Voice Microphone (speaking) choice?

[CoolPops]

Greetings.

I will not be recording my voice professionally, but want something of good quality. I will mostly be reading. I want to read different books, home schooling material, the Bible and a few other resources onto CD for my children and some other homeschoolers in our area.

My setup is simply my computer, a Phillips Soundcard, and don't laugh, but I bought a $30.00 Radio Shack microphone... Oh, I also have a preamp that I use for my guitar, a BOSS.

This just doesn't cut it. I took the microphone back. I am assuming that I need a better quality pre-amp and of course a microphone.

Can anyone offer suggestions as to a good microphone for my application? (Speaking 95% of the time, but at some point their may be some singing ... not by me!).

Thanks for any help

 

[CoolPops]

Oh, I don't want to go broke, but don't want a Radio Shack quality mic.

 

[Richard Monroe]

AKG D770- $80 new. Excellent for voicevers. We're recording 2 books with it right here. There are a lot more expensive mics I could use, but the AKG just works for that application.-Richie

 

[Innovations]

You might want to look around ebay for some used bargains. I might recommend you look at a SM58, which would be quite plentiful. Also so rugged you could let your kids record themselves with it.

 

[chessparov]

Electro-Voice RE16.
It has the patented "variable-D" design that makes it a very easy microphone
to use because it minimizes the proximity effect, unlike other brands.
Staple of professional studios, VO, and radio broadcasting for many years.

They run under $100 used on e-bay. (try "RE16" and "RE-16")
New about $180+.
Was also the hand held microphone used by Elvis for the 1968
"Elvis" Comeback Special, the album version sold millions of copies BTW.

The quietest mic pre for around $100 is the Studio Projects VTB-1.
(edges out M-Audio DMP3, but the DMP3 is DUAL channels)
There's a demo for sale at www.pmiaudio.com for about $116,
that's still probably there.

Chris