1st condensor mic...2 choices

[mbouteneff]

I've read a ton of posts here about many various condensor microphones, and narrowed down my choices based on a ~$250 budget. Right now, I already have an SM57 plus the preamps that come with the Delta 1010LT card. A power source is an issue, because the Delta doesn't include phantom power. I was thinking of getting either --

- the MXL V67G plus the dmp3 preamp (which has phantom power; I could get just a $40 power source, but might as well spend a few extra $$ for a solid preamp)

or,

- the MXL V69 (which includes a power source, and which I'd use with the Delta preamps)

Any recommendations? The mic would be for vocals + acoustic guitar...I'm generating drums and other instruments electronically...

Mucho thanks!

-M

[maestro_dmc]

Get the V67 and Dmp3, at least you can use the pre-amp for other things besides that one mic.

[Gidge]

thats a tough call because the v69 is somewhat better than the v67, but if it means going thru the soundcard pres, that makes it a tough call.....the v69 thru the dmp3 would be awesome.....

maybe sell some blood,plasma,or sperm for the extra $$$$.......

[tdukex]

Digital Pro Audio has the DMP3 for $149. That's where I would start, with a good foundation. Then save my money for either a V69, V77, or TB-1.

[Gidge]

yeah id go with the DMP3.....

and id get the v67 too and keep saving.......meanwhile the v67 will serve you well....even if you sell it to upgrade later you'll only lose $20-$30 at most, which is a small price to pay for the better vocal sound youll get from it over the sm57.......

[Richard Monroe]

I agree- the preamp is really important. Then you can use whatever mics you can get. Gotta have phantom power and clean gain.-Richie

[mbouteneff]

Thanks for your advice, guys -- I just received my DMP3 and MXL V67G a couple days ago! Now I've got a couple new questions:

1) I'd like to plug both the SM57 and V67G into the DMP3 at the same time -- however, phantom power can only be turned on for both XLR inputs at the same time. Will that affect the SM57's sound quality?

2) The DMP3 can send either a balanced or unbalanced signal through its 1/4" outputs. Meanwhile, I have a Delta 1010LT sound card that has two XLR inputs with preamps -- you can change the "jumper" setting to accept a balanced +4dBu signal from a preamp. Am I correct to assume that ideally, no matter what the sound source going through the preamp (mic, guitar, bass guitar), you'd want to use the DMP3's _balanced_ output signal and go into the soundcard through the XLR jacks (not coaxial RCA jacks) with the proper jumper adjustment? And what kind of cable(s) would I need to connect the 1/4" preamp output to the soundcard's XLR input?

...um, I hope that was somewhat clear..?

Thanks!

-M

[Richard Monroe]

1.-Phantom power will not affect the SM57 unless you have a seriously defective mic cable, and maybe not even then. It's like using a pea shooter on an elephant.

2. The DMP-3's output is +4 line level. Whatever cable you need to get to a balanced line input. Usually RCA's are looking for -10 line level.If the XLR ins can be set for line level instead of mic level, then 1/4" trs to XLR cables would be appropriate. I'm surprised the soundcard has no balanced 1/4" inputs.-Richie

[notbradsohner]

never even use computer preamps. always go for at least a chep one mic input mixer for a pre.

[mbouteneff]

Thanks for the responses, guys -- I bought to balanced 1/4" to XLR adaptor cables and am currently adapting all the software configurations to agree with the new balanced signal.

Thanks for your help!

-M