Condenser Setup query

[lutzee]

I'm looking into buying a decent microphone for my PC, as a linux user, I'd prefer to avoid USB as much as possible.
 
I believe this set will work, being plugged into some sound input on my PC
 
AT-2020 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RE3E8O/
 
Phantom Power porivider http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000FG795I/
 
Generic XRL to 3.5mm cable http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000K6B2DI

 

Assuming that setup is correct, would it be advisable to purchase some form of PCI-e sound card to connect it via, my motherboard is an MSI Z77A-GD65 gaming.

I've seen idle comments about microphones having odd sound glitches, etc. If I am to get a sound card, It does need to have full linux support guaranteed. I'm not buying anything that could potentially not work with my system.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Fairly sure you're gonna need a preamp for that mic.

[lutzee]

Fairly sure you're gonna need a preamp for that mic.

Hmm, really?

What I've been reading  is as long  as it has phantompower it should be okay.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Hmm, really?

What I've been reading  is as long  as it has phantompower it should be okay.

 

Oh by all means I may be wrong. I have no experience with the actual mic only with other condenser mics that we use in the music world (AKG C-1000, AKG C414 etc)

[lutzee]

Oh by all means I may be wrong. I have no experience with the actual mic only with other condenser mics that we use in the music world (AKG C-1000, AKG C414 etc)

Hmm, you may be right then. 

I also saw this when browsing, seems much more affordable than other preamps that have been recommended elsewhere, and the reviews are good, 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-2I2-Audio-interfaces/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_34_TB4J?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XM2F4KKT44VDWJEX5T4

 

Also someone has been kind enough to post this, http://eldhuset.org/2012/03/04/focusrite-scarlett-2i2.html

Of course I'm now a little worried about my actual sound output though.. If anyone has and idea if these devices have passthrough back from the PC for sound output on the headphone audiojack then I may just be sold on it.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Hmm, you may be right then. 

I also saw this when browsing, seems much more affordable than other preamps that have been recommended elsewhere, and the reviews are good, 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-2I2-Audio-interfaces/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_34_TB4J?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XM2F4KKT44VDWJEX5T4

 

Also someone has been kind enough to post this, http://eldhuset.org/2012/03/04/focusrite-scarlett-2i2.html

Of course I'm now a little worried about my actual sound output though.. If anyone has and idea if these devices have passthrough back from the PC for sound output on the headphone audiojack then I may just be sold on it.

 

I'm not entirely sure about what you mean with the last sentences, however an external sound card / interface is definitely the way to go in most cases as they offer both a pre-amp that delivers great audio quality, phantom power and an interface for your computer in one box. If you're on a budget the Focusrite should be fine, M-Audio also has some great budget offerings. Of course these offerings are not on par with 4-5 digit dedicated pre-amps, but for hobby use they are just brilliant.

[Lauen]

are you sure the USB version doesn't work on Linux? 

[lutzee]

I'm not entirely sure about what you mean with the last sentences, however an external sound card / interface is definitely the way to go in most cases as they offer both a pre-amp that delivers great audio quality, phantom power and an interface for your computer in one box. If you're on a budget the Focusrite should be fine, M-Audio also has some great budget offerings. Of course these offerings are not on par with 4-5 digit dedicated pre-amps, but for hobby use they are just brilliant.

Ahh, yes, the blog post I linked was on about completely disabling the onboard intel audio that is on my motherboard, so that it would not work, meaning that the USB mic input can take over. Currently I have my speakers/headset plugged in through the intel audio so disabling it would mean I have no audio output, unless this preamp has a passthrough back from the PC so it also acts as a PC output. Which I guess is what you hinted at. I'll look at M-audio too.

[lutzee]

are you sure the USB version doesn't work on Linux? 

The matter isn't being sure it doesn't work on linux, its wanting to be sure that it does work 100% without problems. I need the peace of mind that the setup I get will not have some odd problems arise causes by some minor problem in linux drivers etc.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Ahh, yes, the blog post I linked was on about completely disabling the onboard intel audio that is on my motherboard, so that it would not work, meaning that the USB mic input can take over. Currently I have my speakers/headset plugged in through the intel audio so disabling it would mean I have no audio output, unless this preamp has a passthrough back from the PC so it also acts as a PC output. Which I guess is what you hinted at. I'll look at M-audio too.

 

This should not be an issue, not if you're running Windows anyways. As for Linux I don't know, not many producers run Linux so making software for it doesn't necessarily make sense. I recommend you stick to Windows.

[lutzee]

This should not be an issue, not if you're running Windows anyways. As for Linux I don't know, not many producers run Linux so making software for it doesn't necessarily make sense. I recommend you stick to Windows.

Yeah, thats not going to happen.

 

It sounds from the blog post again, that it uses a standard USB audio interface, so if the device can output the PCs audio, then it should work fine, which is what I am asking. 

[Hans Christian | Teri]

I guess you don't like Windows for some reason. As for whether or not the interfaces have outputs really differs from device to device. At first glance it looks like the Focusrite has, although I am not 100% certain about that. I recommend that you look at some reviews of the specific units, they will most likely have a section on output quality or similar if it offers an output.

[lutzee]

I guess you don't like Windows for some reason. As for whether or not the interfaces have outputs really differs from device to device. At first glance it looks like the Focusrite has, although I am not 100% certain about that. I recommend that you look at some reviews of the specific units, they will most likely have a section on output quality or similar if it offers an output.

Okay, thanks for all the information.

 

As for the windows thing, I'm just too used to a tiling window manager, keyboard shortcuts to control everything, and it not costing me a penny. 

In the end, my workflow on linux is much faster than windows, I prefer the customisability, and windows doesn't offer anything more than linux. 

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Okay, thanks for all the information.

 

As for the windows thing, I'm just too used to a tiling window manager, keyboard shortcuts to control everything, and it not costing me a penny. 

In the end, my workflow on linux is much faster than windows, I prefer the customisability, and windows doesn't offer anything more than linux. 

 

Haha, I know man. I run Arch with Awesome on one of my machines as well, and for programming related work nothing comes close. Sad thing is though that you often have to go where the software is, and for audio production that just happens to be Windows and (my preferred) OS X.

[lutzee]

Haha, I know man. I run Arch with Awesome on one of my machines as well, and for programming related work nothing comes close. Sad thing is though that you often have to go where the software is, and for audio production that just happens to be Windows and (my preferred) OS X.

This is unsurprising from this board, but then things are pretty firey over in the OS board too.  Just found some extra infomation on the 2i2's big brother the 2i4. Seems that it works quite flawlessly, even for a musician. http://www.linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10142&p=37495#p32773

 

This is more for podcasting/vlogging than music, so I'm happy if the audio isn't 100% perfect, but of course I don't want lots of obnoxious audio noise in the background either. 

 

Also i3wm <3

[Hans Christian | Teri]

This is unsurprising from this board, but then things are pretty firey over in the OS board too.  Just found some extra infomation on the 2i2's big brother the 2i4. Seems that it works quite flawlessly, even for a musician. http://www.linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10142&p=37495#p32773

 

This is more for podcasting/vlogging than music, so I'm happy if the audio isn't 100% perfect, but of course I don't want lots of obnoxious audio noise in the background either. 

 

Also i3wm <3

 

I'm yet to try i3wm, I installed Awesome as my first and I just stuck with it. As for audio noise I don't think you need to worry, the only thing to worry about is getting it to work at all. If others have done so that should not be a problem either.

[lutzee]

I'm yet to try i3wm, I installed Awesome as my first and I just stuck with it. As for audio noise I don't think you need to worry, the only thing to worry about is getting it to work at all. If others have done so that should not be a problem either.

Well, looks like I'm all set to go then  

And I'm yet to try awesome ¬.^ 

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Well, looks like I'm all set to go then

And I'm yet to try awesome ¬.^ 

 

I guess we stick with what we know.