just wondering..

[Timm_Shotts]

i have been reading the mic threads here and was just looking to clear up a thing or 2... i am about to spring for a condenser mic,and i do all recording on the comp. basically ,i wanted to know about the whole phantom,pre-amp,mixer combination.
so i understand i need the phantom power. i need to know is it a necessity to have a pre amp for straight to comp recording? and also i hear about mixers with phantom power and pre amp built in. i do rap so im basically just using the mic for vocals. i know these questions might sound kinda newbie-ish,but im just starting to do some serious work so i have been studying up on mics.

basically the question is : "whats the pre-amp do,and do i NEED one?"... and "Would u consider the phantom power,and pre amp combination? Or the all in one mixer combo?" ... and is there a difference?
thanks

 

[Jblount]

That all depends on your budget. For the most part, the pres on mixers lack severly. I would use an external pre if possible. There are some good deals on combo phantom-pre-comp-eq units, but they are usually pricey (for the good ones). Basically Im asking, how much you wanta spend?

 

[Innovations]

yes you need the preamp to get your mic signal to line level. If all you are doing is one mic for rap vocals then what you don't need is the mixer. Mixers are for combining several sound sources and if you only have one source of sound then there is nothing to combine.

 

[DJL]

i have been reading the mic threads here and was just looking to clear up a thing or 2... i am about to spring for a condenser mic,and i do all recording on the comp. basically ,i wanted to know about the whole phantom,pre-amp,mixer combination.
so i understand i need the phantom power. i need to know is it a necessity to have a pre amp for straight to comp recording? and also i hear about mixers with phantom power and pre amp built in. i do rap so im basically just using the mic for vocals. i know these questions might sound kinda newbie-ish,but im just starting to do some serious work so i have been studying up on mics.

basically the question is : "whats the pre-amp do,and do i NEED one?"... and "Would u consider the phantom power,and pre amp combination? Or the all in one mixer combo?" ... and is there a difference?
thanks

Yes, every mic needs a preamp to get the signal up to a usable line level... mixers have built-in preamps... and most outboard preamps are better than the preamps that are built into the "cheap" mixers... the good mixers have good preamps.

 

[Timm_Shotts]

thanks for the replies.we will get the mic thursday,so i needed to know what i need with it so the mic can be of use.
so basically i need phantom power,and a pre amp...no mixer!

we need to keep the budget down now,but me and my partner go half on all equipment,thats why i wanted to resort to ebay for the mic and the items i need with it. we aree looking to pay at least $150 or less for just the mic,not including the pre amp and phantom.well,just for starters im looking to spend no more than $250 for everything.

just to let you know, i have sound blaster 16 card,cool edit,and working on windows ME.

can i get some recommendations/linksfor some pre-amps and phantom.

thanks again for the help.

 

[DJL]

One of the more favored budget type mic preamps by the HR users is the M-Audio DMP-3 and it has phantom power too.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Basically, any mic preamp provides phantom power. If you're recording only one or 2 mics at the same time, a preamp will usually beat a mixer. M Audio DMP3 is one of the best cheap preamps, but they're getting hard to find. Get on line and find one, I'd start on ebay. You didn't say what mic you're considering, but you have 2 basic choices, a cheap condenser, or a cheap dynamic.
For dynamics, I'm in the minority who prefers AKG cheap dynamics to Shure cheap dynamics. I like AKG D770, but most people will recommend Shure SM57. For a condenser, I like Marshall MXL V67G. If you have a preamp with a lot of gain, and the DMP3 has that, I think you'll get good results with a dynamic.-Richie

 

[Timm_Shotts]

my firend is going to let me use his mxl condenser for a while. i want to use it to record tomorrow. i called some places,and it seems pre amps cost more than what i can pay now. i will however get one within 2 weeks. so i was wondering if it would be ok to get the $80 behringer mixer with phantom power. i need input on this since it seems the pre amps are recommended over most mixers.

is the $80 behringer mixer worth it for starters until i get the pre amp?or should i just wait til i canget the pre amp in a few weeks....or does it matter?Will the behringer really make that much of a difference in the vocal recording than the pre amp? These are a few questions i need answered before i decide to go up to bill's music house tonight for the mixer.

i need input from hr here as to which direction to go on in this situation.

and remember i just need the phantom power for one condenser mic for rap vocals.

all help is needed.
thanks again hr

 

[Rocket Boy]

an m-audio audio buddy is pretty cheap and sounds decent and has what you want, a preamp with phantom power(2 actually...), and that still leaves you like 170 dollars for the best mic you can get

 

[Jblount]

My guitar center says they arnt making the dmp3 anymore. The new one has to be connected to a computer to be used. Some of us dont use computers, so that sucks for us!

 

[acorec]

My guitar center says they arnt making the dmp3 anymore. The new one has to be connected to a computer to be used. Some of us dont use computers, so that sucks for us!

Yes. Some manufacturers screw up a product and sell it forever.
Some make a great product and screw it up later.

2 sides to every coin.

 

[Timm_Shotts]

The mic my friend is letting me use is a mxl 9900(...at least i think he said 9900..!!)...it looks like the type the old boxing announcers use to use...you know,the silver one that got lowered from the ceiling. anyway,im leaning towards the m-audio buddy pre amp now...but i will get it off ebay if its my final decision.
i need to know if anyoneknows or has any clue as to if this is a good mic to use for rap vocals.

the only drawback to getting the audio buddy pre amp is that i cant test it out first to check clarity.

anywayz if anyone has comments about this mic,or know where i can find reviews of it,please help me out.

thanks again for all the help so far

 

[DJL]

I bet it's a Marshall MXL990.
http://www.mxlmics.com/condencer_mic/condenser_index.html