Looking for a recommendation... One Mic for basic recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter RMitch929
  • Start date Start date
R

RMitch929

New member
Hello -

I am new to the recording realm and I'm about to purchase my first mic. I am on a budget and would like to buy one pretty good quality mic for all of my recording needs. I've read a lot about pros and cons of different mic types, but I'm not sure which is the best for what I want to do.

I am looking for something that can record vocals (male) and guitar out of an amp and occasionally acoustic. I'm looking for a fairly raw bluesy sound, but I'd like it to be a pretty warm full sound. I am leaning towards getting a large diameter condenser mic, but I think a basic dynamic mic might be good to (looking at a Shure Beta 58a if I go that route).



I'm trying to avoid having to buy a second mic. I'll be using this 100% for recording, not for any live playing (for now at least). One more thing - I don't have a mixing board or pre-amp or any of that... I'd definitely prefer to get a mic that wouldn't require me to buy a mixing board and/or pre-amp, but if you think that is a really key component let me know!!

Thanks for your help.

Reed
 
Hey Reed welcome to the forums.
Man you've opened a whole can of worms with this post.
As you may have seen on other post with this same theme there is no "one" microphone that will do it all for you.--Many say that the Neumann U87 will do it but I'm not sure if you have the $3,500. for one new or $1,600 used.

Many good male vocals have been recorded with the Shure 58 and you may get a good recording with it on an amp but not on an acoustic guitar. For the acoustic you may want to take a look at the naiant microphone line just google it up. there are great for the money.
Then get yourself a 58 for vocals and a shure 57 for your amp.

Look on ebay and craig list for used ones and you'll be able to afford both.






:cool:
 
Well.....
every microphone needs a preamp unless you are using a computer and you buy a USB microphone.

If I was going to buy a mic for Voice and amp I'd consider a dynamic mic like a 58 because it eliminates the sound of the room to a certain extent, but if you want to record acoustic guitar too I would change my recommendation to a used CAD E-100 which is a pretty dang good all around neutral mic with high headroom. If I had to choose a one mic set up for under $200 that is what I would suggest.

You will need a preamp with phantom power...whether it be in the form of a mixer or stand alone preamp.
 
Welcome. The search button can show so much info. Believe me it can make your brain spin like the exorcist.
 
Last edited:
moresound said:
Many good male vocals have been recorded with the Shure 58 and you may get a good recording with it on an amp but not on an acoustic guitar.
Click to expand...

If he's after a "raw, bluesy sound," it just might work though. A SM57 (I'd grab that over a 58, personal preference really) on an acoustic guitar isn't particularly lush or sparkly, but for a raw, kind of gritty, midrange-y performance it could work.

That said, some sort of an audio interface will make a HUGE difference- a cheap firewire or USB interface would give you a radically better recording, as most (read: virtually all) computer sound cards really aren't up to the task of audiphile-grade AD/DA conversion so your sound quality will get pretty abused as you go to digital regardless of whatever mic you're using. Making the switch from plugging a SM57 into my sound card's mic in to buying my first firewire interface was the single biggest jump in recording quality I've ever made.
 
What's the budget?

On the cheap a Zoom H1 might do you. H2, H4n, and other similar devices. Depending on the budget and desired results. Otherwise you'll need all that other stuff before you can press record. Like a computer, microphone preamp, mic stand, and other gadgets.

Bluesy is a little vague. Perhaps cite a few examples of what you think that is. At which point you might have already answered your own question. What did they use to make their recording...
 
Yo RMitch, welcome to the board! Insufficient data, dude. You don't want a mixer or a preamp, and you intend to plug this mic into what? Right off the bat, you need to understand this- *All* mics require a preamp, whether it is built into the mic, an interface, mixer, or a standalone unit. There basically isn't one in the soundcard of your computer. With the exception of USB mics, microphones *don't* just plug into a computer.

Most folks here will argue against a USB mic and rightly so, as they have limited or no headphone access, tie you to a usually cruddy built in preamp, and are basically only appropriate for podcasting. So- what are you trying to plug this theoretical mic into, and what's you budget?-Richie
 
To get you started:

First off, 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:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470385421
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)
 
If you are just getting started with recording and don't want to spend a bunch of money on equipment yet, a USB mic might be a logical way to go. Although a lot of people will advise against it, I believe the simplicity of it and ease of use will teach you a lot about recording. As you get further into recording you will want to step up to an interface and some different mics, but a USB mic should take you a long way for now. Go check out Blue Microphones. They have some low-priced USB microphones. http://www.bluemic.com/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top