buying a Shure SM58 , What else do I need to rap ?

[juelz8two]

Im 18 years old so I dont have alot of money to work with so please keep that in mind , we usually record at my house with a crappy mic hooked up to my computer. It sucks and now were ready to get serious with it and also are tired of having to go to the studio whenever we want to record somthing in good quality. I have decided to buy a Shure SM58 , im wondering what else do we need , what hardware/software?

I have a computer with windows XP and am looking to use the computer with whatever software is needed. If anyone could please give me a list of some sort if you can. Thanks in advance.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Good choice on the 58. Its one of the few "beginner" mics that is also an "advanced" mic, so to speak. Its in common use from the bottom to the top.

Your cheapest, and lowest quality, option to get that 58 ino the computer is to buy some adapter cables to plug the 58 into the mic input on the computer. Probably cost you about $45 or so- IMO not worth it.

For audio interfaces that kick the crap out of the soundcard in your computer check out out M-Audio for some of the best getting-started-but-still-sounds-great options. If you want a keyboard to help make your beats, consider something to Ozone or Ozonic. Neither of them have their own sounds- you'll need software for that.

Software- check out n-track and the various flavors of Cubase. I don't have any experience with Sonar, but check that out, too. Reason is a killer beat making program (the best, IMO) but you'll need other software to record your rap- Reason doesn't record audio.

Anyway- reading up on the sites of all that stuff will give you a head start in figuring out what you need and how you want to meet those needs.

Welcome aboard!!

Chris

 

[PhilGood]

I agree, the 58 is a good starting choice. You won't have to worry about all the sibilance problems with a cheap condenser. You should really invest in a decent sound input card and a good preamp. Search around here. There's lots of good info on pre's.

I use N-Track, but it can be somewhat unstable, depending on the hardware configuration of the computer. The cost for the 24 bit version is $79. Sonar (by the company that does Cakewalk) can be found for $100 and is probably alot more stable. There also used to be a free 8 track version of ProTools, but I can't see it on the website anymore.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Pro Tools FREE only works with OS 9 (mac) and Windows 98. Its been a while since they updated it and I don't think they ever intend to. For all intents and purposes it might as well not exist.

 

[PhilGood]

Pro Tools FREE only works with OS 9 (mac) and Windows 98. Its been a while since they updated it and I don't think they ever intend to. For all intents and purposes it might as well not exist.

Thanks! Good to finally have an answer on that one.

 

[bcains]

Digidesign Mbox - Interface/Software - $400
"Pro Tools 6.0 LE software, with bundle plug-ins + AT 2020(on special)"
If you went for that, you can get a free upgrade to PTLE 6.4 from digidesign.
Digidesign MBox2 - Interface/Software - $450
Digidesign Mbox2 Factory - Interface/Software - $550

or

M Audio Delta 1010 -Interface - $400
Thats the top of the line from the M Audio, Prices start from about $100 and up, through various models.
+ Software
Cubase SX - $500 / Cubase SE - $150,
Cakewalk Sonars' range from about $100 - $400

Reason 3 - Beats/Midi - $399

 

[cubanorocker316]

ok

alright man i use cool edit pro software (adobe audition 1.5) it works great once you get the jist of it .if you want really good quality ,you also need a mixer you can buy one for like 30 bux on www.musiciansfriend.com and you already jhave a descent mic . so there you go .

 

[juelz8two]

thanks to everyone who posted in this thread , I have a way better idea of what I need now, one thing im still not sure on. How do I connect the mic to the computer ? through a new soundcard ?