New To Garageband..., ART tube pre-amp as audio input? Options

[lyryck]

Hi,

I'm ready to use my garageband audio recording/editing software, and trying not to spend too much money. I need some kind of audio interface in order to input live vocals. Is it possible to use my existing stage equipment? For example, I have a great little ART tube pre-amp that I thought might work. If I purchased an adapter to go from 1/4" to USB I could plug my vocal mic into the tube pre-amp, and the tube per-amp into the audio-in on my powerbook. Or could I?

Curious.
Am I fated to own an mBox????
KP<font color=#></font><b></b>

[sethjacquay]

If you want to use Pro Tools you are fated to the Mbox or digi 002!
But for Vocals into garageband? Hell no!
There are a million ways to get vocals into Garageband.

My suggestion, is that of all the options you have available, DO NOT
purchase Griffin Tech's iMic. If you really insist on purchasing one.
Don't, because I will SEND you mine! Seriously, then you won't have to lose cash.
I am not using my iMic for anything and probably never will again, because
it just doesn't get the job done.

Your preamp should work fine with any analog to digital USB or Firewire convertor!

I just am asking you as a favor to me, not to purchase the iMic due to my experience
with it.

Anyway here is a rather limited list of options for vocal input into Garageband?

FREE - Pinhole Mic on the Flat Panel of the iBook and iMacs pretty reliable and dirt cheap.
$40 - Griffin Tech iMic - USB unreliable and cheap gave me staticy input.
$200 - Tascam US122 - USB popular choice that most seem satisfied with.
$400 - M-Audio Firewire 410 - Firewire (this is what I have) good, but expense.
$450 - Digidesign M-Box - USB expense for USB input, but it comes with Pro Tools LE

That list is just to give you an idea of what a lot of home audio guys on these forums
are using. Of course, I left many other options off the list, but I can't do all the research
for you can I?

[zelen0]

the pinhole mic on powerbooks is poorly located near the fan, thus whenever it starts up (usually during garageband usage due to CPu requirements) the fan noise interferes with the vocals.

unfortunate oversight by apple, but I'm sure they had their reasons.

[editbrain]

TASCAM US-122 TO THE RESCUE!

[lyryck]

Ok... cool. So, what I'm getting from this is that some form of analog to USB input device is of course required - - but that any reasonable piece of equipment should do. And, I shouldn't expect any whacked out impedence problems if I layer in a tube amp on the analog side of things inbetween my voice and the input thingy.

I think it's all gonna work out fine.

Thanks for the information...
KP