digital mics

[bendy_straw]

so, i'm all ready to buy my Shure M58 and my cheap little adapter and just plug in to my computer and start crooning away right?

right.

and then a certain friend of mine tells me i'll be severely limiting myself by transeferring from analog(i hope that's the right term) to digital, and that i need to get a digital mic.

Is he right? and if so what brands of digital mics should i get (i need one for vocals and one for instruments)? I'm not planning on doing anything too advanced, i'm just a beginner but i do want an okay quality sound.

thanx

[Sklathill]

Simply put, well, your certain friend isn't right. (there are digital microphones out there. Neumann makes one, and it will cost you both of your arms and legs. )

Make sure you understand the signal path that you're going to need. Microphone, preamp and/or mixer, sound card, software. Check out the component possibilities at each point in the signal path and then plan your purchases.

You say M58...I'm assuming you mean SM58? Whatever the microphone, you have to put the mic through a microphone preamp or mixer with a mic preamp if you want a signal usable by your sound card. This is not an optional step. (Well, unless you get one of the various cheapy microphones that is made to be powered by your computer's mic-in. These are, to be kind, not very good.) Mic preamps (just as microphones) vary greatly so research both in this forum and The Rack.

[bendy_straw]

wow, thank you so much. I can't wait to shove this in his face.

and yeah, SM58

[tdukex]

Digital mic. That's a good one.

You definitely need a little microphone preamp or mixer. You can get these for as low as $70.

I would also suggest you buy the SM57 instead of the SM58. They are the same mic but the 58 has the ball. The 57 is $10 cheaper and is considered a more versatile mic by most people (for micing instruments as well as voices).

[jazzrich9]

I'd just go with an m-audio duo... they can be had a little over 200, but you'll kill a couple of birds with one stone...

It's a decent usb soundcard / preamp / and stand alone analogue to digital converter.

If you want simplicity, it and similiar products might fit the bill. This will also make your life a little happier if you don't have a killing sound card.

Just my 2 cents.

regards,
Rich