Confused newbie looking to buy mic/preamp

[hanGenie]

I started to have some singing lessons and I'm really enjoy it! So I thought I'd buy mic to record my self for improving and maybe more in the future. I bought blue yeti but looking on forum people seems to be not impressed with USB mic in general keep recommending it's much better to get XLR mic with preamp in terms of quality. I have to say I'm not super impressed with the quality although it sounds pretty decent.

So I'm thinking about returning blue yeti and getting XLR Mic with preamp for similar budget, maybe bit more. But I have absolutely no idea what preamp to buy and what mic either. I'm generally quite good at researching stuff on internet when I buy my computer hardware or other items but I'm at quite a loss even after reading stickies and other information on the web.

I read Preamp post-mortem and ones they rated highly I can't find it on amazon uk and I'm not sure if it's selling at normal price. I saw someone recommending AUDIO TECHNICA ATR2100-USB but in UK price is insanely high!!!

1. Could someone recommend me a preamp and mic to get and make simple comment on why they recommend those? I live in UK.

2. Can I connect my electronic violin and guitar to preamp also so it can directly be recorded into PC?

 

[Steenamaroo]

Hi,
1: The mic is for vocals? Rather than buying a preamp, you should look at a USB or firewire audio interface. It'll have everything you need, bar the mic.
A rode NT1a and a focusrite 2i2 (purely for example) would probably be much better than your USB mic.

2: Yes, you can. You might be better playing the guitar through an amp and putting a mic in front of it. Your call.

 

[hanGenie]

Hi,
1: The mic is for vocals? Rather than buying a preamp, you should look at a USB or firewire audio interface. It'll have everything you need, bar the mic.
A rode NT1a and a focusrite 2i2 (purely for example) would probably be much better than your USB mic.

I think I'd mostly use for vocals. Maybe record piano also. Just looked around forum and lot of people do seem to think this is great for male vocal.
Is there a cheaper alternative to focusrite 2i2 or is it definitely worth getting audio interface around this price range?

2: Yes, you can. You might be better playing the guitar through an amp and putting a mic in front of it. Your call.

I'm total newbie when it comes to this area so excuse me if it's stupid question :x but is audio quality normally better going through mic rather than directly into computer? I'd thought not going through air it might sound better.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I think I'd mostly use for vocals. Maybe record piano also. Just looked around forum and lot of people do seem to think this is great for male vocal.
Is there a cheaper alternative to focusrite 2i2 or is it definitely worth getting audio interface around this price range?

Yeah, have a google for 2 channel audio interface. There are certainly cheaper alternatives.
I think Tascam have one and Dave around here talks about one from N.I. (KA6?) although I'm not certain of the price.

I'm total newbie when it comes to this area so excuse me if it's stupid question :x but is audio quality normally better going through mic rather than directly into computer? I'd thought not going through air it might sound better.

It might seem counter intuitive but it works the exact opposite to that.
It's not so much about quality..It's more about a recording that sounds pleasant and real.

Generally any electric instrument just plugged in and recorded will sound sterile and unnatural.
Bass is maybe an exception. E-guitar you might put though a virtual amp and be happy enough but violin, I reckon, will sound better miked up.

 

[schwayschway]

I have the Presonus Audiobox. I bought it used so it was not very expensive. I think I paid 70 dollars on ebay. It takes both mics and instruments.

 

[TimOBrien]

Go to the music vendor sites and get a recording package: interface, mic, monitors & stands.

While you're shopping get a basic recoriding book; you will save many $$$$$ if you know what you are shopping for...