Soundcards and sensitivity question

[Profeta]

Hi all, I new to the forum. I'm planning to get a new soundcard. I read some of the threads in here searching for info and it seems that the M-Audio 2496 and the Emu 0404 are the best choices.

I have a Sm57 and I've always recorded pluging it to my current soundcard (a really old and simple one), but I'm not satisfied with the sound I get. Would a better soundcard help me with this?

While reading the specs of these soundcards and comparing them to the sm57 specs I found that the sensitivity of the cards is at around -10dBV while the opencircuit output voltage of the mic is only -56dBV. It seems that the mic is "too quiet" for this cards to hear it.

Any advice and pointers will be very much appreciated.

Ricardo

 

[slinky_]

Eh, you´ve plugged your SM57 straight into your soundcards that doesn´t have a microphone preamp? You shouldn´t worry about the sensitivity, get a preamp to get a decent sound at first

Emu 0404 and M-Audio 2496 should be alright, but they don´t have preamps either. Buy either one + a cheap preamp ( I see you´re propably on a pretty low budget) like, don´t hate me for this guys, I´ve had pretty good results with this, especially after replacing the tube, this http://www.thomann.de/fi/behringer_mic100_tube_ultragain_micpreamp.htm

Or you could buy a firewire/USB soundcard with a mic pre (or two) such as Presonus Inspire, M-audio Fast Track or M-Audio USB audiophile for example. There are tons of little USB/Firewire soundcards just find the one you like the most

 

[Profeta]

Thanks for the advice man . I'm considering buying the soundcard + preamp. I think is the best option at this moment.

Ricardo

 

[JBroll]

I'd go for the 2496 and an ART Tube MP (Have this setup myself, with two preamps for dual micing - replaced the tube with a Tesla and it sounds very nice) if only one mic is needed, but if there are any plans to move up to two mics go for a DMP3.

Another option is the 1010LT, includes preamps and you don't have the fucking plug conversion problems that the 2496 loses points for.

Jeff

 

[slinky_]

I'd go for the 2496 and an ART Tube MP (Have this setup myself, with two preamps for dual micing - replaced the tube with a Tesla and it sounds very nice) if only one mic is needed, but if there are any plans to move up to two mics go for a DMP3.

Another option is the 1010LT, includes preamps and you don't have the fucking plug conversion problems that the 2496 loses points for.

Jeff

Oh I totally forgot the ART, that´s cool too