[[email protected][_2_]]

Ok.. I'm new to the laptop recording thing. I have another setup. But
I'm setting up a one channel rig in a bedroom to do some demoing and
video stuff.
I have an older Joe Meek VC3Q preamp that I'd like to use. I'm having
a hard time figuring out how I want to convert it's signal to digital
and connect it to a USB port.
It has a 1/4" output. I assume it's line level. It's balanced. But I
believe with adjust automatically to unbalanced cables.
I know there are a plethora of interfaces available. But most of them
seem like seperate preamps. I'm not keen on the idea of sending my
signal through two preamps. I'd rather just have the signal from the
meek converted and put straight into my pc.
Would something like this work from the out to the USB port?

http://www.amazon.com/Alesis-GuitarL.../dp/B001OXEDA0

I mean, I know it would work. But does the impedance and balancing
make sense for what I'm trying to do? It's geared towards guitar. But
it says it supports line level audio.

[Ty Ford]

On Sun, 7 Nov 2010 10:22:53 -0500, wrote
(in article
):

Ok.. I'm new to the laptop recording thing. I have another setup. But
I'm setting up a one channel rig in a bedroom to do some demoing and
video stuff.
I have an older Joe Meek VC3Q preamp that I'd like to use. I'm having
a hard time figuring out how I want to convert it's signal to digital
and connect it to a USB port.
It has a 1/4" output. I assume it's line level. It's balanced. But I
believe with adjust automatically to unbalanced cables.
I know there are a plethora of interfaces available. But most of them
seem like seperate preamps. I'm not keen on the idea of sending my
signal through two preamps. I'd rather just have the signal from the
meek converted and put straight into my pc.
Would something like this work from the out to the USB port?

http://www.amazon.com/Alesis-GuitarL.../dp/B001OXEDA0

I mean, I know it would work. But does the impedance and balancing
make sense for what I'm trying to do? It's geared towards guitar. But
it says it supports line level audio.

Get one of these: http://www.centrance.com/products/mp/

Get a Line to Mic pad.

Put the pad between your preamp output and Mic Port Pro input.

Regards,

Ty Ford


--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWaPRHMGhGA

[Doum]

" écrivait news:347413d6-7832-4518-
:

Ok.. I'm new to the laptop recording thing. I have another setup. But
I'm setting up a one channel rig in a bedroom to do some demoing and
video stuff.
I have an older Joe Meek VC3Q preamp that I'd like to use. I'm having
a hard time figuring out how I want to convert it's signal to digital
and connect it to a USB port.
It has a 1/4" output. I assume it's line level. It's balanced. But I
believe with adjust automatically to unbalanced cables.
I know there are a plethora of interfaces available. But most of them
seem like seperate preamps. I'm not keen on the idea of sending my
signal through two preamps. I'd rather just have the signal from the
meek converted and put straight into my pc.
Would something like this work from the out to the USB port?

http://www.amazon.com/Alesis-GuitarL...ioLink-4-inch-
Cable/dp/B001OXEDA0

I mean, I know it would work. But does the impedance and balancing
make sense for what I'm trying to do? It's geared towards guitar. But
it says it supports line level audio.

Laptop sound chips are noisy

You could get something like this:

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx

and connect the line out of your preamp to the line in of this audio
interface. This interface has ASIO drivers, doesn't cost an arm and a leg
and doesn't have a mic preamp. It uses unbalanced RCA connectors for INs
and OUTs.

[[email protected][_2_]]

Hmmm. Thanks. Ok, one last question:

I have one of these laying around:

http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/sto...er-_-SX2UXXXXX



I have a cable with XLR on one end and TS on the other. Could I use
that from the Joe Meek output to this Shure pre and then into the
computer? I tried it and it seems to work. But theoretically am I
breaking any 'rules' that might result in sound degradation that I'm
not hearing at the moment?

[Doum]

" écrivait news:a15aaa77-94b6-45f8-
:

Hmmm. Thanks. Ok, one last question:

I have one of these laying around:

http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/sto...2u%20XLRtoUSB%
20Microphone%20Adapter_-1_10052_10002_-49955226?cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Other-_-
X2u%20XLRtoUSB%20Microphone%20Adapter-_-SX2UXXXXX



I have a cable with XLR on one end and TS on the other. Could I use
that from the Joe Meek output to this Shure pre and then into the
computer? I tried it and it seems to work. But theoretically am I
breaking any 'rules' that might result in sound degradation that I'm
not hearing at the moment?

The Shure x2u has mic level input, so make sure you lower the OUTPUT
control of the Joe Meek low enough to not overload the x2u input but strong
enough to get a quality signal for recording and you should be OK.
IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE THE PHANTOM POWER SWITCH ON THE XU2 IS SET TO OFF
using a TS to XLR cable or you could damage it and/or maybe the USB port of
the laptop.

You said in your first post you didn't want to go through 2 mic preamps,
that's exactly what you would do, but if it sounds OK...

You can also connect your mic directly in the Shure x2u, that's what it was
made for.

HTH

[[email protected][_2_]]

On Nov 7, 5:15*pm, Doum wrote:
" crivait news:a15aaa77-94b6-45f8-
:

Hmmm. Thanks. Ok, one last question:

I have one of these laying around:

http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/sto...2u%20XLRtoUSB%

20Microphone%20Adapter_-1_10052_10002_-49955226?cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Other-_-
X2u%20XLRtoUSB%20Microphone%20Adapter-_-SX2UXXXXX



I have a cable with XLR on one end and TS on the other. Could I use
that from the Joe Meek output to this Shure pre and then into the
computer? I tried it and it seems to work. But theoretically am I
breaking any 'rules' that might result in sound degradation that I'm
not hearing at the moment?

The Shure x2u has mic level input, so make sure you lower the OUTPUT
control of the Joe Meek low enough to not overload the x2u input but strong
enough to get a quality signal for recording and you should be OK.
IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE THE PHANTOM POWER SWITCH ON THE XU2 IS SET TO OFF
using a TS to XLR cable or you could damage it and/or maybe the USB port of
the laptop.

You said in your first post you didn't want to go through 2 mic preamps,
that's exactly what you would do, but if it sounds OK...

You can also connect your mic directly in the Shure x2u, that's what it was
made for.

HTH

Yeah, I wasn't really wanting to do two preamps. But I do have that
piece already so I'll make use of it that way. I have recorded with a
mic hooked straight up to it, which is fine. But when I want to go to
tape with compression or the sound of the meek, I'll run it through
there.

[Mike Rivers]

On 11/7/2010 10:22 AM, wrote:

I have an older Joe Meek VC3Q preamp that I'd like to use. I'm having
a hard time figuring out how I want to convert it's signal to digital
and connect it to a USB port.
It has a 1/4" output. I assume it's line level. It's balanced. But I
believe with adjust automatically to unbalanced cables.

It doesn't "adjust" to an unbalanced connection, but it may accommodate
it without any problems. Or maybe not. What leads you to understand this?

Alesis-GuitarLink-AudioLink

I wouldn't recommend this for your application. Are you looking for
something in the $12 range? If so, then you might as well give it a try.
If you really want cheap, I'd go for a Behringer UCA-202 (about $30).


--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be operated without
a passing knowledge of computing, although it seems that it can be
operated without a passing knowledge of audio" - John Watkinson

Drop by http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com now and then

[Arny Krueger]

"Doum" wrote in message

" écrivait
news:347413d6-7832-4518-
:

Ok.. I'm new to the laptop recording thing. I have
another setup. But I'm setting up a one channel rig in a
bedroom to do some demoing and video stuff.
I have an older Joe Meek VC3Q preamp that I'd like to
use. I'm having a hard time figuring out how I want to
convert it's signal to digital and connect it to a USB
port.
It has a 1/4" output. I assume it's line level. It's
balanced. But I believe with adjust automatically to
unbalanced cables.
I know there are a plethora of interfaces available. But
most of them seem like seperate preamps. I'm not keen on
the idea of sending my signal through two preamps. I'd
rather just have the signal from the meek converted and
put straight into my pc.
Would something like this work from the out to the USB
port?

http://www.amazon.com/Alesis-GuitarL...ioLink-4-inch-
Cable/dp/B001OXEDA0

So it would seem, yes. The key words in the description a

"GuitarLink makes it easy to direct-connect nearly any guitar, bass, or
other line-level audio source to USB for mono recording. "

key words:

"...other line-leve audio source..."


I mean, I know it would work. But does the impedance and
balancing make sense for what I'm trying to do?

I don't see a problem there.

It's
geared towards guitar. But it says it supports line
level audio.

Exactly.

Laptop sound chips are noisy

At least as significant is the fact that many laptops lack a line level
input.

You could get something like this:

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx

and connect the line out of your preamp to the line in of
this audio interface. This interface has ASIO drivers,
doesn't cost an arm and a leg and doesn't have a mic
preamp. It uses unbalanced RCA connectors for INs and
OUTs.

This could work just as well, and at an even lower price.

[[email protected][_2_]]

On Nov 8, 2:06*am, Mike Rivers wrote:
On 11/7/2010 10:22 AM, wrote:

I have an older Joe Meek VC3Q preamp that I'd like to use. I'm having
a hard time figuring out how I want to convert it's signal to digital
and connect it to a USB port.
It has a 1/4" output. I assume it's line level. It's balanced. But I
believe with adjust automatically to unbalanced cables.

It doesn't "adjust" to an unbalanced connection, but it may accommodate
it without any problems. Or maybe not. What leads you to understand this?

From the manual:
The output is auto balancing and
may be unbalanced without affecting output level.

Electronic Musician review:
The two outputs on the back panel are wired in parallel, and you can
make either output unbalanced by substituting a 11/44-inch TS plug for
a 11/44-inch TRS plug.

[Mike Rivers]

On 11/8/2010 8:34 AM, wrote:
From the manual:
The output is auto balancing and
may be unbalanced without affecting output level.

It may be from the manual, but the first part is horse manure. It's true
that many balanced outputs can be unbalanced without affecting the
output level. I would be more concerned about the input, however.



--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be operated without
a passing knowledge of computing, although it seems that it can be
operated without a passing knowledge of audio" - John Watkinson

Drop by http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com now and then