What do you suggest? (Mic, pre amp set up)

[word_play]

Whats up,


As of now, i have a $60 dollar no name microphone going straight into my 'mic in' on my sound card. i am using cool edit pro to record by the way.

Im thinking about getting one of those imitation shure 58's and a $150cdn pre amp. Which pre amp would you suggest for that price? And also, would I hear a big difference with the new set up compared to my current one?

thanks a lot, appreciate it.

 

[Gidge]

Id get a real sm57 ($79 US) and a studio projects vtb-1 preamp ($129 US)...........

 

[tdukex]

Gidge's suggestion is a good one. But for the same $79 I'd opt for the Studio Projects B1 condenser. Because I mainly record acoustic guit and vox and my electric guit direct, I hardly ever use my 57. Another preamp that can be had for around $150 (I think) is the M-Audio DMP3.

 

[Innovations]

Yeah, rather than going real cheap on the mic and then try to make it up on the preamp I would suggest an audio buddy and one of the several rather nice condensers to be had in the 89-100 dollar price range. The preamp can't boost what the mic hasn't picked up in the first place.

 

[kid klash]

I'm going to agree with several of the guys at one time and suggest that you buy yourself a Studio Projects B1 LD condenser ($79) and an AudioBuddy mic preamp ($75).

This is only $4 over your $150 budget, and it will allow you to record vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, rhythm instruments, and most anything else. You'll never regret buying either piece of gear because they're amazingly good devices for the money. The sound quality of your recordings will be WAY better than that of your current recordings. Enjoy!

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Some excellent advice here.

All of the suggestions above WILL make a dramatic improvement to your current setup. Saving $50 and buying a 58 look-a-like and a consumer preamp will improve your sound some, but not worth the $50 you saved.

If you can scrimp and save just a little longer, you'll enjoy a mic and pre that you'll use for years. Even though this is low end home recording stuff, the quality of the pres mentioned above is a LOT higher than ever before availible at this price.

Enjoy,
Chris