Newbie - microphone into soundcard

[Pazuzu]

Frankly, I don't really know the first thing about home recording, but I wan to try it anyway..

I would like to plug a microphone into my Soundblaster soundcard and get at least a decent signal. Of course my budget is low, so that kind of limits my possibilities.

Is it feasable to buy a microphone and plug it in directly, or will this always give me a crappy signal?

Sorry if this is a dumb question or in the wrong forum...

Cheers,
Paz

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Frankly, I don't really know the first thing about home recording, but I wan to try it anyway..

That's your first mistake!

I would like to plug a microphone into my Soundblaster soundcard and get at least a decent signal.

That's your second mistake......

Is it feasable to buy a microphone and plug it in directly, or will this always give me a crappy signal?

No... and yes...

Sorry if this is a dumb question or in the wrong forum...

No problem...

Bruce

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Seriously though...

Welcome...

You don't want to go thru your soundcard's mic pre. Get yourself a decent, inexpensive mic pre (the ART seems to get good reviews here, but I've never used one myself), and a decent, inexpensive mic (do a site search - lots of opinions on it - pay attention to Harvey Gerst's posts in particular)... then you'll be off to a good start!

Bruce

 

[Pazuzu]

Thanks

Thanks for the reply. I will check into that mic preamp thing.

As for the mic, I need one that will record a variety of signals OK, such as vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, percussion, etcetera. Would, say, the Sennheiser E 825 S be a good one to start with?

Cheers,
Paz

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Re: Thanks

Thanks for the reply. I will check into that mic preamp thing.

As for the mic, I need one that will record a variety of signals OK, such as vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, percussion, etcetera. Would, say, the Sennheiser E 825 S be a good one to start with?

Cheers,
Paz

There really is no such thing as a "general purpose" mic... I've never used the 825 - it may be ok... In your case, I'd recommend going with a Shure SM57, and also some flavour of inexpensive condenser....

Bruce

 

[zoetrope]

more info

read this thread:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30419
for more relevant info

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Re: more info

read this thread:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30419
for more relevant info

HEY!!!!!
I object... my info WAS relevant!!!!!!

 

[zoetrope]

uh huh

oh sure, but was it "more relevant"? That other thread is just brimming over with relevance. Why I can smell it from here.

Nope, scratch that. There was an old sandwich in my desk, that's what I was smelling.

 

[getuhgrip]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Pazuzu
Frankly, I don't really know the first thing about home recording, but I wan to try it anyway..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's your first mistake!


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to plug a microphone into my Soundblaster soundcard and get at least a decent signal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's your second mistake......


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is it feasable to buy a microphone and plug it in directly, or will this always give me a crappy signal?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No... and yes...


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry if this is a dumb question or in the wrong forum...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No problem...

Bruce



If I'd have gotten that reply back when I started, I woulda turned off the computer and walked away thinking, "Fuck it...... Too difficult.", and no doutb would have gone to the hobby shop and bought a radio-controlled submarine or something!

I know you were just kiddin'. Fact is I received a lot of patience and direction at first (why has that stopped?). I also remember thinking that I could just put an 1/8" adaptor on my RS100 mic, plug it into the soundblaster and start producing quality stuff. It's all digital, right?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Er... I followed my "funny" post immediately with a 2nd "serious" post.... I thought the fact I was kidding was instantly obvious....

c'mon man... getuhgrip!!!!!!!!!



Bruce

 

[blinddogblues]

It WAS obvious...

 

[getuhgrip]

I know, I know! It was, It was!!!!!!!! Instantly Obvious!
No Harm, No Foul! I'm just not funny anymore! Bad getuhgrip, bad.
I'm so misunderstood!

BTW - No manual with my AutoMix2000. Can I increase the output voltage by plugging into 220v?