USB Vocal Mic (singing/screaming)

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zille33

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Hi, I'm new to this forum... I asked this same question at another forum but didn't get much help so I decided to come to a forum that specializes in home recording :)

What would be a good vocal mic to purchase for my PC?

-around $100
-USB USB USB (preferably built in, not an adapter)
-broad range (singing to screaming)
-no distortion/crackle when screaming (by screaming I'm referring to inhale/exhale, screamo/<insertnamehere>core/hardcore/etc)
(yes I enjoy more than screaming which is why I want it to do both, I think a lot more mics will support singing more-so than screaming but if it doesn't support screaming I don't want it)

Here are a few that caught my attention:
Samson C01U USB Condenser Mic
Samson C03U Multi-pattern USB Condenser Mic
Blue Snowball
(I had amazon links but it won't let me use them until I have 5 posts)

The above mics look pretty good to me... I'm just worried about them not being able to handle screaming and finding information like that on the internet is hard... I got to this forum by researching the topic but what I found was not about USB mics. I'd rather get advice before I blindly buy one...
 
zille33 said:
Hi, I'm new to this forum... I asked this same question at another forum but didn't get much help so I decided to come to a forum that specializes in home recording :)

What would be a good vocal mic to purchase for my PC?

-around $100
-USB USB USB (preferably built in, not an adapter)
-broad range (singing to screaming)
-no distortion/crackle when screaming (by screaming I'm referring to inhale/exhale, screamo/<insertnamehere>core/hardcore/etc)
(yes I enjoy more than screaming which is why I want it to do both, I think a lot more mics will support singing more-so than screaming but if it doesn't support screaming I don't want it)

Here are a few that caught my attention:
Samson C01U USB Condenser Mic
Samson C03U Multi-pattern USB Condenser Mic
Blue Snowball
(I had amazon links but it won't let me use them until I have 5 posts)

The above mics look pretty good to me... I'm just worried about them not being able to handle screaming and finding information like that on the internet is hard... I got to this forum by researching the topic but what I found was not about USB mics. I'd rather get advice before I blindly buy one...
Click to expand...

None of those are going to be great...quite honestly they'll probably all be pretty bad considering what you're wanting to use them on. I mean, they're okay for podcasting or something, but not on dynamic material. You'd pretty much be throwing away $100.

You'd be much better off saving for an SM57 and an interface (or something similar).

Frank
 
hm

Dont scream cause i dont like to listen to it :]

On a serious note if you are pushed to get one of those if you cant do what Frank said, then I would probably go with the CO3U just cause if its multi pattern you have more options and ways of approaching things making it a bit more versitile.
 
Weasel9992 said:
None of those are going to be great...quite honestly they'll probably all be pretty bad considering what you're wanting to use them on. I mean, they're okay for podcasting or something, but not on dynamic material. You'd pretty much be throwing away $100.

You'd be much better off saving for an SM57 and an interface (or something similar).

Frank
Click to expand...

Well thanks, that's the most helpful and honest advice I've gotten so far...

I'm looking at the SM57 on Amazon and it goes for about $99... same with SM58. Do you know which one of those would be better for my needs? (Pretty much all vocal/screaming, I use all digital instruments..)
 
In general I always thought 58's were better for vox, 57's are better for drums and guitar cabs.

You could get an SM58 and a $100 USB mixer from Yamaha or something, basically a 2 channel interface. You'd have a LOT better sound, and you could use that mixer for other things as well.
 
suprstar said:
In general I always thought 58's were better for vox, 57's are better for drums and guitar cabs.

You could get an SM58 and a $100 USB mixer from Yamaha or something, basically a 2 channel interface. You'd have a LOT better sound, and you could use that mixer for other things as well.
Click to expand...

The 57 and 58 are *exactly* the same microphone, only the 58 has the ball screen and the 57 does not. You could go with the 58 and just remove the ball for tracking amps or mic'ing a guitar.

Frank
 
Okayyy... so the SM58 is what I'm looking at after all the advice here. On Amazon I can get one for like $110 with XLR cable included.

Now I just need to find an XLR -> USB converter... Is the MXL USB Mic Mate Dynamic a good choice? The regular MXL USB Mic Mate says it's for Condenser mics and as far as I can see the SM58 is a Dynamic which means I should get the more expensive Mic Mate Dynamic, correct?
 
Correct. The Mic Mate dynamic provides no phantom power (as dynamic mics don't need it), but apparently provides more gain than the regular Mic Mate, which is helpful for dynamic mics which aren't as sensitive as condensers - although since you want it for screaming, may not be much of an issue for you. You will also need an XLR cable and a USB cable.
 
I didnt know that about the 57/58, interesting.. The Mic Mate looks so basic, I still think it'd be a way better buy to throw down an extra $20 and get a little USB mixer. You can do so much more with it, you'd get way more bang for the buck. Also, it only converts 44.1/16 and 88.2/16. N o 24 bit sampling which any usb mixer would do, and would give you a ton more headroom on your tracks.
 
suprstar said:
I didnt know that about the 57/58, interesting.. The Mic Mate looks so basic, I still think it'd be a way better buy to throw down an extra $20 and get a little USB mixer. You can do so much more with it, you'd get way more bang for the buck. Also, it only converts 44.1/16 and 88.2/16. N o 24 bit sampling which any usb mixer would do, and would give you a ton more headroom on your tracks.
Click to expand...

I agree. I think this is one of those cases where the OP wants results that you just can't get by spending $200. I think $400 or $500 is pretty much the entry level price for "okay" results.

Frank
 
any suggestions?

Weasel9992 said:
None of those are going to be great...quite honestly they'll probably all be pretty bad considering what you're wanting to use them on. I mean, they're okay for podcasting or something, but not on dynamic material. You'd pretty much be throwing away $100.

You'd be much better off saving for an SM57 and an interface (or something similar).

Frank
Click to expand...

Hi Frank,

Can you please suggest an interface for computer recording? I am inquiring for singing and only one mic input needed. Also, what type of role do the computer hardware/software/drivers play in the quality of the recording?

Thanks!
 
lalasim said:
Hi Frank,

Can you please suggest an interface for computer recording? I am inquiring for singing and only one mic input needed. Also, what type of role do the computer hardware/software/drivers play in the quality of the recording?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There are a million to choose from. The best thing to do is to start another thread where you can lay out your personal needs and requirements.
 
I've had 58's for donkey years and still have one (in working condition although very sorry to look at) that our bass player bought me as a birthday present 16 years ago. You can drop them - within reason - and pretty much get on with making your sound without worrying about breaking something less robust, like some of the large condensers. I'm bias of course, but they've never let me down in any situation, live or recording at home.
 
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