Mic Preamp and USB Interface

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Suppose you are budget challenged and want a quick and dirty (read: cheap) way to interface an SM57 to your computer. Or, say you are on the road and want a really, really portable interface you can tote in your laptop's carrying case. This little gizmo from MXL should fit the bill:

http://www.mxlmics.com/condenser_mic/micMate/micMate.htm

I haven't used it myself so I can't vouch for it, but I bring it up here for anyone who might find it useful. I'm familiar with some of the MXL condenser mics and they're OK. One drawback I see is that it only does 16 bits, not 24.

I want to meet the first person who plugs a U87 into one of these Wink

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Just got a MXL MicMate at Guitar Center.

Sorry folks, no joy. It is not ready for prime time IMO.

I tried it with the MicMate's gain slide switch on "HI" and all of the level controls I could find maxed out. Speaking into a Sennheiser e835 dynamic mic at point blank range, the levels were way too low. You could normalize the audio I suppose but the noise floor would come up with it. At point blank to the mic and the gain switch on high and everything turned up, I should be blowing the doors off the joint. I tried it on Windows XP and Vista with Goldwave, and on OS X with Audacity. There is a so-called USB Mixer application available from MXL for Windows XP only, but this did not help the low level problem.

Wonderful concept, totally botched implementation.

I'll pass on this one.

Bill Campbell · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008, 15:48 (GMT) Post subject:

It does work OK with a condensor mic. I use it for field recording into a laptop with a shotgun mic - works fine.

Although, Chris I agree with you, not enough gain for a dynamic mic.

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

What kind of condenser mic do you use? Have you measured the phantom power voltage at the XLR connector to see if it is anywhere near 48V?

There is a competing product which I would like to look into:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/519287-REG/CEntrance_Inc__CE1801_MicPort_Pro_USB_Microphone.html

The hapless soul who plugs an RE50 into the MXL product is going to be sorely disappointed. Plug in a ribbon mic and forget it.

Doug Parks · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008, 02:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Chris,

The MicPort Pro is the ticket. It's great for taking your rig on the road, and I'll bet some people are using it instead of a preamp. I was tempted myself. I now use it in conjunction with a preamp so I can get some of the extra features the premap brings to the table.

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Doug -

What kind of mic and preamp are you using?

Doug Parks · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008, 04:29 (GMT) Post subject:

I use an RE-20 along with a Aphex 230 preamp.

Kimberly Berg

By my question, it will most likely be evident that I am VERY new to VO and home recording.....anyway. I bought an MXL V63MBP. When I did not get enough oomph from it to record, I purchased an m audio preamp interface with phantom power. Well, my problem isn't working with the latency but what I sound like when I play back the recording.....a chipmonk on steroids......I have tried to adjust my recording speed, my playback speed. I have been on perpetual hold at all parties involved help lines (none are 1-800 numbers of course.....) Other than taking up tap dancing....can anyone offer any help????suggestions??????Pleasssseeeeee?????

Thanks,

Bergie

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Bergie -

When you say "chipmunk on steroids", are you saying there is a legitimate pitch problem, like a sped-up audio tape or record? Perhaps you could post a sample?

Kimberly Berg · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008, 03:23 (GMT) Post subject: Chipmonk on Steroids

When I play back my recording, it sounds sped up.....as if it were a 33 1/3 on 78 speed. My software I use is MixPad. I just recorded using my old 19.95 headphone/microphone deal and it plays back fine. when I hooked up my new equipment, it does the fast thing. I will hook up my new set up and attach a sample.

Thanks,

Bergie

Kimberly Berg

I am attaching a sample of a recording I just did with my MXL condenser mic that is going through an m-audio preamp audio interface. I don't know what I did or didn't do on my recording program or to my computer when I hooked this stuff up.....I am using MixPad to record.....

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

That chipmunk needs to lay off the steroids.

Try making a test recording with Windows sound recorder (you're on Windows, right?). Alternatively, try downloading and installing the free Audacity:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Kimberly Berg

thanks for the advice.....I shall go forth and experiment.....

Bergie

Kimberly Berg

I need some help with a new setup. I am getting a speeded up playback with my new microphone and interface. I had to rely on my old microphone that records and playsback ok. I could use a little help perhaps setting the parameters or attributes for my new mic. Please email me with your contact info and I will call you and discuss even paying you.....I have spent some of my savings (not too much) but I am very disappointed I can't get it right with my new stuff......I am not very saavy with geek speak.....that's why I need to talk to someone instead of posting......

Help please....thanks,

Bergie

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Bergie -

First things first. Let's get you running Audacity and see if you have better luck. It is free:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Read the documentation carefully, at least the part that tells you how to configure it and start recording. Then make a test recording and see what happens.

There is a Preferences window in Audacity where you will want to make sure Audacity sees your M-Audio interface.

Please tell us your operating system (Windows? Mac?) and the model of your M-Audio interface.