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AidanMcLoving
New member
I'm on a low budget, and what i'm going to try and do is take the mic and hook it directly to my computer than edit it digitally.
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chuckduffy
Well-known member
What do you want to record and why does it need to be pro grade?
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AidanMcLoving
New member
Im going to be recording my voice/guitar/drums.
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chuckduffy
Well-known member
Drums as in a real drum kit? Guitar as in electric or acoustic? Also curious as to why it needs to be 'pro grade'. Anyway - I am bound to start a firestorm of controversy but in general - no - usb microphones are not going going to be high end stuff.
JimmyS1969
MOODerator
I'm going to agree with chuck here. Depending on the level of quality you are looking to get, one mic will likely be disappointing, even if it were a 'pro grade' mic. A USB mic, will likely give even less possibility for a good quality recording, due to the less than desirable A/D converter within it.
This is not to say that you can't get some decent recordings from one, but 'pro grade' is not something that could be expected from such a mic.
This is not to say that you can't get some decent recordings from one, but 'pro grade' is not something that could be expected from such a mic.
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Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news-The above is not quite true. There is at least one pro grade digital mic. The bad news is- it is not even close to a "tight budget". Here it is in all its glory:
Neumann Solution D | Sweetwater.com
It actually outputs in AES/EBU format, but can be converted to USB format pretty easily. It's paying for the sucker that's not so easy. Pro grade and tight budget are often a tough combination.
Neumann Solution D | Sweetwater.com
It actually outputs in AES/EBU format, but can be converted to USB format pretty easily. It's paying for the sucker that's not so easy. Pro grade and tight budget are often a tough combination.
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
Most pros would use a different mic for vocals and guitar--and a LOT of different mics to record drums. So, basically there's no single "pro grade" mic--USB or otherwise--that would be ideal for everything.
There are a few USB mics that are better than others--the Blue Yeti Pro is pretty good and could work on vocals and guitar--but, frankly, my advice is that a USB mic is a dead end street. Unless you just get annoyed and stop recording, you'll soon want to add different mics to do different jobs--and, to do that effectively, you'll need an external interface with mic pre amps. You'd be far better off saving up for an extra month or two and getting a decent mic and a decent, separate interface. Going this way will get you things that'll last for years instead of needing replacement in a few months.
There are a few USB mics that are better than others--the Blue Yeti Pro is pretty good and could work on vocals and guitar--but, frankly, my advice is that a USB mic is a dead end street. Unless you just get annoyed and stop recording, you'll soon want to add different mics to do different jobs--and, to do that effectively, you'll need an external interface with mic pre amps. You'd be far better off saving up for an extra month or two and getting a decent mic and a decent, separate interface. Going this way will get you things that'll last for years instead of needing replacement in a few months.
mjbphotos
Moderator
What's your budget? If you've got $250, get a Shure SM57 and a $150 audio interface. You'll get better results than with any USB mic (except that Neumann!)
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chuckduffy
Well-known member
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jackbraglia
New member
pro grade" and "on a budget" simply shouldn't be used in the same sentence....it just isn't gonna happen unfortunately
John Willett
Circle Sound Services
Agreed.
Though my solution would be to use the CEntrance MicPort Pro (or similar) and then use a normal mic.
You can easily use altenative mics or upgrade mics at a later date without changing the MicPort.
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
That would be fine until the OP's next query is "how do I improve the recording of my acoustic guitar?" and I recommend a stereo pair.
Having seen his list of what he wants to do, I strongly suggest a conventional interface with at least 2 mic pre amps.
(And that's before I get into my prejudice against anything that includes the word "pro" in it's name....)
Having seen his list of what he wants to do, I strongly suggest a conventional interface with at least 2 mic pre amps.
(And that's before I get into my prejudice against anything that includes the word "pro" in it's name....)
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chuckduffy
Well-known member
Yes - good point - and then how do I record drums, or guitar and vocals at the same time. The list goes on and on. I also asked a couple times what the OP meant by 'pro' or why he needed 'pro' gear.
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Leanne171
New member
This is the sort of thing you can do with a pretty standard USB mic. Vocals, guitar and piano with a Samson C01.
He has some great videos on how to do stuff on his channel whatever setup you end up with.
He has some great videos on how to do stuff on his channel whatever setup you end up with.
mjbphotos
Moderator
That video is 3 years old (the mysapce link gave a clue!), and you can't judge audio quality by youtube compressed audio. If that's all you want for your 'pro' sound, go for it, everyone has already commented on the limitations of USB mics.
