Upgraded the mic, but now I'm thinking of a preamp to go with my mixer

[ThatGuyDave]

Please

Save me the trouble of talking to another shop owner who doesn't know wthat they are talking about.

Current, I have an ISK condensor mic, and no matter the amount of time I put into EQ and and compression and any other VST I'v tried, I do not get that clarity I'm looking for. Now, I'm not expecting miracles, but something tells me my 2 channel DJ mixer has something to do with it.

When I first bought it, the guy said its all I need... That, with my Behringer U-Control soundcard.

Now, I have read enough to know that a simple 2 channel mixer is not enough to give me the quality I need, So I am asking...

What should the setup be exactly?

e.g: Mic>Mixer>preamp>soundcard>laptop?

Can I do away with the mixer altogether? Should I just get a $500 preamp that my mic connects too?

If so, how does it connect? using a 3/4 male or what ever that thing is called (sorry the name escapes me)


Dave

 

[jonny deep]

You don't need the mixer at all - you can go Mic -> USB/Firewire soundcard -> Software DAW. The preamps are built into the soundcard - take a look at Focusrite Saffire & Scarlet, Roland Quad Capture, Tascam US series, M-Audio FastTrack.

Plenty of people get great results with a setup like this (go into the MP3 clinic and listen to Rami's stuff - he gets a wonderful, clear vocal using a Tascam US1800 (or similar) and a low/mid range Audio Technica mic). I can't comment on your microphone as I don't know that particular one, but at the level of quality of the gear I list above, a mic upgrade will have more of an impact than a preamp ugrade (as I understand it).

Otherwise, the acoustic properties of the room and the performance and mic technique of the singer are of great importance.

 

[Bobbsy]

Keep your recording chain as short as possible. Mic->USB Interface (with onboard pre-amp)->Computer. You don't need a mixer and you probably don't need a boutique pre amp.

I don't know ISK mics at all but notice they have all sorts of models ranging from about $40 to a few hundred. My advice would be to do some research and find a decent mic from a known manufacturer--since you want more clarity, put that at the top of your list for characteristics. Adding extra devices between the mic and the recording is just an exercise in turd polishing if you're not happy with the mic.

Beyond that, a cheap DJ mixer and a cheaper interface won't be doing you any favours either.

Seriously, I suggest starting again with a mic that's a known quantity and a decent interface. That's all you need--the rest is just more stuff to mess up your sound.