maya44 question + headphones + mikes

nick

I have a recently aquired maya44, tinkering a fair bit this weekend. now it claims 4 in, which it is, but its 2 inputs, left+right channel. now if I record bass for example as the cable isnt stereo its on the left channel. can I record something simultanously on the right channel if I make myself a splitter cable of sorts? 2 mono jack inputs to single stereo jack, one on each channel?

also the headphone output, realistically could I split it twice without losing volume or quality if I want two sets of phones on at a time? or should I rather get something like this?.

microphones, now I know you shouldnt skimp here etc, but I cant afford a 2k microphone, just want something to mike up my acoustic then attempt to double as a vocal mike. currently using my ancient road battered carol mud525 600ohm dynamic mike for the job. also, one of those microphone er screen things, will they stop the harsh P's and Bs?

8)

Renesongs

I have a recently aquired maya44, tinkering a fair bit this weekend. now it claims 4 in, which it is, but its 2 inputs, left+right channel. now if I record bass for example as the cable isnt stereo its on the left channel. can I record something simultanously on the right channel if I make myself a splitter cable of sorts? 2 mono jack inputs to single stereo jack, one on each channel?

Yes that is the general Idea ie if you split both stereo inputs you have 4 mono inputs all been recorded to separate tracks in your DAW at the same time ?

also the headphone output, realistically could I split it twice without losing volume or quality if I want two sets of phones on at a time? or should I rather get something like this?.

Don't know what you trying to do here. You have two sets of stereo outputs to use how you like 1 amp 1 headphones or 2 headphones or 2 amps whatever. Of course if you want more than 2 stereo outputs you would need something like the HA400.

As for mics I have no special knowledge, Sure SM58 is regarded as the standard indestructible all purpose mic I use Audix OM 2 which I am told has a slightly better dynamic range and better cardioid pattern than the SM58 and is a little less expensive, but I have no personal experience to deny or verify this statement with.

AlanRatcliffe

nick wrote can I record something simultanously on the right channel if I make myself a splitter cable of sorts? 2 mono jack inputs to single stereo jack, one on each channel?

Yes. That's how it's designed to be used.

also the headphone output, realistically could I split it twice without losing volume or quality if I want two sets of phones on at a time? or should I rather get something like this?.

Don't split it - that halves the impedance that the output sees and drives the headphone amp twice as hard as it's supposed to. A dedicated headphone amp is the way to go there, and the Behringer headphone amps are some of their better products.

just want something to mike up my acoustic then attempt to double as a vocal mike. currently using my ancient road battered carol mud525 600ohm dynamic mike for the job.

The best inexpensive all-round mic in the world is (IMO) the Shure SM57 - it's a jack of all trades and a master of a few. While you can do a lot better with specific mics for specific jobs (like vocals), the SM57 does at least a decent job on just about everything, and is one of the top choices for guitar amps and snare drums. So if you buy one or two to start out with they never go to waste - even when you have mics costing over R50K. They are also seriously road ready and durable so double as gigging mics. Definitely a huge upgrade from a Carol, however you look at it.

also, one of those microphone er screen things, will they stop the harsh P's and Bs?

Pop screens (or pop filters). They help a lot - also with sibilance (hissing on "S" sounds). Dynamic stage vocal mics like SM58s have them built in. You can buy them for a few hundred bucks, but you can make one with a stocking stretched over a wire coathanger (old studio trick ?) - not as pretty, but works just as well. Also experiment with backing off a little from the mic and singing into it at a slightly different angle.

Mr-M

Something I found out about the Maya 44 (the latest version anyway), is that it has switchable +48v phantom power on the first input (check in the control panel) so you can actually use a studio condenser mic with it. You couldn't do that with the old one (red PCB - I had one like 4 years ago), but the new one (white PCB) does. They're using one at my church for recording the services, so when I checked it out when they got it like a year ago I was rather surprised to find that.

You could also look at getting an entry-level large diaphragm condenser mic which will be infinitely better than a dynamic on vocals and will work better on the acoustic as well (play around with the placement). If you check out the entry-level Rode NT1A or Studio Projects B1 large diaphragm studio condensers mics. You can pick either of those two up for R1500 - R2000 (ask for discount). Rather avoid the Samson and Behringer (although the B1 or B2 are decent) studio mics as they tend to be a little darker sounding than the other two I mentioned. The Rode and the SP are both brighter sounding and will suit guitar and vocal recording quite well.
Hope that helps! ?

nick

thanks for the replies 8)

will build a input box of sorts to make use of all the channels and I'll give the stocking coathanger trick a go ?

mine is the newer maya with the +phantom power so maybe a nice condenser is the way to go..

Martyr

Pop Filters are like R150 last time i checked without cash discount

nick

my creation ?