what mic and do I need preamp

[gamenutt]

I want to set up some sort of cheap home studio. Right now my computer is good.
specs dealing with my sound:
p4 2.53GHz
1024 mb ddr pc2700 ram
soundblaster audigy 2 platinum sound card
windows xp professional

now im gonna be recording electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals, narration, and some adr. I dont want to spend more than $150 on mic and power supply so I was lookin at the $99 behringer b1. Looked like a good deal comes with case,shockmount, and windscreen and got a lot of positive reviews so not sure if thats the mic I should get or not. And do I need a mic preamp as well or is the preamp on the audigy 2 platinum enough. Or can I run it through a guitar preamp or a guitar amp. thanks for any help anyone can give me on settin up cheap home studio.

 

[noisedude]

Step 1: Get your eyes over the HomeRec.com Microphone FAQ Pages before you do anything else.

Step 2: Come back and ask your questions after that. People like to help, but you need to just put in a little time yourself first.

For what it's worth, no to the Behringer B-1. You do need a preamp, I wouldn't suggest using a POD or similar even to start with. Get a cheap mixer if you think you'll have need for one in future, otherwise get an Audio Buddy (look around for good local prices).

The big upgrade you need to do will be the soundcard, without a doubt you're gonna get directed to the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 so you need to start saving for that too!

 

[gamenutt]

hmmm thanks for the reply....any reason for the no on the behringer. Remember im lookin for cheap here just want to be able to record something listenable. And I dont see reason for changin my sound card. To me the creative audigy 2 platinum sound card is a decent card and seeing that it wasnt bought very long ago im not gonna go and throw away 170 bucks. I really dont want to spend over 150 to start right now. I wanted to get somethin started so I can start playin around with recording and then when I get some money ill upgrade my gear. So Can I use a guitar preamp or a guitar amp or the audigy 2 platinum mic preamp or a stereo preamp or woulnt any of these work?

 

[chessrock]

....any reason for the no on the behringer.

Cuz' they sound like shit. Get yourself a Shure SM-57 or 58 and you'll be a lot happier.

Then get an Audio Buddy to plug it in to. Go line out of the Audio Buddy to the Line in of your sound card.

 

[Gidge]

if you think you can handle a condenser and use it properly, get a StudioProjects B1 or Marshall MXLv67....if not, go with the sm57.....

audio buddy preamp if you decide to get one.....if you use a condenser, you'll need phantom power anyway so the audio buddy would get you the power and preamp.....

if you go with the sm57, yes you could go thru a guitar amp/preamp.....i think i did a few tunes running my sm57 thru my J-Station.....but let me tell you it was night and day difference going thru a decent preamp......

 

[gamenutt]

thanks gidge wasnt thinkin that the audio buddy would give me the phantom power as well as the preamp. And was lookin at the studio projects b1. So that might work out.

 

[noisedude]

To me the creative audigy 2 platinum sound card is a decent card

fine, you know best. it's not, but hey!

SP B1 and Audio Buddy sounds the right starting point to me. I wouldn't bother with an SM57, get a sennheiser e835 and have an (arguably) superior mic for less money.

When it comes to investing in upgrading, you might wanna come back and re-read what I said before asking, cos you'll get the same answer whoever you ask. So stick "M-Audio" in your head and don't forget it. As for 170 bucks, I can get an Audiophile over here for £114 so you shouldn't be paying more than $130, surely?

 

[jdier]

Other nice inexpensive mics are Shure SM57 and Studio Projects B1.

 

[F_cksia]

Other nice inexpensive mics are Shure SM57 and Studio Projects B1.

Did you read this thread?

 

[noisedude]

*slaps forehead*

 

[gamenutt]

hmmm is it true that the audio buddy doesnt put out a true 48v, is that a problem with the studio projects b1. And would it be better to go with a mixer in the same price range like the Behringer Eurorack UB1202 Mixer ($79) or Behringer Eurorack UB1002 Mixer($59) Nady SRM-10X 10-Input Mixer($75).

 

[noisedude]

i've heard rumours like that, but i don't know for sure. others will, you could ask on The Rack board if you don't get anything here.

the audio buddy is much better than the pres in those behringer mixers so if possible i'd get that instead. the behris are fine to use as routers but i'd avoid putting it in your signal chain, even at this early stage.

 

[Gidge]

yes there are phantom power issues with the Audio Buddy......

if you wanna go the small mixer route, try the yamaha mg series

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--YAMMG102

 

[noisedude]

how bad are the issues? i was thinking about picking up a 2nd-hand AB just for something extra to play with but if i can't run my mics off it ......

 

[Gidge]

Ive never personally measured......but some people who i trust have measured in the 36v range.....ive heard some measure more and some less.....

with condenser mics that want 48v, the mics will work but the signal will be lower and the noise will be higher, and it could actually change the sound of the mic......

 

[noisedude]

ok then i'll give it a miss i think. hope someone outbids me on ebay!! i guess it might be alright for dynamics, or maybe my C1000S which runs on a 9V battery if it needs to...?

 

[chessrock]

There aren't many mics that require the full 48V. Some might, I suppose.

 

[noisedude]

yes but is there a possibility that those mics would operate at a still lower voltage because they were expecting to have to reduce 48V to 36V, for example?

 

[Flatpicker]

yes but is there a possibility that those mics would operate at a still lower voltage because they were expecting to have to reduce 48V to 36V, for example?

They will still work, but with a reduced headroom that a full 48 volts would otherwise afford. I'd just get a pre that provides a full 48V. Heck, even the $39 Behringer mixer will do that and probably sound as good as or better then the AB (which only supplies around 28 - 32 volts, BTW). Plus you'd have some of the added features of a mixer. Lowering phantom power to a condenser is like putting cheap gas in a formula racer. It'll run, but what a waste!