quote:

If I added an external preamp from A or B to the 0404, would this be a good thing? or would the external pre amp overpower the one in the 0404 and butcher the sound?

It will be fine just make sure you use 1/4" TRS cables and plug into the line inputs.

Lance

Sorry, LanceP, I should have asked if I "buy" one instead of just "add" one Would this be a really beneficial addition (worth the extra cost of buying an external pre) as far as quality would go or should I just stick with the 0404 by itself? Last question, I promise! lol

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or would the external pre amp overpower the one in the 0404 and butcher the sound?

I was just answering that question. As far as whether or not to buy an external pre at this point, I don't know. It kind of depends on what mics you have. And if you're seriously looking at the Brick, I'd suggest, for that kind of money, to get an sm7b as someone else mentioned earlier. (it really seems to be well thought of around here and you save a bit if you pick one up used.) Then later when you come to the limits of the stock pres and you've saved some money you will be able to make a more informed decision about what you need.

Lance

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The idea is to get the most milage out of every purchase.

For whatever it's worth, i agree with Lance's encourangement on maximizing your dollar by buying better-than-bottom-end gear that you can grow into. If you plan to stick to home recording, why throw good $$$ away on something limited that you know is soon to be worthless at worst and redundant at best?

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Originally posted by LanceP:

It kind of depends on what mics you have.

Lance

Just one SM57 is what I will be using. As for the preamp, I would go with your advice, but I just found I won't have as much for something around the Brick's price range. So if I got the DMP3 would that be a major upgrade in sound quality with the SM57 or should I just stick with the 0404 by itself?

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Originally posted by dirtyragamuffin:

If you plan to stick to home recording, why throw good $$$ away on something limited that you know is soon to be worthless at worst and redundant at best?

Because I do not plan to stick to home recording. As I said, "A musician who just wants to record a CD to give to fans." This is only a one time thing.

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Originally posted by Elfie57:


Because I do not plan to stick to home recording. As I said, "A musician who just wants to record a CD to give to fans." This is only a one time thing.

Ah, gotcha. But if that's the case is there project studio around you that could do a demo or budget indie recording for a few hundred? You could mebbe get a good sound with the bonus of being able to focus on the music without being distracted by the engineering work.

Then I would wait and as long as the stock pre aren't horrible, scratchy, distorted etc. Spend that extra dough on another mic. Maybe one of the studio projects condensers or a used sm7b, something to give you more options. That is, of course, if you're dead set against getting a better interface. (yes I beat the dead horse one last time.)

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Originally posted by dirtyragamuffin:

is there project studio around you that could do a demo or budget indie recording for a few hundred?

I wish. Living in a small town, there are not many options. There was one that seemed pretty good, but it would have cost too much money. Other than that one, I don't know any others. That is why I am just going to do this one myself and move to a bigger city next year.

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Originally posted by LanceP:
Then I would wait and as long as the stock pre aren't horrible, scratchy, distorted etc. Spend that extra dough on another mic. Maybe one of the studio projects condensers or a used sm7b, something to give you more options. That is, of course, if you're dead set against getting a better interface. (yes I beat the dead horse one last time.)

LOL, ok it's settled then! I will do my best to make a demo recording using the 0404 and see how that goes. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your help. It is greatly appreciated. Wish me luck!

Sincerely, Elfie57

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Elfie57:

I wish. Living in a small town, there are not many options. There was one that seemed pretty good, but it would have cost too much money. Other than that one, I don't know any others. That is why I am just going to do this one myself and move to a bigger city next year.

Fair 'nuff and best of luck with the recording process! Out of curiosity, where are you?

Hi, Elfie57,

I second the motion to look at some more microphone options. I had an 0404 USB, and it did a respectable job. Without better AD conversion, a new preamp may not make all that much difference. The sm57 really limits you. I see used Studio Projects C-1's around here for $150 now and then. An LDC would be my next purchase if I were you. If you are just doing this for a one time use, it might be a good Idea to buy used stuff that has already taken a depreciation hit. If you take care of it and save the boxes, packing material, manuals, software, etc, you can probably turn around and get your money back if you decide to sell it.

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Originally posted by dirtyragamuffin:
Fair 'nuff and best of luck with the recording process! Out of curiosity, where are you?

Mission, Tx. A place where Tejano music reigns supreme. There are a few studios around here, but they all cater to Spanish music and there is kind of an atmosphere of elitism around them, I guess because I am young and my style is metal.

wretchasketch, Thanks for the advice. Alas, I have made my decision and will just try my luck with the 57. I have spent much time researching interfaces and preamps. Cannot wait any longer to research an other mic (as well, it would cost more money). I made a promise that I would have a demo out by the end of this year and I intend to keep it.

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I made a promise that I would have a demo out by the end of this year and I intend to keep it.

I think your determination will carry you farther than a bunch of gear, anyway!

Tracy

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Originally posted by wretchasketch:
I think your determination will carry you farther than a bunch of gear, anyway!

That's very kind of you to say, thank you! Well I just ordered it today. Was overnighted though, so hopefully it will arrive soon.

Ok guys! I just got it today. I only had time to set it up and make a real quick "Test, 1,2..." on the microphone. I didn't even get to experiment with the nobs, but my voice was recorded and I am happy for that (meaning it works and I didn't mess up on the install :P)!

What I did notice however, was that on the playback, it only came out of the left monitor. Now is there a way that I can record something to have it come out on both of them?

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What I did notice however, was that on the playback, it only came out of the left monitor. Now is there a way that I can record something to have it come out on both of them?

Usually when I have a problem it's because I'm a dumbass, Soo, let's start with the obvious. Are both monitors plugged into the left and right outputs and do they both work. Go ahead and laugh but I've sat there wondering how I blew a preamp only to discover that the Y cable I used to insert my compressor was backwards. Now if you're using computer speakers as monitors are you plugged into the 1/8th inch out put. What about headphones? does it still just come out of the left side? Are they stereo headphones? Next check to make sure your track isn't panned to the left in your DAW (by accident or default.) If that's all correct check to see that the master output from your daw is routed to the correct out puts of the interface. Maybe, if your daw defaults to outputs 1 and 2 and the emu has the headphone and 1/8th inch output designated as 1and 2, that could be a problem. Most likely it's an easy fix.

Lance

Both monitors work. I was using computer speakers before and right now I am just using stereo headphones with the same results, although any other song or sound played on the PC comes out of both sides. It is only when playing back something recorded.

Even in Adobe Audition, it is only showing the left sound indicator bar going up. It is not panned to the left. It is in the middle as it should be. I also tried recording using Windows Sound Recorder and that also only records on the left side.

Here is the thing though, I am running the speakers and headphones through my computer, and not the interface itself as I do not have an adapter for the headphones and my PC speakers go into a USB port. Is that wrong?

"...check to see that the master output from your daw is routed to the correct out puts of the interface."
This could totally be it, because I do not know anything about this stuff.



This is what I am seeing. I do not understand it. Please help

On a second note, though, might this be a setting to change on the interface itself? Because even when it records via Windows Sound Recorder, it is also only on the left speaker.

Well if you're monitoring through your computer we can't really tell if it's an interface issue. I'd say, get an adapter for your headphones and see what's going on through the emu.

Lance