[mac freak]

I'll be picking up a mic preamp soon with two outputs -- standard balanced 1/4" TRS and balanced XLR. I'd like to hook this thing up directly to my G5, but obviously the G5 has neither of these inputs. What's my best option? An XLR-to-1/8" converter? 1/4"-to-1/8"? Is there a good, inexpensive sound card with either 1/4" or XLR input? Is there something else I just completely don't know about?

I'm still a verified newbie in the world of audio, and I appreciate any and all help!

[scdean]

Look at the Fast Track USB from M-Audio www.m-audio.com

[mac freak]

That's possible, but it seems to be overkill -- I don't need another box, and it's $129. Is there a huge loss of quality if I just use a converter to plug the preamp into the G5's 1/8" jack? The preamp I use now plugs into the digital-audio-in, but the new one isn't going to have a digital out.

[Briareus]

Originally Posted by mac freak

That's possible, but it seems to be overkill -- I don't need another box, and it's $129. Is there a huge loss of quality if I just use a converter to plug the preamp into the G5's 1/8" jack? The preamp I use now plugs into the digital-audio-in, but the new one isn't going to have a digital out.

If you don't want to go the dedicated converter/audio interface route just yet I'd say try adapters to get the 1/4" output to 1/8" & see/hear if that suits your needs (easier than trying to adapt an XLR to 1/8").

[mattsgotredhair]

Originally Posted by mac freak

That's possible, but it seems to be overkill -- I don't need another box, and it's $129. Is there a huge loss of quality if I just use a converter to plug the preamp into the G5's 1/8" jack? The preamp I use now plugs into the digital-audio-in, but the new one isn't going to have a digital out.

It's not overkill. If you want your stuff to be good, then buy good things.

129$ is cheap for a A/D/A box, get it... you'll be happy in the long run.

If you don't want to spend money, why are you getting new pre's in the first place?

[mac freak]

I've already spent way more money than I've allotted. I just don't have the extra cash at the moment.

[Todd Madson]

That being said, the G5s' analog audio input is definetely cleaner and nicer sounding
than that of the analog audio in of my old Sawtooth G4 and definetely cleaner and
nicer than that of my old 6400/180.

Until you can afford something, it's better than nothing.

[scdean]

If you just want to use adapters, at least go through an iMic from Griffin Technology http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/.
It'll be much cleaner.

[lenox]

Overkill? Try underkill. You're going to need a dedicated audio interface. You could make do with a cheap mixer possibly, and some converters from radio shack, but i am pretty sure you'd be turning that balanced signal into an unbalanced one...plus you'd be relying on your onboard a/d converters which I bet are not going to do justice to your mics or preamp.

If you are certain you want to go this route (as much as everyone recommends against it), here's a cheap mixer that has XLR inputs and 1/4" outputs which you could get to 1/8" for your sound card if need be:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHUB502 - that's $35 as of the time of this writing...add another $10 for cables/converters....that's not so bad.

[monster and machine]

the fast track sucks. if oyu want quality you are going to have to spend more than that. you need good converters and good pre-amps. if you are using condenser mics, then you also need phantom power +48V.

check out Edirol's FA-66.

[Mediaman]

use a M-Box from digidesign ( use it with protools)


it has 2 xlr plugs for microphone (with phantom power) he you can even stick a guitar or something
right in it


also sdpif in/out and a lot of other connections
it's great