Very Specific Question on Mic Selecetion for a computer based studio

[griffon65]

Hi everyone! Just signed on to this site and I already have a question I hope someone can help me with. Ok I have a computer homestudio set up. I have recoding software. Calkewalk Homestudio 2002 for main recording. Sonar 2, Nero wave editor and Sound Forge 6.0 as editing and backup programs. Now these were easy enough to obtain because theres no compatiablity issuse with my computer but buying a microphone is where the problem comes. I just have a few questions. By the way for my soundcard I have a Sound Blaster AudioPCI 128

1. My computer only has a 1/8 mm mic connection. And since most professional microphones have 1/4 and XLR connections these days how should I go about connection the microphone to my computer? Should I use an interface or is like a XLR to 1/8 mm adapter available in stores? I read in dragons FAQ that said I should use a line input and connect everything to it. Can u pleasae tell me what a line input is?? I dont get it.

2. Now my bigger concern is my soundcard. Im talking about a microphone output signal level. I think 99% of mics these days put out a signal level of 1 mVpp ( milivolt) but most standerd soundcards including mine only recognizes signals that are 10 mVpp-200 mVpp. So I should I just aget a mic amp and amplify my microphone so my soundcard can hear it?

3. Just wondering my soundcard has impedence of 600 Omhs. That sould me compatiable with most mics since most have an impedence of less then 600 Omhs right?

4. What is the best overall dynamic mic for recording vocals and amped electric guiter under the $200 range?

5. OK and if theres no way for me to resolve all of these problems with my current soundcard can someone please recommend a versitile sound.A a good soundcard I can get that doesnt have the signal level or impedence issues and has an XLR connection? Under $200 if possible

6. Feel free to give me any suggestions that can improve my current recording setup

Sorry if that was really long but I wanted to be very specific so people wanting to answer know exactly what Im asking. Well thanks for reading I appreacite any help I can get thank u!

 

[darrin_h2000]

Id get a couple of SM57s and an audiobuddy, to start out with...

 

[88fingers]

1. My computer only has a 1/8 mm mic connection. And since most professional microphones have 1/4 and XLR connections these days how should I go about connection the microphone to my computer? Should I use an interface or is like a XLR to 1/8 mm adapter available in stores? I read in dragons FAQ that said I should use a line input and connect everything to it. Can u pleasae tell me what a line input is?? I dont get it.

Yes, those adapters are available, but unless you have preamps built into your computer (which I kinda doubt), those adapters aren't going to help much. I would recommend buying a preamp, or... (see answer to question 2)

2. Now my bigger concern is my soundcard. Im talking about a microphone output signal level. I think 99% of mics these days put out a signal level of 1 mVpp ( milivolt) but most standerd soundcards including mine only recognizes signals that are 10 mVpp-200 mVpp. So I should I just aget a mic amp and amplify my microphone so my soundcard can hear it?

Get a good soundcard. M-Audio makes very good entry-level to semi-pro level cards. Your Soundblaster is a good card for putting out sounds, but Creative is not a brand bent on making good home-recordings. I would seriously recommend the M-Audio Omni Studio, which comes with a Delta 66 soundcard and an outboard console with preamps.

3. Just wondering my soundcard has impedence of 600 Omhs. That sould me compatiable with most mics since most have an impedence of less then 600 Omhs right?

Not entirely sure about this one. I'm not really big on the technical specs of mics and such; maybe someone else can help with that one.

4. What is the best overall dynamic mic for recording vocals and amped electric guiter under the $200 range?

Well, I would recommend buying a Shure SM57 if you don't have one; it's the workhorse of all mics, and pretty much a standard against which most other mics are ranked. It does vocals and instruments (especially amped electric guitar) extremely well. Get a pair of them and mic your amp with the 2 mics side-by-side; you'll get an amazing sound.

5. OK and if theres no way for me to resolve all of these problems with my current soundcard can someone please recommend a versitile sound.A a good soundcard I can get that doesnt have the signal level or impedence issues and has an XLR connection? Under $200 if possible

If you're dead set on that "under $200" thing, then I would recommend the M-Audio Audiophile 2496. However, if you can fork out the extra money, you absolutely cannot go wrong with that Omni Studio I recommended up above.

6. Feel free to give me any suggestions that can improve my current recording setup

Sorry if that was really long but I wanted to be very specific so people wanting to answer know exactly what Im asking. Well thanks for reading I appreacite any help I can get thank u!

Hope I was able to help. Seriously, your first step should be to get those workhorses (SM57's), and maybe invest in a good large diaphragm condensor as well, such as the Studio Projects B1. Then get your preamps, whether by themselves, or with some sort of console such as the Omni Studio.

Good luck!
-Brandon

 

[martinepiphone]

what are you going to be recording mostly?
id recommend the studio projects b1 also for an all around, but mostly for acoustics. it can do vocals and do them pleasingly well, but the sm57's will be perfect for micing the amp, but personally i havent heard them on vocals although alot of people say theyll do the trick, but if you could go ahead and get a large dia. condenser, you need to do that, because it opens up alot of different options when recording, and the studio projects will only run you about 79.00...its well worth it. you could almost get two sm57's and one studio projects b1 for your budget. also a soundcard would be a very good move.
Matt

 

[martinepiphone]

oh yea, do you have a mixer? if so you can run that into the 1/8 jack from the outs on your mixer to the in on your soundcard. thats what i do and it works alright.
Matt

 

[jdier]

Humble suggestion: Get a better sound card. You might want to consider one that has one or two built in mic pre amps with phantom power. This will open up your mic choices.

Back to the Mic question, I would get a SM57 to start. You will never be sorry you bought it.

 

[rjohns]

I would agree with most of what the other guys said, but I have some other ideas. Musicians friend has a marshall electronics mic (MXL57M) large diaphram condenser mic on sale for 49.99. I have two and they sound like I spent alot more than $50 on them. They are very clear and sound great. I would buy two of these, and pickup 2 sm57's. That would make a nice little setup. Also, I would go with a small mixer. You can pickup a really nice 10 channel mixer (6 line ins and 4 mic pre-amps) for under $100. I own a yamaha and a behringer, and they are both great. Also, why are you using home studio2002 for recording and sonar 2 to edit? HS2k2 is a slimmed down version of sonar, and doesn't have multi-track recording capabilities. I would scrap hs2k2 and stick to sonar. Good luck to you and I hope all of our ideas help you get the things you will be happy with.

 

[jdier]

regarding a sound card suggestion I would be guessing since the only ones I have used are Aardvark and they are all a bit more than you want to spend.

I would suggest you call Scott at ADK <www.advanceddesignky.com> He is the guy who helped me choose. You could also just search through the newbie section or the computer section here and get some good ideas.

The Aardvark stuff is worth a look. It gives you a lot of power for the money and many of their units have nice sounding built in pre amps with phantom power.

 

[cominginsecond]

I would get the M-Audio MobilePre ($139 from digitalproaudio.com) an SM57 for your amp ($50 used from Ebay) and an MXLv67 for your vocals ($99 almost anywhere). I guess that puts you at $300, but you won't be sorry.

 

[stonepiano]

1. My computer only has a 1/8 mm mic connection.

I normally wouldn't do this with such a thoughtful, well intended post but I figured your question was already mostly answered so we can have fun now....

I read this and just had to imagine how small a 1/8th mm input would be.

I think the pre coupled with a decent sc with either 1/4" ins or at least rca ins is the consensus way to start.

Miles

 

[griffon65]

Wow thats a lot more responses then I anticipated. Thanks everyone.

88fingers: yeah I actually took a look at the M-Omni Studio. Its pricy but its seems to have jsut an awesome amount of versitility. Its like an interface/souncard hybrid so I dont have to go into the hassel of advanced installing. Plus it gives me the option of expanding my recording studio to a comple studio cuz it has keyboard support. I think I might go with this one if I can convince myself to shell out the $400 and some more for mics.

martinepiphone: Well its reassuring to know that the sm57 is good for amping. And since everyone else is saying its the best all around I guess thats the first mic Im gonna try.

jdier: LOL yeah I realize that now, I think I was just in denial and trying to save money... and thanks for the info on scott I'll definatly get in touch with him

rjohns: Ohh condeser mics just arent my thing, its usually too specific in what it does. But your suggestion of 2 sm57's gets me thinking of the creative possibilites.

cominginsecond: Wow right in my budget range, thanks bro, i'll be looking into this one!

stonepiano: hey but u know whats even funnier? I used to think that 1/8 mm could actually record studio quality material. That was before I researched this and then my fantesies came crashing down NOOOOOOO!!! the pain of reality. I thought I could set up a great studio for $100 lol

Well thanks everyone, I have to say this is the most helpful forum I've ever visited, you guys saved me a lot of headache and a lot of cash, unless I go and buy what 88fingers suggested..