Simple Sound Effects PC Setup

Posts: 5
Joined: 2008-03-30

I'm not really sure how to set myself up to record quality sound effects on my PC... I'm kind of set on a Rodes NTG-1 for a mic (open to suggestions if another one might suit me better), but what sound card do I go for? The end application for the sound effects will be software -- video games, etc. So all of my sounds will be in 48 KHz. How do I find a card that will:

A. Not resample 48 KHz sounds. (Is that phrased right?).

B. Supply Phantom Power to my potential NTG-1.

I'm mostly concerned about the power supply and input to the computer because I've never had any serious microphone before and am not sure how it will work. Do I need some sort of pro sound card or will common sound cards work for this?

Also, will other things like mixers and such make much of a difference for my purposes? If they have any significance here I'd like to consider them...

Budget isn't a concern, though I'm no Bill Gates either.

Submitted by Fresh Bagels on Sun, 2008-03-30 22:36. login or register to post comments

tasos

Posts: 668
Joined: 2007-07-02

Hi FB, I think that you

Hi FB,

I think that you either need a sound card, a channel strip with a digital output or a stand alone digital recorder. I am not an expert on this type of gear, but in order for someone to give you advice, they will probably need a bit more info.

One main concern is portability.
Do you want to be able to record with a laptop on the move, or are you just recording in your studio setup?

Sun, 2008-03-30 23:48 login or register to post comments

Fresh Bagels

Posts: 5
Joined: 2008-03-30

Studio setup, definitely.

Studio setup, definitely. Sorry I forgot to specify. Maybe a link to a quick intro to sound equipment would help me most?

Mon, 2008-03-31 00:15 login or register to post comments

Fresh Bagels

Posts: 5
Joined: 2008-03-30

No reply? Seems like such a

No reply? Seems like such a simple question...

Guess I'm on my own here.

Wed, 2008-04-02 01:38 login or register to post comments

tasos

Posts: 668
Joined: 2007-07-02

Sorry about that

Sorry about that Fresh.

C'mon guys!
Can anyone give any useful advice?

Wed, 2008-04-02 01:58 login or register to post comments

squid

Posts: 302
Joined: 2007-12-26

if you buy an m-box you get

if you buy an m-box you get pro tools le (cheep & good editting)...m-box can supply 48v fantom power for your NTG-1 or anoughther mic...m-box is usb or firewire now so if your puter has usb or firewire your up and running...a mixer with only one mic is not needed...if budgets not a concern sky's the limit...consider this usb/firewire no need to open your puter...just plug it in....monitorring is (importaint) so the minimum req. is (good headphones)...if you can't buy real monitors...go to www.sweetwater.com you will find alot of info for you to read and make a choice... :-)
squid

Wed, 2008-04-02 23:55 login or register to post comments

Fresh Bagels

Posts: 5
Joined: 2008-03-30

Mbox! Sweet! That definitely

Mbox! Sweet! That definitely looks like what I want. So from this I gather standard sound cards won't support a mic with phantom power for sure.

I will look into what kind of monitors I might be willing to splurge on. It seems like a good pair of headphones might be enough for my purposes because the audio isn't the sole component. But I don't want to be settling for less just keep some $$$.

I wonder if there are any differences in something like the Mbox compared to a sound card with phantom supply.

Thanks.

Thu, 2008-04-03 01:39 login or register to post comments

squid

Posts: 302
Joined: 2007-12-26

yes...there is a

yes...there is a difference...a good sound card interfaces directly on to the motherboard...better transfer of info/faster transfer of info...higher bit/sample rate...and fantom power is the norm you will have no problem finding a card w/fantom...but you must install the correct card/drivers for your puter...mbox is still verry fast small and comes with "PRO TOOLS le" i don't know if you are leaning twords a certain program or not...if you don't allready have a program... you will need one...so for the price i think mbox/p-t is hard to beat...you get an interface and program in one package...for little money...as far as a mic is concerned i own a pair of NTG-2's among others and am verry happy with them... rode makes quality products...you will find certain mics work better on different sorces...hence the term "mic closet/cabnet"...have fun...you are now joining the addiction of audio!! lol :-)

SQUID

Thu, 2008-04-03 08:30 login or register to post comments

squid

Posts: 302
Joined: 2007-12-26

fresh...the "NTG-2" dosn't

fresh...the "NTG-2" dosn't need fantom power...it runs on batt.great for location recording...prety much the same mic as the NTG-1...i love them...
squid

Thu, 2008-04-03 08:45 login or register to post comments

Fresh Bagels

Posts: 5
Joined: 2008-03-30

Yeah, that's true. I was

Yeah, that's true. I was wanting to go with the NTG-1 at first just because I was afraid the NTG-2s might be lesser quality somehow w/o the traditional power supply.

I may end up getting NTG-2s. Dunno.

Thu, 2008-04-03 19:05 login or register to post comments

squid

Posts: 302
Joined: 2007-12-26

fresh....i'm not trying to

fresh....i'm not trying to sell you on protools..(kinda souns like it from what i've written)..i don't use it myself...i use sonar 7.02 prod./cubase 4.01 its just for the money mbox/protools le is verry powerfull...thats all...:-)

and... there are "alot" of mics out there that are a bought the same price as the rode...try/test some out...sometimes for a small rental fee you can take one home to try...you wont be sorry...
squid

Fri, 2008-04-04 21:06 login or register to post comments