#6 in Musical Instruments
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Reddit mentions of Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First

Sentiment score: 100
Reddit mentions: 168

We found 168 Reddit mentions of Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First. Here are the top ones.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
Buying options
View on Amazon.com
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    Features:
  • One natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamp with plenty of even gain; one instrument input, Stereo line outputs on RCA phono for connecting to home speakers; one headphones output with gain control. You don't need a power supply, either - just connect with a USB cable and start recording.
  • Class-leading conversion and sample rates up to 192kHz / 24 bit; super-low latency for using your plug-ins in real time without the need for DSP
  • LIMITED TIME OFFER: FREE Venomode DeeQ, Maximal 2, and Pivot, plug-ins upon registration and download.
  • Includes Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite’s Red Plug-in Suite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples, Choice of one free XLN Addictive Keys virtual instrument, all available via download upon purchase and registration
  • Compatible with Windows 7 and higher, and Mac OS X 10.10 and higher. Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.25dB. Supported sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz; Headphone Dynamic Range:104dB (A-weighted). Focusrite now offers a 3-Year Warranty on this and all other Focusrite products.
Specs:
ColorSolo - 1 Mic pre
Height4.41 Inches
Length1.77 Inches
Number of items1
Release dateJune 2016
SizeSolo (2nd Gen)
Weight0.99 Pounds
Width5.71 Inches

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Found 168 comments on Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First:

u/oddmanero · 12 pointsr/bapcsalescanada

the sm58 is a directional mic, and you need audio cables+audio interface for it (like a focusrite scarlett solo https://www.amazon.ca/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM or a behringer um2 https://www.amazon.ca/Behringer-UM2-Audio-Interface-Preamplifier/dp/B00FFIGYOI/ref=sr_1_18?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1541103504&sr=1-18)

the yeti can do 4 different modes, it's got a built-in preamp and it's powered straight off of the USB cable.

different setups for different purposes. i got a yeti but i want a sm57+audio interface to mic up a guitar amp setup

u/Du6e · 10 pointsr/buildapc

Something like this makes a lot more sense, went with a white / black build.

u/FunnyPocketBook · 7 pointsr/Bass

Focusrite Scarlett Solo/2i2 as audio interface. If you are certain that you're only going to record one thing at a time, the Solo will be sufficient.

I've seen many people recommending Reaper which is the WinRar version of free DAWs (I think?)

u/LSDoubleD · 7 pointsr/makinghiphop

To be honest, It really depends on what your budget is. If you have a $10,000 budget my recommendations are going to change drastically compared to if you have say, a $400 budget.

Assuming you want to keep price pretty low but still want pretty nice quality I recommend the following.

  • Microphone: Audio-Technica AT2020. It's a good mic for the price and most people start out on something like this or something similar. It delivers a good enough sound that you'll be happy with the results, especially considering how cheap it is.

  • Interface: Focusrite Scarlette Solo, This has kind of become the industry standard for beginner interfaces. It's a clean, simple interface. You hook it up to your computer, plug in your mic, adjust the volume and you're good to go.

  • Software: I personally started on Logic Pro X, If you have a Mac, I HIGHLY recommend it. Fantastic DAW, Arguably the next best thing to the industry's standard which is Pro Tools. Although it doesn't really matter what DAW you use. Most of them do the exact same thing, Just with different work flows.

  • Headsets: This doesn't matter that much. Find a pair of studio reference headphones in your price range and learn them like the back of your hand. Listen to tons of music on them, as much as you can. Some headphones boost certain frequencies and it's important you know what frequencies it's boosting so when you're mixing you dont add too much or too little of said frequency in.

    My one tip to anybody beginning is learn to mix and experiment. You can have a shitty mic and a shitty interface, but if you can mix well, You can make 90% of things sound at least decent and that's all that really matters in music. If you make a song that's a banger but it's not mixed that great, people will still listen to it. If you have a shitty song that's mixed by a world class engineer, nobody is going to listen to it. Don't get caught up in making sure everything sounds amazing, Just work and be creative.
u/pipsohip · 7 pointsr/HuntsvilleAlabama

It might be easier to just download Audacity and get an affordable audio interface and mic. Here's what I record with and it sounds great for what I need.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo - $89

Tonor Condensor Mic - $30

XLR Cable - $6

u/deandimarzo · 6 pointsr/audioengineering

You really, really need an interface. The built-in soundcard isn't quite up to snuff when it comes to audio input, and as /u/despicable_secret mentioned, condenser mics need 48V of phantom power to function correctly.

The most popular option is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, but just about any of these will do the trick.

u/Silaryia · 6 pointsr/skyrimmods

If anyone's curious about getting an XLR setup, I can direct you to some pretty good starting gear! I personally use the Audio Technica AT2020 cardiod condensor microphone and a Focusrite USB audio interface. You'll also want to buy a male to female XLR cable of some kind. A pop filter is also a good investment! And, of course, you'll want a stand of some kind for the microphone. I personally use this but it limits your ability to move the microphone away from a desk.

If you want studio quality, be sure to record in 24-bit 48k, with an uncompressed format like a wav. That's the standard both Hollywood and indie productions have been using for years.

Oh, and if anyone's curious about credentials, I mix and record audio for commercials.

u/SinisterHumanoid · 6 pointsr/pcmasterrace

ATH-M50x's with brainwavz pads since the stock ones are thin and will fall apart after a year of heavy use. And a ModMic.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86/ - $150~

https://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-Hybrid-Memory-Foam-Earpad/dp/B00ZGGG3KY - $30~

https://www.amazon.com/Antlion-Audio-ModMic-Attachable-Microphone/dp/B00R98O6R4 - $50~

Of course if you already have a mid the ModMic isn't needed. OR for just twice the price cut the second cord attached to your skull and get an AT2020 and even a Scarlett Solo for the best sound possible.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK - $100~

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM - $100~

u/Blueman826 · 6 pointsr/Bass

What they are using is an interface, a DAW and possibly an amp simulator on their computer.Basically an interface is a box that you plug your instrument or mic into that goes into your computer. It turns the analog signal of the instrument or mic into digital information that the computer can read. These can be worth a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on your needs.

The bass signal would then have to go into an amp simulator for the direct input signal to be heard like it's played through an amp. These amplify and change your signal just like an amp would do, providing a full sound for your guitar/bass. These are can be worth anything from 0 dollars to a couple hundred and each has its own sound and quality.

DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation and allows your instrument or mic to be recorded along with other tracks and instruments. These allow you to record songs and covers but also allow you to use tons of effects including compressors and eqs, amp sims and midi instruments.If you simply want to play and/or record your bass through your computer I'd recommend getting a simple 1 input interface like a Steinberg UR12 or a Focusrite Scarlett Solo. The Focusrite would have a higher quality build and sound, but the Steinburg will still get the job done. A great DAW would be REAPER, as it is completely free to use but will request a licensing of $60 that you do not have to pay. And there are tons of great free amp simulators online, but there are some really nice amp sims for a bit of money. I'd suggest checking out This list of free sims and checking out the other paid amp sims including Bias Fx and Amplitube.

Good Luck!

u/theknyte · 5 pointsr/recordingmusic

The go to interface for that price range is the Focusrite Scarlett

u/yoitsmeab · 5 pointsr/Guitar

I use a mic to an interface to my laptop, which is the standard route.

For the mic, I use an sm57 for higher volume stuff (if you ask any musician what mic they would use if they could only have one mic for general recording, 80% will say an sm57). For lower volume stuff, I use a large diaphram condenser mic (requires phantom power)

For my interface, I have an old Tascam 1800 (it has 16 inputs, I used to use it to record percussion and orchestral parts.

For software I use Cubase and Reaper. Cubase is expensive and difficult and I kind of hate it but it works really well once you figure it out. Reaper is free and fairly simple to use.

This is a fantastic less expensive interface for recording guitar

This is the Shure sm57 microphone

Link to Reaper's site

Link to Cubase's site

Best of luck!!!

u/SirClaytonBigsby · 5 pointsr/buildapc

This build will be adequate for music production, although just barely. Like others have said, an outboard audio interface that connects by USB is one of the most important components for an audio production PC (definitely cut that asus xonar sound card). this focusrite Scarlett series is an immensely popular choice https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1491756709&sr=1-2&keywords=audio+interface I would also recommend the behringer umc hd series as being much better value at the $99 price point (this is what I just replaced my ancient audio interface with) https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UMC404HD-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA/dp/B00QHURLHM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491757010&sr=8-1&keywords=umc404hd The audio interface will allow you to 100% bypass the motherboards audio chipset and will provide far higher quality and much more routing options than any onboard audio chipset can claim.

I wouldn't cut anything from this parts list. If you running even a few different VST's in ableton you may come to find the mechanical drive insufficient to allow you to smooth play back of instruments. An 250-500gb SSD would be a likely future upgrade for this build that would tangibly improve performance.

Also, if an audio interface is outside your budget, I would simply wait on buying one. Depending on what your doing in Ableton you might not find it essential right off the bat. Its not like its gonna affect your warping or timestretching ;)

u/_fuma_ · 5 pointsr/BudgetAudiophile

The easiest way is to get an entry level pro-audio USB interface like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo (which has a 24bit 192KHz DAC built in).

u/LuminescentMoon · 5 pointsr/singing

Good audio interfaces (like the Scarlett Solo) have a switch to directly monitor the audio from the mic (aka, it would feed it directly back to the headphones with 0 latency). Other than that, it's 100% your mic's quality.

If you're going microphone shopping, look for condenser mics instead of dynamic ones. Dynamic mics are more suitable for live performances (on stage) since they're vastly more durable than condenser mics but they're nowhere near as accurate as condensers.

u/ingeniousclown · 5 pointsr/letsplay

This is one of the best entry-level audio interfaces you can get for the money. It might seem expensive, but trust me if you buy a 30 dollar Behringer U-Phoria you're going to get some nasty static noise because those things are garbage.

With that, if you're already breaking the bank, you can get a relatively cheap microphone that will sound reasonably good compared to the snowball, and then you can upgrade later on.

Also, what do you mean by "sound like I'm in a cave"? Perhaps your issue is something else... like a poorly treated room?

u/beefqeef · 5 pointsr/WorldofTanks

If you're willing to spend a decent chunk of money on a sound card, don't. Get an external DAC- it does the same as a sound card but is further isolated from interference in your computer. Some also have built in volume controls and mute buttons.

I use a Scarlett Solo with audiotechnica M50X headphones.

This is a good small DAC.
FiiO E10K Headphone Amplifier and DAC https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Sh8FxbGKRG5TQ

And this is one which I use.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd Gen 2 in 2 Out USB Audio Interface https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Xi8Fxb55YAY5D


Edit: It's not worth it unless you have a good quality headphone set. I would recommend the audiotechnica M40 or M50 headphones for very good quality at low prices compared to other brands.

u/TexasThrowDown · 5 pointsr/audioengineering

Being an IT professional sometimes this sub's acronyms confuse the hell out of me. That said, has he looked into a Scarlett solo? It's what I use at home. It's technically an interface, but is powered over USB and is great if you only have 1-2 inputs. It's also pretty small and could easily fit into a backpack or messenger bag (really anything with pockets). May not be exactly what he's looking for, but it sounds like it might fit the bill.

https://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-solo

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1483738306&sr=1-1&keywords=scarlett+solo+second+gen

u/shab1b1 · 4 pointsr/buildapc

I know that a lot of streamers use the audio technica microphones so here's one. There is also the Blue Yeti. In terms of budget microphones, there is the Blue Snowball and the CAD u37. You also might want to consider an audio interface as well. Here's an excellent combo, cause its awesome.

u/MookieFish · 4 pointsr/makinghiphop

I use this mic for any vocals I do and I get pretty decent results for a bedroom. You can find cheaper mics than that, but make sure you get a large diaphragm condenser mic and make sure its XLR, not USB. It doesn't come with a mic stand. I learned that the hard way

You'll need an audio interface as well. That's probably the cheapest interface that's worth getting as well from what I hear.

About $250 or so for a cheaper setup, but it's a one-time purchase and the added quality is worth it I think.

u/SOGOpod · 4 pointsr/podcasting

Let's start from the top.
____

  • Here's my Handy Dandy Microphone Guide to get you started. I recommend you create a budget before you go mic shopping.

  • Avoid any and all hardware mixers. If you mess up your EQ from the get-go, there's no fixing it later. Always record flat, and EQ in post. Digital EQ's are all but indistinguishable from their analog predecessors.

  • If you want to use an XLR mic (read the guide) you'll need an interface. A Focusrite will be an excellent investment, if you choose to go that route. A Focusrite Scarlett Solo will be perfect, if it's just you, or your cohost won't be recording in the same house as you, but an 18i8 will be pretty much the max any podcaster will ever need (I use an 18i20, but I later realized it was definitely overkill)

  • As for software, Garageband is perfect to start. I would recommend Mixcraft, or Reaper, but they're both Mixcraft is Windows-only (Reaper has a Mac version. Thanks for the correction @Cassinpants), and I assume you have a Mac, since you have GB.
    ____
    My personal setup is:

    -Focusrite 18i20

    -Electrovoice Re20 + Heil PR40

    -Custom PC (i7 6700k/ Fury X/ 16Gib DDR5 RAM, Hard drives for days)

    -Mixcraft 8

    -various plugins

    -Libsyn

    Hope this helps, for now! See you back, soon, to figure out RSS ;D




    Edit: Added multiple links
u/Trifax · 4 pointsr/VoiceActing

If you're going to do voiceover semi-regularly to very often on even your own projects casually, it's worth doing better than the Blue Yeti or Snowball. You can get a much better sound than that if you can manage a little more cash—I'm sure you can get creative.

AT2020 ($83), Behringer B-1 ($89.95), MXL 770 ($74.99) or 990 ($87.67), or the Samson CO1 ($38 used, $62 new).

All XLR condenser microphones, which means that you also need an interface and an XLR cable. The Focusrite Scarlett is the most popular and most affordable.

u/Trees_And_Porn · 4 pointsr/battlestations

Hey guys! I know this just looks like a generic RGB battlestation. I recently just bought a house for myself, and was finally able to set up my own gaming room, and I wanted to show it off .I plan to eventually set up my VR stuff in this room somewhere. I know the photo quality sucks, but I don't own a camera, and my iPhone camera sucks.



Case - NZXT Phantom 410


Mobo - ASUS TUF SABERTOOTH Z97


CPU - i7-4790k Devil's Canyon


CPU Cooler - NZXT Kraken X42


RAM - Kingston HyperX


GPU - ASUS ROG GTX 1070


Storage - Samsung 860 PRO 1TB


Keyboard - Ducky Shine 4


Mouse - Corsair Scimitar


Headphones - Sennheiser PC 360


Microphone - Audio-Technica 2020


Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett Solo


Monitors - Asus VG248QE x2

u/MetalVolnutt · 3 pointsr/WeAreTheMusicMakers

First of all, thank you so much for such a helpful and detailed answer! I wasn't expecting this kind of awesome comments from everyone!

About the virtual instruments, I was thinking that I would really get inspired if I bought the expensive ones, but you are absolutely right. I'm just starting and probably should try learning everything with the free tools that are available (which don't sound that bad actually). I'll check out everything you recommended, including the audio interface. I just have one question about that. I'm about to buy a new digital piano (This is one of the reasons I started to take interest in the computer compatibility), and since (as you said) those have MIDI ports, should I avoid this interface and buy this one instead, since the first one doesn't appear to be compatible with MIDI? Sorry if this is a very obvious question. I'm a real newbie to this fascinating world and I would really want to make the right decisions, especially since I'm about to spend on a piano already and have limited money for this project (at least for now).

u/sittingbox · 3 pointsr/tifu

Look you may need a small amp between your guitar and the interface but I doubt it.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_g3qXKNij2Nsgu

Currently my interface for simply recording voice, no instruments. Cheap and really reliable. Let me know if I can be more help.

u/belak51 · 3 pointsr/buildapc

The SM57 is a pretty good mic... The problem is most likely the adapter. And the fact that you have less control over the gain of the mic. Dynamic mics shouldn't need phantom power, but I've only used adapters like that when running one into a real mixer. And if you're considering an adapter like that, something like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_36RzybA61JRPK would be a much better option. I'm using a larger version of the same thing to run my audio when streaming.

I realize it's a long shot but if you're in the San Francisco bay area, I've got a few extra USB audio interfaces I don't need

u/Limro · 3 pointsr/VoiceActing

You could go for the Røde NT1 kit which includes a microphone, a shock mount, and a metal pop-filter, and connect it to a Scarlett Focusrite Solo (2. gen). This way you get 24 bit, 48 kHz recordings, which ought to be enough for most of your clients :)

How well does it sound? Well, here's a comparison with the Neumann U47 ($4000 mic).

How come, that such a price difference is so hard hear? The room is treated very well. You can do something like what I did.
I would not recommend a box - it can sound "boxy", but it might work...

u/Turbosack · 3 pointsr/SiegeAcademy

First of all, the feature that the other commenter is referring to is probably Discord's attenuation feature, which lets you turn down the volume of other applications on the system while you are speaking. That may work for you, but it's not the same as monitoring.

Second, as you noted, Windows' builtin monitoring feature has enough latency that it's essentially useless. If you don't already own a headset that supports monitoring, then the only way to do this properly is with an audio interface (for example; there are probably cheaper ones that would work, I just don't know a good one off the top of my head). They can do monitoring without latency because they send the sound directly back to your headphones, without doing a round trip through the computer.

u/Aezalius · 3 pointsr/letsplay

I'm using an AT2020 combined with a Behringer Xenyx Q802USB. It's a really nice setup, and works really well for around $180. It does have a few issues, like how you cannot hear yourself and your desktop audio at the same time without an extra cable, but that is fixed with an extra ~$3 of cables. The Q802USB is a really nice interface if you want to work around a few minor issues, since it exposes the EQ and compressor dials. There are some cool things you can do with the FX send and recieve like noise reduction, but I have not tested that.

Currently the MXL 770 is on sale on amazon, and it sounds really good in the few videos I saw of it. A Focusrite Scarlett Solo would also do ya fine. I'm not too familiar with some of the more high end dynamic microphones, but an ATR2100 is something I always reccomend since it's actually a really good microphone.

u/BL4CK_CAT · 3 pointsr/singing

Don't get a USB-Condenser Microphone. Yeah they are easy to handle, but you will need a XLR-Interface if you get any Type of "better" Mic in the Future.
A USB-XLR Interface is not really expensive, and is a one-time buy. If you know you'll only do Vocals, just get something like the Scarlett Solo or similar.

For Mics: the Rode NT1-A is an absolute classic for Voice/Vocals, because it offers a lot of Value for the Money and you can Record basically everything with it. Also, it's cheap. If it's not cheap enough, the AKG P120 is even cheaper, but imho the NT1a is worth the money.

And: don't forget a stand and a pop-filter (you can build one yourself, just google diy-popfilter)

u/battering_ram · 3 pointsr/audioengineering

You need an audio interface. You don't need that phantom power supply. I don't know why they even sell that shit as a bundle. It just confuses people.

GET THIS. It's what everyone here recommends for beginners. It connects to your computer via USB. It has a built in preamp, phantom power, and a headphone jack as well as RCA outputs on the back if you want to hook up speakers. Just plug you mic directly into the mic input on the front, turn on phantom power, adjust the gain with the gain knob and you're good to go.

If you want two mic inputs GET THIS. It's also got balanced outputs on the back if you ever decide to get studio monitors.

u/shindiggety · 3 pointsr/microphones

If you're new, let's introduce you to the different types of microphone.

First, there are traditional microphones, and USB microphones.

USB microphones (like the Blue Snowball) don't need additional power or cables apart from the USB cable. The USB cable alone will power the microphone and carry the audio signal fine.

Traditional microphones use XLR cables and require a preamp. If the microphone is a condenser mic, it will ALSO require power which we call phantom power or 48V power.

If you go with a USB microphone, you just need to buy the microphone and that will work fine by itself plugged into your computer. If you decide you want a traditional microphone, you would also need a preamp, and possible phantom power. This is the purpose of an Audio Interface. An Audio Interface such as a Focusrite Scarlett Solo, a Presonus AudioBox iOne, or a Behringer UM2 include the preamp your mic needs, plus phantom power if you are using a condenser mic.

So with a traditional mic, you would need to buy both a microphone and an interface to convert that analog signal to digital, amplify the signal, and provide power to your mic.


I know this is a lot, but I hope it helps you figure some of this out.


If by daily communication, you mean for gaming and skype/chat, I would go for a simple USB mic. There are cheaper options than the Snowball that are also very good. Look at CAD or Samson. Both have good options.

If you have other questions, feel free to send me a pm.

u/demonic_intent · 3 pointsr/audioengineering

IF you arent trying to spend too much money on it, I'd recommend just heading to a local studio and renting some time to record what you need. That is, unless you are trying to make this a regular thing.

I'll go ahead and throw some links up on what I list as good, low-budget options to get you going.

I'd recommend getting a cardioid condenser mic (AKG AT2020 ~$100), an audio interface with at least one mic preamp and phantom power (Scarlett Solo ~$100), and a pop filter (Audio 2000s AWS4071 ~$10). You'd also need a DAW to edit the tracks, such as cutting out long pauses and words you didn't intend to make into the final cut, and adding a bit of compression and EQ changes. Most likely the audio interface will come with an intro DAW that'll do just enough for what you want to do. For better results you can also pick up an acoustic shield (Monoprice 602650 ~$65) to help isolate the sound, which doesn't seem important just getting into it but once you hear the difference you'll see why its important. Oh, and you'll need to get an XLR cable (~$8) to plug the mic in, but you may or may not want one that's a bit longer than the one I linked.

Something I want to throw in there as well is you'll also probably want to learn how to get on de-essing. In a vocal take, often times an "s" sound will come out very harshly if left unedited. A method to avoid this is to not talk directly into the mic, but slightly off center. Alternatively, you can buy a VST or program that can do it automatically for you. Also, a good thing to do is to reduce noise either through careful automated eq cuts or by using a program such as reafir which can be downloaded for free from the developers here.

If you do get involved with all this craziness, and I know its all pretty intimidating, I'd be happy to help you get on your way to making some great recordings. Just send me a message any time.

u/[deleted] · 3 pointsr/audio

In my opinion, I'd go with an audio interface and then monitors. Which is basically what you posted. However, that one would be tricky.

The first thing you did wrong was not post a price range for your project so I'm going to just give you the setup I have.

You're looking for a USB Audio Interface. The one you posted is an audio interface but not a digital one. Here is what I have:
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466497870&sr=8-2&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+2i2

^This one has two 1/4" outputs for a pair of speakers.

There is a smaller one, too: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM?psc=1
This has RCA output for a pair of speakers that use RCA.

Now, these are for music studios so they have XLR and 1/4" inputs for microphones or instruments. However, they have the headphone jack and two outputs on the back for a pair of speakers.

Depending on what speakers you get, you'll want to look at how they hook up - either 1/4" cable or RCA cables (the Red and White inputs).

For example, say you want to buy these studio monitors. https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-CR3-Creative-Reference-Multimedia/dp/B00KVEIY4E/ref=sr_1_37?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1466498231&sr=1-37&keywords=studio+monitors&refinements=p_36%3A1253547011

They have both 1/4" and RCA on the back. Studio Monitors vary in quality and sound. Ideally they are designed with a flat frequency response so they don't "color" the audio. However, you can always run some kind of equalizer on your computer.

In summary, purchase an audio interface and two studio "monitors" or speakers. It works great for gaming, movies, and music. You can build shelves to wall mount or buy stands for them. You may even be able to find some kind of wall accessory that attaches to the speakers.

u/erniuss · 3 pointsr/buildapc

as the above guys said the usb audio interface you gonna have couple advantages, basically if you ever planing to upgrade into studio speakers or so, you already gonna be having audio interface, and for studio speakers audio interface its must have thing otherwise you losing more than half of the speakers quality , same goes for microphones, if you ever consider buying some microphone and it has XLR connection, or even 3.5mm jack, you can buy adapter to get XLR or so , and even for some £20 microphone you gonna have pretty clear and more than enough quality for skype talks or so , and it would be many times better than directly plugging into your motherboard or front 3.5m socket. / and the last one its what you need the Headphones quality, usally if you buy headphones for few hundread bucks or so, and you using 3.5mm jack to plug into your motherboard, you losing more than 50% of your audio quality , So with some certain interface you can get the full of your headphones/speakers/mics etc. So for audio interfaces you can go for https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-U-PHORIA-UM2-BEHRINGER/dp/B00EK1OTZC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1484581921&sr=8-2&keywords=usb+audio+interface that would be the most basic and it would do the job more than enough. The 2 more choices is either M audio or Scarlete , m audio : https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-M-Track-2X2-Interface-24-bit/dp/B01FFH5XMC/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1484581921&sr=8-21&keywords=usb+audio+interface thats also one of their newest audio interfaces , and it has pretty good design doesnt it ? :P The other one https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1484581921&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+audio+interface , its literally up to you which one you prefer, you can go for more basic option if you not planing to get some expensive pair of speakers or so , if you thinking that you might get some KRK studio monitors or so you can pick one of them 2 £100 worth audio interfaces , the quality between m audio and focusrite wont be noticeable . But to mention again if you literally need it only for those headphones and you not planing to get anything in future just go for the 50 usd audio interface and you will be more than happy :) ( sorry for not fluent english hopefully you can understand )

u/ThatVRGuy_ · 2 pointsr/piano

Here's everything I bought for mine:

  • Bench - $30

  • Stand - $60

  • [Garritan CFX VST] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KLFF91O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - $170

  • Audio Interface - $100 Comes with ableton which can be used to record the midi and also comes with a free addictive keys piano. Pretty nice for the price. There's about 7 ms of latency when I use this setup on my laptop which is completely unnoticeable.

  • [VPC 1] (https://www.musicstore.de/en_US/EUR/Kawai-VPC1-Masterkeyboard/art-SYN0004258-000) - About $1400 dollars after shipping and a duty tax of $76 will be charged if you live in the U.S. Still cheaper than I was able to find it elsewhere

    You'll also need a nice pair of speakers or headphones. I use the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x's which are open back and they sound pretty good. I actually got a set of Sterling MX5 studio monitors in addition to my headphones to set on top of the piano and they sound amazing. If you ever think you will be playing for anyone or performing I recommend getting a pair of the MX5's. It's about $200 and then $10 for a cable. They will hook right up to the audio interface.
u/Tremorr · 2 pointsr/headphones

What mic? If it's a stage mic like a sm57 they usually have an xlr ouput. If that's the case you're gonna need a pre amp. Your mic needs power, probably 48v phantom and your computer cannot provide enough power through a 3.5mm.

This is the cheapest one ill ever recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E6T56CM/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_boF8P_c_x_1_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=N4PXG9RSKFRVZX6CHPRQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=55d65d49-6443-5eff-9508-2fc1f0b697f7&pf_rd_i=11974581&th=1

u/plumeofsmoke · 2 pointsr/Songwriting

Yeah i mean i wouldn't fight your creative process but embrace it. Only try different approaches when you get stuck. If electric works, use it.

If its a noise issue, i recommend buying a digital amp that you can use with headphones. The Fender Mustang Amp is hella cheap and lets you model a ton of amps- the twin reverb setting is the best though. You can even plug in your computer to experiment with modeled effects pedals for more inspiration.

Or what I really like to is use an audio interface like this and plug my guitar directly in. Then with certain DAWs that have it like Logic you can use the amp modeling and effects modeling and listen through headphones also.

u/PostRinseAndRepeat · 2 pointsr/Guitar

I've been wondering the exact same thing! I use a Rocksmith cable currently but been looking at this focusrite interface for a while. If anyone could weigh in on if it's worth it I'd appreciate it!

u/Shado_Temple · 2 pointsr/Twitch

Having just gone through this myself, it isn't so bad. Essentially, all you need is an XLR cable (duh) and some kind of USB interface. I personally got the Scarlett Solo to run my Shure SM7B, and it's working like a charm.

u/brettmac808 · 2 pointsr/Twitch
  1. Microphone

    https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK

  2. USB Audio interface Option #1 (Has RCA + 1/4 inch balanced)

    This is the golden standard for high quality Mic input as well as output. The audio drivers on the Scarlet models are simply crisp and clear. There are other options that work, but like a bicycle...they all ride different. This is simply the very best without a doubt at your price range. You could easily spend $500-$700 on an audio interface, but for youir streaming needs, this is literally perfect

    Note, this is what I utilize for my Stream, and get compliments on the professional audio quality of my Mic almost daily.

    https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56EA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1525297509&sr=1-1&keywords=scarlett+2i2

  3. USB Audio Interface Option #2 (Has RCA outputs only)

    *Next best option, if you do not plan to run to Speak Monitors like KRKs or Mackie's. This will give you the same quality of audio input from your Mic. But if you are planning to use Monitors, the 2i2 above will give you the best output audio quality being that the 1/4 inch is balanced audio.

    https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1525297603&sr=1-3&keywords=scarlett+solo

    Trust me. Anyone who knows what they are talking about when it comes to audio, not just streaming...will agree. LMK if you have any questions...happy to help.
u/ThatSoundGuyChris · 2 pointsr/leagueoflegends

Okay this is going to be a long post, so here goes.

​

If you really want to get into sound design, youre going to need a few essentials. A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), an audio interface, a handheld recorder, and a microphone.




DAWs

As far as a DAW goes, there's a few alternatives you can go with. I personally use Avid Pro Tools for near everything I do, but also mess around with Reaper. I've found that most studios will use one of these two. Most DAWs will have a pretty steep learning curve, so be ready for that.

Pro Tools First is the free version of Pro Tools. It has a lot of limitations, but for starting out it should be fine. If you want less limitations it costs big money, but I'm sure you can find a crack or two as long as you don't use it commercially.

Reaper is starting to grow on me lately. You can customize it to your needs, and the full version is only $60. You can also just deal with a popup everytime you open the program for ten seconds and use it for free. I mainly prefer Pro Tools over this because the video engine in Pro Tools is much better. But for batch editing multiple sound files, Reaper is muuuuuch better.

​

Audio Interface

This basically takes over as an intermediary between high quality audio and your computer. You can plug a microphone right into it to record sound straight to your computer. You can do this with a USB microphone as well, but the quality is a million times better with one of these.
I would recommend either the Behringer UMC22 or the more advanced Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Both will do the trick, I just prefer the mic pres on the Focusrite a bit more.


Handheld Recorder
Handheld recorders allow you to record anything you want to without having to deal with any cables. They should be compact but durable.

The Tascam DR-40 is a great intro recorder. It was the first recorder I got 5 years ago, and it still holds up. I've dropped this thing so many times and it still powers through.
Another favorite is the Zoom H4N. This was a favorite among most of my classmates as it was the one my school supplied, but I didn't feel like going through the checkout process all the time so I saved up and got the Tascam. It has a newer version, the Zoom H6, which is pretty slick, but comes at a higher price point. It also comes with some interchangeable microphone capsules so you can get different types of recordings. I'll cover more of this later.
I'll leave off with the recorder I have now, the Sony PCM-M10. This thing is a godsend. It's discontinued due to a newer version coming out, but you can find this guy on eBay for around $300-400. It's smaller than a phone, and the sound quality is amazing. If you have the money to shell out for this guy, definitely go for it. Every sound designer inn the industry I know swears by it.


Microphone

So the first thing you need to know is that there's a load of different microphone types. Its a lot to cover, so I'm just going to link you to this article that will cover the basics of what you need to know. Basically I would recommend different microphones for different things, all depending on what you're trying to capture.
A good all-around microphone is the Shure SM57/Shure SM58. They're essentially both the same microphone. But these things will LAST. Like,people have run over them with trucks and they sound fine. Definitely a good starting point

For vocal recordings, I would recommend the Rode NT1A. This mic is a great starting point for capturing voice, and is durable to boot.

For capturing foley/field recording, I would go with the Rode NTG2. Its a shotgun mic with great quality for the price, and never let me down in all the years Ive been using it. I won its successor, the NTG3, in the Riot Creative Contest a few years back, but still use the NTG2 from time to time when I need to.


Some Extra Stuff


Theres a lot of cool, free plugins out there. I've used both Blue Cat's and Melda's plugins, and they all get the job done with a bit of tweaking.

As far as building up a sound library goes, I would recommend recording literally everything you can around you and playing with those sounds with plugins as a good starting point for building up a library. There's a few resources out there that give out free SFX every once in a while, GDC has had a bundle go up for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. You can also check out the BBC Sound Effects Library. Be careful about getting libraries and bundles though, as they add up quick. I have to go through my sound library soon, and I probably have around 500,00+ files but only really need a few thousand.

For all your sounds, you're going to want a file manager. A great and free one is Mutant. You just add the directory where you downloaded your sounds to, let it load them in, and voila. You can search easily for what you need.


Hopefully, all this was somewhat helpful to you, or to anyone else reading this who's interested in sound design!

u/Vendus · 2 pointsr/VidCon

If you want to try what I'm playing around with I can send u a few Amazon links.

30 dollar xlr mic
ZINGYOU Condenser Microphone... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756V2B6R?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Sound board
Focusrite Audio Interface Solo -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Cable
AmazonBasics XLR Male to Female... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JNLTTKS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

voicemod is the program I'm currently using on my PC to make it sound louder (voice mod)

I'm not 100 percent on this being the best setup and I definitely have a list of better xlr microphones but those are more expensive at the moment.

u/omen7288 · 2 pointsr/hardware

Sound cards intended for recording audio are typically called Audio Interfaces and they have lower latency and preamps intended for recording. This is critical for recording music and using sample because if you are trying to record live midi or use virtual instruments, the latency must be low, otherwise it is difficult to keep a beat when what you play comes out delayed (>10ms).

I think an external one like the focusrite scarletts are good recommendations (I personally have a 2i4 2nd gen https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478001786&sr=8-2&keywords=focusrite+scarlett). I've had some other audio interfaces in the past that were firewire, but the new usb stuff is good enough and the latency is pretty low. On my older windows box with that card I get about 10ms round trip while I can get down to 3ms round trip on my 2015 macbook pro.

He might not need that many inputs. I needed midi in because I record electric drums running midi -> vst. I use the mic input and I record guitar.

u/applevinegar · 2 pointsr/audiophile

You won't generally find a DAC with an analog input, DACs are Digital to Analog Converters. If you want analog inputs in addition to that, you need a full blown preamplifier, but that's going to be more expensive than $150.

(The only alternatives that come to mind is JDSLab's ODAC+O2, or a stack of schiit modi 2 uber + magni 2 uber; both would cost more than $250).

But if you're fine with just a single USB digital input, you can get an audio interface, such as the Scarlett Solo.

u/fumblesmcdrum · 2 pointsr/VoiceActing

The way Condenser mics work requires them to have 48V "Phantom" power, which is transmitted over the microphone cable. This won't come from your PC, you'll need an audio interface that is capable of supplying phantom power over it's connector.

Here's a cheap one .

That button on the front supplies the 48V you need to operate your condenser mic.

EDIT: Even Cheaper . But I don't know about its quality

u/staxnet · 2 pointsr/Bass

This or this or this + laptop among other options.

u/kickedtripod · 2 pointsr/Twitch

Hey Tony. That's a great question.
My Credentials: I do 2 podcasts (Well Met! and The Payload) and live stream. I have thousands of dollars in microphone equipment.

 

Your Answer: You'll need something else to power it. The AT2035 requires +48V Phantom Power. Meaning, your 3.5mm jack wont power the microphone. The good news: These aren't that expensive. I personally recommend FocusRite interfaces. I use a Scarlett 2i2, but you'd be totally great with a Scarlett Solo. The only difference is that the solo has 1 inputs, while the 2i2 has two inputs. This wont only just give you phantom power, but the digital-to-analog converters (often called DAC) are REALLY good for spoken word and vocals... Like REALLY good and it's a preamp so it'll amplify the signal to the proper amount.

 

Disclaimer: There are some XLR to 3.5mm adapters that you can plug in to a standard plugin or USB to get phantom power, but I highly recommend in investing in an interface. It's one that, no matter your microphone, you'll be able to use for a long time. If you need other options in different budgets, let me know!

u/djdementia · 2 pointsr/WeAreTheMusicMakers

Thank you for understanding my viewpoint.

Not just an audio interface either I mean it's the #1 best selling audio interface on Amazon and recommended as "Amazon's Choice"..

That's pretty much the definition of "most basic equipment possible for this task".

I mean perhaps if he linked to a picture of a RME Babyface or MOTU Microbook - you know something really interesting but come on, the top seller interface on Amazon?

u/LapisNLazuli · 2 pointsr/Twitch

XLR mics with phantom power for the win! If you're going for professional quality sound, save your money and invest in a good XLR mic.

​

The problem with USB mics like Blue Yeti is the fact that they use the integrated sound on your computer's motherboard. If your motherboard's sound system is older (2 years or older), the voice from the USB mic could sound robotic or it might not capture your entire voice range. This is especially a problem for folks with deeper voices. On older computers, you might sound far away or your voice could break up. If you have a brand new computer, feel free to use a USB mic until you can afford an XLR microphone.


XLR microphones require phantom power. Scarlet Focusrite (https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM) is a good product for phantom power, but there are affordable, good quality sound mixers that provide phantom power as well. Alot of streamers have used Berhinger Xenyx 302 ( https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-302USB-BEHRINGER-XENYX/dp/B005EHILV4) or Berhinger Xenyx 502 (https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-502-BEHRINGER-XENYX/dp/B000J5UEGQ). I personally use Roland VT-3 (https://www.amazon.com/Roland-AIRA-VT-3-Voice-Transformer/dp/B00IGDXK9Q) because it's a voice changer, sound mixer, noise gate, and phantom power all mixed into one machine.

​

For mics, I admit I'm using a cheap Pyle PDMIC58 . (Hey, I got this XLR mic for free with my Best Buy points. I didn't have enough points for a good mic). My problem with the mic is that it's too bright for my voice, and I have a low voice for a woman. I need something that captures my full voice range alot better. I'm planning to upgrade to a RODE NT-1 mic (Not the Rode NT-1A) before the end of the year.

Like others have stated, take your time and do research. Don't rush! Find the mic that fits your voice best. Good luck!

u/xtwrexx · 2 pointsr/ableton

For live sound, you'll need some sort of USB audio interface, one of these, that have some sort of monitor out. This will act as a digital to analog converter from your laptop to the house PA for the highest quality audio. It will also give you an input to either DI your guitar, or mic it or a speaker cabinet. You'll also want something to trigger your loops and and adjust things on the Ableton side, but I'd have to know a little more about what you are looking for on that end.

u/zenophobicgoat · 2 pointsr/IWantToLearn

Are you trying to play out, or record?

If you're trying to play out, research looper pedals. This will allow you to either create multiple tracks on the fly, or play live over stuff that you've pre-recorded and saved. I have a Boss RC-30 that has served me well, but it has a bunch of functions and may be more than what you're looking for.

If you're trying to record, you'll need to get an audio interface and some recording software (bundles like this are available that have both). This will let you directly connect your instruments to your computer, to create and manipulate sound files. If you don't want to learn all about different types of mics, mic placement, isolation, etc. this is the easier way to go. In terms of software, I use Adobe Audition, but Pro Tools is industry standard.

In terms of mixing, I wouldn't worry about being knowledgeable. Learn your setup (especially the software) and play around until you find levels, presets, patches, EQs, etc. that you like. Remember what you did and/or write it down.

And I guess write shit that you want to play.

u/o0turdburglar0o · 2 pointsr/Ubuntu

Love my 2i2.

Apparently there's now a rev2 available, not sure what's different from the rev1 I have.

There's also a single-preamp version for under $100. Guitar/line-in like what OP is using don't need a preamp so this might do the job well for him. If it was available at the time I purchased I probably would have gone this route.

u/Skitch_n_Sketch · 2 pointsr/audiophile

Cool, then the loss of inputs from the R-15PM shouldn't matter much. I'd definitely recommend adding some kind of physical volume knob inbetween the speakers and computer though, easier to prevent yourself from blowing up the speakers.

Audio Interfaces are pretty popular for this, but you can find cheaper options that still have some features. This things 20 bucks and has a volume knob, speaker outs, and a headphone jack. Even this $8 knob does the trick.

u/Koalaazz · 2 pointsr/audio

So, what you're saying is that if I get an Audio Interface (looking at this one currently https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1540419648&sr=1-4&keywords=audio+interface) I would eliminate most of the static created by my sound card?

u/Lycosnik · 2 pointsr/screaming

So you have some options, and ultimately it comes down to future ability.

Starting out, you can buy a SM58 for cheap, and it'll have pretty nice quality. It outputs mic level signal though, so it will need amped by something, which is where your choices come in.

If you're looking to keep it cheap, you can pick up an audio interface to get the mic up to a reasonable level and into your computer. Something like this. This setup will run you ~$200 in total (mic and interface), but will limit what you can do with the equipment you purchased.

If you're willing to shell out just an additional $100, you can grab a mixer like you said. This would be my recommendation. It gives you 4 mono inputs and 2 stereo inputs, opposed to the 2 mono inputs the interface above provides. It's also a fully fledged board, so you can use it for more than just getting audio from your mic into your computer. Its USB interface is pretty handy, too. It'll send 4 channels to your computer and your computer can input 2 stereo channels back to the board.

Initially I only used my board for getting my mic into my computer, but I've ended up using it for mic and guitar input into my computer, as well as computer audio & DAW output to my monitors.

The board's pretty handy, but if you don't need it there's not much reason to buy it. If you're only ever going to use one channel to get your mic into your computer, you're probably better off with the interface, as setting up the board can take some time. Plus, if you don't have studio monitors / speakers that take analog input, the board isn't going to help you in getting signal to them.

So it pretty much depends on what you need, and if you plan on expanding or not. Rule of thumb, however, is to plan ahead so you don't end up spending more buying something you could have bought earlier. And if you plan on getting serious, you're going to want to pick up some studio monitors.

But again, if you're just going to be recording some covers every now and then in your room and not much else, I'd recommend going the interface route opposed to the full on mixer route.

u/troll_is_obvious · 2 pointsr/Guitar

The established brands like Ditto, Boss, etc are going to be $100+. You might take a chance on something like this, but I've never heard of them before.

You might also consider getting a cheap audio interface like this. Though, again, you may actually get better value by spending a little more money. Many interfaces come bundled with DAW (Ableton Live, ProTools, etc) software licenses, like this Focusrite.

It's not as easy as plugging a loop pedal into your chain, but you'll be able to do a lot more with your investment if you climb the DAW learning curve. There's plenty of free VST plugins for pedal and amp emulations out there. Even some free open source DAW, but I haven't researched what's available in some time. Ardour appears to be the top google result at the moment, though I'm not sure how suitable it is to playing live (vs. only recording for playback).

u/oatmealfoot · 2 pointsr/edmproduction

Actually the Scarlett SOLO is a bit cheaper than that even!!

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

It only has a pair of RCA outputs so maybe not the best for home studio usage. But it's PERFECT for me to take on the road for ableton gigs 😎

u/cunningwatermelon · 2 pointsr/skyrimmods

Sorry for the delayed response: Yeah, step one is to usually invest in a decent cardioid mic and an audio input. Here are the ones I'd recommend for getting started. Good enough quality to be just under professional tier, though capable of producing professional quality sound, but not so expensive as to offer you features you don't need for years to come:
Mic: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QAUOKS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Audio Interface (to be able to plug that or any other professional mic into [XLR input]): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E6T56CM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and this is optional but can be helpful to understand the true sound of your recordings, monitors:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075QVMBT9/ref=twister_B07NDRK282?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
(either the 3.5 or 4.5 would be totally fine)

Aside from t hose t hings, the only other things you'd need to get set up would be soundproofing foam, either putting panels up around your space, or around the mic itself. Conversely, you could set up inside a closet full of clothes and accomplish the same task for free, cable length and space permitting.

Good luck!

u/lovebot5000 · 2 pointsr/hometheater

First, I don't think this is the right sub for this, but I do have some experience with mics and interfaces. I use the Focusrite Scarlett interface with my mics and it sounds very good.

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2A5UC636NFJF9&keywords=scarlett+2i2&qid=1563802357&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=scarl%2Cmi%2C148&sr=1-6

If you're just doing simple, single mic recordings, then the interface i linked to will be fine. If you're doing multiple mics, Focusrite makes interfaces with more XLR ports so you can connect multiple mics and control their levels individually.

The Behringer mixer you linked to is really for turntable DJs, and does not seem to have XLR ports so it won't work with the mic you're looking at.

u/CBarberena · 2 pointsr/Guitar

Okay then what I would do is buy a guitar headphone amp they are cheap like less then $20 USD, and plug it into the out for the fx loop, and your headphones into that. This only utilizes the preamp portion of you amp but it is probably the most cost effective. If you do this and the guitar headphone amp has a gain option turn that all the way down. A similar option to this would be to plug your fx out into a DAW or some kind of audio mixer this would also give you the option to record yourself on a computer without being effected by room acoustics. If you want to you can use the other output but that will damage your headphones unless you buy a line level converter. Then the analog from the converter to a headphone amp, and from there to your headphones. This would require you to do some simple wireing, but hey if your up for it why not try.
I also want you to make sure you know the people on this thread including me are NOT professionals and you should do you own research and only do what you feel comfortable doing with your money and equipment.
If you would like to do more research here is a good place to start.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level
Also here are links to example of the things I mentioned
Guitar headphone amp - Monoprice 611500 Mini Headphone Amplifier for Guitar, Clean https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AJHE5E6/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_95ZExbPNDRWFP
Electro-Harmonix Headphone Amp Portable Practice Amp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UIBQEI/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_E6ZExb9S9N2V7
DAW - Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_N7ZExbDTYTZC7
Mixer - Behringer Xenyx 302USB Mixer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EHILV4/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_58ZExb4RMVW9V
Line level converter - PAC SNI-35 Variable LOC Line Out Converter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EAWS3W/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_O9ZExbPEZPHXN
Hope I helped in some way and hope you find your solution!

u/tunnelsup · 2 pointsr/podcasts

I'm not good at equipment, but I seem to remember that a condenser mic needs phantom power to work. I'm not sure if that converter works but something like this would work:
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510076865&sr=8-3&keywords=scarlett+solo

It has the XLR input, USB output back to computer. Also it has a headphone jack so you can hear what the mic is picking up.

u/DicedPeppers · 2 pointsr/audioengineering

Any interface would work. Save money and get this one

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3

Take the money you saved and put it towards a better mic or something

u/MoogleMan3 · 2 pointsr/pcmasterrace

You can have a killer setup for under $500.

Mic: Audio Technica AT2005 - A great mic that a lot of let's players use (draax, zueljin, kingdaddydmac, etc.). It also accepts xlr or usb inputs (more on that at the end). I use the atr2100, which is the same mic, just different color and warranty. The at2005 is cheaper by about $25 right now, so buying today, that's the one I'd get. It's a dynamic mic, so it blocks out sound that's not in front of it. Much better for noisy environments. Condenser mics like the blue yeti will pick up a lot more background noise. Other mics I've used are the V-Moda Boompro, which works with most headphones that have detachable cables (in my case the M100s) and sounds good, but changing the cable for when I didn't want to use the mic became old pretty fast. You can leave it attached, but then the boom mic is there all the time. I've also used the antlion modmic 4.0 and can't recommend it. It has white noise unless you use a usb soundcard, the cable is stiff and it's kind of expensive compared to full fledged mics. $56

Stand: Pyle PMKSH01 Suspension Boom Scissor Microphone Stand - A decent cheap stand. Nothing special, but it comes with an integrated xlr cable. I use this one, but may upgrade to the Rode PSA1 ($100) later on. The shock mount will not fit the at2005 however. $21

Shock Mount: On-Stage MY420 - A great shock mount that fits the at2005/atr2100. Shock mounts reduce noises from bumping your desk or tapping on your keyboard; things that may reverberate to your mic. It might not even be necessary if you're not a heavy handed gamer or if your desk is made of a thick, dense material. $25

Wind Filter: On-Stage Foam Ball Windscreen - Reduces wind/breathing noises as well as minimizing plosives. Not a complete necessity, but extremely cheap and it does help, so why not? $3

Cable management: Velcro One-Wrap Cable Wraps - I use these for keeping the usb cable for the mic attached to the stand. Extremely useful and cheap. $6

Headphones: Very subjective to user preference. I prefer closed vs open for noise isolation. Here's what I've used:

Audio Technica ATH M50: Good (not great) headphones for ~$100. Considered the standard by many, but to me they're just good. $155

V-Moda M100: Excellent sound with very potent bass. They make the M50s sound muddy in comparison. HOWEVER, the M100s have a design flaw where the "wings" (the parts above where you adjust the headphones) will crack over time. It happened to two pairs of my M100s. Unacceptable for the price of these headphones, regardless of how good they sound. $222

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 Ohm: Amazing. Potent bass like the M100s, but even a bit clearer. Very wide soundstage for closed headphones. I paid $219 for mine and don't regret it a single bit. I might grab another pair at the price they're currently at. $150

All that adds up to around $261 + tax choosing the DT770s, and will be a killer setup for gaming. Far better than any "gaming" headset, and it even opens the option of streaming or let's play videos (the reason I got my setup). There is one more thing I'd add though, given the budget if you're serious about mic quality, and that's the $99 Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd Gen. It's a usb audio interface that accepts xlr mics. It gives you a bit more control over the audio coming out of your mic and cleans up the signal so you get less "noise" from the usb interface. Quality is good without it, but with it, it's noticeably better.

Hope this helps some! I spent quite a while researching things when I put my own setup together. :)

u/darklyte_ · 1 pointr/Twitch

Audio Technica AT2020 or AT2035 are both solid options. I believe both of these are used by quite a few people when they are first starting out and can carry you well into your streaming career.

  • Audio Technica AT2020 I believe is USB and can plug right into the PC.
  • Audio Technica AT2035 requires an interface or mixer to connect to the PC.

    I use the Focusrite Scarlett-Solo Gen2 USB Audio Interface personally with my AT2035.

    I used a Blue Yeti Blackout for years and could never get it to sound right. I don't personally recommend the mic and I don't think its a great starting mic. Some people can get it sounding right after a lot of tinkering.

    There are lots of reviews out there, you can also check some from https://www.youtube.com/user/EposVox/videos

    A lot about choosing your mic comes down to your environment. Condenser and Dynamic mics are used in different settings depending on how much background noise you have, whats around you ect. I live alone with 0 background noise myself so the AT2035 works for me.

    I would start with looking into the Pros and Cons of Condenser vs Dynamic mics so you can make the most informed decision for your environment. This way you won't get stuck with a mic that doesn't work with you.
u/Jickled · 1 pointr/buildapcsales

according to this review they can run 250 ohm dt 990s and you're not gonna find much harder to run headphones in your price range. Sorry for the wait.

u/eaglesfan2445 · 1 pointr/pcmasterrace

This one! It's amazing! Great price too imo

u/cobawsky · 1 pointr/brasil

Meu kit para podcasting

Mic

Interface de Audio

Uso Adobe Audition para Gravar, editar e masterizar.

u/sadsmoofie · 1 pointr/audiophile

okay I'm pretty set on buying the pair of JBL lsr305's off of amazon and I'm just wondering if I need an interface to use them and what fords I need

I have a PC that I want to hook them up to

Should I be okay with purchasing:
interface,
speakers and cords
Or do I need these cords too?

u/BlazeFox1011 · 1 pointr/buildapc

this is the amp i'm using, I'm sorry but i'm not seeing how to connect this, in your situation. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E6T56CM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

u/blasphemoustoast · 1 pointr/pcmasterrace

In response to edit 3: you would just need one XLR cable. However, you also need an i/o device to connect an XLR mic to a computer such as this one if you can spare $50 more I would get the 2i2. If this is out of your budget I would go with the blue yeti. It will give you vastly inferior sound than an XLR mic but it's a pretty good cheap mic.

u/beardedmanstudios · 1 pointr/Twitch

As far as a mic. You have a lot of options. You can go with a USB connection. Which is a reasonable option with good quality in products like Blue Yeti or going with a much better studio quality mic like MXL or even Audio-Technica however going with the studio mica I have listed you will need an audio interface. Like the scarlet or Yamaha

u/abottomful · 1 pointr/hiphop101

Let's figure some ways to handle your problems currently. What DAW are you using? I'm assuming Reaper or Fruity Loops, considering how well everything is synced on your beat. You said elsewhere you're an Aussie? Why don't you exagerrate that for your sake, because your accent makes you sound like East Coast suburban white kid, and you don't want that in hiphop.

Do you have a job? If you do, try and save up for this interface and this mic for your raps. These are cheap, but for the mic there are some cheaper mics. Try not to use a USB though.

That's all I have to offer for your vocal confidence and equipment. Good luck.

u/pandarubbish · 1 pointr/teenagers

Yo! I personally use ableton, but FL studios should work just fine. I recommend getting an audio interface of some sort,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E6T56CM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473200568&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=audio+interface&dpPl=1&dpID=312239D3jLL&ref=plSrch

this one's pretty good for a beginner. Depending on what instruments you use and whether you sing or not would be helpful to know, if you want more advice.

u/MadRaps · 1 pointr/listentothis

This mic is pretty good for the price and plugs into pretty much any mic port. Whenever you get a chance please buy yourself a Mic Pre-amp. It boosts your mic signal and give depth to your recording. The one everyone recommends is this one, even the pros but if you're just starting out you'll do fine with this one good luck!

u/IPoAC · 1 pointr/makingvaporwave

At the very least you're gonna need an 1/8 to RCA cable to plug into your turntable or tape deck and then plug into your mic jack. This isn't ideal because the sound quality isn't going to be the greatest doing it this way but if your sound is lofi anyway it's not really going to matter, just remember you can always bump your sample quality down after the fact but not up when sampling.

Like everyone else has said though, an audio interface is the way to go. You could get a soundcard if you were so inclined but I think just getting a USB interface is easier plus they're way more portable and you can use em on your desktop or laptop. I've got a few friends that use the Focusrite Scarlett and they say good things about it, I myself use an old Line 6 POD for my sampling and output to my deck and it does the trick.

u/Is_Always_Honest · 1 pointr/audiophile

Hey there, I am completely new to hooking up speakers to my computer that don't have the 3.5mm stereo cable. My understanding is that I will need a DAC, I've landed on (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01E6T56CM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1) and I would like to hook up these (https://www.amazon.ca/Emotiva-Audio-Surround-Bookshelf-B1/dp/B01MPY871U) what do I need in between the DAC and the speakers?

u/Chipotl69 · 1 pointr/edmproduction

I forgot to mention, I actually do own a speaker. It's not meant for a studio or anything, just a cheap auvio, but a speaker nonetheless so I think I can manage with high quality headphones. But I will look into a USB interface... I kinda like the ones you mentioned, they look nice and cheap. And the part about being a musician, I used to play piano, don't own any instrument currently, but I can probably get back into piano quickly enough.

u/deplorable-d00d · 1 pointr/BudgetAudiophile

If the interference goes away when you unplug the USB from the DAC, yet the DAC is still hooked into the powered speakers, then you're hearing a ground loop. This is because you're grounding your equipment together through the analog 3.5mm cable to the DAC then USB to your PC.

I used to get this from plugging the 3.5mm headphone output from a phone into my line in on my Saffire DAC, then once I plugged in the USB to keep the battery charging on the phone, it would make a loop.



A couple thing may help you.

One is going with a dual balanced XLR with a 3.5mm adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/AxcessAbles-TRS18-DXLR402M-Stereo-Breakout-Audio/dp/B01AS5RXJ2/

or dual 1/4" TRS -
https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP-153-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B000068O3C/

(there are many variations of these out there).


The other option is to put a ground loop isolator in line with your analog unbalanced RCA signal:

https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-Ground-Isolator-Noise-Filter/dp/B077Y5DLBB/


You could also try a USB filter (some have inputs for an external power supply) - https://www.amazon.com/SMAKN-Isolator-Digital-Isolation-Industrial/dp/B00XXPO4UG/

(Or even just getting a better USB cable with ferrite chokes)


Or of course, last resort - just get a cleaner, pro DAC, like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/

u/Jackal1810 · 1 pointr/Twitch

Opt for an audio interface instead, always keep the mixer and audio interface seperate.
If drivers stop for the mixer then you lose the audio interface and the mixer (a mixer is a 2 in 1 and usually suffers in quality compared to an AI at the same price), it's better to keep them seperate.

You can get a pretty decent audio interface like a basic scarlett, such as this.

u/exonerated1 · 1 pointr/recording

A good rule of thumb if you are dealing with a microphone that has an xlr output on it you will want to use an audio interface to connect it to the computer. An audio interface will have a proper microphone preamp and phantom power for your microphone. As well as ASIO drivers that are more stable for recording audio than standard Windows drivers. It sucks existing money I get that


Look into this one

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

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Title: [SG] ASUS 1070 8GB, Focusrite Solo
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Asus 1070 8GB - £195

Focusrite Solo (2nd Gen) - £70 (edited price from my comment in Weekly thread). For £10 extra I can include a Neewer 800 Microphone with an XLR to XLR cable.

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u/verse_chorus_curse · 1 pointr/pcmasterrace

I'd suggest a nice audio interface with headphone output. Maybe this? About the same price... https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_267_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G1JDKN1B9D2D9ZS30ZH6
If you want to live stream you're a microphone away from a complete setup...

u/AlexJohnsonWrites · 1 pointr/AudioPost

That's what your mic interfaces with. It "amplifies" the sound by delivering more power to the microphone. I had this problem, so I invested in a Scarlett Solo. That's an interface with a built-in preamp.

I don't know too much about this stuff myself, so I might be corrected in the near future. That's my understanding of this stuff though. Anything you use to connect to your mic will affect its sound. That's why a lot of people get USB mics that are plug-and-play instead of XLR mics who's sound is dependent on the quality of both the Mic itself, the Pre-amp, and often the recording environment.

What microphone are you using?

u/kydheartless · 1 pointr/makinghiphop

So are you just using a mic that has a usb cable at the end? That's probably the first problem. Ideally you'd want some kind of audio interface you could plug a better mic into. This one is a good starter - https://smile.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM?sa-no-redirect=1 or this one if you think you'd want to record two things at once (like a mic and guitar) https://smile.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56EA?sa-no-redirect=1

Then you'd want to get a mic with the standard XLR cord type. This one is good if you're just rapping - https://smile.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B00015H0X4?sa-no-redirect=1&th=1. Or if you want to spend more money you can get one of these - https://ehomerecordingstudio.com/best-vocal-mics/. If you get one of those make sure you use a pop filter.

It's also worth getting a mic stand - you don't want to be holding these as you record.

u/Horsemeat_Deity · 1 pointr/NativeInstruments

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qdELzb9B1EKMV

Would this one do just fine?

u/xGhost_ · 1 pointr/headphones

Oh alright gotcha, thanks! Also, I am going to get this interface for my microphone and i noticed it had a headphone jack. So basically, if i plug my 598s/k701s would it sound the same/better/worse as my intergrated sound card?

u/KINGCLVN · 1 pointr/maschine

I do not have an audio interface yet, but the Scarlett FocusRite looks promising for a beginner. The solo is $100 and the studio is like $150:

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Z0WyybSDD32PH

You can also get the bundle (which I might purchase for myself as a late Christmas present), which comes with a mic and headphones. The solo version is $180, and the studio one is $220:

Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface and Recording Bundle with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T54E2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_81WyybVE24PKK

Not sure how great the mic and/or headphones are, but it's a pretty good deal if you need all 3.

u/GinkoWeed · 1 pointr/microphones

Comment on the wrong thread the first time? I was about to reply, but then the comment was deleted.

To answer your question though, a Focusrite Solo should work.

u/Charizard9000 · 1 pointr/audiophile

I just got a scarlett solo and a set of klischp r-14m's and i was wondering what kind of speaker wire i need to hook it all up. the scarlett solo has a left and right line out, but the speakers have 2 cable connections each, so i'm unsure how to make this work

u/WonDahMan · 1 pointr/buildapc

If you're spending less than $40-50 on a mic for recording (im guessing for youtube?) then you might want to invest in a better mic setup. You can get something like an Audio Technica AT2020 XLR Microphone and a USB Audio DAC to plug it into, with a Mic Stand to hold it, it's very expensive but it will 100% fix your problem. This is what most professional youtubers use.

You could try the Asus xonar Card i mentioned, i've heard good reviews on it but i'm not certain it will fix your problem.

u/morjax · 1 pointr/letsplay

As Kic said, you can opt to convert to a sound card-compatible interface, but most creators I know go the route of a XLR to USB converter like the Focusrite Scarlett solo, Behringer Q802USB Mixer or XENYX QX1002USB mixer.

Here's a typical XLR cord. Don't get the cheapest one, but you don't have to get a super fancy one either.

u/ProgHog231 · 1 pointr/Bass

I've been pretty impressed with the Behringer uPhoria. OTOH, as you'll see from the reviews, some people seem to have experience with quality issues, which is not uncommon with Behringer.

Another option, for about double the price is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo. The 2i2 is quite popular, but more like $150.

u/ishkabibble001 · 1 pointr/Guitar

You need a digital interface, which will turn your guitar sound into data that your computer will understand.
I use the scarlett solo and it works great.

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1521813146&sr=8-13&keywords=scarlett+studio

I run my pedal board straight into the instrument input. If it sounds a bit odd to you, add some reverb, since a guitar going straight into a computer can sound kinda dead.

u/11235813213455away · 1 pointr/buildapcsales

Depends on what you're going to use it for. It completely will work for making that mic clearer and louder, and provides phantom power. If you intend to record audio and care about the quality, you might want a more expensive one as they'll support higher bitrates. For streaming and discord though it'll be fantastic, especially at that price. I have this one as well and it sounds identical to the cheaper version, just with one less port.

Keep in mind that it requires you to plug it in with an XLR cable, so add one of those too if you don't have one.

u/Rewrap · 1 pointr/hardwareswap

Dude get this for a cheap one or this for one that's a little bit better and more popular.

u/snarfy · 1 pointr/raspberry_pi

I've researched this concept for a while now. It's possible to build the same project using a single $9 CHIP computer (has built in adc).

I never did it because you can already buy things like guitar rig, amplitube, and a bunch of others. I bought one of these instead. Also, line6 sells this dsp programmable pedal already.

u/drumaniac12 · 1 pointr/microphones

As mentioned above, you definitely need a preamp. I'm not sure what soundcard you're going into on your computer, but you may also need some form of ADC (Analog-to-Digital Conversion). In the entry-level price range these two functions will likely be performed by the same device called an "audio interface". More often than not this device also supplies phantom power!

A great cost-effective setup would be the Focusrite Scarlett Solo. This device will provide one preamp (the added gain you're looking for), switchable 48V Phantom Power, and a decent ADC.

Not sure if its relevant, but if you play guitar, bass, keyboard, etc. you can also use the 1/4" input to record those as well (albeit not simultaneously, as it only has one preamp).

u/mrthirsty15 · 1 pointr/microphones

Very new to the microphone world, but I am curious as to what you guys might recommend to fix the noise/static issue I'm getting.

My headset microphone was dieing and I decided to upgrade to a microphone that isn't just a headset mic. The intention is to use it as my mic for gaming as well as giving me the option to record guitar/vocals, and possibly to do some streaming. Over black friday I got a pretty good deal on a Floureon BM-800 Condenser mic (nothing fancy, I know). I also picked up a phantom power supply for it as well.

So my current setup is XLR to phantom power supply, and XLR to 1/8" into my PC.

I had to turn the gain way up to get a decent volume and I'm guessing this is to do with not having a preamp. With the gain this high, I get a lot of noise from a fairly quiet room (even if I move the mic into the hallway the noise is constant). I was looking at the following preamps.

ART TubeMP Tube Microphone Preamp


Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

So, my questions are...

  1. Did I just buy too low of a quality of mic in that, even with a preamp, the noise/static will still be there?

  2. Would either of those preamps cleanup the noise/static from the mic? (The Scarlett is appealing with the 1/4" hookup for my guitar as well)

  3. Is there any software I can run my mic through to filter out noise? I would assume this would not be the ideal way to deal with noise though, and that a preamp would be a better solution for this.

    I can provide an audio sample when I get home from work. Thanks!
u/hereticnasom · 1 pointr/Bass

Scarlett 2i2 Solo comes with ProTools First (light version of ProTools). It's almost identical to the Behringer U-Phoria UMC 22.

u/MrBr1an1204 · 1 pointr/protools

Ahem, let me speak avid: i sorry please spend a but load of cash on our proprietary i/o controller.

Long story shot it wont work let me recommend this: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1537676528&sr=1-3&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+solo

Return your mic and get an XLR mic. Im sorry but its the avid way. but try reaper its kinda like winrar and after the trial they just tell you "your a bad person".

https://www.reaper.fm/

u/hunterscars · 1 pointr/audio

XLR mics usually require phantom power and a Pre AMP to work with your PC. you might need to look into something like this XLR preAMP w/ phantom power

u/forrScience · 1 pointr/Guitar

https://www.amazon.com/IK-Multimedia-digital-guitar-interface/dp/B01KPYGBR6 - this is what i bought (at 100$, its 84 now), because i wasn't sure if i wanted to play on the go or at my desktop. it also comes with amplitube (though a watered down version) but i got really sick of all the nickle and diming they do. It turns out i play almost entirely at my desktop so i would have gone with something like this instead: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1500654678&sr=8-7&keywords=focusrite+usb+audio+interface .

you could technically accomplish the same thing by getting a converter for 1/4"->1/8" jack and plugging it into your soundcard, but it has a lot of issues and sounds shitty. The audio interface essentially takes the signal from your pickups and makes it clean and readable for your computer. With this (often called DI or direct input) signal, you can use software that emulated the circitry of tube amps to produce very very accurate replications of tones.

https://www.positivegrid.com/bias-fx/ here is the sim i would recommend. I played around with a few others but this is the best sounding, and most straight forward one (others try to nickle and dime you all over the place). it's nice because you can get a week trial of it before u have to buy too! Basically you only need a guitar, instrument cable, audio interface and a computer. you can get free trials of everything else before you buy to see what suits your needs.

there's a million demos of it, but here's a good one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D00Xn1vfyU

The beauty of all of this is that these all interface seemlessly with digital audio workspaces (DAW's), which are used for recording. You can setup each track to have different amp/effects/ect and can also play around live with the effects for practicing. I often use these for writing too, because i can record a rhythm section, then loop it and noodle around with leads or harmonies (essentially making a looper pedal that sounds way better than any pedal on the market). there's a ton of videos that can help with all of this, I would suggest checking out Ryan Bruce (aka fluff) on youtube, he has a couple entry level recording tips videos! I'm happy to keep talking about this if you have any questions! break through that bleek streek!

u/Mattarias · 1 pointr/audioengineering

Ah! I didn't know that haha.

I was definitely considering the Scarlett (The Solo is cheaper though. Is the 2i2 worth it?) or the Behringer U-Phoria (since it is cheaper and again, I am a poor artist lol). Both have decent reviews. Though I guess Behringer as a brand seems to get a lot of hate for whatever reason.

u/QuipA · 1 pointr/headphones

no, if you want to do that you should get a scarlet solo

u/JohannesVerne · 1 pointr/VoiceActing

I'm not familiar with any that are as cheap, but some similar interfaces are the Scarlet Solo (although people have had issues with this on windows computers, not sure if that will effect you) or the PreSonus AudioBox. They are both around $100 though, so if money is tight it may be best to wait for the Behringer.

u/korbenmultipass · 1 pointr/BudgetAudiophile

What are your thoughts on the Focusrite Scarlett Solo?
https://www.amazon.ca/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=scarlett+solo&qid=1551128324&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I noticed it only has RCA outputs and wondering if that is comparable in terms of sound quality to 1/4" outs.

u/FritzVonTrapp · 1 pointr/WeAreTheMusicMakers

A lot of people use the Focusrite Scarlett solo for USB recording. It take a line input and an XLR input, so you'd have to get some different cables/adapters. The mixer only costs $110, though so you should have plenty of money in your budget left over for those. You could probably find something cheaper if you search around. It sounds great and it comes with Ableton and ProTools, so it's a lot of bang for your buck.
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1550717517&sr=1-3&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+solo

u/Freezerburn · 1 pointr/audio

HD650 are 300 ohm headphones, give them a proper headphone amp. You can get the Schitt DAC, but don't cheap on the amp to power them. I've had HD650 for years and tried them on magni and it's not powerful enough to let those headphones sing also you can hook up some bookshelf speakers to it so doubles as a speaker amp.

https://emotiva.com/products/a-100

Z review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKgA6qyOCWQ

Asus Xonar is ok but how about a Focusrite Scarlett, has a decent Digital to Analog AND if you get XLR Rode mic you can plug up directly to it and do quality analog to digital input to your computer it even supports phantom power in the mic pre in case the mic needs it. The headphone amp on the scarlett won't power the HD650 properly (you can google this).

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

What I've suggested cost a bit more but I think you'll be happy with the results, but at very least get a good amp for those headphones.

u/Cthepwn · 1 pointr/audioengineering

Having trouble on deciding between getting the Scarlett Solo or PreSonus AudioBox. I'm currently using a cheap floureon condenser mic straight xlr to 3.5mm so quality sounds garbage. If there's something similarly priced (+/- $50) that's definitely worth the difference in cost, please point that out because I kinda want to just upgrade once and be done for good on audio equipment.

My intent for the setup is to casually record/stream gaming, but having to boost my mic +30db and still barely being heard is getting annoying.

u/BestTankmoNA · 1 pointr/audiophile

I'm currently looking into buying a pair of HD 598s. Because I have a condenser mic I was thinking of purchasing this audio interface. would it be enough to get a good sound out of the HD 598s, or should I look into getting something like this?

u/reptilianmaster · 1 pointr/headphones

Does anyone have any experience using a USB microphone interface with RCA out (Example) as a DAC? I already have an interface and a dedicated amp but I'm not sure if a dedicated DAC would benefit me that much.

u/LordAddy · 1 pointr/edmproduction

Depends on what you want to do. This seems to be a great consumer product but I wouldn't be sure that this is a right choice for a producer. From all the reviews I've read, it sounds good, but that's not what you want as a producer, you want it to sound true. It's the same case as with the bass in your headphones. You want a true sound, not something that is made pleasing to the ear. You need to hear your mix clearly without boosts in certain frequencies, you need to hear your mistakes so you can fix them. Plus when the bass is artificially boosted in your headphones, it makes by default the low mids and mids distorted and muddy, thus hurting your ability to truly hear what's going on in the music.

Second thing is that this interface doesn't have any inputs, so you can't use it for recording at all. But if you don't ever plan on using microphones for recording vocal lines, samples of whatever, talking, perhaps collaborating musician's instruments, then it shouldn't bother you. (I'd recommend having them just in case anyway)

One more thing that you might appreciate in the future is a separate output for headphones and for monitors. Once you get them, you'd be glad you don't have to unplug them every time you want to use headphones.

In the end, I'd recommend going for a traditional audio interface. Those things are made for producing music so they deliver a sound as uncolored as possible with I/O and features that are practical for a producer and a musician.

In the same price, category check out these for example:

Focusrite Scarlett Solo

Behringer U-PHORIA UM2

Presonus AudioBox

or simply type "audio interface" into the search bar and look for yourself. Hope this helps.

u/cullen9 · 1 pointr/Twitch

I use a focus rite solo

it does everything I need.

u/Loboblast · 1 pointr/podcasting

Thank you. I keep hearing about that particular mic. Is there really a big difference in sound quality between USB and XLR. Also, I'm assuming if you use USB, you just connect directly to PC while XLR you must use an interface, correct?

I've been doing a little bit of research. This is what I've come up with so far.



Sennheiser E835 Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Cardioid-Vocal-Microphone/dp/B0002H0RCC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

InnoGear Heavy Duty Microphone Stand
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CN2C93T/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07CN2C93T

u/Undercover500 · 1 pointr/Bass

What do you think of this?

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Hb16CbM5WKFBX

u/verticaluzi · 1 pointr/makinghiphop

TL:DR Help me choose my first setup. Dynamic vs Condenser.

I’m looking for my first microphone, to start recording over free trap beats I find on the internet.

Both of these are in my price range. I’d like to point out that the Shure SM58 is a dynamic and the AT2020 is a condenser.

I’m struggling to decide because I’ve read that a condenser picks up more details which is good, however my bedroom isn’t sound treated. You can hear the very gentle buzzing of electrical appliances, the faint rumbling of the hot water pipes, and the wind against the side of the house.

I’ll be picking up the XLR versions, and will be buying either the Behringer UMC202HD or the Focusrite Scarlett Solo . If you have experience with either of these, feel free to comment.


u/rrushinq · 1 pointr/audiophile

Would these all work together all while being able to have latency-free voice feedback?

u/_YR_ · 1 pointr/WeAreTheMusicMakers

Assuming you already have a DAW, you need an audio interface. Since you're not recording drums or big enslembles, a small interface with 1-2 inputs like this one is more than enough.

With the interface you can record your guitar, plug a mic and record vocals and basically anything that produces sound and has a jack/xlr exit.

For monitoring, you will need a pair of studio speakers or a pair of headphones.

That's basically it, hope this helps.

u/PascLeRasc · 1 pointr/headphones

You might just need an isolated DAC for your PC. This one is "good enough" for most and it's portable-ish if you want to bring it to work or something. If you want a little better, I'd recommand this interface (or the 2i2, get it used/refurb if you can find it). It'll let you plug in a guitar if you play or want to play and record, or if you're into gaming you could get a cheap XLR microphone and have way better voice quality than anyone else on the server. Lots of options.

u/WGebhart25 · 1 pointr/headphones

Can you use the Focusrite Scarlett Solo as a dac and amp combo for the Sennheiser HD 650s? Sorry if its a dumb question. I'm new to this.

u/z_toxx · 1 pointr/audiophile

After some more looking around I think that i have settled on getting this tv, Focusrite, digital from tv to focusrite, and these cables to the JBLs. I believe this will be a pretty solid setup, I made sure the tv is compatible and has the digital out. Unless anyone has other options or input that would be better I think ill be set with this. Based heavily on this review on amazon.

edit: after some more looking around im wondering if its worth getting the focusrite 2i2 for balanced outputs

u/Castratikon · 1 pointr/audioengineering

I'm confused on how to change my setup to only use the compressor/limiter/gate on channel 1 (or use both channel 1 & 2) of my mixer.

I have a A&H ZED-10FX, dbx 166xs, and a focusrite solo.

Currently I have the mic going into channel 1 XLR of the mixer, the main L & R XLR out going into channel 1 XLR of the dbx 166xs, and channel 1 XLR out to the focusrite XLR in and then out to USB to the computer.

I know this is not the proper way to set this all up but it has worked for a few months okay now.

Now I want to isolate the compressor/limiter/gate so that it only works on channel 1 of the mixer so that I can add in another input to it that isn't affected by the dbx.

I would prefer to only use 1 channel on the dbx if that's possible to avoid.

It looks like the mixer does not have a single insert per channel, but I do see a L & R 1/4" main mix insert. I think I need to somehow utilize that for the dbx and then just output to usb recording on the mixer and ditch the focusrite. I tried reading the manual for the mixer but it went way over my head as I'm pretty green to this kind of audio equipment.

u/poilsoup2 · 1 pointr/AVexchange

check the scarlett solo out

Its not specifically designed as just a headphone dac/amp, but it does a really good job. 300 ohm might be pushing it if you like your music loud

u/But_Does_It_Dj0nt · 1 pointr/SquaredCircle

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Lr.3ybN8EYXJR

1 in 1 out, preamp built in and comes with a starter version of Pro Tools for $100. Great deal.

u/raukolith · 1 pointr/Deathmetal

interface is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

i think you shouldn't have a problem with your mixer into your soundcard. is it an onboard one or pci card?

u/Manak1n · 1 pointr/buildapcsales

Yes and no. Yes, but it'll bottleneck the quality of your microphone. You'd be better with a XLR cable and an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo.

I'm not saying that people won't be able to figure it out, I'm just saying that when you get into XLR condenser mics, this isn't the appropriate forum of discussion to get accurate/specialized information.

u/Argual3 · 1 pointr/Twitch

Yeah I know obviously this is a day after we spoke but after doing some more researching this is what I will be getting

u/Drakonis3d · 1 pointr/Amd

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

I just got one of these and I'm rebuilding my entire stereo around it. The sound quality is fantastic.

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HS8-Studio-Monitor-Black/dp/B00DCYMVB2

I'll probably add these later. But just with the initial scarlett solo it made my $100 speakers sound like $300 speakers.

Sorry to say dude, but those Logitech's sound like shit. Unless you're listening to dubstep all day. Then they'll do fine

u/I_Am_Okonkwo · 1 pointr/Bass

Get one of these and some studio monitors and you're good to go.

u/pcislifetbh · 1 pointr/headphones

Your explanation is making me want those headphones even more. I've watched some youtube reviews and read amazon reviews on them and they seem to be the best I've found so far so I'm most likely going to go with them. Thank you so much for your help mate!

Actually, I have a quick question for you if you don't mind. Will the audio interface I want to get be able to give me the best possible sound quality these headphones are able to give off or will I need to go with a higher end audio interface and/or dac amp? The audio interface I want to get is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo.

u/etherdesign · 1 pointr/WeAreTheMusicMakers

Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS) is another option, despite the name there's also Mac and Windows versions. It's more like Fruity Loops so there's support for audio tracks and loops but also sequencing for MIDI and virtual instruments, it comes with a bunch but then there's also hundreds of free plugins available on the net and hundreds more paid in VST format. It's a little more fun than Ardour I think and you can get a song started up pretty fast in it.

As far as a mic goes, Shure SM58 is pretty much the industry standard vocal mic but there are lots of clones too available for cheaper. With that you'll need an audio interface the Focusrite Scarlet Solo is pretty solid assuming he only needs to record one thing at a time. There's lots of bundles available though for cheaper if you look at the related products.

For a keyboard something like this Nektar 49 key controller should be good, there's of course more compact ones for cheaper or fuller sized ones for more. There's ones with more controllers like knobs, sliders and drum pads for a bit more, for controlling and automating plugins etc. If you have a second hand music store anywhere around you can probably score one for a lot cheaper.

u/BelusOfficial · 1 pointr/OnePiece

Since I saw other people wanting to do voice acting and you yourself might be unsure about what gear to buy, here is advice from a musician:

Try to practice with what you have, when you start to feel more secured about your skill, try to buy a better microphone, do NOT buy a condenser microphone, those are too sensitive if you are starting out, buy a dynamic microphone instead!

Recommended microphones, both made by the brand 'Shure':

SM58

SM7B (If you really can afford it)


To be able to use a microphone that is from an XLR cable to maintain quality you need an audio interface, there is a market solution that brings you to a prosumer level very cheaply and it is called a 'focusrite scarlett solo' it is one of the cheapest but also most durable and stable interfaces in the industry that is worth having! You can hook your electric guitar too if you want to.


The interfaces:


Focusrite scarlett Solo

Focusrite scarlett 2i4 (If you really can afford it, options like the Pad button make it amazing for general use outside of recording)


Now you need a DAW if you want to upgrade from audacity, a DAW (Digital audio workstation) is your workfield, it is what provides you what you want in terms of FX or samples (if it delivers them)


Good cheap DAWs:

Reaper by Cockos

Ableton live 10 intro (more expensive but you get more fx to it, it is less userfriendly for beginners from my experience though)


VSTs are what you will be using in your arsenal for FX and voice processing, you got tons of free VSTs that work like a charm and you got tons of paid ones that obviously work better but you can get them for cheap at plugin boutique! or sign in for emails of the sellers! PM me to request the list for free VSTs, if the demand is high, I'll make a list for it here and edit the post!

The plugin boutique website

u/The_Kraken_ · 1 pointr/audio

A few possible issues. Are you sure you're talking into the correct side of the mic? It has a cardioid pickup pattern, which means it's "Directional." You should be talking into the "side" of the mic that has the Audio-Technica logo, not the top.

What you could be describing is a mic/line mismatch. Your microphone is outputting "Mic Level", but your interface expect "Line Level" which is generally 'louder.' You could look for a "Microphone PreAmp" which is designed to take mic level signals and bring them up to line-level, or you could look for a better interface. Looks like this Focusrite is specifically meant for mics.

I don't think it's your cable or your drivers. Regarding the sleep issue... I dunno; try shutting down your computer instead of sleeping...? Windows machines can be flaky.

u/Jarvis-Fickle · 1 pointr/buildapc

I have this amp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-7oqDbRC18ZCF and wanted to know if it’ll work with this voice changer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPJKRYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_x6oqDbRS751ZT I use an XLR mic currently so that would be a problem at all.

u/Xenethra · 1 pointr/letsplay

Neewer Mic Stand
$15 ish

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DY1F2CS/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_cu8Zxb1WCA7N5

AT2020 $88


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006H92QK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_kv8ZxbDDA21QD

Scarlett Solo $100

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_3y8ZxbHHPDGMC

Hosa XLR cable $12


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TPDBGC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_sC8ZxbZJZGRXD

This is almost identical to what I used for a while, besides us having a gen 1 2i2 instead of a gen 2 solo. You can upgrade the microphone down the line without upgrading the interface.

Whether or not you can get free shipping will probably impact shipping a lot, we have prime so I'm not sure how much shipping will cost.

I would recommend you to try the stuff out before buying audio equipment if possible. I feel like with this much money you shouldn't leave anything to a leap of faith, plus what mic suits my voice can be a lot different than what suits yours.

Edit: I forgot to mention: I hate the Neewer stand, but I can't possibly recommend the Rode PSA1 to someone with a 200-300 budget.

u/orngejaket · 1 pointr/Guitar

So would I connect the mic to something like this and that to the PC?

u/ColumnMissing · 1 pointr/synthesizers

No worries, I was new at first too lol. I don't believe the MPC works as an interface for audio or as a mixer, it's more of a standalone "daw in a box" if that makes sense.

This should work just fine, although I'm not sure if the usb interface quality is good or not. Your mileage will vary, but this does have 4 inputs for futureproofing your gear acquisition:
https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Q802USB-Premium-8-Input-Interface/dp/B008O517IC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=usb+interface+mixer&qid=1567174989&s=gateway&sr=8-4

You can also get a standalone mixer version of that for 60ish and buy this for a total of 140 for higher audio quality probably:
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=usb+interface+mixer&qid=1567174989&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Have you already bought the Sample?

u/siliconsmurf · 1 pointr/BudgetAudiophile

You could look at a focusrite scarlett solo. Thats a full on audio interface but would support tons of stuff you might like. Its a dac, headphone amp, stereo audio interface and as independent volume knobs for both your powered monitors and your headphones. The 3rd generation of these just came out and the 2nd gen ones are being sold on sale all over, the 2nd gen solo would fit your needs, you can even get them bundled with mics. This would cover a lot of angles for you but this assumes you stick with using your a2+ This would be a big upgrade for your voice chat coms in games and should make those headphones thump.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM

u/septaaa · 1 pointr/homestudios

I'd recommend the Focusrite Scarlet USB interface. I've had one for about 4 years now and it's one of the best interfaces on the market imho, great build quality and low noise (even better sound quality than my $1000, 16-channel Mackie firewire mixer). It has several different models (basically just varying numbers of inputs), but I think the solo model would be best for you unless you wanted to record more than one instrument simultaneously. They retail for $100, but you can probably find a used/refurbished one on Ebay or Amazon for under that if you do some digging.

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511543388&sr=8-1&keywords=scarlett%2B2i2&th=1

edit: grammar

u/grevenilvec75 · 1 pointr/BudgetAudiophile

I'm thinking I might wait for a black friday deal on a decent USB Audio Interface instead. Something like the Focusrite Scarlett.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=twister_B06WWQP2YN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

u/JD_Blunderbuss · 1 pointr/Guitar

Since you only need one input, save yourself a few bucks and get the Scarlett Solo

u/raistlin65 · 1 pointr/BudgetAudiophile

The 1st gen LSR 305 are currently under $200 a pair and compete well with all studio monitors in the <$500 range. They are fairly neutral sounding with very good low end bass extension for 5" driver speakers.

Depending on your particular PC, they may have a little background hiss when nothing is playing. That's because they work best with balanced inputs. You could always use them with a professional audio interface: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/

u/Hammerfuzz · 1 pointr/Guitar

A interface is a separate piece of hardware not just your PC. Here's an often recommended one.
I mentioned it before but you can get a cheap adapter to plug into your microphone port but your sound quality will suffer. Some of the plugins on that site have free trials so you can try that out with an adapter to decide if you want to commit and spend the money on an interface.


One of the main benefits of a plugin is that you can record and practice silently but it still sounds like a believable version of a cranked large high watt amp. You also have the option to go back and completely change the effects used after something has been recorded.

u/R_law · 1 pointr/Guitar

Focusrite Scarlett Solo and Scarlett 2i2 (Link 1). On amazon for around a benjamen. I would also get a DI box like link 2 to be in front of the Scarlett. This setup is pretty cheap but more than capable of recording, or playing through a laptop at Church. THe scarlet has output on back. hope that helps. I have both of these, great value.

Link 1: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1472744892&sr=1-3&keywords=scarlett+2i2

Link 2 : https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-DI400P-BEHRINGER-ULTRA-DI/dp/B000KUA8G6/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1472744729&sr=1-1&keywords=di+box

u/St3fanAx3l · 1 pointr/audio

This, in my opinion, is the best bang for your buck as far as a USB interface goes. One channel. You can go for the Scarlett 2i2 for another $50 if you want a second input.

u/Aperson3334 · 1 pointr/teenagers

This is really good, but I would get a better mic and a guitar recording interface if I were you.

Cheap microphone

More expensive microphones

Cheap audio interface

More expensive audio interface, not sure if it's better

Also get a pop filter, although this recording didn't seem to need one.

u/GreenDay987 · 1 pointr/WeAreTheMusicMakers

This answered my question perfectly, thanks so much!

Don't mean to be a bother, but could you recommend any decent pre-amps for someone on a budget? I found this one https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1485818609&sr=1-2&keywords=scarlett+2i2

But I'm not sure if it's good.

u/CaptainOuzo · 1 pointr/youtubers

If I were doing this over, I'd pair the Focusrite Scarlett Solo with the Audio Technica BPHS1 broadcasting headset. And that would actually have gotten me better sound for less money.

Hell, I'm tempted to bite the bullet on that headset. I've seen it recommended many times before.

u/ClusterCucc · 0 pointsr/makinghiphop

You could drop all of that on Pro Tools or Ableton, but without some peripheral gear I'd say start with Logic. It's one of the more affordable industry DAWs and will leave you quite a bit of cash to grab some other essentials.

Namely, I would suggest monitors (over headphones) with isolation pads. The M-Audio BX5 D3 are a decent and affordable introductory set of monitors.

Besides that, I'd get an audio interface, a humble MIDI keyboard, and a decent microphone. Respectively the Focusrite Scarlett Audio Interface, the Akai MPK Mini, and the AT2020 Microphone are my personal favs.

All of this should run you less than $1000, and is a great rudimentary setup to start making some tunes. Have fun! :)

u/ibizzet · 0 pointsr/podcasting

have you ever heard of an interface?

you can get a nice one (Focusrite Scarlett) for anywhere from $110 or there’s this nicer one for $379

those will either have 1 XLR input (meaning the cheaper one can only record one microphone) or 4 XLR inputs (which means the nicer one can record 4 people on a podcast at one time.

an interface will work just like your blue snowball in the way that it will plug in through USB, and essentially give you microphone preamps that can plug ANY mic in the industry into it and be able to get you some beautiful sound. is that something you’d be interested in looking at?