Beginner Mic questions

[MadStrum!]

Please do not laugh at me, but I am using a pc microphone (those cheap 5 buck types) to record my vocals. I would like to get a good mic for recording vocals - should I get a vocal mic or a condenser mic?
Is the Shure sm58 a good buy? My frens have recommended it to me....
Another thing - how do I hook up a mic such as the shure to my sound card? Thanx.

Pier.

 

[omnipotent]

Vocal mics can be condensors, what is your budget?, is vocals all you need it for?, what quality are you trying to achive?, do you have some kind of pre amp?

Do a search on vocal mics (in this forum), and if you still don't have your answer, then write back with the answers to the above questions.

Until you have done this don't reply.

 

[MadStrum!]

I want a mic for a hundred or less, and yet can produce reasonable quality....
Is it normal for me to hear some hissing in the background when I am using a pc microphone?

Pier.

 

[dobro]

Shure SM-58 is a standard. No, it's not normal to hear much hiss in the background when you're recording using a decent microphone, unless of course you've got steam heat or an agitated snake in the room.

 

[omnipotent]

Some of the hiss could be coming from your computer, but it's far more likely to be the mic. For the money I suggest an SM57 with a pop filter, or a 58, what ever suites your style (NO condensors carry their own wait in this price range). You will also need some kind conector fom the XLR to the S/C.
omni...