Members Dead Star Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 So I'm looking into running a mic through my Macbook for effects. Do I just use an audio interface like the M-Audio Firewire solo? Or is there something else that I need. Sorry if this question seems stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mogwix Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 just buy a proper effects unit. keep computers out of your signal chain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 It's a lot more complicated than it seems... you will need to A/D, convert to line level, process, mix, D/A, convert back to mic level to go into the PA. Plenty of chances for noise to enter the system, the need for monitoring real signal levels (not just the software), ground loops, computer glitches, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crownman Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 just buy a proper effects unit. keep computers out of your signal chain. Ditto on that statement. I've had a few guys come through the club that ran stuff like you want to and it was always never worth the effort. In every one of them I got noise in the line and the FX were always overdone and I was unable to get a clean vocal signal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boseengineer Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 Also probably too much latency to use it live. Granted, the Apple audio stack is a lot better than that piece of Windows, but it's still a challenge to keep latency consistently low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jwlussow Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 What they said. I'm a Mac guy and the only way I'd do that is through a Venue system that is designed to do that. The latency would be a problem. You can try to use the Mac on an insert but a dedicated FX unit would be better. I use a Mac at every gig for Garageband, Ableton and an occasional Pro Tools but these are not in mission critical situations - if it doesn't work we can continue the show without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NUSound Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 I would only use a laptop (Mac or otherwise) for live effects if I could afford to have 2 identical systems, dedicated solely for that function and each kept in its own hard-shell, foam lined case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dead Star Posted September 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 Thanks! I'm going to look into getting an effects unit. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 25, 2009 Members Share Posted September 25, 2009 Anything would be a better choice. The world is awash in older effcets like the Alesis Microverbs that are good, reliable and cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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