[linux-audio-user] OT: Recommendations for Headphones and Mic

st st at tobiah.org
Tue Jan 2 15:11:59 EST 2007


> 
> The Samson C01U seems to get some variable reviews though..

This may work well for you, since you are on a budget, but
I wouldn't recommend it for the long run.  You would be
buying a Microphone, preamp and USB audio interface all at
once, and *when* you decide that you want to upgrade one of
those features, you will have to do them all at the same time.

The Soundblaster line input is fine for recording.  Don't
even consider the mic input.  It is too noisy.  Unfortunately
you are looking at about $200 for a low cost preamp and
large-diaphragm condenser, which is out of your price range,
but would really give you a nice sound, even with the soundblaster
line in.  Later, you will find out that the mic pre is too noisy,
so you will spend more on a better one, then you will find out that
the mic itself is generating quite a bit of noise (not dynamic of course,
but they expose more preamp noise due to gain requirements) so
you will upgrade that.  Finally, you may want to upgrade the sound
card because it will become evident that the soundblaster has
an annoying limiter built in that makes it tough to overload the
digital signal, but does squash the loud parts of the signal, 
changing the sound without your permission.




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