Hooking A Mic Up To A Computer

[KempoMRK]

Hey, this is probably a stupid question but it's one I can't find the answer to.

What do I need to hook up a mic to a computer? I'm probably gonna get a Shure SM58, and all I thought I would need is some sort of adapter cable. But I've been told by a friend, who has a Shure 515SD, that he needed a mixer, otherwise when he recorded it was all fuzzy so I'm kinda confused now.

If the mixer thing is correct, then what mixer would I need? And if not then what adapter would I need instead of or also?

Thanks a lot to anyone who can help, it'll be much appreciated.

 

[TimOBrien]

Immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

Good Newbie guide that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

 

[KempoMRK]

Thanks a lot. I think I can get that book from my college library so that's cool. And I'm reading that guide now. Thanks again.

 

[petsy]

mic -> mic pre-amplifier (mixers have 'em built in) -> sound card line in

done!

 

[scrubs]

Hey, this is probably a stupid question but it's one I can't find the answer to.

What do I need to hook up a mic to a computer? I'm probably gonna get a Shure SM58, and all I thought I would need is some sort of adapter cable. But I've been told by a friend, who has a Shure 515SD, that he needed a mixer, otherwise when he recorded it was all fuzzy so I'm kinda confused now.

If the mixer thing is correct, then what mixer would I need? And if not then what adapter would I need instead of or also?

Thanks a lot to anyone who can help, it'll be much appreciated.

Your computer may have a "mic-in" input, which has a preamp, but, that input is designed for those cheapo computer mics you use for gaming and such. Certainly, you could buy an adapter and connect the SM58 (or another dynamic mic) to the mic-in and it would work. But, it would sound crappy.

A better option is to buy an external microphone preamp (or small mixer - which will have preamps in it) and go into the "line-in" on your soundcard. The external preamp (using an XLR cable) will do a better job amplifying the signal before it hits your computer.

 

[Nick98338]

Definately use some sort of pre-amplifier between the mic and the computer. But, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. You could use a home stereo or home tape recorder as a pre-amp. Or, you could get a dedicated pre-amp box for a few bucks.

I'm using a Shure SM 57 mic hooked into a small Marantz portable cassette recorder. I've had this recorder for years. I hook the headphone output into the computer mic input. The headphone out has a level control, so I can control the level into the computer. Makes good recordings.

 

[pandamonk]

Would you be willing to spend some money? You could get something like this, this, or one of these which comes with ProTools, which is industry standard recording software. You could always go with a small mixer like this, or even a large mixer like this, but that's probably too much lol, and this. Why get an SM58? Is it just for vocal recording? Why not get an LDC(large diaphram condenser)? You coud get this, which is, i think, cheaper than an SM58, and connects to the computer via USB, without the need for an interface(but has bad reviews from people on this site, most of which haven't used it, but I've read a couple of good reviews of it, here's one), or this(good mic)with an interface or mixer. Hope that's enough choice for you.

 

[petsy]

Yeah, a Blue Snowball woluld be great for you.
http://www.jakeludington.com/gadget_envy/20050201_blue_snowball.html

 

[kid klash]

Buy the mic of your choice, plug it into this :

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/705371/

Plug the other end of that into the USB jack on your computor, and start recording.

 

[crazydoc]

Buy the mic of your choice, plug it into this :

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?SKU=MAPUSBXXX

Plug the other end of that into the USB jack on your computor, and start recording.

Doesn't that need a preamp?

 

[pandamonk]

So it does. I assumed the connections were XLR and that it had preamps. My bad

 

[kid klash]

Doesn't that need a preamp?

Yep - you're right. Scratch that.

Try this :
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/705371/

I use one with my laptop... very clean mic preamps, two channels, USB powered, Phantom voltage, built like a brick, $239.

 

[crazydoc]

Except the link is to the Audiophile USB Audio, not the MobilePre:
http://www.samash.com/catalog/showi...rase=&Contains=&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=

But yes, the MobilePre would do the trick at $150, taking the place of both soundcard and preamp.

Edit: oops, I guess you re-posted while I was writing this - the link refers to post#9, not the last one.

 

[KempoMRK]

Wow, thanks for all the help. I'm gonna check everything out and make a decision, thanks again.

 

[kid klash]

FYI - MF has the M-Audio MobilePre for $150, and they are including a free MXL990 LDC mic with shockmount. Shipping is free too, so this seems like a good deal for someone just starting out.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/701368/

 

[acollisionofcon]

u could just di into your pc's mic imput , for doge recordings just get a 1/4 inch to headphone jack adaptor if u are super cheap hahaha

 

[KempoMRK]

I bought a Shure SM58 mic as I said cos I found it at a decent price and I think I'm gonna buy the Behringer UB502 mixer that pandamonk suggested, as it's very cheap and within my budget.

Thanks again for all your help.