I think I did a stupid thing

[BluesMojo]

I bought a Shure SM58 for a hundred dollars. That, in itself, is not, of course, a stupid thing to do. HOWEVER, I was planning to run it directly into my computer without a thought in my head about the fact that the only plugin for that on my computer is for a 1/8 jack, and the SM58 uses something different, the proper name of which I'm not sure of.

I like this mic, tried it out in the store and thought it was great. I want to use it for recording. Roy at Radio Shack told me it was basically stupid to use a low-impedance mic for recording to a computer, but wanted to sell me two or three different adapters that, when all is said and done, would plug into the 1/8 place on the back of my computer. Barring that, he advised I buy a mixer, but Radio Shack didn't have the kind of mixer he wanted me to buy so that option is out. I've also been told to buy a preamp.

I know a LOT of people do home recording with the computer as their main base of operations, and I know a lot of them use a Shure SM58. What do they know that I don't? What are my options here?

Thanks in advance. You guys are wonderful and have been very helpful in the past. I'm just hoping that I didn't waste $100.

-Kyle

[jeap]

you didnt waste anything!!!

what you need is an audiobuddy mic preamp!!!

the xlr connector of your mic will plug into the audiobuddy and then you use a 1/4 to 1/8 cord!!!

the audiobuddy is made for this purpose!!!

[BluesMojo]

Oh god I love you.

What's it cost?

[jeap]

Audio Buddy™
Dual Mic Preamp with Phantom Power and Direct Box

Affordability and Performance
One of the first issues you confront when considering computer recording is the question of how to record microphone and instrument levels into your audio card. Many signals levels in your studio are too low to record, and need the help of a preamp to raise them to a level suitable for recording. The Audio Buddy is an ultra-quiet 2-channel preamp that offers the features and performance you need to track great sounding music.

Improve the quality of the audio you record
Inexpensive mic preamps are often included within products like mixers and soundcards. While convenient, they tend to be noisy and color your sound in an unpleasant way. What many people don't consider is the fact that the mic preamp is one of the most important links in your signal chain. If you cut corners there, your music will reflect it right away.

Basic connectivity tools for home recording
We created the Audio Buddy especially for computer recording. Whether you're recording vocals, guitar, or bass, the Audio Buddy will give you connectivity you need. The preamp provides phantom power for microphones that require additional power to operate. Direct Box functionality allows high impedance signals from sources such as guitars or basses recorded with optimal results.

Features:
- Two preamp channels with individually adjustable gain
- Each channel offers one balanced XLR (Low Impedance) or one 1/4" instrument level (High impedance) input
- Phantom power both microphone XLR inputs
- Independent 1/4" outputs - unbalanced or balanced TRS
- Super small - only 5.5" x 3.3" x 1.7"
- Super quiet - the best dollar-to-noise ratio

Specifications:
- Frequency Response: 5hz to 50khz, +0, -3dB
- Mic Gain: 60dB Max.
- Mic Input Impedance: 1K Ohm
- Instrument Gain: 40dB Max.
- Instrument Input Impedance: 100K Ohms
- Weight: Under 1/2 lb.
- Power Supply: 9V AC, 300mA


http://www.midiman.net/products/m-audio/audibudy.php


they cost about 70$!!!!!

[Sennheiser]

Nice to know you had an honest salesman at RS.

I know of managers that would sell you the shirt of their back and make you believe you needed it.

[jeap]

maybe 80$.

i know they sell them in the ams and interstate music catalogs and a lot of other places. run a search for audiobuddy on a search engine.

[BluesMojo]

He was a pretty cool guy, actually. Said he'd worked sound for a TV station and assisted in the building of two recording studios, so he knew his stuff. He recommended that I do more research before buying anything, especially since having a bunch of adapters hanging out of my soundcard would likely cause some damage.

[knownuttin]

Then again, you could just buy the adapter he's talking about. Seeing as you have no other interface to get sound into your computer, you'll still need something that ends in a 1/8 " input connector. The Audio Buddy is a great buy and would improve your signal most likely, but you'll still have to convert its 1/4 " output to 1/8 ".

So, if all you want for the time being is to get some sound into your computer with your new 58, just buy an adapter to connect your XLR mic cord output to 1/8 ".
-kent

[Roel]

I wouldn't get adapters. Instead, get adaptercables! Adapters will get you huge plugs sticking out of your soundcard, and even just the weight of the cable might be enough to cause damage after a short while.

So ask the radio shack dude if he cannot make you an adapter cable for now, and do some research on micpre's and voicechannels....

That RS guy is cool.

[darrin_h2000]

Theres also a few baby mixers out there that have pres built in.

[JFogarty]

the smallest behringer would do well, and he can just use the rca outs and get an rca to 1/8 inch. stereo. I have tons of em, great cables...

[darrin_h2000]

The M series soundcraft would be the best of the baby mixers, but I used a 602a and was lucky to have one that wasnt defective.

[jeap]

the baby behringer is 70 - 80 bucks also at musician's friend.

it is a mixer with 2 mic channels w/preamp and xlr input and 2 stereo channels.

i have one of those and its ok!

[tdukex]

My little Behringer 802 did me well for two years before I could afford a better pre. I still use it sometimes.

But now I have my eye on an M-series or a DMP3.

Or a Summit.

Or an RNMP.

Or a Davisound.