good mic + cheap usb io or cheap mic + good usb io?

[cassiohui]

hello all,

first post here

apologies in advance if this is in the wrong forum. i wasn't sure if it should be here or in the Computer Recording and Soundcards forum - it's sort of half and half

if i have roughly £80-100 budget, would you recommend me getting a shure sm58 + a cheap xlr-to-usb cable (like this http://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=ADHKM3USB&browsemode=category ) or a cheap mic, say, behringer xm8500 + something like an m-audio fastrack usb?

the setup would be used for male vocals. my vocals, actually, but just for fun

please feel free to suggest alternative setups

thanks!

edit : i should add it needs to be connected to the computer via usb of some sort, because my laptop only has a crap sound card in it. Thanks!

 

[Ripthorn]

My suggestion is maybe save up a little more and get a good mic and good io. Of course, if that isn't an option, I would go for the better io, since it will be a soundcard and most likely a lot less noisy than your computers built-in soundcard. Then you can get a better mic later. Of course, others may argue exactly the opposite.

 

[furntree]

My suggestion is maybe save up a little more and get a good mic and good io. Of course, if that isn't an option, I would go for the better io, since it will be a soundcard and most likely a lot less noisy than your computers built-in soundcard. Then you can get a better mic later. Of course, others may argue exactly the opposite.

I would agree with getting a good interface first. You will be kicking yourself later on when you get an even nicer microphone but you can't hear the quality beacuse of the interface.

 

[cassiohui]

thanks for the replies, i think i'll go with the cheap mic good interface route.

so is the xm8500 a good choice? or are the better choices at about £30?

thanks!

 

[nickeym1]

I would agree with getting a good interface first. You will be kicking yourself later on when you get an even nicer microphone but you can't hear the quality beacuse of the interface.

So are you guys saying that the fasttrack pro is not a good interface and if so (why?) i was thinking of getting one