Re:Looking for audio recording help!
2010/08/15 23:04:59
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Any dynamic mic that can plug into your sound card's mic input. There are adapters you can buy to match the plugs to the jacks. Most computer sound cards have a 1/8" jack, and most mics come with either XLR or 1/4" plugs.
If you have a mixer with phantom power, you can use a condenser mic. Condensers require an additional power source, which is what phantom power is. They are generally more sensitive than dynamic mics, but are also more fragile.
You should be able to use an external audio interface that uses a USB connection. Do you have unused USB ports?
If you have a FireWire port, you can get an external interface that connects via a FireWire cable.
Good USB audio interfaces can be bought for ~$100.
You'll need to figure out what inputs you need, and how many. Will you need phantom power? Only if you want to get a condenser mic.
Will you want MIDI ports to connect a MIDI keyboard or controller, or MIDI sound module? These days, not a big concern since many keyboards can connect with a USB cable, if you have a free USB port, but handy if you already have a MIDI keyboard which doesn't have USB ports.
Music Creator only allows recording or playing 2 channels at a time (not to be confused with Tracks in a musical project; you only get a stereo output but you can use dozens of tracks), so you won't need an interface with 8 outputs.
I'm a hobbyist, too, but have spent quite a bit on this hobby, though not as much as some folks.
Tell us about your computer; how fast, what OS, how much memory, what sound card?
Audio interfaces from M-Audio, Presonus, Focusrite, Cakewalk and others are good choices, most of the time, depending on your system.