It depends on how the USB mixer feature is implemented. If you do want to do Skype recording, you might need a slightly more advanced feature called ‘Sends’ also known as FX sends, so the person can hear you and/or the music you are playing, and/or multiple inputs on your interface. Or it’s the best you can afford.Īlthough it’s possible to do these things purely inside your computer (see the next section), it’s a lot easier to route audio physically with cables, you can usually see if the audio signal is there visually with LEDs and troubleshoot issues. Like the interface you probably do need to future proof yourself by getting something with more channels than what you need unless you are 100% certain you’ll never use them. So if you have more than one microphone, a music show especially with external audio sources like vinyl or an iPod, a guest on Skype or really advanced a cohosted music show with one of the people on Skype – you’ll need to mix those audio sources somehow. Why a mixer? Well mixers are needed if you are combining more than one audio signal together into one stereo output – say for a DJ set or a podcast, the theory is the same. The other type of device for getting sound into your device is mixers, it used to be that you had to get an interface AND a mixer, but modern mixers have a USB interface built in. Irritating because your kettle or fridge doesn’t stop working when the manufacturer brings out a new model, why should they? Grr. And Native Instruments has done likewise recent the Audio4DJ, it doesn’t work with OSX High Sierra. One of the reasons I’m less happy about M-Audio these days is they dumped support for Firewire – avoid interfaces which use that because they probably won’t have modern drivers, so it stopped working when I upgraded my computer. Unlike mixers, soundcards don’t have many moving parts, so second-hand is a good possibility – check that the interface is still supported by your device though, you can get drivers and support by going to the manufacturer’s website. Not tried the Behringer interfaces, make sure they have the right inputs/connectors you need. Tascam makes good gear, as does Steinberg but seems their low-end devices have been upgraded as has unfortunately the price. My next purchase if I get one will be Focusrite Scarlett, but again those aren’t exactly cheap. Most can, but phones and some older computers will struggle or not support that.īrands that are good: In the past I’ve used M-Audio and Native Instruments, those are good as well as Roland (see the note below though). If you have guests then another input is useful, but check if your device and software can cope with recording multiple inputs at once. A headphone monitor output with a volume control is really useful. The better interfaces have quieter pre-amplifier – the bit that makes the microphone louder, and more options. XLR connectors – you see, surprised face! Photo by Michael Piotrowski – used under Creative CommonsĪs with anything, more is better…whatever you can afford. You can get cables tor adapters that convert one type to another. XLR is an an audio connector beloved of studios and live performance spaces, and looks like a surprised face, 3 dots in a circle. This can be a 1/8″ 3.5mm jack, a 1/4″ 6.5mm jack or an XLR input. The minimum is at least one input (usually expressed as 1×1, 1×2, etc). This could be anything from a cheap USB dongle, to a Mic?Line in already on your computer to a multi-input behemoth. previously a sound card but thr move to modular USB devices and miniaturisation usually means the device is a external. What you use depends on how much you want to spend, if you’re going to have guests or cohosts, what kind of show you’re going to record. If your mic is USB – and I really recommend that for first timers – you can skip to the next section (bonus points if you do a moonwalk slide).īut say you find a mic at the back of a cupboard, or borrow one from friends and it’s the older type? You need to plug your mic into something to turn those sounds in the children’s scribble that is called a waveform. Read part one, part two and part three first. The fourth part in a series on making your own podcast that won’t break the bank, concentrating on DIY and low-cost podcasting.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |