N00b question, best CHEAP vocal mic??

  • Thread starter Thread starter MenT-aL
  • Start date Start date
M

MenT-aL

New member
Hi, before i start i have searched the forums and have found nothing relevent to my problem. I want to buy a good quality microphone, it will only be used for vocals. I dont have a lot of money so the cheaper the better, also what input is needed to go through my soundcard (s/pdif in / line in) ??? i am getting the audiophile 2496, so one that is compatable is required.

thanks for reading

cheers

aL
 
Sorry i forgot to mention, i have a minidisc player/recorder (sony MZR70) would it be possible to run a mic through this? what about opitcal out mic's are these available???

cheers

aL
 
I use an Audiophile card in my Comp and have a small mixer with 4 mic channels and a couple of line ins. As this has phantom power you could then use any of the current "rave" Mics that are recommended on this forum. I use an AT4035 for vocals.
I do not want to get flamed so will keep the make of the mixer to myself.
I find this approach to be more flexible than a dedicated Mic pre.
 
No flames from me. If Behrinnger fits your needs, boogie on.
MenT-aL, you won't find a mic with a TOSLINK optical output. And your mini disc player/recorder won't be of any help either. A decent condensor can be found fror $200 or so. Next you'd need a mic preamp to a) power the mic as it requires 48V phantom power and b) amplify the mic signal up to a level your sound card can deal with. The Behrinnger that wilkee illuded to will fill that need and is probably one of the cheeper options. If you want something with a digital output the price is going to go up a bit.
 
"a better sound than the Behringer"

Perhaps ( but I doubt it) but another mans meat etc.etc.
 
I have both an Audio Buddy and a small behringer board.Not to crack on the Behringer(if it works for you use it)but there is a big difference between the Buddy's pres and the Behringer.While the Behringer is much better than you would expect from reading post on their products,the Audio Buddy just blows them away.You would have to spend quite a bit more than the $79 you pay for the Buddy to get a pre of equal or better value.The Behringer's can be a decent deal for what they are but their pres are a long way from the Buddie's.
 
Cheers guys, i think i have finally decided. I am going to break the bank and buy the whole lot! Audiophile 2496, an audio buddy and a mic maybe the shure sm57 everyone raves about.

But my last question is, where does the audiobuddy connect to the audiophile ??? into the anolog in, or the s/pdif ???

thanks again

aL
 
I swear, we need a Shitty Gear FAQ around here.


The first two entries:

AKG C1000S = shitty mic, may serve alternate use as dildo

Behringer mixers = chock block in disguise


I don't know stuff like this gets recommended.
 
Dolemite, what vocal mic would you recommend for a $200 price range.
 
I'm sorry I wasn't listening. Could you repeat the question?
 
I'm sorry I wasn't listening. Could you repeat the question?

But seriously, you can get a Marshall V67 if you just gotta have a large diaphram condenser. Got mine for about $150. You will need some kind of preamp, mixer or outboard, with 48V phantom power. I think someone mentioned the Audio Buddy could be had for $80 or less. That gives you a passable homereccer chain for about $230 total. Not bad.

Or, you could stop the madness and save for quality tools that will last you a lifetime. Your choice. An example of this would be to sink about $300 into a used Shure SM7 or ElectroVoice RE20. Or a new Sennheiser 421. These are large diaphram dynamics that are staples of world class studios for decades now, and can be used to record practically anything. And they're pretty affordable. They hold their resale value, unlike some things I could mention. And yes, you still want/need a decent clean preamp. Hint: there is no toob device worth having under $500.

YMMV. Flame on, mah bruthas & sistas!
-kp out
 
there have been a lot of vocals recorded with the SM57.It might not always do the best job but I think it will always do a good job.It is also a mic that will always be usefull as your mic collection grows.Its better to get a good dynamic mic than getting a condenser model just because you can afford it(in my case it was a Marshall 2001p for $190,I think the p stands for piece of shit).I could have bought two 57's w/ stands and cables for less money and they would definately get more use than the 2001p gets.
 
Yes I started with an Maudio pre for my PC but moved on to a Behringer Mixer. When I do a vocal recording using either and a AT4035 Mic I get the same quality sound from my Dynaudio monitors with nothing that could be aimed at the Pre,s.
I should add that I now record on a Alesis HD24 so that also does not color the sound in any sig. way.
I always trust my own ears.
 
SM58

Thanks for the advice...I automatically assumed that I needed a condesor mic to record vocals.

I have a SM58 already in my possession...do you think that this mic would pass as a decent vocal/acoustic guitar mic.

I'm trying to create a demo on my PC that would be of a fairly respectable sound quality? I think I read somewhere here that Bono used a SM58 for some of the songs on U2's latest album...that could all be myth though.
 
the sm58 is a fine mic - as good of a dynamic mic you can buy without breaking the bank
 
Using the 58 I would just caution you to watch out for proximity effect, where you get a more pronounced bass response when the mic is too close to the sound source. By too close, I mean closer than 15cm (6"). This can create an unpleasant "boominess" that you certainly don't want on acoustic guitar, and probably not your voice either.
 
Cheers guy's I am def gonna get either the SM57 or the SM58, as in the UK they are both the same price :)

thanks again

aL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top