No. Computers don't provide phantom power.

For that you'll need either a small mixer, or a seperate Mic preamp.

Something like this would be your cheapest option: [url]http://www.behringer.com/MIC100/index.cfm?lang=ENG[/url]

You'll need to use a XLR microphone cable to go between the mic and the preamp, switch on the +48 volts phantom power. And then connect the output of that preamp into your computers line-in with the appropriate cables.


If you buy a dynamic mic, you wont need phantom power. But it is still a good idea to have a preamp for it anyway. You'll get a much nicer quality of recordings.

thanks
are there any fairly inexpensive external soundcards you'd suggest?

how about a small amp? not a preamp, just an amp. honeytone 6x6 inchish amp

Tweek: I wouldn't be able to give any recomendations sorry, I'm more experienced in live sound applications than I am in recording.
I'm sure there are plenty around tho, try a Google search.

RockJunky116: No, you'll definately need mic a preamp.
Many little amps can not provide phantom power anyway.

ok, thanks. since i'm a little short on budget, are dynamic mics good for recording? How much of a difference is there between dynamics and condensers? thanks for all your help, by the way :-D

Dynamic mics are fine for recording. They are alot more durable.

The frequency responge range is alot wider with condensors, they can more accurately reproduce a wider range of sounds. Suitable for micing up a piano or a bass amp. And great for vocals too.

But a dynamic mic can also stand up to most tasks, and is fine for recording more mid range instruments like guitar, and handy for vocals too.

I'd still reccomend a preamp for it tho. :)

lol cool, that's what we need, to record guitars. aewsomeness

how's these look:
[url]http://www.wwbw.com/Audio-Technica-MB1K-i137987.music[/url]

[url]http://www.wwbw.com/Samson-R21S-Dynamic-Microphone-With-Cable-i93551.music[/url]

[QUOTE=RockJunky116]how's these look:
[url]http://www.wwbw.com/Audio-Technica-MB1K-i137987.music[/url]

[url]http://www.wwbw.com/Samson-R21S-Dynamic-Microphone-With-Cable-i93551.music[/url][/QUOTE]

both would do you fine.

Look into behringer, they do good quality stuff for low prices.

OK, just to clear this up:

When using a Microphone to record into the computer (for all instruments), is it best to use the Mic in OR Line in on the soundcard input????

Read the whole thread and didnt get a clear answer to this (i dont think)

I have been using the Mic in for my recordings, and it has sounded fine, but (as stated before) you must only use low volumes, otherwise it will clip.

Also, when i try to use the line in, i do not get any signal, any ideas why this happens???

Thanks alot, great thread guys, hope you can help!

about your line in question
that happened to me to, but when i selected aux/line in 2, it worked. i use audacity. it sounded wimpy, though, so i'm getting a mic, as stated above

edit: about your other question, personnally, I'd mic it in

[url]http://home.earthlink.net/~rongonz/home_rec/home.html[/url]

i dont if its been posted yet but thats where i learned a lot about computer based home recording

hey aes and theabstract, i have another question
is there any danger to the comp's speakers if you go direct in through an amp? Somewhere in this site there was a thread started abuot using your stereo system as an amp, and said to get a pod-v or something if i remember correctly.

[QUOTE=RockJunky116]hey aes and theabstract, i have another question
is there any danger to the comp's speakers if you go direct in through an amp? Somewhere in this site there was a thread started abuot using your stereo system as an amp, and said to get a pod-v or something if i remember correctly.[/QUOTE]
It should be okay, just keep you output levels low to avoid unwanted clipping and distortion..
But it may not sound too good.

yea i got the dynamic mic, but why are the input levels so low? i have to turn my comp up full to hear what i recorded... wait... maybe i havta turn up my amp a little

Alright, I have a Shure SM57 mic, Behringer UB502 mixer and a Fostex 4-track. How would I go about recording. I really have no idea about home recording and I really need some help.

I raised the input level to max, turned up my amp a reasonable amount, not too loud that my mom would go psycho, but the levels are still relatively low. any ideas?

[QUOTE=rafeuss]Alright, I have a Shure SM57 mic, Behringer UB502 mixer and a Fostex 4-track. How would I go about recording. I really have no idea about home recording and I really need some help.[/QUOTE]

put an XLR lead between the mic and the mixer

put a minijack-minijack lead with converter on one end to normal 1/4" jack, plug the normal jack into the mixer output, and the minijack into your pc line in

Plug in the mixer, and sort out the levels

Download some recording software like audacity, choose source as line in

record!

[QUOTE=RockJunky116]I raised the input level to max, turned up my amp a reasonable amount, not too loud that my mom would go psycho, but the levels are still relatively low. any ideas?[/QUOTE]

dynamic mics aren't really designed to go straight into PCs. Get a pre-amp.

^ no money, but now that i know the problem, I can work around it. thank you

i'm thinking about getting a mic preamp. what do tube preamps do to your tone? I see them all the time and i really don't know how they'd affect my tone.

I don't know. Think it raises input levels or something. no idea. anyone?

[QUOTE=himynameistweek]i'm thinking about getting a mic preamp. what do tube preamps do to your tone? I see them all the time and i really don't know how they'd affect my tone.[/QUOTE]

they are neccessary to convert a normal mic level source to a line level source, suitable for plugging into a PC, or power amp etc. Mixers have built in mic pre-amps, but you can buy them seperately to have better quality or where you're not using a mixer.

i downloaded audacity and im pretty stuck with it. I have no microphones or equipment so is there any cheap good quality stuff to get me going also a link to a help site for audacity wouldn't go a miss.

[QUOTE=bomber]i downloaded audacity and im pretty stuck with it. I have no microphones or equipment so is there any cheap good quality stuff to get me going also a link to a help site for audacity wouldn't go a miss.[/QUOTE]

the help for audacity is on the site.

Look at behringer mixers, mics, and DI boxes.
behringer offer amazing value.

[QUOTE=moaner]
behringer offer amazing value.[/QUOTE]
very true you cant beat them

hows this for a mixer? its a behringer too [url]http://www.wwbw.com/Behringer-Eurorack-UB1202-i83059.music?t=1[/url]

[QUOTE=ineedahaircut91]hows this for a mixer? its a behringer too [url]http://www.wwbw.com/Behringer-Eurorack-UB1202-i83059.music?t=1[/url][/QUOTE]

thats what you're after. good mixer.

About the UB1202:
"One thing I have noticed is that when you turn the gain up really far to capture a more quiet sound source, it does have noise. This may be an area where more expensive mixers do a better job. I work around the noise issue by making sure the signal comes in at a sufficient level that you can't hear noise. No biggie, but I'm going to lower the rating because this may be an issue at some point."
[url]http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Behringer/UB1202_Eurorack-01.html[/url]

Is there a way to sidestep this? perhaps a professional sound card, a compressor, a pre-amp, a condessor mic?
All i have right now is a computer headset microphone to record guitar and vocals, and adobe audition to edit, i bought a 300 watt QSC power-amp 2 years ago, could this somehow get rid of the need for phantompower?

The mic inputs on the Behringer mixes should have enough gain to be able to pick up most audio sources down to about a whisper at close range or a quiet conversation at a couple of meters.
You'll obviously get some white noise if you need to crank up the input gain to pick up really quiet sources. This will happen with all mixers.
But for things like musical instruments, you'll have no problems at all.