Just looking to buy some gear to start my own little recording setup. Was looking at m audio 24/96 card and audio buddy mic preamp. Seen a cheap rode nt1 as well. However, the nt1 says it needs 48v phantom power. I can't see if the audio buddy supports this. Any idea?
kingrollo
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Member 19 years ago
2Posted on 09/20/2005 at 14:51:14
Gonna go for the m audio 24/96 and a Behringer UB1204 mixer for now. Along with the rode nt1. Can get a preamp later if i need it.
A mixer would be useful if you plan to record several sources into a limited amount of inputs. Some good mixers such as Mackie have really good mic preamps suitable for recording. If you want (and really need) references for good mic pres, check out Grace Design Model 101, Groove Tubes Brick and FMR Audio's RNP 8380. Of course, you will need good mics (if you haven't already) and the condensers by Audio Technika seem to be getting good marks lately. You can't go wrong with the SM58 as a vocal mic, too.
Instead of the audio buddy and separate audiophile, consider the Presonus Firebox. The Firebox runs on firewire so you don't have to open up your pc (so long as it has firewire ports) and the firebox even has 2 mic pre's so you can forego getting a mic pre until you absolutely need it. You can also try M-Audio's firewire equivalent, the FW 410 but I've heard the pres on the Firebox are better.
Should i just get a mixer instead of the audio buddy. I will only be recording acoustic guitar and vocals though. Or, should i get another mic preamp. Any good ones?
Well, M-Audio claims their Audio Buddy has phantom power but they aren't specific over the voltage. Some mics will run on as low as 12v phantom power while some condensers even allow a 9v battery to be installed inside. The NT-1, however, is specific in that it requires 48v. You might get anemic performance on the Rode if you underpower it. I'm not 100% sure on this so somebody who knows, please add to this pool of knowledge.