Newbie starting out with a setup! Help.

[kbkasey]

Hello, so I have around £200 to spend on a budget Podcast/commentary video setup. I've been looking and so far I like the sound, quality and look of the AT2020, I would need an USB interface? Or mixer. I'm not too sure what the main advantage of these are though. Also, it would help to have a Microphone arm as a stand would not work well in my room. Its not a lot of money, I don't think, but its a start.

Thank you for reading, and I hope somebody could help me.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Hi,
Is your commentary going to be recorded live into some A/V software, or is the voice going to be overdubeed after the video is done?

If it's an overdub, there's not really any advantage to having a mixer.
A mixer (with eq) might be useful for a live setup.

 

[kbkasey]

Hi,
Is your commentary going to be recorded live into some A/V software, or is the voice going to be overdubeed after the video is done?

If it's an overdub, there's not really any advantage to having a mixer.
A mixer (with eq) might be useful for a live setup.

I would be recording game-play with a capture program whilst recording into Audacity, or other Audio software if I find something better. Which actually reminds me, for game commentaries would the AT2020 pick up the mouse clicks/keyboard, and is there a way to stop it? Thank you.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I would be recording game-play with a capture program whilst recording into Audacity, or other Audio software if I find something better. Which actually reminds me, for game commentaries would the AT2020 pick up the mouse clicks/keyboard, and is there a way to stop it? Thank you.

Ok, I see.
Since your audio is going into a daw, you don't need a mixer.
Look for the cheap and simple two channel (one channel is rare) interface.
Something like a presonus audiobox or tascam us122 would be fine.

Keyboard noises and other environment noises WILL be picked up.
If you're even remotely worried about that, rethink it now before you spend money.

A dynamic microphone will let you get closer to it without issue and, if you do that, will pick up ambient noises less than a condenser at distance.
If you don't care about having a mic an inch from your face I'd do just that. (SM58).

If that's no good for whatever reason, a headset mic might be the only option.
In my limited experience, headset mics sound like headset mics. You know?

 

[DM60]

Ok, I see.
Since your audio is going into a daw, you don't need a mixer.
Look for the cheap and simple two channel (one channel is rare) interface.
Something like a presonus audiobox or tascam us122 would be fine.

Keyboard noises and other environment noises WILL be picked up.
If you're even remotely worried about that, rethink it now before you spend money.

A dynamic microphone will let you get closer to it without issue and, if you do that, will pick up ambient noises less than a condenser at distance.
If you don't care about having a mic an inch from your face I'd do just that. (SM58).

If that's no good for whatever reason, a headset mic might be the only option.
In my limited experience, headset mics sound like headset mics. You know?

Shure should give this site some kind of commission, more 58's have been recommended. It is the go to mic for a lot of needs.

 

[kbkasey]

Ok, I see.
Since your audio is going into a daw, you don't need a mixer.
Look for the cheap and simple two channel (one channel is rare) interface.
Something like a presonus audiobox or tascam us122 would be fine.

Keyboard noises and other environment noises WILL be picked up.
If you're even remotely worried about that, rethink it now before you spend money.

A dynamic microphone will let you get closer to it without issue and, if you do that, will pick up ambient noises less than a condenser at distance.
If you don't care about having a mic an inch from your face I'd do just that. (SM58).

If that's no good for whatever reason, a headset mic might be the only option.
In my limited experience, headset mics sound like headset mics. You know?

With the Condenser, would the keyboard noises be horrible? As in people will get annoyed with the clicks. Also, would the Dynamic Microphone be the same quality? I want a bass'y sound, if that makes sense. I am really keen with the quality of the at2020's though, I seem to be stuck to them. Also, what accessories would you advice with them? And sorry about all of my questions!

 

[Steenamaroo]

With the Condenser, would the keyboard noises be horrible?

Probably.
Out of the options, a condenser would probably pick up the noises the most.
Before someone goes nuts on this, it's based on the idea that a condenser mic is likely to be at least 6" away.

Also, would the Dynamic Microphone be the same quality? I want a bass'y sound

There's no reason why not.
They're generally more forgiving with plosives so you can get much closer to them.
Dynamic mics are sooooo common in broadcast, especially in the US.

The closer you are to a cardioid mic, the bassier it'll be.
That's called proximity effect.

Also, what accessories would you advice with them?

What do you mean?
Mic, stand, clip/shockmount...that's about it.
With a condenser you'll want a pop filter.

 

[kbkasey]

Probably.
Out of the options, a condenser would probably pick up the noises the most.
Before someone goes nuts on this, it's based on the idea that a condenser mic is likely to be at least 6" away.


There's no reason why not.
They're generally more forgiving with plosives so you can get much closer to them.
Dynamic mics are sooooo common in broadcast, especially in the US.

The closer you are to a cardioid mic, the bassier it'll be.
That's called proximity effect.



What do you mean?
Mic, stand, clip/shockmount...that's about it.
With a condenser you'll want a pop filter.

Okay, thank you! You saved me a lot of time, I shall not be going with the condenser mic!

 

[Steenamaroo]

Okay, thank you! You saved me a lot of time, I shall not be going with the condenser mic!

Kick ass.
If you gona beg/borrow/steal any old dynamic mic and plug it into your computer's line input,
it will sound crap but it'll give you an idea of how much keystrokes are going to be picked up with a 58 and an interface.

 

[kbkasey]

Kick ass.
If you gona beg/borrow/steal any old dynamic mic and plug it into your computer's line input,
it will sound crap but it'll give you an idea of how much keystrokes are going to be picked up with a 58 and an interface.

I've been doing research and I believe I will go with the Rode Procaster which is £130. I believe I would need to buy a Proamp? Which is where you could advice me possibly? Its a lot of money for me so I do not want to mess this up!

 

[Steenamaroo]

I've been doing research and I believe I will go with the Rode Procaster which is £130. I believe I would need to buy a Preamp?

Yeah. Most of the budget USB interfaces will have preamps built in, so that's the way to go.
Like I said, something like a presonus audiobox or tascam us122 would be fine.
There's a stack of different brands out there but I'd be surprised if there was a massive audible difference with speech-only.

 

[kbkasey]

Yeah. Most of the budget USB interfaces will have preamps built in, so that's the way to go.
Like I said, something like a presonus audiobox or tascam us122 would be fine.
There's a stack of different brands out there but I'd be surprised if there was a massive audible difference with speech-only.

I managed to get the price wrong for the Procaster, its £140, which leaves around £60 for the USB interface, the ones you suggested are around 80-120 pounds :/ Anything at all that's lower, I really do like this Mic!

 

[Steenamaroo]

I managed to get the price wrong for the Procaster, its £140, which leaves around £60 for the USB interface, the ones you suggested are around 80-120 pounds :/ Anything at all that's lower, I really do like this Mic!

You'll get a used Us122 on ebay for £30 if you keep watch.

 

[kbkasey]

You'll get a used Us122 on ebay for £30 if you keep watch.

The annoying times when I owe eBay money when I got scammed... I have to pay something before I can use it.
Is this the same thing?amazon . co. uk /Tascam-US-122L-US122-MK-II/dp/B000MUO0MC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377806937&sr=8-2&keywords=Us122

 

[Steenamaroo]

Yip.