Well some of you may remember a couple of months ago I was looking at recording interfaces (Presonus Inspire etc) but I didn't end up getting anything because my band seemed to be working out ok. So I threw down the money on some new gear instead. Anyway, sods law as soon as I've done this the band decides to split up . So I need some new creative outlet but I have no money anymore. I'm looking for the cheapest but effective method of computer recording. PCI card seems to be a good bet. Anyone have experience of the M-audio Audiophile 2496? I can get it for £50. Can I just buy a new mic and plug and play? This seems a cheaper and more effective way of recording than USB (I don't have firewire) due to less lag/latency issues, am I right? Thanks in advance, I know I seem to go round in circles! I really have a max budget of £100 for interface/audio card + Mic.

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The Audiophile 2496 sounds great, easily best in class and then some. It doesn't have a "real" mic preamp, so you'd need one. If you have a mixer or something that will suffice, if not some condenser mics might work with the on-board preamp, but don't expect a large amount of gain before the noise kicks in.

Mics like the SM57 needs huge amounts of gain before they'll sound good, they're heavy driven.

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Ahh damn, forgot I'd need the mic preamp as well. Can you recommend a cheap but decent preamp? I'd only need one input, with an SM57 would I need Phantom Power XLR? I'm not really up on exactly what does what... Hmm this is actually getting into the realms where I might as well get a firewire port installed and go get the Presonus.

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Cheap and decent are opposites when it comes to preamps I'm afraid. A workable one would run $50, and then your budget is defeated.

A preamp is a very simple device though, you could build one yourself for $6 or so worth in parts if you run it off a battery. Things that add to cost are jacks, controls, buttons and a power supply. $50 would be about the smallest amount of money you could sell a workable pre with a power supply for, $20-$30 for a battery powered one.

http://www.record-producer.com/learn.cfm?a=3080

^ interesting. Anyone could build that.

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Ok thanks, still, the words 'ghetto-rigged' come to mind especially when I'm involved (totally inept at practical building....). I guess I'll save up a bit more to get the Presonus after all.

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