Is having a good mic all you need?

[hottsauce_21]

Is having a good mic all you need to lay down a good vocal, I've seen good studio mics for $700 but is that all i need to make my voice really seem like its in the song, or do i need more, If so, like what?????????? I have a computer and a great soundcard, is having a great mic all i need now. I've seen other things like mixers and stuff, Could someone feel me in and please LEAVE ur email so we can talk about it more.

Thanks

 

[Frusciante_Fan]

sure why not

hey um when you say you have a great soundcard, what do you mean my great? What kind is it? No one seems to want to tell ya the deal, so I will break you in really well. The question is how good do you want your voice, or whatever audio signal you are putting through your mic to be? So so? medium grade quality,, kinda like a good sounding demo? or close to professional? There is 2 questions you need to answer right off the bat.

Now let me explain how the signal chain works, there are 3 key components to having a good sounding audio track through a mic to your computer,, First is the mic,, the mic is the source of the audio, if it isnt captured good at the source , then no matter what kind of plug-ins , amp, or soundcard you have its not going to sound that great.

The second part in the chain is the Mic preamp,, Mics need amps just like guitars, or anything else. And just like bad guitar amps will make a good guitar sound bad,, a bad mic amp can make a good mike sound bad. So you want to have a decent Mic preamp.

The 3rd part in the chain is the soundcard,,,, Differant soundcards have differant analoge to digital converters on them and thats one of the main things that makes a soundcard "GOOD".

So its Mic ----mic preamp------soundcard,,,, and thats about it.

Now you can through a compresser in there or outboard effects, but at your level , I would just to that with software. But that is what you need for a good quality signal,,, now how professional it sounds ,, depends on which ones you get.

 

[DJL]

Is having a good mic all you need to lay down a good vocal, I've seen good studio mics for $700 but is that all i need to make my voice really seem like its in the song, or do i need more, If so, like what?????????? I have a computer and a great soundcard, is having a great mic all i need now. I've seen other things like mixers and stuff, Could someone feel me in and please LEAVE ur email so we can talk about it more.

Thanks

No, having good mic's is not all I need... but it helps. I need talent in front of the mic and in the control room, and having many good mic's, plus good mic placement, preamps, rooms, and etc to pick from also helps. There is a lot more to making a good recording than just a good mic.

 

[chessparov]

Plenty of hits have been recorded with "good" studio mikes-
under $100!
That's why it pays to try different ones...

Chris

 

[Beezoboy]

Sure one mic and its over from there. . . but only if you are in pretty darn tight with the man upstairs. . . or then again maybe if you signed a contract with the man downstairs.

Beez

 

[Modus]

The answer is no.

 

[zer0sig]

absolutely, providing you have a great voice, a great preamp, great mixing/tracking equipment, great effects if you desire, great monitors, and a great ear. this only holds true, of course, if you've spent a great deal of time recording. if not, you're going to have to practice, practice, practice!

 

[jake-owa]

The answer is no.

 

[bedbug]

I think a good singer is the most important thing.

There's tons of budget condensor mics out there in the $100-200 dollar range with a bang to buck ratio that's through the roof. I dig Oktavas.

I don't think a 57 is capable of sounding bad.

 

[Robert D]

Hottsauce - Please forgive some of the posts above that may have intimidated you. They mean well. You don't need to spend $700 on a mic to get a good vocal sound, but you do need a balanced and complimentry signal chain from mic to preamp to soundcard. It's a lot like putting three panes of glass together and looking through them. It doesn't matter how crystal clear the first pane is, if either of the other two are not just as clear then you will only see as clear as the dirtiest pane.
I hope you come back and tell us what soundcard you are using. There's so much hype in advertising, and specs just don't tell the story. Most of us here started out with budget gear, and have learned what really sounds good, and what merely looks good on paper. There's also a lot of knowledge on how to spend a little money to get a lot of sound quality improvement, but first we need to know what you're using now, what kind of voice you have, and what your budget and expectations are.
Best regards, RD

 

[hottsauce_21]

What more Do I Need?

Ok, I have the Sound Blaster Platinum, It seemed good at the time, I have a $30 mic and i would record, but it would still sound like my voice was recorded at home, And people would say get this and that to bring the Beat out, The beat sounds clean, It's just my voice, To tell u the truth my voice sounds a bit likes Fabolous, im not gonna say just like it, becuz i hate that guy, but yea like his voice, People r telling me to go to the studio and just lay my tracks down. But i'd rather get my own equipment and make music. Thats why i need everyones help to tell me whats suits me. I don't really need to do it on my computer, i'm willing to spend $4,000 on whatever i need. I don't know how to use any of the equipment, but i'm a quick learning. Just please recommend anything i would need to have my vocals really come out.

Thanks

 

[crazydoc]

hot

You obviously know almost nothing about recording, from your questions. That is fine - I don't know much myself. But the only way you're gonna find out is by doing it, which is what you're trying to do - great!

There will be many who disagree with my advice, but here it is.

It looks like price is no problem, but you might as well get something cheap to start with until you've gained some knowledge and can make more informed decisions about what next piece of gear to buy ( BTW this will go on until the day you die.)

Mic - MXlv67 - at Sam Ash for $80
I think this would help your vocals "really come out" It has a good proximity effect also, which gives your voice more "balls" as you get closer to the mic.

You plug your mic into a preamp (with phantom power) - I would suggest the Studio Projects VTB1 ($130 at many sources.) It has mic input, direct input, and tube coloration if desired.

You plug the preamp into the line input of your soundcard. This would probably be your next upgrade, but use the one you have until you get some experience. And this is the key as in many aspects of life - learn by doing, doing, doing.

I assume you have recording software on the computer.

I think the above mic and preamp, in experienced hands, can make excellent recordings, and can make your voice sound more like it really does that you would ever want. Hopefully the effects in your software can help shape the sound toward what you're after.

 

[Frusciante_Fan]

junk the soundcard,,, it would be better used as a paper weight than a recording device. In the gamer world you have the best card out. In the recording world, you have the worst thing since Hitler!

I agree with the guy above as saying stay kinda cheap until you get used to it, but SB live is really bad.

I would suggest a card by Midiman/Maudio www.midiman.com 2 or 4 channels will probibly do ya,, I would suggest the delta44/ or delta 66. The omni Studio has decent mic amps built into it. But more expensive. Go to ebay first you will get a good price usually half off the retail price.

As far as the mic and micpre, its not sooo much as ones better than the other , it is which one's sound will go with your tone the best. I am not sure what kinda sound your after , but when you said that your voice sounded like fabulous, and talking about beats, I assume your going to be recording hip/hop. Hip/Hop is a little differant that rock, in the aspect that the Mic preamp is very important.

Rap artist are extremly dependent on the vocal quality, as your probibly already know. When I listen to Eminiems first album, his vocals sound a little thin , and weak. Now I listen to his newest album and the vocals are totally differant. Its got a BIG sound, a full rich and warmer sound than long ago. Thats probibly due to better equipment. And mastering.

R Kelly's Newest album is the same story, when you hear these guys live , there voice is kinda dissappointing. Because the Mic Preamps they use in the studio, are soooo much better than the ones they use in live concert.

You might not want to go all out on the card , But you might want to spend some money on a good preamp.

If you want to have that BIG sound to your vocals, then you will probibly want to spend some of that money your bragging about on a good mic preamp.

To get a good Idea on what kinda of sound some of these expensive mics, and pre amps have. Listen first hand and go to the website www.thelisteningsessions.com and hear the test they have done on all kinds of good mics and mic preamps.

Good luck and happy hunting

 

[coloradojay]

In the recording world, you have the worst thing since Hitler!

Really?

 

[TexRoadkill]

If you have $4k to blow just go to a small studio. You could probably find a place willing to record vocals and mix for around $200 per song. Less or more depending on a lot of factors.

 

[hottsauce_21]

More Helpful

Thanks Frusciante_Fan, it seems ur the only one paying attention to what i'm needing help on, So What kind of mic preamp do you suggest?

 

[Frusciante_Fan]

Thanks hotsauce

Everyone has made valid points, I just know where you are coming from, I dont like studios either, and I just wanted some good gear I could trust, so I could just push record and not have to fill my head with so much technical info about the equipment. Trust me, when you do that, your creative side suffers a little bit. Well with me anyways, just my opinion.

Mic and Mic pre well since you just want to be told what kind of gear to get , and then go out and buy, thats fine, just be carefull. Cause my taste might not be what you want, but here goes , these would be my picks.

MICROPHONES - (Audio Technicia 4047) (Shure KSM 32) (AKG SolidTube) note, I think the (AKG solidtube) would be the best for hip/hop. It really fattens up your voice, makes it thicker. But thats just my theory. I know I am probibly going to get alot of disagreements about this.

MIC PREAMPS - (Universal Audio 610) (Focusrite Red) (Grace Designs 101) (HHB Radium) (HHB Fatboy) (Studio Projects Vtb1)

NOTE - The Mics I mentioned are anywhere from $300 to $700 dollars, Many will say you shouldnt start that high given your lack of experience in recording. I think that might be true, but if you want to go into this thing on a good leg, then there is my choices. But If you want to play it safe and start cheap I would suggest a (Studio Projects B3) it is about $100 dollars and it can sound pretty good given the right preamp.

NOTE - Some of the preamps I suggested are off the charts in price range, Some are $500 to $1600 dollars in price. These preamps are a NO COMPROMISE world class preamps. I know for sure that many , many hip/hop producers and artist prefer the (Focusrite Red) and is responsible for many of the good sounding hip hop albums out there. But the (Grace Designs 101) Can turn excellent results and its $500 dollars, just dont plan on recording more than one channel at a time. Now here again if you want to play it safe and start slow and cheap, then The (Studio Projects VTB1) can turn out decent results, and its only $140 dollars.

You can find all of these items at www.macmidimusic.com or www.bayviewproaudio.com. Also dont forget to check www.ebay.com.

I hope that helps you out some, and I just know I am going to catch hell from other users for this post.

 

[Frusciante_Fan]

ONE MORE THING

YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST EQUIPMENT IN THE WORLD, BUT IF YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO USE IT, OR THE RIGHT WAY TO GET THE MOST OUT OF IT, THEN YOUR JUST THROWING YOUR TIME AND MONEY OUT THE WINDOW!

The reason most people say stay cheap at first, is because if you get good at using low grade equipment and getting the best out of it. Then when you upgrade, you will know more of what you want, and you will be much more creative and effecient in using it.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Re: More Helpful

...it seems ur the only one paying attention to what i'm needing help on....

Right... the rest of us are just talking out our asses.......

Just remember -- a big budget for gear doesn't eliminate the need for solid technique and knowledge.......

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Hmmm.... FF beat me to it!