Mic to Mac?? at DVinfo.net

Vince Halushka · January 18th, 2008, 02:36 PM

What exactly do I need? I bought a really good mic, cables and connectors but i get no audio to the mac. I try my cheapo USB mic and it works fine, just sounds terrible.
What type of pre-amp does a guy need and what exact parts, cables etc?

thanks

Jason Boyette · January 18th, 2008, 02:41 PM

I'm a big fan of the Presonus Firepod...but they're a little costly, around $400...but that one has 8 inputs. I believe they make smaller cheaper ones,

Try this

http://www.presonus.com/products/Det...px?ProductId=4

dang, that one is $300, but it should put you on the right track for what you are looking for

Hope this helps
Jason

Vince Halushka · January 18th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Am I also going to need a mixing board.??
I am trying to set up a system for adding narration to a video.
Anyone have a pic a system they could share.
v

Rohan Dadswell · January 18th, 2008, 03:49 PM

If you just want to add one mic into your mac for VO try the USB Mic Mate (www.mxl-usb.com) it's under us$80 & has 48v phantom power. Mixing can be done in your editing ap (FCP ?)

Jason Boyette · January 18th, 2008, 03:50 PM

No mixing board necessary. The firebox has levels you set on it, and you can monitor it via headphone or through your mac's speakers

Sorry I don't have a picture available
Mic...firebox....firewire 400 cable...Mac

If you have Final Cut Studio you can use Soundtrack Pro and get great sound quaility!

Vince Halushka · January 18th, 2008, 03:58 PM

Thanks guys.
i tried a usb mic, but found I had to have it at 150% to get any sound and the quality was poor. I bought a good xlr mic that works perfect with my XL1s or XH A1 and want to get it set up for desktop narration.
I waiting to hear back on which model they reccomend.

v
now that i looked at the site you posted that is not anywhere near the usb mic I tried..that looks like a nice stand alone unit.

Guy Cochran · January 18th, 2008, 04:34 PM

The Presonus Inspire is fairly inexpensive and works well. It used to be bundled in the RODE to Recording system. If you'd like to hear a sample watch

http://link.brightcove.com/services/...bctid296698237

Now, I'd probably suggest getting a Centrance MicPort Pro http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=MICPORTPRO

It's like the MXL Mic Mate which we sell, but one ups it with headphone output.

Jon Goodman · January 18th, 2008, 05:24 PM

I'm in the same boat. I was looking for some kind of audio interface for my Mac and am seriously looking at this.
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet.php
It has a breakourt cable with 2 balanced xlr ins as well as 2 1/4'' unbalanced ins and 2 outs for speakers .

Vince Halushka · January 18th, 2008, 07:33 PM

Well there go's another $1000 bux. lol

I need a proper audio system at this point. No music, just VO.
At the same time I am due for a monitor(speaker) system also.
I already have everything except the pre-amp...so which system??
That duet looks small and handy, but I don't like powering off usb.
I want a good set-up so 2 people can do commentary, one commenting on motors another on chasis, skis and tracks or whatever. Would you prefer 2 xlr inputs ?

Thanks for the audio tutorial./commercial. that was what I should have watched a year ago

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/899215/rrii_preview/

this where i need the VO..video needs some cutting
cheers millertime

January 18th, 2008, 02:36 PM	#1
Vince Halushka Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Yellowknife canada Posts: 74	Mic to Mac?? What exactly do I need? I bought a really good mic, cables and connectors but i get no audio to the mac. I try my cheapo USB mic and it works fine, just sounds terrible. What type of pre-amp does a guy need and what exact parts, cables etc? thanks

January 18th, 2008, 04:34 PM	#7
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	The Presonus Inspire is fairly inexpensive and works well. It used to be bundled in the RODE to Recording system. If you'd like to hear a sample watch http://link.brightcove.com/services/...bctid296698237 Now, I'd probably suggest getting a Centrance MicPort Pro http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=MICPORTPRO It's like the MXL Mic Mate which we sell, but one ups it with headphone output. __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

January 18th, 2008, 02:41 PM	#2
Jason Boyette Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 145	I'm a big fan of the Presonus Firepod...but they're a little costly, around $400...but that one has 8 inputs. I believe they make smaller cheaper ones, Try this http://www.presonus.com/products/Det...px?ProductId=4 dang, that one is $300, but it should put you on the right track for what you are looking for Hope this helps Jason

January 18th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#3
Vince Halushka Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Yellowknife canada Posts: 74	Am I also going to need a mixing board.?? I am trying to set up a system for adding narration to a video. Anyone have a pic a system they could share. v

January 18th, 2008, 03:49 PM	#4
Rohan Dadswell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canberra Australia Posts: 228	If you just want to add one mic into your mac for VO try the USB Mic Mate (www.mxl-usb.com) it's under us$80 & has 48v phantom power. Mixing can be done in your editing ap (FCP ?)

January 18th, 2008, 03:50 PM	#5
Jason Boyette Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 145	No mixing board necessary. The firebox has levels you set on it, and you can monitor it via headphone or through your mac's speakers Sorry I don't have a picture available Mic...firebox....firewire 400 cable...Mac If you have Final Cut Studio you can use Soundtrack Pro and get great sound quaility!

January 18th, 2008, 03:58 PM	#6
Vince Halushka Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Yellowknife canada Posts: 74	Thanks guys. i tried a usb mic, but found I had to have it at 150% to get any sound and the quality was poor. I bought a good xlr mic that works perfect with my XL1s or XH A1 and want to get it set up for desktop narration. I waiting to hear back on which model they reccomend. v now that i looked at the site you posted that is not anywhere near the usb mic I tried..that looks like a nice stand alone unit.

January 18th, 2008, 05:24 PM	#8
Jon Goodman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 74	I'm in the same boat. I was looking for some kind of audio interface for my Mac and am seriously looking at this. http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet.php It has a breakourt cable with 2 balanced xlr ins as well as 2 1/4'' unbalanced ins and 2 outs for speakers .

January 18th, 2008, 07:33 PM	#9
Vince Halushka Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Yellowknife canada Posts: 74	Well there go's another $1000 bux. lol I need a proper audio system at this point. No music, just VO. At the same time I am due for a monitor(speaker) system also. I already have everything except the pre-amp...so which system?? That duet looks small and handy, but I don't like powering off usb. I want a good set-up so 2 people can do commentary, one commenting on motors another on chasis, skis and tracks or whatever. Would you prefer 2 xlr inputs ? Thanks for the audio tutorial./commercial. that was what I should have watched a year ago http://www.metacafe.com/watch/899215/rrii_preview/ this where i need the VO..video needs some cutting cheers millertime