Blue Ball Usb Mic? 2 Xlr Input, any adapters to convert the USB to analog for mixer inputs Options

[imhookt1]

hello all, I'm brainstorming mobile recording with my BlueBall mic. pondering the conversion factor? to an analog mixer, can this be done, I do have a couple possible scenarios, will the soundtech USB intelligent instrument cable work? help thanks "Hook" 'em' up

[FastEddy]

From your link above ( http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=for...he/jul-08/86389 )

" USB MICS: STUPID IDEA OR INSANELY GREAT?

...

You’re locked into a specific A/D converter. A standard analog mic can plug it into any A/D converter for digital recording, so you can take advantage of technological improvements and match your needs to your budget. A USB mic’s A/D converter can’t be changed—but A/D conversion technology has matured to the point where quality differences among A/D converters are relatively small. While that $70 USB mic might not have the “converters of the gods,” it’s not going to suck. [Oh Kay, sure ...]

... USB mics are disposable. ... And now, let’s look at the good stuff—because if there wasn’t good stuff, I wouldn’t be writing this article. ...

Exceptional convenience. USB mics have been a great addition to my mobile computing world of recording and video narration/editing compared to bringing a mic, preamp, and bulky XLR cable. .... Recording rehearsals. Yes, those cute little portable recorders are great for recording rehearsals. But USB mics often provide better sound quality, and a better choice of patterns, than the ultra-small mics included with typical recorders. ... Songwriting. I’ve sometimes used a USB mic with a laptop to sing an idea for a song. ... Most USB mics will work with either USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. See the section “Sorting Out USB Speeds” below. ... Sweetwater’s helpful PDF tutorial at www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/techlib/support/USB_Microphone_Guide.pdf.

THE WORLD OF USB MICS ...

BLUE MICROPHONES
(www.bluemic.com)

BLUE got an early start with the Snowball ($139 with desktop stand and cable), a dual-capsule condenser mic with a 3-pattern switch that selects among cardioid, cardioid with -10dB pad, and omni-directional responses. Of the two capsules, the cardioid is optimized for voice and sounds relatively neutral, while the omni-directional has a brighter, more present high end that I generally preferred. Resolution is 16-bit/44.1kHz. ..."

And that is my point: The "best" USB microphones are at best, "CD quality", 16 bit 44K or 48K resolution. Good enough for goofing around or as telecom / VoIP or rough draft recording. If you want professional quality, studio quality, don't even consider anything less than 24 bit / 48K (the same as decent DVD full motion video) or 24 bit 96K (the same as DVD-Audio and better DVD Video.)

Consider this: that $99 Yamaha mixer (analog: 4 to 8 channels in, 2 to 4 channels out) and a couple of decent balanced $100 Shure microphones plus a decent "sound card" adapter like the M-Audio FireWire connected digital to analog / analog to digital interface (ADC / DAC for Mac or PC) is worlds ahead of rebuilding/upgrading your motherboard, replacing your sound card ... AND ... eminently satisfactory for professional work like the sound track on an MTV or YouTube music video ... AND ... vastly superior to any combination of USB microphones.

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvd-audio ... and you can't even get here without 24 bit interfaces: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ

Now if you have the whole band standing around and expecting to be able to cut that demo CD, you have to start with a decent master ... Its all in the dynamic range and bandwidth anymore and 16 bit doesn't make it.

This post has been edited by FastEddy: Sat 9 Aug 2008, 02:54