What do I do with a C 414 B-ULS

[ltjoboyle]

Ok, the newbie section of this forum basically called out to me as the place for me to be.

I know basically nothing about home recording, I've just made a few songs with the use of a gaming microphone and Sony Acid XMC 6.0. However, I've started watching artists playing acoustic songs on youtube and the like, and figured I wanted to give it a go, so I went and dug out a microphone that my sister's ex-boyfriend gave to me as a pretty nice gift.

Its the C 414 B-ULS, however there is no manual in the little case, and looking online for advice on what I do with it is just making me more and more confused. I'd just like to be able to connect the microphone to my laptop to record what the microphone picks up, however from what I see there is just like one socket kind of thing on the bottom of the microphone which I assume is to connect to a power source. Can anyone shed any light on what kind of cable I would need to purchase to be able to connect the microphone to a socket, and also how I would then plug in the mic to my laptop?

Sorry if these questions are outrageously idiotic, I'm just trying to find my way in something which was far more complex than I ever thought it would be.

 

[Armistice]

The AKG C414 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone. You cannot connect it to your laptop.

You will need an interface to plug your microphone into. This interface will need to supply phantom power to the microphone, which it will do via the standard microphone cable you will also need. Your interface will go (probably) via USB into your laptop and replace the internal soundcard. It will convert the analogue sound the microphone picks up to digital.

There are a million threads answering these exact questions in this section of the forum. Start searching and reading.

 

[Chili]

Not outrageously idiotic and this is the very reason we have a Newbs section.

The C414 is a condensr mic and you cannot just plug it into your laptop, guess you figured that out already. The mic requires a Microphone pre-amplifier to raise its signal to a level acceptable to your laptop. The mic also needs a power supply called phantom power. Forunately, lot of mic pres will supply this.

Here's a list of mic pre's that will do the job for you....

Single-Channel Preamps | Sweetwater.com

With one of these, you plug your mic into, then use a patch cable to go from the Output of the mic pre to the Line In on you laptop and you're good to go.

Alternatively, you can buy an audio interface that has a mic pre (and phantom power) and will do the analog to digital conversion. The Line In jack on your laptop will do the same thing, but maybe not with as good of quality. A standalone interface is designed for recording and will have better converters and more functionality.

Here's a list to pique your curiosity. I suggest starting at around the $80 range...

USB Audio Interfaces | Sweetwater.com

have fun,

 

[c7sus]

That's a damned nice mic.

I think you're sister's ex-boyfriend liked you more than he liked your sister.

Just sayin'...

 

[moresound]

That's a damned nice mic.

I think you're sister's ex-boyfriend liked you more than he liked your sister.

Just sayin'...

opps!

 

[c7sus]

I calls 'em like I sees 'em.

 

[miroslav]

There's nothing you can do with that mic (no matter how nice your sister's boyfriend was).
That mic doesn't work with laptops.
It's actually going to be a major burden to you...'cuz to get any real benefit out of it, you'll need to go out and buy a really nice mic preamp, and then also an A/D interface...so you're going to be sucked in for a LOT of $$$ by the time you're done.

I'll be happy to take it off your hands...and will gladly in return give you a mic that can plug directlyy into a laptop.



You don't have to thank me.

 

[Supercreep]

Keep that mic forever. It's a nice one.

 

[moresound]

There's nothing you can do with that mic (no matter how nice your sister's boyfriend was).
That mic doesn't work with laptops.
It's actually going to be a major burden to you...'cuz to get any real benefit out of it, you'll need to go out and buy a really nice mic preamp, and then also an A/D interface...so you're going to be sucked in for a LOT of $$$ by the time you're done.

I'll be happy to take it off your hands...and will gladly in return give you a mic that can plug directlyy into a laptop.



You don't have to thank me.

Wait ..... I'll give you two microphones that plug directly into your computer for it!

 

[Jim Lad]

I am so close to getting a C414... I can smell it.
Wouldn't care to introduce me to your sister's ex boyfriend, would you?

 

[miroslav]

I am so close to getting a C414... I can smell it.

Naaa...that's just some Thai food I had for lunch....excuse me.

 

[Bristol Posse]

Wait ..... I'll give you two microphones that plug directly into your computer for it!

I'll see your two microphones that plug directly into your computer and raise you a Guitar Hero guitar controller. Heck if people are giving away $2000 mics I might even throw in Guitar Hero too.

 

[moresound]

I'll see your two microphones that plug directly into your computer and raise you a Guitar Hero guitar controller. Heck if people are giving away $2000 mics I might even throw in Guitar Hero too.

I see your two usb microphones and GH controller and raise you a LAVA lamp

This is going to be hard to beat!

 

[Bristol Posse]

I see your two usb microphones and GH controller and raise you a LAVA lamp

This is going to be hard to beat!

Rats, FOLD!

 

[Armistice]

Two USB microphones, a Guitar Hero controller, a lava lamp AND an original vinyl copy of "The Song Remains The Same"....

Actually, I already have a C-414... do I really need another one... ?

 

[moresound]

Two USB microphones, a Guitar Hero controller, a lava lamp AND an original vinyl copy of "The Song Remains The Same"....

Actually, I already have a C-414... do I really need another one... ?

I've got two stereo matched 414 and and older one heck an other one can't hurt. Right?

I see your two usb mics, GH controller, lava lamp, and vinyl Zep and raise you a mirror ball and two pin spots!

 

[Armistice]

I'll have to let it go, I think - I have no mirror ball to offer...

I've got the vocal version, whatever it was called.. TLII?... never actually used it on vocals until recently... going back to my trusty NT2 which makes me sound less like Tom Waits...

 

[Jim Lad]

mmmmmmmm! Lava!!

 

[moresound]

It's the breakfast of champions!

 

[ltjoboyle]

Oooohh a lava lamp.....
Although those are all amazing offers, I think I'll pass and just buy myself a preamp or audio interface .... and a lava lamp
Thanks for all the advice too! Really massively helped!