Mic Preamp Directly to Soundcard?

guitarman13 · #1 09-09-2006, 07:50 PM

I am a recording newbie and I want to mic my amp. Can I go directly from a mic preamp to a 1/8" input on my Audigy 2ZS Soundcard? If so, how good will it sound?

Mr.WizardNeck · #2 09-09-2006, 08:57 PM

I cant see why not. So long as you keep the volume at a level low enough so it wont clip going in. That's what I always did. If you can save up for a nice EQ then why not. Lol.

guitarman13 · #3 09-09-2006, 09:35 PM

What would be another way of doing it?

Ozzdoc · #4 09-09-2006, 11:56 PM

I was thinking of doing the same, SM57 > Mic Pre > Soundblaster X-fi platnuim

Let me know if you go down that route and how it turns out.

Rotti · #5 09-10-2006, 10:18 AM

It will work fine and will probably sound awsome. Go for it.

Randy G · #6 09-13-2006, 07:09 PM

Yes, that's the whole point of using a preamp, to get it up to line level.

EL-CeeDee · #7 09-13-2006, 08:59 PM

Works fine,... I'd say preferred setup even.

Stormcrow · #8 11-18-2006, 08:16 AM

I believe going mike directly to sound card is not a wise idea?

That's what I tried thinking sound card has mike inputs so it must have it's own mike preamp
Card is x-fi elite pro.
The sound level was barely audible..

zEr0 · #9 11-18-2006, 09:57 AM

You can go directly into your soundcard but the sound is not going to be as good as a mic'ed cab. I have a TriAxis and have tried both ways. THere's just no comparison: Mic cabs are the way to go!

Stormcrow · #10 11-18-2006, 10:39 AM

I mean not using a separate mic preamp.
And plugging the microphone directly to sound card.
I'm talking about shure beta57 microphone directly plugged to sound card
Cable is 1/4" on the other side of course.
I read about some hi/low impedance. And I don't know the impedance values of the sound card's microphone input and shure beta57's

TommyGuitar · #11 11-18-2006, 12:13 PM

That won't work unless you get an impedance transformer. Shure the beta57 is a low impedance mic, and 1/4" is high impedance. You won't get it to sound good just by using a XLR-1/4" cable. You'll have to get an XLR-1/4" impedance transformer.

Stormcrow · #12 11-18-2006, 12:34 PM

Thanks.If I get a microphone preamp and use xlr/xlr cable (than whatever output it has to sound card) Will it work?

Also when I use 1/4" cable from my podxtlive to sound card line in, I have the same problem.I have to push up both the output of pod and the gain on the sound card.Can I use a microphone preamp for this also? Can it match the impedances?

Rotti · #13 11-18-2006, 01:19 PM

If you run into a preamp then into the "line in" of your sound card you should have no problem. No matter what size or type of connection you use. Make sure your software mixer in windows is setup correctly also.

S-man · #14 11-18-2006, 01:22 PM

Yes.

Guitar cab>Mic(XLR)>Mic Preamp(XLR Input)>Mic Preamp(line out)>Line in soundcard. That should work fine.

As far as the XT Live goes, I'd use the USB cable and ASIO drivers in your recording software.

It will be alot easier to get a good recorded guitar sound through the XT Live and USB cable with ASIO driver. You can pick micing options(on axis, off axis, distance, mic type, etc.) in the software.

Getting a good recorded guitar sound by physically micing the cab is harder.
The room you are recording in has a big impact along with alot of other variables. It is also harder to be consistant. An isolation cab may yield better results. An isolation room would be even better. Ideally you would monitor the mic'd cabinet from a differant room through studio monitors.

Stormcrow · #15 11-18-2006, 01:49 PM

Thanks guys! It was really helpful.
I really need the microphone preamp than (for vocal recording at least.)
Usb recording is the logical choice as you stated (for pod)