Topic: UA5 to Laptop question

[stlawrence]

I'm wondering if a UA5 will be able to serve a dual purpose for me. I've got an iBook G4 without an audio in. Can I use a UA5 as an audio input, via the USB, to record and multitrack my own songs, using Audacity or Garageband? Thanks in advance for what is probably a stupid question

[bdasilva]

You  bet

[itsoktodoubt]

even after the digimod, will the ua-5 still keep all its functions as a usb pre?

[stlawrence]

That's what I'm wondering. I'd like to use it both for taping shows and recording my own music at home. Do I need a digi mod that allows me to switch? Or am I better off getting one without a mod, if my first priority is home recording? (I do most of my taping stealth with a Church system)

[itsoktodoubt]

A pre is all i lack from completing my open rig and I've been heavily considering the modded ua-5.  seems the best route to go for the price.  I've also been wondering if it would still serve as a usb pre after being modded, but it's not a deciding factor for me since I already have a m-audio mobile pre for home use.

[moooose]

there is a way to digimod the ua-5 that allows you to switch between a standalone-preamp-use and a usb-audio-interface-use.
If you do a little googleing you'll easily find the instructions and the modding itself is quite easy.

[Patrick]

When a UA-5 is digi-modded, it can still send audio TO a computer via usb, but it cannot RECEIVE audio from the computer.  So yes, it can be interfaced with your DAW (just make sure to have your drivers installed).  You will just have to monitor from your computer instead of the UA-5 (you probably should be doing this anyways).

[bdasilva]

QFT... I use mine with the computer and standalone with the MT all the time.