Mic -> ? -> Laptop

[Midori]

Hello.

I've been composing for several years now, and up until recently was very happy just using sequencers, but now I've decided that I'd really like to record vocals/instruments (piano, guitar & female voice mainly, but others also).

After some internet research, I found that people generally agreed that Shure's SM58 was the best way to go. When my mic arrived, I was very excited, plugged it in to my MacBook by way of 1/4" jack, opened Logic Pro 7.2, and...

The signal is much too quiet!

If I try bumping up the amplification, I get way too much background noise, which is a problem that I know I'll have to face soon anyway, but I'm wondering where I went wrong with this mic? I had read that phantom power (correct me if I'm wrong on the terminology) capabilities of the SM58 would mean that I didn't need a pre-amp or mixer?

Obviously I've misread something, got confused, or read some wrong information.

So my questions is/are:
1. Am I correct in thinking that I need a pre-amp? (or mixer) If not, what have I done wrong or what do I need?
2. Can anybody recommend any really good pre-amps, or whatever I do need to fix this issue, for a low price? (I'm thinking £100/$200, but if the job needs doing, I'd rather buy a more expensive one if that's what's needed to get it right first time.)


I know this is probably a common question, which you're all sick of hearing, but your help would be really appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Subanez]

hi there

You've pretty much answered your own question...you need a pre-amp! There is a good thread that talks a lot about entry level preamps (under $200), with a poll attached, and you can read people's opinions in there.

That should start solving your initial issues. Congrats! Good luck in future recordings.

 

[TimOBrien]

What you need is an external soundcard (interface) with preamps.

THE guide with 'you can't go wrong suggestions':

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_and_audio_interfaces.htm

 

[Midori]

Thank you so much for the advice and links!

I think the biggest issue I had with finding out about this is because I couldn't find anywhere that said "you need a pre-amp". But now I know for certain, I'm off in the right direction.

Thanks again.

 

[mattr]

As has been said you need a preamp, but for you the best option would be an audio interface (firewire or usb) with one or two mic preamps built in. £100 will buy you something with one or two channels of input... check out http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/ and http://www.dv247.com/ (both UK specialist stores I would recommend).

These are examples of what you should be looking for...
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/8246
http://www.dv247.com/invt/24170/
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/4667

I had read that phantom power (correct me if I'm wrong on the terminology) capabilities of the SM58 would mean that I didn't need a pre-amp or mixer

Phantom power is a voltage sent down the mic cable (usually able to be switched on and off on the mixer/preamp) and is required for conderser mics to function. The SM58 is a dynamic mic and so doesn't need phantom power, nor should it make any difference if it is switched on. Your laptop would not have been supplying this anyway.

 

[.nox]

So am I to understand that given the preamp , using a laptop won't be a bottleneck in this setup as far as mic input is concerned ?

 

[danhughes]

One more consideration for you - are you sure your SM58 is the real thing? There are a lot of fakes being sold out there. Here's how to tell if yours is real:

http://tinyurl.com/5t93t7

---Dan