Vocal/instrumental recording on X-fi Platinum or X-fi Fataliy FPS

[vtohthree]

*UPDATE+FOLLOWUP

I've had some quality time with X-fi by now, and I have to say that I am quite pleased with it's capabilities. I've plugged in both the ATR-30 and SM-58 to it and both record to satisfactory levels, at least to my tastes.

So if this helps anyone out there, I give it a thumbs up for the x-fi fatality FPS or Platinum with a decent quality mic(I use an XLR to 1/4'' cable) when it comes to recording.

I have some friends and family who use my machine to record vocal singing, but actually my initial intents for recording were for my cartoons...and flash animations...so I might invest in a good condenser mic later on...to be continued...though any recommendations now would be appreciated, =]



original post:

I just went ahead and orderd an X-fi Fataliy FPS(basically the exact same thing as the X-fi Platinum, only it has 64megs of X-ram). I wanted to use it for some recording with the front i/o bay. I know that everything sounds much better with an amp, and that the x-fi elite pro includes a built in preamp on its i/o unit....but said and done, has anyone ever recorded anything using an x-fi platinum/FPS via the front i/o bay?? And what can one expect to hear?..I'm only asking people who know, not speculators...


Thanks. For others who'd be curious, I'd be able to tell them in about 2 weeks.

...Unless someone tells me that it's absolutely horrendous and knows from experience, then I will have my order rejected.

 

[vtohthree]

i guess no one owns one the setup here..haha, or no musicians check this thread.

 

[Canai]

I bought the fatality with the intent to run my bass and midi keyboard into it but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm interested in finding this out as well.

One thing I did notice is that when running a basic desktop mic into the front in port ventrilo would randomly stop recieving signals from the mic, to the point of having to alt-tab every 5 mins to reset vent. Plugged the mic into the back port and haven't had any problems.

 

[oynaz]

Originally posted by: vtohthree
i guess no one owns one the setup here..haha, or no musicians check this thread.

Musicians do not use X-fi for recording. If you want nice recording capabilities, you can get much better value for money.

 

[vtohthree]

Originally posted by: oynaz

Originally posted by: vtohthree
i guess no one owns one the setup here..haha, or no musicians check this thread.

Musicians do not use X-fi for recording. If you want nice recording capabilities, you can get much better value for money.

I've heard of many on a budget using the x-fi platinum/fatality fps as recording solutions, as well as the late audigy 4 pro, and for those who have a bit more money, the x-fi elite.

And this "much better value for money" you speak of, I'd like to know, please do share... btw, I paid $106 for my x-fi with the front i/o bay.

 

[Rubycon]

Text

 

[vtohthree]

Originally posted by: Canai
I bought the fatality with the intent to run my bass and midi keyboard into it but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm interested in finding this out as well.

One thing I did notice is that when running a basic desktop mic into the front in port ventrilo would randomly stop recieving signals from the mic, to the point of having to alt-tab every 5 mins to reset vent. Plugged the mic into the back port and haven't had any problems.

hmm, that's interesting about the front mic port, I recently purchased a mic with a native 1/4'' plug, so I'd have to use a miniplug adapter to use it in the back, I wonder what could be the cause of this.

Yeah, I just phoned home though, the package already came, I guess I'm keeping it...might be too late to return it after I come back home and install it.

Thanks for the input.

 

[vtohthree]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Text

nifty device there but it appears to run for about $550(not quite in the same price league as the x-fi solution imo..heh).... at that price, even the x-fi elite is cheaper and it includes preamps as well.

 

[oynaz]

Originally posted by: vtohthree

I've heard of many on a budget using the x-fi platinum/fatality fps as recording solutions, as well as the late audigy 4 pro, and for those who have a bit more money, the x-fi elite.

And this "much better value for money" you speak of, I'd like to know, please do share... btw, I paid $106 for my x-fi with the front i/o bay.

A good example is M-Audios cheaper cards, like this. http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile2496-main.html

The recording capabilities are simply superior tor X-fi's. I am not saying that X-fi is a bad card, and if you already have an X-fi, the M-Audio might not be worth it.

BTW, all sound cards have mic pre-amps. The quality differs hugely, though.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: vtohthree


nifty device there but it appears to run for about $550(not quite in the same price league as the x-fi solution imo..heh).... at that price, even the x-fi elite is cheaper and it includes preamps as well.

Well having both there is no comparison.

Not sure what you mean by preamp. Phono preamp perhaps? No thanks I would definitely prefer to use a dedicated tube preamp for vinyl.

 

[MusickMaker]

I have an Emu 0404 (retails for 99). Its a fantastic card. It has its own DSP effects. THe effects are decent, but nothing to write home about.
You get a super-flexible software mixer also. So, you can route pretty much anything to anywhere. With the latest drivers, it has been rock solid for me. It doesnt have a pre-amp though. Just use a cheap dynamic mic instead, and it should work out.

 

[MusickMaker]

Here's a nice 1212M. You cant get a better value-for-money deal. Seriously.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1212M

 

[crimson117]

I think more depends on your microphone and sound software than the sound card you use for mic input.

Now if you need multiple strange inputs, then you'll probably have to go to motu or maudio, etc. But for basic guitar + vocals stuff, get yourself a good mic and some software and your SoundBlaster will do just fine.

I recorded these two acoustic tracks with a SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 and an old (but good) mic.

The Mask - MP3

Night Jam - MP3

 

[EBH]

Originally posted by: vtohthree
I know that everything sounds much better with an amp, and that the x-fi elite pro includes a built in preamp on its i/o unit....but said and done

actualy that is not always true

depends more on if you are using good mic(s), and good mic(s) placement
the crappy'r the mic the more you have to push your amp to make up the difference
and even with a overdirven marshal you still need adequate frequency response which getto mics dont have

mics with on or off switches for recording = ghetto

mics with native adapters other than XLR = ghetto

mics with batteries are ok but inconsistant over long durations

with somthing like the front bay of the xfi your best off using a preamp with a digital out that uses a spdif cable 70ohm i think

somthing like a presonus digi tube, i just sold mine for 50$ on ebay, so you can get them cheap

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: EBH

Originally posted by: vtohthree
I know that everything sounds much better with an amp, and that the x-fi elite pro includes a built in preamp on its i/o unit....but said and done

actualy that is not always true

depends more on if you are using good mic(s), and good mic(s) placement
the crappy'r the mic the more you have to push your amp to make up the difference
and even with a overdirven marshal you still need adequate frequency response which getto mics dont have

mics with on or off switches for recording = ghetto

mics with native adapters other than XLR = ghetto

mics with batteries are ok but inconsistant over long durations

with somthing like the front bay of the xfi your best off using a preamp with a digital out that uses a spdif cable 70ohm i think

somthing like a presonus digi tube, i just sold mine for 50$ on ebay, so you can get them cheap

Unless you need a unique kind of SPDIF cable (I don't do any recording) digital coaxial is a 75ohm cable.

 

[oynaz]

The quality of the sound card (the mic pre-amp, really) and microphone each accounts for roughly 50 % of the recording quality.
A nice mic and a Sound Blaster can yield decent result, but a nice external mic pre-amp gives much better quality.

 

[Ghouler]

I used X-Fi with front bay for recording a few times and it sounded good to me. This was just a line signal from yamaha keyboard and voice taken in with shure sm58. Since then I moved on and bought EMU card as it has more simultanous inputs incl. pre-amps for turntable. I still keep X-Fi in the "general" copy of Windows for movies and music (running dual boot one for audio work and one for general stuff)

 

[vtohthree]

Oh my, this thread was like dead and now it has picked up. My gosh, first and foremost, thanks for more contribution, though I've already ordered the x-fi FPS and its at my house(I'm not home right now), I mind as well keep it. However, the E-MU 1212M really gets my attention as well as the M-audio, so thanks for the posters of those.

As for the rhetorics, heh... I'm being relative, ie: "mic's sound better with amps"..compared to a regular desktop mic plugged into your onboard sound from the mobo. Just relax.
And as for the MIC, I have two: Audiotechnica ATR-30 and a Shure SM-58(need to recheck, might've been a 57). Not the best mic's, but they certainly will do. ATR-30= 1/4'', SM-58= XLR.. say what you might about the ATR30 being 1/4'' but it's an alrite mic in opinion.

 

[oynaz]

The Shure SM-57 is designed for instruments, the SM-58 for vocals. Both are very nice mikes, but they are primarily meant to be used live. They will serve your purpose, but if you want to upgrade, you might want to consider a condenser mic. GA Project has some very cheap condenser mics, and one of those will make a huge difference. Condenser mics require +48V phantom power, though. Can the X-fi supply that?