Noob, soundcard help

[Lakes_Puma]

Hello all

sorry if this has been aswered before, I did search the forum but couldn't find what I was looking for.

I have a reasonable spec laptop which I have installed REW on and I would like to connect a microphone to it something like the Behringer ECM8000, what is the best (and cheapest) way of connecting this microphone without using lots of different 'boxes' I have looked at a couple of USB pre-amps/soundcards is this a sensible route and can anyone recommend a good quality one that won't break the bank.

BTW I am in the UK

Many thanks

[JCD]

I'm so under-qualified to answer this, I don't know why I'm even bothering..


but, I've heard that a good USB sound card that has a mic preamp with -48V Phantom Power built in is the M-Audio Mobile Pre . I found one here for $139USD that ships worldwide -- you could probably find something a little closer to home that might get to you quicker/cheaper.

If you had a powered mic, like a RS SPL meter, the M-Audio transit would work too.

JCD