Does anyone here know anything about USB audio interfaces?

I want to use a cheep contact mic that's hooked up to my PC,
But all I know about the process is that the quality is below trash if I use it with a 6.5mm to 3.5mm jack converter,
And that an USB audio interface is the way to go?
And something something pre-amp and hi-z?

Yeah, I'm n00b n00b at did 😬

I just want something cheep to tinker with...
In case I decide that this isn't for me, they I ain't lost much

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Northwest · M

You can get it from Amazon, look for: audio pre-amp with a 6.5mm input and a USB output.

The pre-amp output might be a USB-B type, so you will also need to get a USB-B to USA-A or USB-C cable, depending on what kind of computer you have.

The pre-amp is about $65 and the USB cable is about $10

Fishy · 36-40, F

@Northwest Thanks, I'll check it out,
is the Pre amp part of the audio interface? or are they separate things?

I think I need to do some research and learn about what specs do what, lol

Northwest · M

@Fishy

is the Pre amp part of the audio interface? or are they separate things?

You will need the following:

1. Piezo electric contact "microphone", which picks up vibration, and typically has a jack for an output. Typically a 3.5mm or 6.5 mm.

2. Pre-amp, like the one I suggested. Make sure it has the right jack input and has a USB output and make sure you have the right USB cable for output.

These are two separate things.

Don't take this the wrong way, but based on your question, I'm thinking you need to do some research.

What are you trying to do? When you settle on a shopping list, shoot it my way.

Fishy · 36-40, F

@Northwest

Don't take this the wrong way, but based on your question, I'm thinking you need to do some research.

Nah, I agree lol,
I have no idea what I'm doing 😂

Basically just record things like my kalimba to my PC, but in the future maybe other stuff too? I dunno,

also heard something about recording in midi format? with a contact mic?
not sure if I understood it right tho,

I gotta hit the books 👀

Northwest · M

@Fishy The lowest cost solution to produce a recording in MIDI format is to use A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) as a software application on your computer.

You install it on your computer (something like Ableton Live 12), Apple has an app as well.

This is pure software that allows you to take the input from the hardware setup in the earlier comment and play with it. The introduction application should run about $100.

The software is independent from the microphone technology. As long as you can hook up your mic to your computer, the app does its job.