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Haas · Location: USA Posts: 5

I posted this in the gear forum, but thought perhaps some peeps in here might have good ideas as well. thanks

I'm thinking of starting a home studio for radio style production, so I don't need to get that fancy. I have the computer already, and need:

sound card
a mic
a mixer?

obviously depending on what sound card I get, I may or may not need a mixer. I've always worked with one, and enjoy using one, but maybe it's time to get our of the mind frame that it's necessary? Basically utilizing the inputs on the sound card will be either the mixer, or if I go without a mixer, it will need to handle the mic and 1-3 other inputs (DAT, minidisc etc.). I don't need 8 I/O's, and can't see that I ever will.

currently at work I use a Layla 24, which I like, however at home I don't think I need that much. I've used the Delta 44 before, and was pleased, and I hear that they have an Omni expansion thing that has a mic pre? anyone familiar with this?

So, which card, mixer or no, and any mic suggestions? Currently at work I have an ElectroVoice RE20, and I don't really like it. Too muddy. Thanks for the advice!

xdj · Posts: 4

Mic: Sennheiser MD421U... As far as I'm concerned, it's the only way to go.

Soundcard: I'd suggest a Digital Audio Labs CardDeluxe. Great sounding card, but there are no internal CD Audio inputs, which bothers some people.

Mixer: You'll probably still need one. A good Mic is gonna use an XLR connector, and a lot of cards (like the CardDeluxe) only have line inputs, and no Mic input.

Just my thoughts anyway.

nhaukap · Location: USA Posts: 130

There is literally a TON of previous discussion here in the forums on mikes, mixers, and sound cards. No exaggeration: a ton. You'll be amazed at the amount of useful info you'll find by utilizing the nifty search feature here. The "What mixer/soundcard/mic should I get?" question has been asked and answered many times, so you'll have no trouble finding lots of helpful previous posts and opinions. Welcome to the forum...now go for it!

Emmett · Location: USA Posts: 59

As far as your sound card, I really don't think you need a card with many features, just a good, high quality card. I would go for Echo's Mia card.

Mixer: Mackie, always Mackie. Whichever model fits your situation best.
Can't afford a Mackie? Despite the less-than-perfect preamps, I would still point you toward Behringer.

Mic: Perhaps you should take a look at the RE-27. I'm a big fan of the RE-20 and RE-27. The 27 has some contour switches, so you can pull the muddy sound you dont like. The 20 and 27 are tanks, they will last forever. A less rugged, but somewhat cleaner sounding mic is the Rode Broadcaster. They make great production mics, but terrible on air mics, (the jocks tear them apart in a matter of weeks). Also the AKG C3000 is beatiful. Stear clear of the tempting Shure SM7. It's beyond me why Shure, an otherwise wonderful company, would put their name on that god-awful SM7.

Craig Jackman · Location: Canada Posts: 909

If you don't get a mixer, you'll need some kind of mic preamp. The choice is yours, but there are a lot of advantages to a 1202 or 1402 Mackie mixer. Personally I wouldn't touch a Behringer unless it was free or next-to-free, the Mackie is better and actually has resale value when you move up to something else.

We use a lot of RE20 and RE27's here, and I'm not big on them either. The jocks love them, but I find them weak aurally and electricly. A large diaphram condenser is my choice. Rode is good, AKG is good, lots of things are good. Try a couple and go with whatever works for you. Get a decent stand and cables ... you'll want to stay away from cheap there.

Sound card? If you are using a mixer all you need is stereo i/o. That means you can get away with a Turtle Beach. I've got a SB Live at home that does what I need withing the SB limitations. It's not what I'd recommend but it works. If you want something a little more PRO, Echo is good product but their support is poor.

Haas · Location: USA Posts: 5

thanks for the replys so far! all advice is appreciated. as far as the mixers, anyone have anything good or bad to say about the Mackie DFX12? I like the low price, but that also give me pause.

VoodooRadio · Location: USA Posts: 3971

IMO, Mackie doesn't make anything that sucks! I'm not familiar with the DFX 12, but am guessing it has "built in" effects. (which I'm not fond of personally). Mackie offers various size (channels) models of the VLZ Pro line that is really "bang for the buck". Wink

tomcat · Location: USA Posts: 345

"...Stear clear of the tempting Shure SM7. It's beyond me why Shure, an otherwise wonderful company, would put their name on that god-awful SM7..."

I don't think they still make SM7s, but I've got an SM7-A that (I think) sounds great! I'd use it over an RE-20, or the Sennheiser mentioned earlier anyday. My "main" mic is an AKG C-414 B-ULS, which is a great large diaphram mic. And you can't go wrong with a Macki mixer. As stated earlier, they don't make crap, and their support is top-notch.

DrSlack · Posts: 64

im a mackiholic. behringer is okay (at most) for the low price. i use a mackie 16-8 and it is bulletproof and sounds awesome. while shopping for a mixer, a lot of salespeople tried steering me toward a behringer but i was never impressed with the tonal quality or the fact that they try to jam a zillion buttons into a tiny channel strip.
i decided to go with the trusty 8bus and im very glad i did. i had one of theire vlz series mixer previous to owning my 8bus in which i recommend.

as far as sound i/o interface to your pc, i recommend m-audio products for a few simple reasons; easy setup, ease of use, great sound, very versatile. a model for you to consider is the m-audio omni 66 from their delta series. i have one and its an exTREMEly versatile, 2 piece unit. it has two mic pre's with xlr connectors, phantom power, effects loops, 4 channels i/o ,spdif i/o, and im sire a bunch of other things for around $300 (if memory serves me correct)

im not a mic junkee. i mainly have mics for my drumkit which are all Shures and they are beta52(bassdrum), sm57's(toms and snare), sm81's(overheads). i use a $70 sm58 for vocals (and it shows) and i use my sm81's for acoustic instruments..... a $1000 mic would be a nice addition to my studio:shy: