A couple questions about the AKG D5 microphone

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RiverTam

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I'm kind of new to mic shopping and I heard that the AKG D5 was a good pick.
If I were to buy one, what else do I need to hook it up to my computer. I don't know much about the cables involved and I heard I need an XLR connector but am not really sure what it's for.
I just want to be sure what all I need with this mic, (and how much it will cost,) before I just buy one.
Any suggestions? Information?
Thanks!
 
well number one question what are you recording? and the XLR cable is what plugs into the mic and goes to where ever you want it to go. to hook it up to a computer you can try the mic input on your computer wich is a 1/8th inch plug most likely and would have to go from XLR to 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch ith adapters. this will most likely lead to poor recordings tho its how i started out. to get better recordings an interface is what you will need an inter face is a device that takes an analogue signal and turns it to digital i have no experience with these devices cause i use a stand alone unit (tascam dp01fx) and transfer the files to my computer for mixing. these interfaces can run anywhere from 100 bucks to 1000's so basically you hook the mic to the interface then the interface via usb or firewire to the computer. also have you thought of which recording program you are going to use cause sometimes certain interfaces wont work with certain programs and some interfaces come with a light version of software.
 
I'm planning to record a piano track and then sing with it. I've been kind of practicing making tracks for a couple years now using just a regular cheap mic but the quality is really fuzzy and I thought if I bought a good mic it'd solve my problems. But I'm thinking it's not just a good mic and a lap top you need now.
Thanks for the info on the XLR cable cause I wasn't even sure what it was.
About how much money would you say it would be for the chord and the XLR cable?
I'm either going to use Audacity or Roxio to edit my recordings. In the past I've used a little of both.
I'm considering buying the mic, pop filter, chord for the mic and XLR cable (since it looks like none of those things come with the microphone,) and just giving that a shot. I think I can afford that much but not, (at the moment at least,) an entire home sound studio lol.
Thank you for your help! Any insight is much appreciated. And I'll look into the interface thing you mentioned. But what about the one you use? Should I just get a "stand alone" and mix the files on my computer?
 
the xlr cable is the cord which run about 15 bucks at music stores but you will still get poor sound if connecting the mic direct to your laptop since you will have to convert from xlr to 1/8th inch a usb mixer or an interface is what you will need and would set you back anywhere from 100 to 1000 or more look for a usedusb interface m audio makes some decent ones that can be inexpensive also try downloading reaper. free to try and cheap to buy and the free trial lasts for ever.
 
I think I'll look into getting an interface after I buy a mic with an xlr cable (I found a couple good options on Ebay.) I'll also look into reaper
Thanks so much this has been very helpful! :)
 
your welcome and i hope it all makes sense to you now. and i dont know why no one else is commenting on this cause i dont even use an interface i use a stand alone unit tascam dp01fx.
 
Hey so one more question if you wouldn't mind.
SHURE-SM58-BLUE-XLR_1.webp

I attached a picture of the mic I was thinking of getting on Ebay. It comes with a XLR cable but I just still can't figure out how I would get that connected to my computer. I'm thinking I will also save up and buy a interface or possibly a stand alone unit like you use but in the mean time I'd like to practice with the mic if possible. And for that I need to know how to plug it into my computer. I have mic jacks that plug into my computer but I don't see how the XLR cable would plug into a mic jack so I think I'm missing something here.
 
Your question has already been answered in one of the replies one guy gave you... "convert from xlr to 1/8th inch "

What do you do when confronted with anything that doesn't exactly plug into something else..... buy an adaptor...

Alternatively there's probably a dedicated cable you can get.
 
or get an interface or a mixer and run from the stereo outs on the mixer to the 1/8th inch jack on the laptop
 
dont get a usb mic cause you'll probably just end up with more problems that you'll need answered in a million different ways
 
I'm surprised that 'one guy' is advocating 1/8inch into pc but discouraging you from buying usb mics.


personally, i'd recommend a modest 2 channel usb interface, as some of the others before me have mentioned.

Also, it might be worth spending more time on microphone choice. If you're recording the piano acoustically an sm58 or d5 wouldn't be my first suggestion.

Maybe a budget condenser would be more suitable for both piano and vocal (whether separate or together). MXL perhaps?



if money really is an issue, a 1.8inch cable will work. just don't expect it to be a lot better than what you had before.

the one in this link is a bit expensive, but that's what you'd need as your cheapest option.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ter_Cable_125088_iStudioLink_XLR_to_1_8_.html
 
usb mics can have all sorts of other issues besides poor sound quality thats why i said not to get one plus he said he wants to get an interface when he saves money so why waste it on a usb mic
 
Thanks for the info 12 Steenamaroo, I'll take it into consideration. What I was thinking is I might start with getting the SM58 vocal mic for singing and then look into an SM57 instrumental mic for recording the piano and acoustic guitar.
I know Shure microphones are ridiculously popular so I assumed that would be a good pick but I'll consider the MXL. Why would you say it's better then an SM58? I'm mostly just looking for a mic with good noise reduction so that my voice doesn't sound all fuzzy, as I'm sure you'd already guess.
My plan as of this point is to settle on a good mic at around $100 or less, get an XLR cable if the mic doesn't come with one and then buy an interface or mixer after I've saved up some more money. I figure buying a decent vocal mic is a good place to start though.
I don't think I'll go with a usb mic.
Thanks for the link btw
 
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Thanks and sorry for making your repeat yourself. I'm new to sound equipment for the most part so I'm trying to keep track of what goes where and does what. I think I know what all I'm getting now.
 
A few things.

First, the XLR > 1/8 adapter is a galactically bad idea.

Second, if you go with something like the MXL you'll need phantom power and a halfway decent preamp. And when you fire it up you'll soon see the need for at least some kind of room treatment because condensor mics are quite a bit more sensitive than most dynamic mics. That said, for recording piano a good solution might be a pair of Naiant small diaphragm condensors. They are very inexpensive and a good value for the money. Again, they require phantom power and decent preamps to reach their full potential. The MAudio FastTrack series are pretty popular and MAudio has generally done a good job of keeping their drivers current and stable, even on legacy gear.

Another consideration is the OS of your laptop. Vista has multiple known audio issues that don't present themselves in either XP Pro or Windows 7.

Third, buying a GOOD QUALITY USB or firewire interface is gonna be much more versatile and give better S/N ratio and generally better sound than using the onboard soundcard.

Fourth, even if you decide to go with the SM58 you'll get better results with an interface with built-in preamps than the internal soundcard solution.

Also, you shouldn't need a pop filter with the 58 because it has a pop filter built into the windscreen.

Lastly, beware of fake SM57's and 58's on Ebay and only buy from legit authorized dealers that will accept returns for mics damaged in shipping.

Reaper is a good choice for recording software and buying the Reaper Power book is a good idea too for those just starting out in recording. There are a lot of features in all of the various recording software solutions that aren't readily apparent, as well as suggestions for optimizing computers for digital audio and tips about recording in general.
 
C7sus,
Which of these options would you choose? I looked into phantom power and an MXL mic and a preamp and I could see going either way.
This way is a little more expensive then my previous plan but I can swing it.
I think I can find a solution for the room treatment (I'm assuming you mean a padded or mostly noiseless room like a closet.)
You said small diaphragm condenser microphones are best for the piano but what mic would you suggest for vocals? I was going to buy a vocal mic first.
Thanks for the tip about Ebay, I'll be sure the products are legit.
I like the sound of an MXL mic better then a SM58 but I don't know which combination of sound equipment is the best.
 
I don't have specific experience with the MXL mic, but others around here do.

The vocal mics I have experience with are way more expensive than the MXL. I would suggest going to a Guitar Center if you live near one and auditioning a few different mics. But keep in mind they are going to sound different in your room and on your setup than they sound in the store setting.

I didn't mean to imply that small diaphragm condensors are "best" for piano, just to say that the Naiants are worth looking into.

A "well treated room" involves doing a bit of study and some math to figure out what the room modes are and how best to address them. Close-micing can eliminate some of the problems of standing waves and flutter echo, as does positioning of your piano in the room itself. If the room is a bit "live" you may want some of that in your recording. Also depends on the program material. If what you're doing is soft and has long sustains and such then you are likely to hear more "noise" in the quiet passages and even mechanical noises of the piano. Likewise, if you're banging it out like Jerry Lee Lewis you may find that flutter echo and standing waves are causing certain frequencies to really stand out or cause other artifacts that will show themselves on playback. Some room noises can be dealt with by shutting off appliances like refridgerators during tracking. Other stuff like road noise is a lot more problematic and may be most cheaply dealt with by tracking only at certain times of night when traffic is low. So much of what you get onto disk is dependent upon the idividual circumstances of your room and style and instruments that there really isn't a single silver bullet or one-size-fits-all solution to any of this stuff. You really have to take some time and experiment with instrument positioning and mic placement to get the result you are after. Once you figure it out it becomes a matter of capturing the performance.

For starting out I think you'll find out very quickly that the onboard soundcard isn't giving you the quality you'll eventually want after all the effort it takes to make decent recordings. Maybe trying a few takes with the onboard soundcard and a rented or borrowed mic is a good idea. It's certainly cheap and would give you a baseline to compare to later. Reaper is even free for the first 30 days.

I hope this helps some. I know you are looking for some very specific suggestions about hardware but I really hesitate to do that because it's such a subjective issue.
 
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Well I do appreciate any help I can get so thank you.
I unfortunately live in a small town and don't really have a good music store, which is why I'm ordering online. I don't think renting equipment will be a possibility.
I'll try and go to one in a city close to where I live. They should have some options, and until I get that opportunity I'll just keep asking questions about this that and the other sound equipment piece.
I'll just see what i can make work
 
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