Hooking Multiple USB Condenser Mic's Up to a single PC

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James Fullard

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Doing all this with one of the top Alienware Laptop Gaming Machines using windows 7 in case that makes any difference.

I have 1 of these condenser microphones http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AS6OYC/ref=oh_deta... it's a USB mic and it works fine. My question is how can I hook like 3-4 of these up to the same computer and all of them work? Could I use something like this http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual-Switche... or even a http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Port-USB-power-adapt... (which I like) and plug all 3-4 microphones into it and they all work?

If this will work, how much control will I have over my sound with all 4 and will there be any issues I might encounter, maybe feedback issues, or volume control problems or something else? I am setting up a setup to stream podcast's over twitch.tv and need a microphone for each person at the table.

PS: This is in no way me trying to be rude, I do not need to know what would work better, I need answers to the above question and info on any problems or issues I might have from doing this. I have a friend who can get me the other 3 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AS6OYC/ref=oh_deta... for dirt cheap. This is why I am asking. I do not want to get into a money sink buying standard condenser mics with a mixer and all the trimmings.

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Also if you don't mind, please don't get all high techy with the replies lol, I need to understand whats said and some of you find peeps are way over my head in this area.
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rwinches

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You would be better off with 4 AT2020 XLR model and a mixer with USB output.
AT2020 at a good price
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1395546241&sr=1-1&keywords=Audio-Technica+AT2020

www.sweetwater.com has many affordable models like this one. To get 4 XLR inputs you need to look at 8 channel models as most 4 channel models have only 2 XLR inputs.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MM8USBFX/
 
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James Fullard

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I understand about the mixer/mic mention you made but I have a friend who can get me the other 3 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AS6OYC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for dirt cheap. This is why I am asking. I do not want to get into a money sink buying standard condenser mics with a mixer and all the trimmings.

Now please do not take this as me being rude to you because it is not meant to be.

I do not need to know what I would be better off with, I need an answer to my original question. (god that sounded rude) Very Sorry
( I need to know the answers to the original questions. Can 3-4 of the above mentioned be hooked up to a single machine and if so how?

Reposting original question.
I have 1 of these condenser microphones http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AS6OYC/ref=oh_deta... it's a USB mic and it works fine. My question is how can I hook like 3-4 of these up to the same computer and all of them work? Could I use something like this http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual-Switches-HB-UMLS/dp/B00BWF5U0M/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1395550569&sr=1-1&keywords=usb+multiport or even a http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Port-USB-power-adapter/dp/B00DQFGJR4/ref=sr_1_14?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1395550436&sr=1-14&keywords=usb+multiport (which I like) and plug all 3-4 microphones into it and they all work?

If this will work, how much control will I have over my sound with all 4 and will there be any issues I might encounter, maybe feedback issues or something? I am setting up a setup to stream podcast's over twitch.tv and need a microphone for each person at the table.
 
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rwinches

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A quote from Jisc Digital Media:
Using multiple USB microphones

A question frequently asked is whether you can use two or more USB microphones simultaneously to capture stereo or multichannel audio, record different speakers, multiple interviewees etc. The answer is very much dependent on your computer.

Apple Macs running OSX 10.2 or later have the facility to create Aggregate Devices (sets of input and output options) which will allow applications to address multiple devices - including USB microphones - using a single aggregate driver. Though a slightly technical set-up procedure is required, once configured the microphones (and other devices) will appear as separate sources within Garage Band, Logic, or any other application with a selectable audio driver on your Mac.

For Windows PCs an extension called ASIO offers similar facilities. ASIO is owned by Steinberg, and therefore only available on products licensed to use ASIO drivers, which unfortunately most USB mics are not. Non-ASIO multi-channel recording with USB mics on Windows is theoretically possible, but in practice very tricky to set up, due to complex clocking issues and driver cross-compatibility. At present, multichannel recording on Windows using multiple USB microphones is not a realistic option.

For any Multi-USB scenario you will of course need sufficient USB ports available to plug in and power your mics

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/usb-microphones-for-voice


Example of mulit USB mics on a Mac

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/blog/entry/multiple-usb-microphone-experiments/
 
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James Fullard

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ultimatecomposer

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YES!!!! You absolutely can do 3 mics at once. I am doing so now. For the Mac I can help, but I don't know how to do it with Windows. If you have two USB ports, you can use a powered USB hub like GearHead or Insignia. Then you go into the Audio Settings and make what's called an AGGREGATE DEVICE. You can bundle up the separate USB mics into one channel. Lemme know if this is helpful. I can look up the Windows procedure and tell you in more detail if you lemme know what specs you got.
 
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