|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
I'm trying to decide on a mic to use to make recordings of instruments and voice at home. The instruments will be trumpet, flute, and ukes. No, not all at once  . The ukes will not have any wind instruments with them. Here's my current setup: Micro Express destop 23b, 8gb ram, quadcore pentium sandy bridge. Win 7 home premium Ua-4fx sound module mainly used for SD2 Other midi devices via usb: Akai EWI, Akai mpd18, alesis Q25 No fancy speakers. Just a powered 3 speaker logitech system. I have a Soundblaster xfi 7pci soundcard, but, I think the sound is all going in and out of the ua-4fx. I don't have anything plugged into the sound card jacks on the desktop. I do have a creative external soundcard that I use with the netbook with some success so that's also available. We have an AKG 1000c condenser mic (needs 9v battery for ext. power) that's rarely used. We were using it to for my wife's flute, but went to a clip on mic instead. The ua-4fx is supposed to have xlr phantom power. I read some posts that said the ua-4fx would not power their AKG 3000 condenser mic. I'm finally ready to try some recording, but not sure where to go from here. I guess I could use my Nexus Tablet, but I'm thinking that the quality might be skimpy to say the least. Some have touted the H2's and H4's. I'm hoping to keep the cost around $100-$150--or less. Thanks for any suggestions. Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Stan, looking at the manual for the UA, on page 11, it describes the mic input jack, and that there is a switch for phantom power on the underside of the unit. This should be able to power the AKG mic. Don't believe posts - look up the details in the manual then experiment. Here's a link to the manual: http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=manuals&p=UA-4FX&id=10349680I would stick to using the UA-FX. You can probably put the soundblaster aside. You have PG's RealBand or PowerTracks Pro Audio - correct? If so, you have all of the pieces of the puzzle for doing some home recording. -Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
Thanks, Scott. I will experiment. I also have Sonar X1 studio and X2, but I haven't tried X2 yet. Mario has recommended a Tascam DR-05 which he has used with success. I'm seriously considering it since it is mobile and I can record our uke club also.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
No harm in buying something portable. I bought a BLUE microphones Digital Mikey, which gives me stereo microphone recording capability with my iPhone, but at home, I'm using a TASCAM US-800.
The only thing I caution you against is that in my opinion, TASCAM has one of the worst customer service attitudes in the industry. If you have a product without technical issues, no problem, but if you have one which has quirky drivers and so forth, you are left to fend for yourself.
The US-800 story shows how they handle poorly designed hardware/software. This product has known issues with the drivers. Rather than work on a driver set that actually works, they simply put the product on fire-sale and quit building it. The US-series of products used to go US-144, US-200, US-400, US-600, US-800, US-1200, etc.
Once the US-800 came out and they couldn't fix it's memory leak issue with the first update to the drivers, they simply quit trying. At least that's how it appears to this customer.
I will never recommend their products to anyone with how they behaved with this particular product.
For a whole bunch of threads on all kinds of different forums about how US-800 actually functions, simply type in "US-800 memory leak" into Google and see what pops out.
I believe that KeithS on our forums here is one of the TASCAM support forum moderators. He might be able to vouch for whether the TASCAM unit you are considering for mobile use is reliable or not.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
It was recommended to me by someone who is and has been using one with no problems. I don't think there are drivers for it as an issue. None come with it anyway. It's the DR-05.
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Stan, for your home recording use - the UA and the AKG are going to be better for recording your instruments. Mono simplicity.
Give the pair a try.
For field use to record gigs, something like the DR-05 is going to be way easier to use.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
Thanks, Scott. The dr-05 works great. I discovered that I can also use it as an mp3 player for out gig backups. The menu system takes some getting used to though.
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10 |
It's a bit out of your price range ~ but I give rave reviews to a used Equation Audio F20 mic a bought a few months ago. It sounds incredible on strummed instruments (the reason I bought it in the first place) and brass. It wouldn't be my first choice for flute, but I have some excellent mics to choose from, and I daresay it would perform quite well if you're looking for a one size fits all mic. You would probably need to tweak a bit of the high end out of the sound if you used it for flute. I paid $240 used. They seem to be hard to find - not many of them around.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,587
Posts734,722
Members38,500
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean