mic recommendations, USB vs. pre-amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter agora
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agora

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Hi all,
I'm in the market for a decent all-around mic on the cheaper side (hopefully under $200). I'll need to hook it up to my Mac somehow and will be using it to record vocals primarily, but also might record some miscellaneous things like tambourine, shakers, thumb piano, drumming on my belly- who knows. Also- expanding to 2 mics may be in the future at some point.

So my question is: should I get a USB model, or a mic with separate pre-amp/usb interface? And which models of each do folks recommend?

If I went the pre-amp/interface route, I've heard people like the Studio Projects B1 and Shure SM58 - but I don't know which interface to get with them. Or is it simpler to just get a USB mic?

Thanks in advance!
 
If you want to do anything more than reading books on tape, I wouldn't even consider a usb mic. $200 is a bit on the low side for a mic and interface, but it can be done. Used might get you a better value.
 
For stereo recording (your planned future expansion), I don't know of any USB mics on the market that support that. They could without too much trouble . . . but they don't. So . . . yeah, look at a stereo USB interface.
 
Audio interface first. Then use whatever cash you have left for a used mic. You can always get a better mic (or 2) when you have more money.
 
OK thanks - so it sounds like an interface/preamp is the way to go. Any recommendations?

Looks like the $200 Tascam US-800 is nice, but may be overkill, with 8 inputs. And the $100 Tascam US-122MKII only has 2 inputs, which may limit expandability in the future. Can anyone recommend something in between? Maybe 4 inputs?
 
USB mics aren't well liked here, you're limited by the quality of the sound card in the computer (usually designed to play Youtube videos) as to the quality of the final recording. Plus USB mics are way more expensive, build up a little collection and you'd have more than payed for a decent interface. Also places limits on you, with an interface you can get ANY mic you desire, as long as the interface provides phantom power for condensers. Before going USB I'd get something like a GLS Audio ES58 mic (30 bucks) if you want dynamic, or if you really want condenser, a Behringer C1 (40 bucks, I've hear great vocal stuff off this mic) or an Audio Technica AT2020 (45 bucks). Then look at interfaces with what you have left.
 
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