifying.
Koz
Sorry, i forgot to tell i’m going to connect a guitar.
What happens if you go in direct? If you have a Mac or a good Line-In on your PC, you can plug the pickup directly in and go with it. I dragged the scopes and meters into one of the edit rooms and sweet-talked one of the performers into letting me measure their guitar. It turned out to be just slightly low compared to a normal Line Level signal from a tape machine or other music player. 0.7v p-p with a good firm strum.
In other words, unless there’s something else you haven’t told us, adding electronics is just going to make it worse and only add slightly to the sound level. Level problems this slight you can repair with the Audacity Amplify tool in post production.
If you’re on a Mac, you’re done. If you’re on a PC, we get to talk.
Koz
No problems with the level, it just doesn’t sound good. To make it sound better i use the amp that came with my guitar, i plug it to the computer with a p10 to p2 cable at the headphone output. I could use a microphone and record from the amp directly (would be the right way i guess), but then the one i have doesn’t sound good without something to amplifly it too, it says the microphone is 600 ohms, maybe too much for the soundcard, and the mic isn’t very good.
I’m using a PC, have a audigy-se.
I frequently use a Sure SM57 microphone connected to a mixing desk that is plugged into the line input of my sound card. The microphone is mounted on a microphone stand and is placed a few inches away from the guitar speaker, a bit to the side of the the speaker cone. The optimal position depends on the guitar cab and the desired sound.
I can also plug the guitar directly into the mixing desk, but electric guitars often sound very poor unless plugged into a guitar amplifier or a guitar amp simulator (such as a Line 6 Pod).
For acoustic guitars I use a studio condenser microphone and a microphone pre-amp to record the acoustic instrument. The sound quality of plugging in an acoustic guitar depends on the guitar pick-up. I do not use guitar amps with acoustic guitars unless I specifically want that kind of sound (which usually I do not).
<<<I can also plug the guitar directly into the mixing desk, but electric guitars often sound very poor unless plugged into a guitar amplifier or a guitar amp simulator (such as a Line 6 Pod).>>>
Why is that? My “straight” recording of the editor’s guitar seems to sound just like his performances. Certainly if your guitar amplifier is “helping” you with pre-distortion and tailored or contoured response, then yes, they won’t sound anything like each other. Microphone time.
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Part numbers…?
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What pickup? The only acoustic guitar I have had with a pickup was with one I put there with screws. Not recommended. And yes, miking a singer with guitar is similar to “What’s the best way to mic a piano.”
Koz
Electric guitar “combos” (combined amplifier and loudspeaker) are designed to work with the electric guitar in creating the guitar tone. They are not designed for a “flat” response, but include many design features that will deliberately alter the sound. Frequently the speaker cabinet will be of an “open back” design that will roll off excess bass in a controlled way, will have specially designed speaker cones (“paper” cones are still very common) that will flex under load to deliberately introduce additional harmonics and non-linear amplifiers. Even when set to “clean” settings, the colouration of the sound is very pronounced. Digital modelling of classic amps has come a long way, but many guitarist will obsessively that there is no substitute for the real thing. For many guitarists their Amp is as much a part of the instrument as the “Axe” in their hands.
That varies. Sometimes I use an AKG C1000S, other times a cheap T-Bone SC-180, or at the other price extreme, either a DPA 4011 or 4006 (cardioid/omni respectively).
The microphone pre-amp will typically be one built into whatever mixing desk I am using unless I am using the DPAs, in which case it’s worth setting up the “SPL Track One”. Occasionally I’ll use a large diaphragm condenser, but generally I prefer small diaphragm condensers for acoustic guitar. Unfortunately I do not own the DPA’s, so I only get to use those when I’m at work.
Steel string guitars often have pick-ups built in. One of the most common types is a piezo transducer mounted between the bridge and the saddle, though other types are available. The sound quality ranges from excellent to dreadful. I’ve never heard one that produces a signal that actually sounds like a natural acoustic guitar, but some can certainly give a very good quality sound. Piezo transducers produce an extremely small signal current, so excellent RMF shielding and a high impedance pre-amp is essential. The pre-amp is generally fitted to the guitar so as to keep the unamplified signal lead as short as possible. Fitting a pickup to a high quality guitar should be done by a specialist as it can cause serious damage if done badly. Takamine are an example of high quality guitar makers that fit pick-ups to their instruments as standard.
Thx for all the answers, i was seeing this behringer preamp mic-100, would have to buy one to see if it does the job…