microphone, sound card, confusion

[dari]

hi, it's me again
I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, well, i am sure it is, but i need to get this straight:
what is supposed to happen if i plug, let's say a shure microphone into the mic input of my computers sound card without a preamp? the sound will be low?
this is happening to me but i've been told it could be because my sound card's drivers are old (which theyre not)
so, is this always the case of a mic without a preamp plugged to a sound card?
thanks for any clarifying and needed explanation. i am so lost...
feeling ambarrased...

 

[whyseye]

Hi Dari-
Yeah, you'll need a preamp to bring the strength of the signal to a level where it will sound OK on the computer (or most anyplace else). A simple starter preamp will run about $75 & up new ...
...the website for M-Audio will give you lots of info about different options for amplifying your signal & getting into your computer. Also, the search function on this BBS, or reading old threads here will answer many questions before you even know you have them!
Welcome - happy recording!

 

[tdukex]

Mic ==> Preamp ==> "Line-in" of soundcard.

 

[tangerine]

If money is a problem you could always buy a self powered small diaphram condenser mic and atenuate the input level on your sound card.

 

[XLR]

what is supposed to happen if i plug, let's say a shure microphone into the mic input of my computers sound card

Hi Dari. The mic inputs on most computer soundcards are made for those little "multimedia" mic's and may not work well with mic's typically used for recording music. There's already a preamp (of sorts) that the mic input goes through. It's just not very good. ...nothing to do with drivers.

Does your computer also have a line input? If so, that's your easiest way in and you'll need to use an external preamp between your mic and the line input. Pretty easy to connect with the right cables and plugs. The Musician's Friend site has a pretty good cross section of gear available - preamps that could go into a line input - and also devices to go into the computer's USB port.

Tim

 

[Halion]

You CAN record without a preamp, but only sertain things. For example, if I use a shure sm57 for electrical guitar, and I turn my amp up really loud, I get a strong enough signal to use in most cases. The noise is pretty high compared to a good preamp, but with high levels of distortion that's not really a problem. However, this is a very limited way of recording. If, say, you want to recording something acoustical, you totally need a preamp or your gonna end up with noise like you won't belief and totally no dynamics.

 

[dari]

Ok, so i am going to buy a preamp. I checked the websites (thanx whyseye and Timothy Lawyer)
tangerine, I really don’t know about condenser mics, I have this microphone http://www.shure.com/pdf/userguides/guides_wiredmics/c_series.pdf and I’m sure it sounds really good. A cheap condenser mic would sound as good?
Halion, I do have a fender amp for electrical guitar and my microphone works ok there, but I want to be able to record my voice first, then I'll worry about recording guitar too. Please remember I am a complete ignorant (willing to learn), so I'll start with the easiest part first.
The problem is that until I buy a preamp, the only way I have to record is through my computer. Without the preamp the sound is barely audible and I need to amplify the recordings too much to be able to hear it at a normal volume (with way too much noise in the back).

I have an idea until I buy a preamp: I have my stereo connected into the line-out of my computer’s sound card, (the sound goes out through the stereo speakers) (it is a pretty old stereo though). What if I connect my stereo to the sound card's line-in and the microphone into the stereo?
Would that work at least to record at a normal volume? I would do this as a permanent solution at least until I can buy a preamp!

My stereo has 2 mic inputs, but they’re both the size of the sound cards mic input (the little ones), but I guess I’d have to use the same adapter I am using now (?)

Thank you all for all the info, it is REALLY REALLY helpful to me

 

[Halion]

That might work, but I'd still say buy a preamp. If even the cheapest one you can find (probably a second hand behringer). You will not be sorry.
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=23790&item=7321136309&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V
Check this. 25 bucks Buy it Now.

A condensor mic will sound better. I'm sure your shure (hehe) is an ok mic, but there's not such thing as a good mic for every ocassion and use. When I record electrical guitar, I always use a dynamic mic similar to yours. But for vocals, I always use a large diaphragm condensor. But, if you don't wanna spend any money on a new mic, the shure will do fine.

If you do wanna pay some for a new mic, check out the Studio Project B1. 100 bucks for a great mic.

 

[Innovations]

Ok, so i am going to buy a preamp. I checked the websites (thanx whyseye and Timothy Lawyer)
tangerine, I really don’t know about condenser mics, I have this microphone http://www.shure.com/pdf/userguides/guides_wiredmics/c_series.pdf and I’m sure it sounds really good. A cheap condenser mic would sound as good?
Halion, I do have a fender amp for electrical guitar and my microphone works ok there, but I want to be able to record my voice first, then I'll worry about recording guitar too. Please remember I am a complete ignorant (willing to learn), so I'll start with the easiest part first.
The problem is that until I buy a preamp, the only way I have to record is through my computer. Without the preamp the sound is barely audible and I need to amplify the recordings too much to be able to hear it at a normal volume (with way too much noise in the back).

I have an idea until I buy a preamp: I have my stereo connected into the line-out of my computer’s sound card, (the sound goes out through the stereo speakers) (it is a pretty old stereo though). What if I connect my stereo to the sound card's line-in and the microphone into the stereo?
Would that work at least to record at a normal volume? I would do this as a permanent solution at least until I can buy a preamp!

My stereo has 2 mic inputs, but they’re both the size of the sound cards mic input (the little ones), but I guess I’d have to use the same adapter I am using now (?)

Thank you all for all the info, it is REALLY REALLY helpful to me

It looks from tyou description tht the mic is a Shure C606W, sort of a verions of the PG58 intended for handheld performance applications like karaoke.

It will do, particularly for live situations. For studio applications you might want a condenser, but a condenser is a rather different animal. You must have it in a stand, a separate pop filter is usually needed based on the positioning and you have to be a lot better at your mic technique because a condenser is like a magnifying glass for sound. It will pick up every detail.

For many voices a MXLV69G is an inexpensive mic that works well, but you will definitly need a preamp and phantom power.