How does diaphragm size/polar pattern relate to mic applications?

[Alighieri]

Dear Harvey,

I had a question for you in regards to how to use properly a certain mike. Here is my current situation. I have a couple of recording programs but no hardware as of yet. The only thing that can be considered as hardware is the mike that I have witch is a Guitar Hero mike. Now I've been reading your previous posts and threads and they say that in order to get the best out of your mike you need to take into consideration the surroundings and the capability of the mike.

Currently I'm recording with an acoustic guitar with steel strings, with a really high action. My set up is in a small room. I've been thinking of making a box in witch I can block out any other sounds and keep the sounds that I make in and near the mike.

What do you think I should do? Should I get a new mike because the capabilities of this one are not that great, or should I continue to use it but in a different way?

If you have any questions to ask me please feel free to ask them?

Currently I'm trying to decide what to get in order to get the best quality I can get without using so much money.

[Harvey Gerst]

Your Guitar Hero mic has a USB output, so it should be ok to start out with. I'd try removing the grill from the front of the mic; it should unscrew. Then, just try moving the mic to different positions and make short recordings of each position you place the mic in. Listen to the recordings back and determine which placement gives you the best sound.

[Alighieri]

Your Guitar Hero mic has a USB output, so it should be ok to start out with. I'd try removing the grill from the front of the mic; it should unscrew. Then, just try moving the mic to different positions and make short recordings of each position you place the mic in. Listen to the recordings back and determine which placement gives you the best sound.

I actually tried removing the grill before, but the dam thing doesn't unscrew. I would mess around with it but the mike is not mine. What's another good cheap mike that could help me in recording an acoustic and amp.

[Harvey Gerst]

I actually tried removing the grill before, but the dam thing doesn't unscrew. I would mess around with it but the mike is not mine. What's another good cheap mike that could help me in recording an acoustic and amp.

At this point, probably any inexpensive USB mic will work just fine.