Microphone Input Quality

[beau_rl]

Hi! I am a complety newby to this.

I just bought a Shure PG 57 to record basic instruments onto my computer, because i had been using a desktop mic.

But the quality of the Shure is pretty much the same as the desktop mic! Why is this? Do I need a special preamp thing? Is there more hardware I need to buy?

Thanks

Also, I am able to return the PG 57 and get one of those fat ambient mics.(condenser mic or compressor mic, or sometihng) Should I buy it for $200 or stick with the Shure I already have? Thank you!

 

[Massive Master]

If you're not using a preamp, I'm not even certain how you're getting the signal from the mic hot enough to record in the first place...

 

[peopleperson]

Shure PG mics are garbage in my opinion. They exist only to hit a certain price range. If you want a good basic microphone that'll last you a long time, spend just 50 bucks more and get an SM57 or 58. The better preamp you can afford, the better results you'll get.

 

[Dani Pace]

Yep, you gotta have a preamp. The signal from a mic just isn't enough to record properly. Get a decent preamp and use the line in instead of the mic input and you will hear a definate difference. A mic straight into the soundcard will never give you the presence needed for recording. If you are using a stock soundcard that came with the computer you will need to upgrade that too. Most pcs come with a soundcard designed for gamming, not for recording.