Help me with my set up

[DankDomo]

Im brand new to recording and ive been using a cheap usb mic so far cuz i just wanted to see if i could rap but i need a better mic now. This mic will be used only for rap vocals what kind of mic should i be getting? I also found out that i need a pre amp to get the mic to sound good on the computer but im on an extremely tight budget (I know -_-) so i am looking at the Behringer Xenyx and the sm57 or the at2020.

Will this be a good set up?
Will i be able to record with just a mic and a mixer?
Are there Pre amps around the price of the xenyx?
Which Mic would be the better choice for a rapper?

Thanks in advance guys.
Awesome forum btw.

 

[brother rat]

Which mic do you currently have and why do you say that you need a better one? That will affect your decision.
Dynamic mics like the SM57 do not require phantom power, but condensers like AT2020 do require it. That's something to consider when deciding which equipment to purchase.
A Behringer Xenyx USB mixer will work with either of those mics, as will just about any other mixer with USB connectivity.
But you don't necessarily need a mixer. A USB interface will do the trick too - like the offerings from M-Audio, Tascam, etc.
Either of the mics you mentioned will work fine, as will a number of other mics that get good reviews (AT2035, MXL V67G, Studio Projects B1, AKG Perception etc.)
A mic has no idea what it's recording. Any vocal mic will equally record rap, country, poetry, death metal, and sneezes. And there is no mic that will make you a better rapper.

 

[DankDomo]

Thanks for your reply, the mic Im using now is the CAD U1 USB Dynamic Recording Microphone the thing is i started this rap shit like two months ago so i wanted something to record with to see if i even had the flow to rap, turns out im pretty good ended up doing 14 songs in 3 weeks and ppl say that im actually talented (even though i know im not that good yet) the complaint i get from every one is how bad my mic quality is so i need to upgrade.

I understand that one needs phantom power and the other doesnt i just dont know which one would be better for recording rap vocals since im like really really new at this. The reason i was looking at the xenyx is because i can get it for like 50 off amazon and there are no good pre amps at that price (maybe there are but im too much of a noob to know).

I understand that the mic wont make me sound better but i just need a mic thats going to give a crisp sound to my voice.

So from the two mics i asked about which would be the better one for recording in my room? and will the xenyx be a good choice over a cheap pre amp or is that a dumb choice?

And would just a mic and the xenyx (or a pre amp you suggest) be sufficient to record to my computer? I use reaper if that helps, oh and will the xenyx be able to hook up to my comp via usb?

Sorry if my questions are stupid Im honestly a total noob at this stuff but Im truly passionate about music so I have to know if im doing anything wrong.

Edit: Also i found an Audio Buddy pre amp + MXL 990/MXL 991 package in my budget would that be a better choice over the xenyx and the at2020/sm57?

 

[hairylarry]

What he said. (Yo Brother Rat) I like dynamics. I use condenser mics but I use dynamics more. Some good dynamic mics for the budget minded at AKG D770, AKG D690, EV PL80, Peavey 520i, Beyer M400, Beyer Opus 69. There are many others. For the most part I'm talking used. Anywhere from $30 to $100.

I tend to use dedicated recorders and use the computer for post. I have a Fostex VF 160 multitracker and a Zoom H4. I use the Zoom a lot. You might like the Zoom H4N better. The Zooms are flash recorders and computer interfaces in one portable unit.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[brother rat]

Hi Larry, haven't seen you around in a while.

Dank,
If you are currently using a dynamic mic and don't like the sound, you will likely be happier with a condenser. But, as hairylarry said, there is nothing wrong with dynamics and you can get fantastic sound with them.
You don't really need two mics at this point. I would just get a decent large diaphragm condenser and stick with it. I would recommend against the 990/991 combo. I have no experience with either mic, but most people I see with the 990 are looking to upgrade to something else, and the 991 is a small diaphragm condenser which is more suited to instruments than vocals. You will likely be content with any of the mics I previously mentioned, or a number of others. The Xenyx mixers usually have a USB and a non-USB version for each model. As hairylarry mentioned, a portable dedicated recorder would also be a good option to consider.