Home Recording Basics

[thekillerbigmac]

Hello all,

I am trying to put together a very basic home recoring setting. I do a little recording here and there with a low end audio technica straight into my computers mic input. Of course I'm getting crap for sound quality. So I'm investing in some better equipment. I'm here so I don't just go out any buy something that wouldnt have helped me out.

Basically, I'm almost positive I will be getting this mic... MXL 990

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=101/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/273156/

My friend had told me that the mic I have now was an "omnidirectional" mic. meaning it only records from the very center. He said I should either get a unidirectional, or condenser mic. I will be using this for a number of things but more so vocals/voice acting more than anything else. Do you think this is a good choice?

Next on the agenda. A preamp or mixer is something I'll need. Correct? This is what I am a little more iffy about. I'm totally not sure what I want really. I was looking through musiciansfriend.com for things. I really plan on spending somewhere from $100-$200... Also, I thought about having a number of inputs. the most I would ever need is 4. but I can deal with 2. I would like them to have 1/4" inputs rather than the mic input(not sure what it is called)... Last thing, I believe I would like to have it a USB type preamp or mixer. I do all my editing on a PC, so I think that would be the best/most practical way.

Any help is appreciated!!!

Thanks,
~Bill

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

My friend had told me that the mic I have now was an "omnidirectional" mic. meaning it only records from the very center.

That's incorrect. A mic with an omnidirectional polar pattern will pick up sources from all directions (omni means all), but it's probably not the ideal choice if you're not recording in a decent sounding room.

I don't have experience with the MXL990 so I won't comment on that.

The mic input is usually an xlr connector and if you are wanting to use a condensor mic it will need xlr connectors so that phantom power can be used.

The rest of your post would probably get more of a response in the newbie forum.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

First, "omnidirectional" means "all directions". An omnidirectional mic is one that picks up sound from all directions (a 360 degree pickup pattern). A "cardioid" mic, on the other hand is one that picks up sound from the "front" of the mic strongest, and picks up less sound the more one moves away from the front of the mic.

You are right that you'd be far better off moving away from your PC's sound card and to a USB (or other non-sound card) input, and that you'd meed at least one mic preamp for your mic. However, most quality microphones do not use 1/4" connectors, nor do most mic preamps accept them. Thy use what are called "XLR" connections (those fat metallic connectors with three pins in a triangular formation.) You can get adapters that will adapt 1/4" "TRS" connectors to "XLR", but I would not recommend it, nor is it necessary.

I might recommed going to the top of your price range and looking at something like the Tascam us122 interface (typically US$199). This small box can accept up to two XLR microphone inputs as well as two 1/4" line or guitar level inputs. The mic preamps built in behind the XLR connectors are suprisingly clean and crisp sounding for a unit in this price range, and have phantom power supplies for the microphone built-in. The unit has volume level controls for both input and output, connects to your PC via USB (and is powered by the USB, no AC connection needed), and works well with just about any brand of recording software out there.

HTH,

G.

 

[whyseye]

Something like the M-Audio MobilePre USB would give you preamps and a computer interface in one USB unit .....The Tascam 122 (?) unit also gets good feedback here. A quick look at either of these companies' websites is an education all in itself!
There's a really efficient search function on this site, too. Just plug in a pertinent word or two, and read some of the older threads - many times your questions will be answered. Of course, then you'll have new questions....