Beginner Mic Question (won't pick up guitar)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wanderlei
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Wanderlei

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Any help for an extreme beginner would be appreciated!

I just bought a Tascam MF-P01 Portastudio (don't laugh) and started rummaging around for an old microphone to plug into it. I found one and i think it's an old karaoke microphone. I held it between my knees (don't laugh) and strummed away at my guitar. The outcome wasn't great. The guitar sound was very faint. That's probably not a surprise, but i was wondering what sort of mic i should get (keeping in mind i'm a beginner and don't want to spend much money just yet).

Also, what sort of headphones/speakers should i use because i guess the problem could stem from there too.

Thanks a lot! :D
 
That mic probably needs a much better preamp than what that old cassette Tascam has. Same is probably true for any other mic you try with it.
 
My MFP01 came with a cheapo tascam dynamic 'all-purpose' mic and a XLR -> 1/4" cable and some tascam headphones (and 3 tapes... oooh! love the package deals).

It picked it up just fine. It might be your karaoke mic, because my standard dynamic mic got plenty of signal into it, I could even get it into the red by being close enough to my guitar or singing very loud close to it. Suggestion: take it with you to a music store and find the cheapest dynamic mic and XLR -> TR cable, ask to test it out, plug it into your one lil' lonesome input on the MFP01 and snap your fingers a few times. If you can hear it loud in the headphones, the mic works with the recorder. If a new mic and cable still don't get a loud enough signal then your recorder is probably crapped out on you, because that input was designed origionally to be used with a cheapo dynamic mic and simple mic cable into cheapo headphones, that's why it was packaged with them. Good luck. I hate it every time I hear of another cassette deck dying.
 
The Microphone Stand- friend of the beginner and professional alike! :D

When none are handy, MacGuyver something. I've duct-taped microphones to hockey sticks with a cement block as a base (vocals). And I've duct-taped a mic off the edge of a table and aimed my acoustic guitar right at it.

Am I proud of these moments? When I didn't have $20 for a stand? No. But I think either would work better than your lap.

Welcome to the world of home recording!
 
hawaiianshirt said:
The Microphone Stand- friend of the beginner and professional alike! :D

When none are handy, MacGuyver something. I've duct-taped microphones to hockey sticks with a cement block as a base (vocals). And I've duct-taped a mic off the edge of a table and aimed my acoustic guitar right at it.

Am I proud of these moments? When I didn't have $20 for a stand? No. But I think either would work better than your lap.

Welcome to the world of home recording!
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^^^^^^^^^^This, my friend, is advice you should heed. I'd even go as far as to say, heed and follow. And have fun !
 
I'll send you a free dynamic mic if you don't mind paying the shipping. It won't be in the greatest shape but it will work. I actually have a few you can pick from.
 
Musicians Gear from Musicians Friend has a diecast base straight stand for $12.99. I have one and can attest 2 things: 1, it works just fine and 2: it's the most overpackaged thing I have ever received. They could have shipped a guitar in the box they sent this stand in.
 
buzzard bass said:
and 2: it's the most overpackaged thing I have ever received. They could have shipped a guitar in the box they sent this stand in.
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Totally off topic, but this resonates and I'm just laughing as I cast my mind back to some of the packages I've received in the past. Tiny little things in huge boxes, filled with messy, shredded paper and selotaped or package taped so heavilly, that no thief would bother nicking them ! So I remain grateful for small, difficult to open, mercies !! :D
 
I've noticed Brits like to tape the livin' shit out of things. That being said the box for my dulcimer was closed with 4 pieces of mailing tape. Needless to say all were broken and the box was open, thankfully nothing missing or damaged. I dinged Master Works for that actually. Charge me 80 bones shipping, you better pack it well.
 
buzzard bass said:
I've noticed Brits like to tape the livin' shit out of things.
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This is pretty true, but I've had stuff from the States, indeed all over the world, so well taped, that would do any security firm proud !
As a kid I never saved my money so by christmas I had a pittance to buy my family presents. I did my three siblings and my Dad but I was left with about 20p {which was not much even in 1971, the year Britains' currency went decimal} so I bought my Mum a bar of chocolate, a Bounty. I was so embarrassed that I used a whole roll of sellotape to wrap it. She never did get to open it. Dynamite wouldn't have opened it !
 
I was in Loughborough in 1971, born there in 66, grew up there until 75, then to Montreal. Leicester lad here, but all me family is from Yorkshire, so LUFC fan here. Course I remember them from the Revie era. Also remember the 74 European Cup final, you know the rest.
 
buzzard bass said:
I was in Loughborough in 1971, born there in 66, grew up there until 75, then to Montreal. Leicester lad here, but all me family is from Yorkshire, so LUFC fan here. Course I remember them from the Revie era. Also remember the 74 European Cup final, you know the rest.
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My Dad was a LUFC fan in the Revie heyday and though I was {am} a Liverpool fan, from '72, I had a soft spot for Leicester City. When I used to play football, as I was skipping past certain opponents, I used to say "these are the Leicester skills !!".

The Leicester skills arent likely to help the OP, though.
 
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