Re: [Harp-L] Computer recording interface sale at Musiciansfriend.com

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gary,

The Blue Tube is a preamp, not a computer audio interface.  It won't 
convert audio into a digital signal.

The Zoom H-4 will do the job.  I suggest that you go to Zoom's website 
(I think it's Samson in the USA) and download the USB audio driver for 
the device, then install it according to the manufacturer's 
instructions.  When you plug the H-4 into the computer via USB, it will 
ask you whether you want to use it as an audio interface or as a storage 
device; choose the audio interface and you're in.

If the manufacturer's audio driver doesn't give you satisfactory 
performance with your laptop (too much latency or whatever), try 
installing ASIO4ALL instead.  You can find that driver easily on the web 
via Google.  Make sure it's version 2.8 or higher.

If you like the sound of the Presonus, you can always plug it into the 
Zoom.

If you're at all serious about learning to record with your computer, I 
strongly recommend that you take out a subscription to Computer Music 
magazine (http://computermusic.co.uk). Among other things, their cover 
disk includes a lot of very useful software every month, and every issue 
amounts to a semester's worth of training in computer recording.  No lie.

Regards, Richard Hunter

Gary Calahan wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am interested in this thread regarding interface units.  I am really
> a neophyte regarding recording and have a Personus (M-Audio??) Blue
> Tube preamp that I used with a 2496 audio sound card with a tower.  I
> am now living on a sailboat and only have a laptop.  I am hoping that
> the Blue Tube would serve as one and the same.
>
> Anybody out there with some advice??  I do own a Zoom H-4 however not
> really figured how to use it with the computer.
>
> Gary
>
> On Sat, Apr 5, 2008 at 9:17 AM, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Musiciansfriend.com is having a sale on some decent computer recording interfaces--the Line 2 UX1 (which usually sells for about $130) for less than $90, the UX2 (which usually sells for around $200) for $129, the ART Tube audio interface for less than $90, the EMU 1212M for less than $140, etc.
> >
> > These are all quality interfaces--not the highest of the top end, but very usable stuff, and the prices are in the neighborhood of 1/3 off.  The Line 6 interfaces come with an assortment of amp, preamp, cabinet, and effect models--I own the UX2, which I bought for close to $200, and I've been very happy with it for recording vocals, guitar, and harmonica.  The harmonica parts for my recent recordings of "Kill the Doctor (That Killed My Wife)" and "Ridin Blues", both of which you can hear at Broadjam.com or Taximusic.com, were recorded through an Audix Fireball with V element into the UX2 using a Bassman amp model.  The ART interface is an ART Tube MP preamp with a USB audio interface included, and it can be used in the studio or onstage as a straight-up tube preamp too.
> >
> > These are good deals, and if you're looking to upgrade from a built-in computer soundcard, any of them might be worth your consideration.
> >
> > Regards, lightninrick
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--
Regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com
harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
Latest mp3s always at http://broadjam.com/rhunter