GeoRam


I'm going to try and find out what patches I need to download if any.

You need X1c and X1d (in that order). Get them here - http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/product.aspx/SONAR-X1 

On Adobe I used a compressor than an EQ on the channel connected to the mic. Dont know if that will be the same here on X1.

Anything you record in Sonar will NOT be affected by any plugins you insert on a channel.

The only way to record with compression/EQ etc is to use outboard hardware, and quite honestly, unless you have outboard hardware of exceptional quality, there's no point in degrading your signal by using cheapo boxes.

Get the signal into Sonar at as high a quality as your mic & pre-amp will allow - DON'T peak anywhere NEAR 0dB, keep peaks at about -9dB and record at 24 bit throughout.

Watch your meters constantly - if it gets too hot, back off the input gain (on the pre-amp - Sonars faders only come into play when MIXING, not RECORDING

I would return he US mic and get a audio interface/sound card and a regular mic. Having a mic that also acts as an audio interface can cause problems and will hinder you, especially if you need to use ASIO driver modes. I would do it the right way from the start.

Totally agree CJ


If you want a rock-solid DAW, choose an audio interface that's a proven rock-solid performer.
There are numerous more affordable audio interfaces... so it need not be overly expensive to get started.
Checkout the Presonus Audiobox VSL series.  Good sound... and ultra low round-trip latency

the Shure is a 16-bit device

Who records in 16bit anymore. That is  so 10 years ago. Your losing sound quality using your USB mic.
Your losing 256 times the resolution if you don't record in 24bit. 

Why would you do that knowing if you got the right gear, you can recording with a resolution that is 256 times greater??? It makes no sense to me, especially theses days when 16bit recording is phased out

Cj

Gents, please be fair to the OP :o/
It is not a USB mic the OP is using, he's mentioned it repeatedly.
The "interface stick" Xu2 may be less than ideal, but it is an audio interface and the mic is a normal condenser, and you can not even connect a USB mic in  XU2. He uses it normally with FL10, so with SONAR there's something different. The review I linked says the testers could not make XU2 work in Reason in a Mac, so maybe it doesn't work with X1 SONAR either ????

get a mic preamp/ interface and probably I would go for a 96khz 24 bit at minimum. Some come with additional software most of which is lite version garbage if you already have sonar but there might be some interesting units with a decent built in FX suite. To afford more you might try buying from an online retailer that offers payment plans over a three or four payment no interest type situation. This way you can invest in better gear. There are plenty of merchants online that do so without a credit check if your worried about such things. Most will want you to buy at least $250 worth of gear so if you have a $200 unit in mind add some headphones or a new mic as well. If you calculate $250 / 4 it's only $62.50 per month. This is what I do all the time and it helps me to get the gear I want without tying up my credit card and getting in debt.

myconsumerclub


get a mic preamp/ interface and probably I would go for a 96khz 24 bit at minimum. Some come with additional software most of which is lite version garbage if you already have sonar but there might be some interesting units with a decent built in FX suite. To afford more you might try buying from an online retailer that offers payment plans over a three or four payment no interest type situation. This way you can invest in better gear. There are plenty of merchants online that do so without a credit check if your worried about such things. Most will want you to buy at least $250 worth of gear so if you have a $200 unit in mind add some headphones or a new mic as well. If you calculate $250 / 4 it's only $62.50 per month. This is what I do all the time and it helps me to get the gear I want without tying up my credit card and getting in debt.

Are you serious??? First of all, 96 kHz 24 bits minimum!! 24 bits is the maximum, there are no interfaces that go higher, and 96 kHz is not necessary for most anyone, definately not for any beginner.

That first sentence makes one ignore the rest of the post totally. Well...maybe your intentions are good.

Hmmm... It's been a while since I've been this blunt.

@Lutman- Thanks! @Bristol- Wow thats crazy, every program I've used gives you the option of using plugins such as compressors and Eq's to add on the channel where you are recording, giving it the desired effect while you record.Unfortunately I only have the X2U and 16 bit is the highest quality available on it. BTW all I'm recording are vocals. And I understand that its all about quality but I've even heard some real good mixes using MP3 vocals mixed into a project and they sound real good, so I dont think 16 bit will be a very big factor for me right now. @Cjays- Thanks you very much for the advice I mean that sincerely. I only have the X2u which is why I an only record in 16bit. I've worked with several producers, and They never complain when I send them the vocals in wav. form I just export them as 2822kbps and they never complain about the quality of them. I try to make do with what I have but I guess I should start thinking about another interface then. @Kalle- Thank you sir, you are correct the mic is not a USB it is a condenser mic. @myconsumerclub- Hhhmmm.never heard of a company that puts you on a payment plan without checking your credit...I would definitely think about that..do you have a link for this place?

Geo I am impressed with you. Let me welcome you to the forum.

I would listen to Kalle. He has this under control.

I will add this we are use to 24 bit recording because its far easier to get good quality recordings with 24 bits than it is with 16 bits.  But one can get outstanding recordings  recording 16 bits. One big reason is 24 bits is quieter. With 16 bits the recordest has to be very careful about his levels. To high and you get digital clipping to low and you get a lot of noise. With 24 bits one can be lazy and still get usable recordings.

We think of Sonar as a pro level program that is meant to use gear that has a bit of polish to it. That does not mean that yours wont work it means it could be more trouble than it is worth.

A good solid audio interface should prove to be not that expensive yet offer quality performance. It will also mean good drivers and little trouble in setup.

Because you don't seem to need at present a multi channel card one that offers 2 channels would not break the bank and serve you well.

Don't worry about specs at present most cards that we would recommend will be more than adequate.

Ask here what others have found to work and you will get good answers.

You patience in responding is impressive.

We are here to help with any questions you have.  

 

GeoRam


@Lutman- Thanks! @Bristol- Wow thats crazy, every program I've used gives you the option of using plugins such as compressors and Eq's to add on the channel where you are recording, giving it the desired effect while you record.

Why would you need to apply the FX permanently during recording? Isn't it enough that you can hear the FX while you're recording? IMO it's one of the best things in SONAR that it leaves you the possiblity to play with FX as long as you want after the take, because the original recording is dry. Then you can bounce to tracks and have an audio track with FX, and still the dry original is left untouced in case you want to go back to it.
 
If the FX is applied during recording, you need to re-record every time you want to change FX settings.