What would you do? The next step for iPad recordings of singer/acoustic guitarist

[beeker]

Hi guys, thanks for your help.

Here's my goal. The highest quality sound I can get out of an iPad for vocals and acoustic guitar.

I am currently running a Shure SM57 and a generic mic into a 2 to 1 converter into an Apogee jam and then into an iPad with garageband. They both show up on 1 track, but its very hard to get the volumes right for both of them, and the quality is just okay. If I just use 1 mic I get a low hum noise, so I always use 2. I have experimented with placements and have started just having both at voice level, and having a faint guitar that I add another track to after.

But things need to change.

I think a condenser mic is one essential addition to this picture, so I feel there are two options I have come across that I'd like your thoughts on:

1) Apogee MiC or blue spark - to keep it simple. a self phantom powered usb condenser mic that gives the option of a quality demo of a single track of vocals and guitar, or the option of tracking both individually in higher quality. Super easy minimal set up and only $150-200

2) something like a Roland UA-22 DUO CAPTURE EX USB Audio/MIDI Interface. lets me use my shure sm57 and get a regular condenser mic like an mxl 770 or at2020 for $80-100. I like the idea of being able to record two tracks at once with their own adjustable sound levels. also this gives me several more options in the long run, although Im sticking with garageband and the ipad for the foreseeable future. costs about $300

So as far as sound quality goes, is it even fair to compare an mxl 770 or at2020 to an apogee mic or blue spark? what's your favorite vocal/guitar mic in the 100 dollar range? would you even use an sm57 if you had a nice condenser mic? is option 2 worth the extra gear and extra $150 if it will never see a full computer setup?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JimmyS1969]

Read THIS stuck thread.

Always take the time to search before making a purchase. In the end it comes down to what works for you.

 

[Armistice]

The device you record on (iPad etc.) should have zero to do with the quality of the recorded sound. Quality comes from a decent signal chain and a decent performer being recorded by someone who knows what they're doing in a good (enough) recording space. I wouldn't spent a cent on a USB mic. Starting point for decent recording for me is interface AND a decent vocal mic. 57s have their uses and have been used as vocal mics before, but I'd say in most scenarios they're not ideal.

 

[PTravel]

What Armistice said.

Home recording is an incurable disease with symptoms that can only be treated by spending increasingly larger sums on hardware. It makes sense to invest your money into something that will fit into future upgrades and, trust me, you WILL want to upgrade.

If your concern is portability, there are better solutions than an iPad, for example a Zoom H2 or H4. If you're trying to do decent recordings in a fixed location, you'll soon want a recording medium that offers greater storage than the iPad. With that in mind, I'd suggest a decent audio interface and a standard, non-self-powered, condenser mike -- any decent interface will provide phantom power. You'll soon want a true general-purpose computer, Mac or PC, for recording, editing, mixing and mastering.

 

[beeker]

Okay, thanks you guys. I guess then what I'm looking for is an audio interface that has two xlr mic inputs, both with phantom power that run off a wall outlet, as i have read that some of the usb driven ones through an ipad drain the battery or don't give you full phantom power. any suggestions? it looks like the m-audio only m-track only has one pp switch, does that mean it can only run 1 condenser mic? I like the looks of the focusrite, but it looks like its powered through a usb only, and so i am assuming that means its running off my ipad battery. Thanks for your help/suggestions. Sorry if there's a sticky with this info already.

Also, on the subject of mics. Im looking to spend about 100 bucks and my vocal style is similar to Jack Johnson. The MXLV67G looks sweet, but i don't know if it would complement me or if it matters at this level. So if you want to give a shout out to your favorite condenser at this price range...