Recording Voice to the PC

kythen · Mar 7, 2006, 12:52 AM

Hi all. Another newbie post from someone who desperately needs help on what to do. I'm trying to set up home voice recording equipment and would like to record directly to the PC.

Here's the equipment I would like to use:
- Electrovoice RE-20 microphone
- Behringer Ultravoice VX2496 pre-amp

And the question is what do need on top of that? How do I take the sound from the XLR out of the pre-amp to the sound card? What kind of soundcard would I need? Can I take the sound from AES/EBU output on the VX2496 and do something with it?

Please help a noob who wants to get up and running soon

Thanks a ton in advance.

Maddogg6 · Mar 7, 2006, 02:32 AM

Well, KX is a replacement driver for CL SBLive/Audigy (10KX DSP based) soundcards.

So.... You need one of those cards to use KX driver (theres a card compatability chart) kX Soundblaster Compatibility List

you'd have to go from there....

Doug W · Mar 7, 2006, 11:21 AM

OK, starting with what Maddogg6 said above. You must have a compatible card to use the kX drivers!!!

Next...

Quote:

Can I take the sound from AES/EBU output on the VX2496 and do something with it?

I don't know for sure. A number of the Creative cards have S/PDIF connectors available. The manual for your pre-amp shows how to make an ASS/EBU to S/PDIF connector but they state that; "Different Standardization of both formats may lead to problematic adapter performance"

It sounds like they are saying; "Here is how to make a connector for something that won't work."

From Answers.com
http://www.answers.com/topic/aes-ebu
"...The audio data between AES/EBU and S/PDIF is the same, but there are other
protocol differences. Conversion between all of these interfaces must be handled
with electronic circuits, not just by switching connectors...."

Maybe someone else could jump in here and answer the question about converting AES/EBU to S/PDIF..

miguel · Mar 7, 2006, 11:45 AM

Here is an old thread with some information.

Doug W · Mar 7, 2006, 12:12 PM

So it looks like it should work. Then you would either have to own a LiveDrive with an S/PDIF IN or wire up an S/PDIF IN from outside the computer to the CD_SPDIF IN or an input on the AUD_EXT connector I guess.

You should also be able to record from the line out of your pre-amp.

kythen · Mar 7, 2006, 01:27 PM

Thanks for your help Doug. Miguel, that post was really useful too. The question now is how to get that cable the AES/EBU out of the VX2496 to the SPDIF in of the soundcard. Where can you get those cables? Doug you were suggesting one has to make them based on what the Behringer manual specifies.

As I don't own a soundcard as of yet (other than the built-in motherboard one), would I not be better off getting one of those external firewire ones with XLR ins? Has anyone tried this?

And one more question cause I'm really a newbie

If I have a pre-amp on the Ultravoice VX2496 and connect it to an external XLR line in with preamp and gain (like the Edirol FA 66 - http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...x?ParentId=114), will that mean
I have two sets of gains and preamps or can I deactivate the one on the soundcard?? Sorry guys, all this digital stuff is new to me

Thanks a ton for your help...

Doug W · Mar 7, 2006, 06:35 PM

Before you go off spending money on more gizmos, what is it that you want to do? Do you want to record yourself playing guitar and voice, a whole band with full drum set, a choir?

Is this going to be a hobby or what?

kythen · Mar 7, 2006, 11:53 PM

Hey Doug,

Well, essentially for voice-overs only. No singing, no guitar. Just voice-overs.

Thanks for your help.

miguel · Mar 8, 2006, 05:38 AM

Well I think buying an external soundcard with mic preamp is redundant. Consider selling your current Behringer if you finally choose that route. It will probably be a simpler route for you.

But then you can't use kX with those external cards, and I guess you came here because of kX. Of all the kX compatible cards the audigy is the only one that can do direct spdif recording a 24bit. I think all audigy cards (1,2,4) can do it.

BTW, your motherboard soundcard... well maybe it has some digital input you could try. If you can get more info on what integrated soundcard it is or what motherboard model you have we might help you better. Actually you may not need to buy another soundcard.

Mar 7, 2006, 12:52 AM	#1
kythen DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Recording Voice to the PC Hi all. Another newbie post from someone who desperately needs help on what to do. I'm trying to set up home voice recording equipment and would like to record directly to the PC. Here's the equipment I would like to use: - Electrovoice RE-20 microphone - Behringer Ultravoice VX2496 pre-amp And the question is what do need on top of that? How do I take the sound from the XLR out of the pre-amp to the sound card? What kind of soundcard would I need? Can I take the sound from AES/EBU output on the VX2496 and do something with it? Please help a noob who wants to get up and running soon Thanks a ton in advance.

Mar 7, 2006, 01:27 PM	#6
kythen DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Thank you Thanks for your help Doug. Miguel, that post was really useful too. The question now is how to get that cable the AES/EBU out of the VX2496 to the SPDIF in of the soundcard. Where can you get those cables? Doug you were suggesting one has to make them based on what the Behringer manual specifies. As I don't own a soundcard as of yet (other than the built-in motherboard one), would I not be better off getting one of those external firewire ones with XLR ins? Has anyone tried this? And one more question cause I'm really a newbie If I have a pre-amp on the Ultravoice VX2496 and connect it to an external XLR line in with preamp and gain (like the Edirol FA 66 - http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...x?ParentId=114), will that mean I have two sets of gains and preamps or can I deactivate the one on the soundcard?? Sorry guys, all this digital stuff is new to me Thanks a ton for your help...

Mar 7, 2006, 02:32 AM	#2
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 36	Well, KX is a replacement driver for CL SBLive/Audigy (10KX DSP based) soundcards. So.... You need one of those cards to use KX driver (theres a card compatability chart) kX Soundblaster Compatibility List you'd have to go from there....

Mar 7, 2006, 11:45 AM	#4
miguel DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 209 Rep Power: 0	Here is an old thread with some information.

Mar 7, 2006, 12:12 PM	#5
Doug W DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Montevideo, MN USA Posts: 957 Rep Power: 0	So it looks like it should work. Then you would either have to own a LiveDrive with an S/PDIF IN or wire up an S/PDIF IN from outside the computer to the CD_SPDIF IN or an input on the AUD_EXT connector I guess. You should also be able to record from the line out of your pre-amp.

Mar 7, 2006, 06:35 PM	#7
Doug W DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Montevideo, MN USA Posts: 957 Rep Power: 0	Before you go off spending money on more gizmos, what is it that you want to do? Do you want to record yourself playing guitar and voice, a whole band with full drum set, a choir? Is this going to be a hobby or what?

Mar 7, 2006, 11:53 PM	#8
kythen DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Hey Doug, Well, essentially for voice-overs only. No singing, no guitar. Just voice-overs. Thanks for your help.

Mar 8, 2006, 05:38 AM	#9
miguel DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 209 Rep Power: 0	Well I think buying an external soundcard with mic preamp is redundant. Consider selling your current Behringer if you finally choose that route. It will probably be a simpler route for you. But then you can't use kX with those external cards, and I guess you came here because of kX. Of all the kX compatible cards the audigy is the only one that can do direct spdif recording a 24bit. I think all audigy cards (1,2,4) can do it. BTW, your motherboard soundcard... well maybe it has some digital input you could try. If you can get more info on what integrated soundcard it is or what motherboard model you have we might help you better. Actually you may not need to buy another soundcard.