I have this question posted in the Mac forum but this may be a more appropriate place.

I need to devise a way to effectively, inexpensively, and easily record VO's to my mac. I have a project where I will need to do numerous and quick VO updates. I have been going into the camera then capturing but that is a PITA.

At one of my jobs I use an PL20 to Mackie 1402 to AJA firewired to Mac and it sounds great! Unfortunately I can't really afford the AJA but I do have a PL20 :) I am thinking that I could purchase this mixer:


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...A_COMPACT.html

run it through a Griffin iMic

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Interface.html

Or something similar, then into my Mac.

Does anyone have any opinions on this? Is there a better solution that would cost about the same or less? If I can set something up where I would spend less than $300 then I might not need a PO from my CFO (wife). I know to do this right I need to spend a considerable amount more but my wife claims that our kids need to eat so I just need an economical solution for now until they turn 5 and I can send them off to work for Wal-Mart.

Have you considered any of the USB mics?

They seem very popular for doing VO in a home studio.

I have considered a USB mic and I am thinking that may be the least expensive way to go. However, I really like my PL20 and have been trying to find a way to incorporate it rather than going out an buying yet another mic. Using this USB interface was recommended in the Mac forum:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/522285-REG/MXL_MIC_MATE_USB_Mic_Mate_.html

using Usb is a good cheap solution
I use Samson C01U and record with garageband, or Audacity, or wiretap
And when your kids will work at Wal Mart, they will have a employees discount so it gonna be even cheaper.

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1904&brandID=2

In the past, I've used a small Behringer mixer (MX602a) into an iMic with good results. I did find the sound a bit brighter than directly into the onboard sound card. but if you already have the PL20, you can get into the computer for under $100 with the mixer and iMic. Plus it gives you options to input other sound sources, something a USB mic would not.

just my buck 3-80.

This E-MU looks almost perfect for what I am trying to accomplish:

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=15185

Does anyone have any experience with the E-MU 0404?

After a fair amount of research for a relatively small purchase I decided to go with the Presonus Firebox. Since I do a lot of my VOs latency could be an issue so I wanted to go FW rather than USB. I also liked the size/portability. I have found that when I do a lot of research before a purchase, then go to B&H's site to check costs, more often than not the product that I decide on is a "Top Seller". This time I narrowed the choices and just went to see what the Top Sellers were. Two of my choices were "Top Sellers", the M-Audio 410 and the Presonus Firebox. The M-Audio was poorly rated so Firebox it is. B&H was out of stock so I did a little looking around and ended up finding one for $230. $70 less, sold. I will report back on its performance.

I have considered a USB mic and I am thinking that may be the least expensive way to go. However, I really like my PL20 and have been trying to find a way to incorporate it rather than going out an buying yet another mic. Using this USB interface was recommended in the Mac forum:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/522285-REG/MXL_MIC_MATE_USB_Mic_Mate_.html

You can use your PL20 with the CEntrance MicroPort Pro.
http://centrance.com/products/mp/

Regards,

Ty Ford

Ty,

I second the motion.

I recently purchased the MXL USB Mic Mate when it was on sale at some online vendors and the price difference with the CEntrance MicroPort Pro was even larger than it had been previously. I got it to have an "emergency" USB audio interface with phantom power that could always be in my computer case.
While the Mic Mate certainly works just fine as an input, the difficulties of live input monitoring through your computer can make it less desirable for extensive use.
The CEntrance MicroPort Pro with it's internal headphone amp, or a small mixer that you may already have combined with an inexpensive and simple interface, or a more advanced interface like the unit the OP purchased would be a better solution for any amount of extensive recording.
I will keep the Mic Mate as it fits the need I bought it for, but it won't be getting a lot of use when better alternatives are handy.
Others may have found greater success with latency issues while input monitoring than I could achieve with my laptop, Vegas and the Mic Mate.

If you want to really save money just use your camera as an interface with the laptop. If your camera has a firewire connection and XLR inputs you don't need to spend a dime.

Well, there is that. I shot this from my XL2 right into iMovie. Afterwards I did some post work on the audio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

Video fills up your drive pretty fast. I don't know if FCP or Soundtrack Pro will record just the audio from a firewire link from the camera, but then there's the question of how good the camera preamps are.

Regards,

Ty Ford

W
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

I don't know if FCP or Soundtrack Pro will record just the audio from a firewire link from the camera, but then there's the question of how good the camera preamps are.

Regards,

Ty Ford

It does. In FCP just use tools>voiceover.

While I was waiting for the Presonus Firebox I did use my Canon A1 as a preamp. I ran the mic into the camera then ran the headphone jack from the camera to the line input on my MacPro and recorded into Soundtrack Pro. Worked well and sounded fine. The Firebox definitely sounds better. I am very happy with the sound and it is almost totally idiot proof. Plug it in and it works.

While I was waiting for the Presonus Firebox I did use my Canon A1 as a preamp. I ran the mic into the camera then ran the headphone jack from the camera to the line input on my MacPro and recorded into Soundtrack Pro. Worked well and sounded fine. The Firebox definitely sounds better. I am very happy with the sound and it is almost totally idiot proof. Plug it in and it works.

Try it using a firewire connection to the camera. It should sound much better than using the headphone jack.

Now that I have been able to run the Presonus Firebox through the paces I am starting to not like it. Everything I have done with it so far is all VO work so none of this is based on instrument recording. There are a few of us that have done VO work through the Firebox and I would rate all of our voices as mid to high on volume. Thus I have not run into any problems with the unit until I recorded someone with a softer voice. I had everything cranked and it still was not enough. Now I have a noisy VO that needs to be redone. Yes, I have spent many, many hours trying to repair the audio and bring the noise down but have come to the conclusion that it will take less time to re-record than to continue to beat the dead horse.

I will not put all the blame on Presonus, the unit comes with a software booster that adds about 12dB and if I crank the levels on the Firebox and record into Soundtrack it becomes useable for a softer voice but still not great. Since running into this problem I have read a number of other folks out there with similar issues. So if you have a medium to loud voice the Firebox has a very nice warm sound for the money. If you might record someone with a softer voice I would look elsewhere.

Hey Dave,

Which mic?

Ty Ford

Ty, I use a PL20.

At the bottom of the linked page there is a good write-up from an electrical engineer on why the Firebox doesn't perform as most would expect.

http://www.bradsucks.net/archives/2006/04/19/firebox-gain-update/

A few weeks ago I picked up a used Apogee Duet on eBay to replace my Firebox. I must say that I am quite happy with the overall sound quality, ease of use, and most of all, volume (which I guess can go under the "overall sound quality" category). The Firebox was just not an adequate piece of equipment for what I was doing, which was only VO work. So anyone out there looking for an inexpensive piece of equipment for recording audio to your computer, spend the extra couple of bucks for the Apogee Duet. It will save you money and time in the long-run. I hope this helps someone out!!

dave