Good USB based recording unit?

Neeradj

Neeradj

New member
I've been looking for something to record my stuff with. I basically want to record guitar, bass and vocals. I don't want a POD as I'd very much like to use my own amp mic'ed with a SM58. I'm a plug and play kinda guy, so I don't really want something I have to work with a lot to get a good sound. I would also like it to sound as true as possible, perhaps with a little more bottom end. I haven't really found much about these units on the board. I read Deadskinslayer mention the M-Box which looks very promising. Have you got any ideas?
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

A USB interface will record exactly what you sound like, it won't add any bottom end. You will have to do that in software. Try the M-Audio Mobile Pre.
But honestly, using a POD is so much easier than micing an amp.
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

I use an m-box, I highly recommend them for their extremely clean sound mostly due to the focusrite pre's. I've also heard some really good things about the mackie spike, and presonus firepod. Not all USB interfaces are created equal. Some have crappy pre's and crappy converters which will pull the life out of your sound. I also wouldn't recommend micing an amp with a 58 since its a vocal mic. It can be done but you probably won't like the results as much as using a 57.
 
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Re: Good USB based recording unit?

vinterland said:
I use an m-box, I highly recommend them for their extremely clean sound. Not all USB interfaces are created equal. Some have crappy pre's and crappy converters. I also wouldn't recommend micing an amp with a 58 since its a vocal mic. It can be done but you probably won't like the results as much as using a 57.
Click to expand...

With the other USB interfaces You can use what ever Program, but with M-box You are hooked to Protools and You pay for it also.

As I have understood 58 and 57 are the same, but the difference is the wind shield.
So if You take the wind shield a way 58 comes 57.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

Flaxwood said:
With the other USB interfaces You can use what ever Program, but with M-box You are hooked to Protools and You pay for it also.

As I have understood 58 and 57 are the same, but the difference is the wind shield.
So if You take the wind shield a way 58 comes 57.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...


In fact, you can use the m-box with any ASIO based DAW. Pro tools is the only one that has to have the pro tools hardware to run. My friend uses an m-box into cubase for just about everything he does. I don't see how the 58 and 57 can be the same mic since to my ears they sound different. The 58 being a little brighter with more mids and the 57 being more flat with a little more bass response.
 
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Re: Good USB based recording unit?

Frankly, you're going about this bass-ackwards.

You really need to decide what software you're going to use and then choose an interface that will work well with that software. Otherwise, you're likely to end up with horrible latency that will make the recording process a nightmare.
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

I agree with Aleclee.

That said, an M-box or M-audio Firewire 410 would be the way to go. Grab yourself an SM57 and go to town!

For recording software, I highly recommend Nuendo 2 or Cubase SX3.
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

vinterland said:
In fact, you can use the m-box with any ASIO based DAW. Pro tools is the only one that has to have the pro tools hardware to run. My friend uses an m-box into cubase for just about everything he does. I don't see how the 58 and 57 can be the same mic since to my ears they sound different. The 58 being a little brighter with more mids and the 57 being more flat with a little more bass response.
Click to expand...

OK, You are maybe right with this M-box stuff.
But if you buy the M-box you pay extra for the pro tools in the price.
M-box is good but expencive compared with others which can deliver the same performance.

The shure SM57 and SM58 are the same microphone, with the exception of the SM58 having the windscreen. Take a look at the response diagrams on the shure website. They're the same, except for the small difference the windscreen makes in the 58.

The smaller grille on the 57 lets you get the capsule closer to the sound source, but otherwise both microphones are made of same parts.
This You can check from SHURE
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

USB (in theory) is a really crappy interface for realtime audio. Having said that, I don't know how well it works in the real world -- maybe it does ok. If you have a Firewire port, I'd get a Firewire box instead. The M-Audio Firewire 410 looks pretty good (I was just looking at the specs this morning).
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

Wow I was just out and I've already gotten this many replies thanks guys! Sorry about mixing the 57 and 58 up, I meant 57. Ok so what I've heard so far (explained):
-M-Box
-Firewire 410
-Mobile Pre

What would basically be my best bet? About software, I want something that's easy to work with rather than consulting the help file all the time. What would you recommend?

Thanks again
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

Mincer said:
A USB interface will record exactly what you sound like, it won't add any bottom end. You will have to do that in software. Try the M-Audio Mobile Pre.
But honestly, using a POD is so much easier than micing an amp.
Click to expand...

This is the same Pre-amp that I have on order that I mentioned to you a while ago :)

I know it's not going to be the greatest pre-amp in the world, but it should get the job done and to a reasonable standard :)

Craig
 
Re: Good USB based recording unit?

MattPete said:
USB (in theory) is a really crappy interface for realtime audio. Having said that, I don't know how well it works in the real world -- maybe it does ok. If you have a Firewire port, I'd get a Firewire box instead. The M-Audio Firewire 410 looks pretty good (I was just looking at the specs this morning).
Click to expand...

USB works just fine. The interfaces that use usb 1.1 only have like two inputs so the transfer rate is more than adequate for input and playback. If there are more inputs its usually USB 2.0 which is the same speed as firewire.
 
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