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ravenomega
New member
I was wondering if the Shure XM58 mic would be good for recording vocals at home on my PC. If so does the XM58 come with USB or would I need the XM58+X2u?
Thanks!
Thanks!
P
Phantom Piggy
Bacon
I'm gonna assume you mean the Shure SM58 which doesn't come with a USB output so if you wanted to use it then you would also need the X2u or an audio interface.
As for the mic being good it really depends on what you're using it for.
As for the mic being good it really depends on what you're using it for.
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ravenomega
New member
Yes the Shure SM58. I was just wondering if it would be good for recording vocals at home, or is there a better mic for that?
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
Okay.
The SM58 is a 45 or 50 year old design for a dynamic microphone. In the intervening time, lots of better sounding mics have come onto the market. Also, the 58 is aimed largely at the live sound market--decent off axis rejection and relatively low sensitivity for working on loud stages.
The huge advantages of SM58s is that they're built to be tough as hammers (I've actually seen nails driven with them) and sound ops all over the work know exactly what they should sound like and how to EQ them to get the best out of them.
Quite a few recordings have been made on SM58s with decent results but, if you ask if it's the best choice? Probably not.
And, no, there's no USB version--but unless there are extenuating circumstances, USB mics are not recommended round these parts anyway.
The SM58 is a 45 or 50 year old design for a dynamic microphone. In the intervening time, lots of better sounding mics have come onto the market. Also, the 58 is aimed largely at the live sound market--decent off axis rejection and relatively low sensitivity for working on loud stages.
The huge advantages of SM58s is that they're built to be tough as hammers (I've actually seen nails driven with them) and sound ops all over the work know exactly what they should sound like and how to EQ them to get the best out of them.
Quite a few recordings have been made on SM58s with decent results but, if you ask if it's the best choice? Probably not.
And, no, there's no USB version--but unless there are extenuating circumstances, USB mics are not recommended round these parts anyway.
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FromtheSOUTH
New member
Until you're ready to spend 100$+ on a dedicated vocal mic, the SM58 will do fine. I've used them on virtually everything, with mixed results. I've used this mic for my vocals, works great in conjunction with another mic, and have gotten some decent guitar tones through it. That being said, +1 to bobbsy's post.
Try it out, see if you like it. If not, buy an MXL 990.
Try it out, see if you like it. If not, buy an MXL 990.
Steenamaroo
...
Not necessarily. There are bad, good, and great examples of each type.
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ravenomega
New member
Can you possibly steer me in the right direction? All I am looking for is a Mic that is compatible with a Desktop PC for vocal recordings at home and doesn't pop. Like if you were to give advice for a starter what would you recommend per say?
Steenamaroo
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Have a think about how far you're likely to go.
If you think in a years time you'll be stereo micing instruments and recording drum kits, definitely buy over you head now.
It's saves money in the long run. I'm thinking of an 8 channel interface with mic pres...Presonus fp10/tascam us1800, or something like that.
If you think a nice simple single mic setup is all you're ever going to want, then I guess USB mics are an option, or a basic interface like a firestudio mobile and a mic of your choosing.
I love dynamic mics, others don't, but the big hitters are sm7b, re20, md421 etc.
Budget but usable condensers...rode nt1a, mxl v67g, SP B1 etc.
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ravenomega
New member
It seems that a dynamic mic would be better suited for me considering less background noise, but the AT2020 sounds really good and has a nice price.. And yes a single mic setup is all that I really want and will need for a while. So basically all of these mics have some sort of adapter that connects directly to the computer that is sold separately? Sorry, just very new to this.
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
I'm afraid that, as so often occurs, the answer is a definite "yes and know"
The built in sound cards on pretty well any computer are built out of a few cents worth of parts and are very poor quality. What quality there is is aimed at the playback side so you can listen to DVDs or Youtube videos. The microphone input will be dreadful, aimed at Skype calls and so on.
Technically, you could get an adapter cable and plug a dynamic mic like the SM58 directly in--but it'll be unpleasantly noisy and, depending on the sound card in your computer, may be quite low in level.
it gets more complex with condenser mics like the AT2020 (and every other condenser). They require phantom power to operate and your in built sound card doesn't provide that.
Both these problems are easily solved with the addition of an external audio interface, probably connecting to your computer by USB. There are oodles out there but, if you are sure you'll only ever want a sing mic input, have a look at the M Audio Fast Track Mk.II. I'm sure others will be along soon with other suggestions.
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chessparov
New member
Actually, 58's "can" sound great for vocals (nobody's returned "Frampton Comes Alive yet over it/mostly kidding here), again it depends on the vocalist/material. Personally would have no qualms about being recorded on a 58-through a major studio w/premium pre's, SSL's, blah blah blah.
FWIW I like when Bono (U2) occasionally used a 58 on their albums (more often with Beta 58a BTW), or the lead vocal on "London Calling" (Clash).
Other examples are legion, including other notables like Carly Simon, and David Bowie etc.
Meanwhile, back in humble home recording, can you shoot out a 58 vs. other "usual suspects" among dynamic microphones?
If you can stretch your budget to under $200, recommend comparing the Shure Beta 57a, or Beta 58a, which have greater detail on a typical project studio/prosumer pre vs. the original 57/58. FWIW now that my voice has darkened the last year(!) am favoring the brighter neodymium designs like these.
Am also guessing the OP's "recording area" has not not been acoustically treated, and typically a dynamic will minimize bad room tone vs. a LDC.
Chris
P.S. Am not knocking Frampton's (excellent) singing voice BTW!
FWIW I like when Bono (U2) occasionally used a 58 on their albums (more often with Beta 58a BTW), or the lead vocal on "London Calling" (Clash).
Other examples are legion, including other notables like Carly Simon, and David Bowie etc.
Meanwhile, back in humble home recording, can you shoot out a 58 vs. other "usual suspects" among dynamic microphones?
If you can stretch your budget to under $200, recommend comparing the Shure Beta 57a, or Beta 58a, which have greater detail on a typical project studio/prosumer pre vs. the original 57/58. FWIW now that my voice has darkened the last year(!) am favoring the brighter neodymium designs like these.
Am also guessing the OP's "recording area" has not not been acoustically treated, and typically a dynamic will minimize bad room tone vs. a LDC.
Chris
P.S. Am not knocking Frampton's (excellent) singing voice BTW!
VomitHatSteve
Hat STYLE. Not contents.
I actually use an SM58 for most of what I record. All the electric guitars and basses use the 58; the vocals use a slightly cheaper Samson dynamic; I only bust out the condensers for things like acoustic guitars. (All this is through a firewire interface)
(I've got an MXL 990, but it started to poop out on me within a year of buying it, so I can't rightly recommend it.)
So yeah, SM58s can definitely get the job done. They're probably not the best choice for a lot of studio options, but i've gotten good results.
(I've got an MXL 990, but it started to poop out on me within a year of buying it, so I can't rightly recommend it.)
So yeah, SM58s can definitely get the job done. They're probably not the best choice for a lot of studio options, but i've gotten good results.