Getting started? Looking to buy a microphone and whatever else is needed.

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ku234

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I've been browsing the forums and reading information (from other websites as well) but I am afraid I'm just not putting it together as nicely as I would like (considering I'm about to spend over $100 or so!)

I am a (new) voice actor looking to get some recordings with better quality than the $7 microphone and on-board sound card I currently use. I'm thinking I want a condenser mic (I'm looking at the Behringer C-1 Studio Condenser Microphone which is only $44 on amazon), an XLR-cable (since I need to connect the mic), a mixer (looking at: Behringer Xenyx 802 which is $64 on amazon) and a cheap pop filter.

However I feel like I still need an external sound card to plug into my laptop to the mixer. I've been unable to find one that looks trust-worthy to use on a Windows 7 64-bit computer.

I'm not so sure I want to buy a mixer though (if it's a low quality one the sound would be worse?), perhaps I'd be better off just using a phantom power source. I'm also not sure if using this mic is better than the ones listed in the HR-FAQ for under $100. I'm pretty sure I want a cardioid condenser mic because I'll just be doing spoken-voice stuff though. Also, I'm not really too sure about the XLR cable thing. I can't figure out if that's the type of cable I need for the mic or not, and also if I should go with the more expensive ones or the $5 for 6 feet ones from amazon.

I'm really concerned about the external sound card thing because I don't know if there are compatibility issues or not when using certain microphones/mixers/cables.

Any help with figuring out this stuff before I make my purchases would be helpful, thanks!
 
Hi!

First of all, I'd ditch the mixer and go with an Audio Interface, because its most likely that you wont have to be changing levels and EQ right on the spot. For about $100 you can get an M-Audio Fast Track, which is also a sound card. That'll also give you the phantom power that the C1 needs.

With the cable, don't go for the cheapest ones. They'll wear out quickly. If you go for ones about $40, they should be more than adequate. Generally, you get what you pay for.

Also, what software do you plan on using?
 
Hi,
I agree with 240V.
A mixer probably isn't that useful. Instead of searching for sound card, try interface.
Things like tascam us122, maudio products, presonus audiobox etc.


This is one of the few times I'd throw it in the pot, but would a USB mic be suitable for this guy? Can someone with experience chime in?
For straight forward voice work I can't help but feel a USB mic and pop filter would be fine.
 
I know you are concerned you're about to spend over $100 but what's your actual budget?

I can't comment on the USB mic thing, but if that's not suitable, the basic kit is condenser mic, cable, interface. I hope you can find more than $100...
 
My actual budget is probably $250 but of course I'd like to downsize the cost as much as possible.

So if I go with the M-Audio Fast Track, the C1, and $40 cables that's around $200 - but it will all work together nicely? For software I have been using Audacity, but I think I can get adobe audition for a cheap student price so I'm looking into that as well.

-- I haven't heard anything good about USB mics, I just thought they were all poor quality. There is a very large difference between my quiet work and my loud work, which is also something I'm very concerned about when it comes to USB mics because I've read from a lot of people they don't do too well on the really quiet or the really loud either. However, if someone has experience with a good USB mic for voice work I'd be interested in that too!

Thanks for the replies!
 
I've been reading the reviews on Amazon for the M-Audio Fast Track and a lot of people are complaining about random white noise and distortion, while others are having no problems at all. Is that probably down to poor cable quality of some users, or does the M-Audio Fast Track have inherent flaws? I'm guessing it's cable quality or something along those lines, but figured I'd ask here anyway.
 
ku234 said:
My actual budget is probably $250 but of course I'd like to downsize the cost as much as possible.

So if I go with the M-Audio Fast Track, the C1, and $40 cables that's around $200 - but it will all work together nicely? For software I have been using Audacity, but I think I can get adobe audition for a cheap student price so I'm looking into that as well.

-- I haven't heard anything good about USB mics, I just thought they were all poor quality. There is a very large difference between my quiet work and my loud work, which is also something I'm very concerned about when it comes to USB mics because I've read from a lot of people they don't do too well on the really quiet or the really loud either. However, if someone has experience with a good USB mic for voice work I'd be interested in that too!

Thanks for the replies!
Click to expand...


I can't give a strong opinion on USB mics either way. Just though it was worth throwing into the mix.

Maudio DMP3 gets rave reviews, but other than that I hear nothing but bad about low end maudio products.
I'd recommend finding a longterm user on here and getting the lowdown from them.

Perhaps more importantly though, you say you have a pretty big dynamic range.
That being the case, maybe you should look into a good dynamic mic? They're much harder to 'annoy' than condensers.

With a 58/7B/re20/421 you can get right up on the grill for whisper quiet stuff and you can scream at it all day too with no problems.

It's no rule, but for broadcast sounding stuff I always pull out a big dynamic.
 
Ku, if you don't mind me asking what did you end up choosing? I'm looking to do some voice recording to use in some commercials for my classes and you're budget lined up with mine.
 
240v said:
...For about $100 you can get an M-Audio Fast Track, which is also a sound card...
Click to expand...
And make sure you look at Fast track mk2. First generation doesn't have phantom power.

-edit-
Aw sheet, didn't look at the date. Case closed already I think. :spank:
 
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