Given the weight of experience here I thought I would ask for opinions on an inexpensive microphone input for my PowerBook.
I already have a 1/4" plug microphone that I can use but need a usb input for it. Adapting it to the 1/8" line in isn't good enough as the volume is way too low. I have tried a Berringer audio input box but it is line in as well and is very quiet.
I'm looking for a "cheap" solution that I can get by this weekend. I only need it to record a lecture for a relative who can't be there in person. I might have access to the site's audio equipment in which case I can piggyback on their microphones by taking a line-level output from the board (this is my best option) but I need a back-up input in case I have to use my own mic direct to my PB.
Please feel free to suggest any options such as a different microphone, etc.
BTW - by innexpensive I mean as far under $100 as I can find. This is a one-off for a relative and I will be picking up the bill for any parts I need. The Berringer box I picked up was $55 and might come in handy in the future.
Thanks in advance
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“Maybe some day somebody will call me "Sir" without adding "You're making a scene"!!”
-Homer Simpson
Let's say no more than $75 CDN but at that price I'd like it to work with a guitar as well (easier to justify if my son can use it for guitar).
It's quite possible that this gear doesn't exist in that price range. My local Long & McQuade stocked an M-Audio Jam Lab (really for guitar only) for $69. For microphone, the cheapest they carry is the M-Audio FastTrack USB for $110. Fast track supports both guitar and microphone.
It was just today that I picked up the Berringer input box for $55. It's a nice little unit (stereo in, stereo out, digital, in and out, headphone monitoring) but being line-level it's too quite for a mic as input. This box will go back if I decide not to keep it for future use with one of our iBooks.
__________________
“Maybe some day somebody will call me "Sir" without adding "You're making a scene"!!”
-Homer Simpson
I have a Griffin iMic but even with a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter, I don't get enough volume from the mic.
The other plug you linked to is XLR so I'd have to get an XLR to 1/4 adapter as well. I'll look into that as an option though.
Which specific mike to you have?
A 1/4 to 1/8 adapter does nothing to the volume - that's just a straight wire connection.
The iMic should work just fine.
Do you have the switch in the iMic in the right direction? I find the way that is set up very confusing. Double check the manual for the switch setting.
I don't know the brand but it's probably an old radio-shack beater from way back. I know it isn't the greatest mic out there but it works fine when straight connected to audio equipment .
It's definately a 1/4" plug (no XLR). The only switch says "on" or "off" and it doesn't seem to matter either way. The microphone works fine plugged into the mic jack of my stereo cassette deck and all levels are great that way. I've tried it with my iMic with all switches (iMic and mic) in every conceivable configuration to no avail.
Short of a USB plugged condensor mic for a few hundred dollars, is there an easy to use, decent solution? My guess is that the Fast Track USB is probably the least expensive solution for a 1/4" jacked mic. As far as I can tell the Fast Track should be taking power from USB and amplifying the mic signal to proper line level.
__________________
“Maybe some day somebody will call me "Sir" without adding "You're making a scene"!!”
-Homer Simpson
I want to thank everyone here for the help but please don't put yourselves out doing web searches. I am hoping that someone here has dealt with this issue and can tell me from experience.
I don't want to spend a great deal of time or money on this as mentioned above. If I am not able to record this one-time lecture, it's really not the end of the world.
__________________
“Maybe some day somebody will call me "Sir" without adding "You're making a scene"!!”
-Homer Simpson
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