I just got an sm-57 .........

[LoudScaryGuitar]

I recently purchased an sm-57 and I use cool edit pro 2.0 to record my music but obviously I cant plug in to the computer with a microphone cable...Do they sell plugs that go from a mic cable to a mini??....HELP!....I have been playing for quite a while but I just recently got myself a GOOD mic and I am lost haha......thanks

 

[Gnat]

You are going to need a pre amp of some sort to get any sound to your computer sound card. There are lots of inexpensive pre amp options out there, get a Musician Friend or American Music Supply cataloge or check them out on line.

 

[rats]

I recently purchased an sm-57 and I use cool edit pro 2.0 to record my music but obviously I cant plug in to the computer with a microphone cable...Do they sell plugs that go from a mic cable to a mini??....HELP!....I have been playing for quite a while but I just recently got myself a GOOD mic and I am lost haha......thanks

What kind of mic cable do you have? There is always some type of adapter. If you have an xlr cable, you can pick up an adapter that will go to 1/4" and sure you can also get a 1/4" to 1/8"(mini) adapter. The point gnat makes is that it will still sound like shit unless you use some type of pre-amp prior to the original signal getting to the sound card. If you don't have a lot of money to invest in mixers (I'm assuming, since your recording arsenal seems to consists of a single SM-57 ) which is normal for peep just getting started, there are many other options. If you have a 2-track or 4-track mixer, they work great. You could also run a line out from a guitar amp, headphone outs work too. You could use a boom box, home stereo, guitar pedal, whatever, you just need something to give that signal a liitle BOOST! Good luck!

 

[LoudScaryGuitar]

Just for when I get a good job; What is the best mic preamp out there??....Or does personal preference apply to this?

 

[HAPLESSGUY]

You didn't say what kind of physical audio interface you are using? Others have suggested a preamp to get your music on the computer. A preamp is great for tweaking your sound but won't get it on the computer unless it doubles as an interface of some sort. I use an sm-57 alot with an xlr to 1/4 male cable directly to my Roland audio interface, or, female to male xlr to my Joemeek preamp and then out to the interface. If you've been recording with Cool Edit Pro, how were you getting your sound into the computer?
Sincerely, Son of Hendrix

 

[James Argo]

Preamps ? Blue Tube.

 

[LoudScaryGuitar]

Well before I got the sm-57 I was using a crappy 30 dollar audio technica instrument mic from Best Buy that already had a regular cable and not this weird "mic cable" mumbo jumbo that I am not familiar with....

 

[rats]

Just watch out for the 2K inverted oscillator on the 10 PIN. They give a nasty kick back if you're not properly grounded!

 

[LoudScaryGuitar]

Well on Windows's "record control" option it has a 20db mic boost.....So could I just use that instead of a preamp for a while??....Or does not having a preamp affect sound quality?

 

[HAPLESSGUY]

Preamp?

I don't use Windows sound recorder but it seems to me it is 8-bit mono. This isn't good enough. You should get an audio interface (you can get one cheap that will give you 16-bit at 44.1 kHz). Most have a built in preamp of some sort, not the best, but acceptable and would be a better use of money than a preamp to use with Windows recorder. Check out Musicians Friend or any other such audio dealer on the web.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo LSG! Be advised, pres run from about $80 (M-Audio Audiobuddy) to " the best preamp out there", which could be by any of a dozen manufacturers, and is the price of a good used car! At your level experience and money wise, I think you'd do best to buy a small cheap preamp as opposed to a cheap mixer. If you had $300, I'd say do the mixer, but for the kind of money you have, the only mixer you can buy is a Behringer, and you can do better. I'd say buy the audiobuddy, and start recording. Later, upgrade to a better 2 channel pre, say DMP3 or VTB-1 (basically $200). Then you will, hopfully over time, upgrade until you own one of the great preamps. And when you get up to those high level pres, yes, it's a matter of preference.-Richie

 

[DimChandeliers]

sm-57 mic

I run my mic thru a junky old peavey PA mixer (no phantom power) 1/4" jack mic cable.
I'm talking 25yrs old. Gives my mic a nice warmth even though the mixer is solid state. I run bass and guitar thru it too.