Do I need dedicated preamps

[electricabanana]

Firstly I am extremely poor, so money is my number one concern.

After starving myself for several months, I have cash to upgrade some equipment (primarily mixer), but I only have about $200-350 to spend. Should I buy a cheap mixer and cheap dedicated mic preamp, or just spend more on the mixer, and use it's built in preamps? what are the advantages of a dedicated unit?

I am using the preamps on my ($90) mixer now, and it sounds terrible, but I have such bad equipment all around that it is hard to decipher where the "suck" is coming from (I suspect the mic has a lot to do with it - a consumer omni-mic).

Speaking of mics, I am probably getting an Apex 410 condenser mic, does anyone have any opinion about this mic (bearing in mind-low budget)? It's used, but immaculate condition, for $100. I can't see myself getting any onther wide-diaphragm condenser for that price.

Thanks a lot
-Genevieve

 

[Creamyapples1]

Do you use a mixer for anything else?

 

[Dr Biscuits]

Hmm... well, to be honest I would upgrade your mic first and see how that helps with the sound, which it should do - the difference between a $12 RadiumShed mic and even a 'budget' condenser like the Apex will be far more noticeable than the difference between a cheap pre-amp and a (still cheap) $200 preamp...
Unfortunately, at that price range you aren't going to get stellar pre's (especially if you're cutting your budget in half), so you may find what you already have is just as good as what you can afford (although I don't know what you have; if it's REALLY bad, you may wanna upgrade to at least a Behringer ) .
One thing you WILL need is phantom power, if your mixer doesn't supply it... but definitely try your new mic thorough your existing set up before you spend more money... my guess is, you'll be better off to save it, and use it towards something else!
Good luck

 

[breeeeza]

Put all your belongings on e bay. sell EVERYTHING in your house that is worth something, add $2 to every postage charge. Even sell the clothes you dont wear. Sell all your old recording gear that you wont use when you upgrade. Then see how much money you have left. Trust me i did this and now i have a shure sm58, behringer mixer ( it was actually a real good bang for the buck) Shure sm57 various leads and a set of shure pgxlr6 drum mics that are on there way now!! Sold all my stuff on e bay. and i bought all my new stuff off ebay its great

 

[electricabanana]

Oh, ebay....

Thanks everyone for your input, I know I can't expect stellar results with such a low budget, thanks for the advice-it sounds like i shouldn't mess around with a dedicated pre, which is what i wanted to hear actually.

I realize the mic is the most important upgrade in my chain, it is top of my list....

breeeeza, the sm57/58's, those are dynamic mics right? would you say a dynamic mic is a better way to go for a single multi-use (vocals, guitar, etc) mic on a low budget? I know I have heard nothing but praise for the shure's, I could probably afford one.

I thought condensers were a good way to go (after spending some time with a rode nt2), but i guess the apex 410 probably doesnt compare.

I know that I am pretty clueless here, so I am trying not to get screwed over.

Does anyone have recommendations for mixers? My requirements are at least 2 (preferably 4) XLR ins with phantom power, some decent (or at least not god-awful) pres, and it would be nice to have at least 6-8 channels.

 

[Dr Biscuits]

57/58's are dynamic, and truthfully it would be best to have BOTH (a dynamic and a condenser, not a 57 and a 58) because each has it's application....
I still think for what you want, you'd be happier with a condenser, even the Apex. 58's are very rugged, the standard live vocal/everything mic, and great for mic'ing guitar cabs, etc... but a condenser will give you much more detail on acoustic guitar, vocals (although some vocals sound better with a dynamic mic) violin, etc... really it's almost like saying 'should I buy a snare or a kick?' - you could get by with either but you'll be happier with both

 

[breeeeza]

OI Dr biscuits stop answering my question joking
The shure sm58 and 57 are pretty much the same mic but the 57 is easier to use for micing cabs etc.. Idealy you would want a condensor for acoustic guitar but once you get a good condensor youll have to get a good mic preamp otherwise there would be no point in a nice sounding mic if the end result is shit anyway
On the budget you are on i would deffinatly reccommend a 57 as it can be used for pretty much anything and it allways has good results on guitar amps, drums, vocals.... I have never used one and have only heard off other people that there is a collins equilevant of a shure sm57 that is much cheaper. if someone could send a link possibly?
i think you should get the sm57 and save whatever you have left and if you still want a condensor sell more stuff on e bay, your neighbours car? and get a good condensor and a GOOD preamp to go with it. hope that helps

 

[Dr Biscuits]

Haha sorry - it's the race to recommend!

 

[Dannysigma]

I can heartily recommend the Soundcraft Compact 4 mixer if you're on a budget. Only 2 XLR ins but the preamps are OK and it blows anything else in the pricerange out of the water. http://www.musictechmag.co.uk/mtm/reviews/compact-4 for review.
I also have a Superlux CM-8HA large condenser mic and an ADK SC-1 small condenser mic (I record a lot of acoustic guitar & vocals) which cost about £35 UK sterling each on eBay.
All good stuff.

 

[Fletcher]

I know I can't expect stellar results with such a low budget

Of course you can expect stellar results.

Ain't nobody ever walked down the street humming the mic pre.

The only reason to invest in things like pre-amps [etc.] is because you will be inspired to render a "better" performance because you find inspiration in you're hearing in the headphones. If the audio can help your song be more exciting, the performances more exciting, the song more compelling to the listener... then you're on the bonus plan... the fact of the matter is that it's the song writing and the performance that are the most important... the rest of it is just icing on the cake.

If the cake isn't moist and tasty without the icing then you're pretty much screwed no matter how yummy the icing may seem.

Best of luck with it.