I have CakeWalk Sonar 3 software. I want to record my bass from my XLR out on the amp. What is the best interface into the computer other than the built in sound card that will accept XLR or 1/4 balanced for under $100 (if such a thing exists).
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XLR output into Computer
- Thread starter DaPhotoGuy
- Start date
tried it...
you have to have the amp cranked up pretty good
and anyways, the "Send" jack if you have an effects loop is a better way to go direct from the preamp to the computer.
you have to have the amp cranked up pretty good
and anyways, the "Send" jack if you have an effects loop is a better way to go direct from the preamp to the computer.
I've seen a lot of these USB audio input devices.
Link Removed
Are they any better than the sound card as a interface?
Link Removed
Are they any better than the sound card as a interface?
Two things come to mind about the object you linked to:
* It doesn't have preamplification. You're going to need that in some part of your signal chain.
* The cheaper it is, the bigger the risk that the object is crap.
Is $50 really too much money for you? The Behringer will work fine, you know.
* It doesn't have preamplification. You're going to need that in some part of your signal chain.
* The cheaper it is, the bigger the risk that the object is crap.
Is $50 really too much money for you? The Behringer will work fine, you know.
It's not the $50 that concerns me. It's that I can't figure out why I need to go from a Bass to my combo amp (which has a preamp already) to ANOTHER preamp before going into the computer. Doesn't my combos 6 band equalizer and such give me all the sound shaping I need? Should I just go from the amps 1/4 line out to the sound card line in? Should I use the 1/4 effects send into the sound card line in? I just took a guess that the XLR out was the way to go but maybe I'm wrong. I'm new to recording so please forgive me for asking stupid questions.
Right now, the interface to the computer is my sound card. I had heard that the USB interfaces gave you a much better sound than any sound card can.
So I guess I have TWO questions. WHICH output should I use from the amp and what is the best computer interface (USB or sound card)?
Right now, the interface to the computer is my sound card. I had heard that the USB interfaces gave you a much better sound than any sound card can.
So I guess I have TWO questions. WHICH output should I use from the amp and what is the best computer interface (USB or sound card)?
Depends on your amp and where in the circuit the XLR output is, and whether it has a level control. Many amps have XLR DI outs that bypass the tone controls and gain. Others have XLR or 1/4" line outs, or a post-pre effects send, that send a line level signal that has the tone-shaping of the amp.
A pure DI does one thing- balance the signal for long transmission lines and convert impedence so the high impedence instrument signal can interface with the low impedence input of a recorder (your computer in this case). In your case, the impedence change is crucial, but the balancing isn't.
A pure preamp does one thing- raises the signal from instrument level to line level.
Some active DIs do both. Some amp preamps do both. But not all do.
So, what amp do you have?
USB interfaces don't sound any better than sound card ins. Just make sure you use the Line Input on the sound card, not the Mic Input.
Don't spend a dime yet.
A pure DI does one thing- balance the signal for long transmission lines and convert impedence so the high impedence instrument signal can interface with the low impedence input of a recorder (your computer in this case). In your case, the impedence change is crucial, but the balancing isn't.
A pure preamp does one thing- raises the signal from instrument level to line level.
Some active DIs do both. Some amp preamps do both. But not all do.
So, what amp do you have?
USB interfaces don't sound any better than sound card ins. Just make sure you use the Line Input on the sound card, not the Mic Input.
Don't spend a dime yet.
Use the rear panel 1/4" line out to your sound card, using an adapter to make the connections (1/4" to 1/8" or 1/4" to RCA depending on the sound card).
That's all.
That's all.
Lyle Caldwell said:
Dang, that's it? I figured some other fancy schmancy hook up would sound better. All right, I don't have to spend any $$$.
I run my Bass into SWR SM 900 and then out from the FX send and into the 1/4 inch input of the sound card. Works great. All the EQ I need, plenty of gain and the amps adjustable limiter is in the signal chain.
DaPhotoGuy said:Dang, that's it? I figured some other fancy schmancy hook up would sound better. All right, I don't have to spend any $$$.
Well, there certainly are some fancy schmancy ways to get sound into your computer that will sound a lot better than the average soundblaster card, but for a serious improvement, it'll take pretty serious $$$$.
