Is this enough?

GeneralElectric · #1 10-08-2008, 01:09 AM

Howdy all,

I'm terrible with computer but I want to record. I have a Sony VAIO laptop which I plan on using. Its got a headphone and microphone jack, 2 USB ports, and some weird jacks on the side.

Now my only amp is a tube amp (and I don't have a cab) I also have a Peavey which is MIA at the moment. I don't have a cab so I can't really use my amp

I'm getting a Raven Labs preamp in the mail (any day now

) Would that be enough to record? I mean, plugging the preamp into the microphone jack and recording through with a program like audacity?

Or would I need something like the Line6 Toneports?

I'm sorry I'm dumb

voodoobassist · #2 10-08-2008, 01:35 AM

I think you'll do a lot better with some type of interface as far as sound quality. There's lot's of usb interfaces out now, should be able to find something halfway decent for around 100 bucks, maybe even less. I usually just plug my bass straight into the interface and go. Be forewarned though,...it's EXTREMELY habit forming! I got my MOTU firewire used for $100, best money I've ever spent IMHO. Although my wife would probably argue with that.

wizay · #3 10-08-2008, 01:39 AM

Ive had good luck with PreSonus gear.

GeneralElectric · #4 10-08-2008, 02:12 AM

So I guess I should invest in that line6 huh?

voodoobassist · #5 10-08-2008, 02:19 AM

Possibly so, but I think I would check a few others as well,.. the Lexicon Lambda sells for $99 bucks brand new. Haven't tried one, but it definitely offers more features than the line 6,...just a thought.

quigg · #6 10-08-2008, 02:29 AM

Ebay is your friend for finding new/used firewire/usb recording interfaces. Are you planning on laying down your tracks one at a time individually? Presonus makes a couple of one instrument interfaces. -Doug

GeneralElectric · #7 10-08-2008, 02:42 AM

Basically just bass tracks so I can send to people.

quigg · #8 10-08-2008, 03:09 AM

Cool, there are a ton of those one instrument interface boxes all over the place, and there are a lot of different manufacturers, musiciansfriend would be a place to start browsing all of them to figure out what will work best for what you need.

mikekim · #9 10-08-2008, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

So I guess I should invest in that line6 huh?

I bought a Line 6 Toneport UX1 a week ago, and I'm going to return it. The signal gets randonly interrupted with audio glitches, and it's really annoying. I went to the Line 6 forums and it seems many people have that problem: http://line6.com/support/forum.jspa?forumID=16
It never happened to me with an m-audio. And I'm running a computer with 4GB of ram. It's ridiculous.
So I'm looking at Presonus interfaces now...

GeneralElectric · #10 10-08-2008, 02:19 PM

What do you folks recommend by Presonus? Is this good? I'm poor

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...USB?sku=243007

GeneralElectric · #11 10-08-2008, 02:23 PM

Oh yeah, this is the preamp I'm using BTW

http://www.raven-labs.com/pages/products/mdb1/mdb1.html

mikekim · #12 10-08-2008, 02:24 PM

You can get it a bit cheaper here, no tax and free shipping:

http://www.rmcaudio.com/presonus/presonus.htm

mambo4 · #13 10-08-2008, 02:50 PM

You might try it without spending any more money first and see if you are happy with the result.

Keep in mind that the answer to your initial question is YES...
Raven labs preamp+ sony vaio mic in will do what you wish. (That and an adapter to fit a 1/4" bass cord into a 1/8" Vaio audio in.)

without details about the Sony Vaio audio in (and its D/A converter specs ) I can't say buying an interface will absolutely get you a recording of superior quality. While chances are the Vaio D/A converters are not going to be as high quality as a dedicated audio interface, it may not matter to you. Especially if you are planning on sending MP3's to people.

so try it without spending any more money first and see if you are happy with the result.

GeneralElectric · #14 10-08-2008, 03:10 PM

How do I check to see what my D/A converters are?

I remember, when buying this, I got almost every upgrade that I could for it. But that was a year ago now.

I'm also running Windows Vista if that makes a difference.

mambo4 · #15 10-09-2008, 09:33 AM

the D/A converter specs will be listed as part of the specs for your audio card, if you have a dedicated audio card.

Quote:

If you don’t know the make and model of your card—say, it came installed, and you’ve never needed to identify it before—you can find this information in Windows’ Device Manager.

There’s more than one way to access the Device Manager, but the quickest is to right-click the My Computer icon and, from the pop-up menu, select Properties. Next, click the Hardware tab and the Device Manager button.

Now click the plus (+) sign next to Sound, Video And Game Controllers to open its list and find the entry for your sound card. For further information, right-click the listing and select Properties from the menu.

However, unless you took pains to make sure you had a dedicated audio card in your Vaio, you are most likely using the built in audio capabilities of your motherboard. so you'd need to Identify your motherboard -looking in your included manuals is the best bet, other wise here's some other methods:

http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/moboid1.html

you can also just try googling "Sony Vaio <my model number> Specifications" but often you get some useless hits.

mjolnir · #16 10-09-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

How do I check to see what my D/A converters are?

I remember, when buying this, I got almost every upgrade that I could for it. But that was a year ago now.

I'm also running Windows Vista if that makes a difference.

Vista is generally more taxing on a computer system than say, XP, so that might affect things a little bit.

The Presonus Firebox is a great little 2 channel interface, sounds like it's perfect for what you're looking for. The problem with it however is that it's a firewire interface, so if your computer doesn't have a 1394 connection it'll be useless to you.