c-money wrote: i'm just looking for some help/advice

i need to hook up a mic to my laptop
how would i go about doing this.

i want to use the usb as the input rather then a bus card

anyone know some good mic to hook up to get me started?

thanks.

links to products would be helpful

For a low budget, I would do this:

SM57 microphone - $100+ http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--SHUSM57LC

If you want to, you could get an MXL 990 instead, but it is not in the same league for the price.

Tascam US-122 - $150+ (on sale!)
http://www.zzounds.com/item--TASUS122

XLR mic cable (15-25ft) - $45-56
http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--MOGGSTU

You may find better prices.

Advantages:

You will always be able to keep the SM57, it is an industry standard mic for many applications, and you can put a foam filter on it, or use a pop filter in front of it, to control the PPpppppp sounds. The Mogami cable is first rate (some people rap into mics that will cost less than your cable!), and the interface is versatile. Say your boy comes over with his SP 606 or an MPC? Then he can plug in and get down with you that way. Why bother with a $40-50 preamp that sounds bad, when you could get an acceptable interace that has everything?

All these things have good resell value if you go another route later.

If you want to scrimp, don't do it on the interface. Don't do it on the mic. Get a slightly cheaper mic cable! *smile*

I have seen only one mic that plugs directly into the usb port.

http://

Under a hudered from the usual places

hope this helps

e

eight12 wrote: I have seen only one mic that plugs directly into the usb port.

Link removed

Under a hudered from the usual places

hope this helps

e

I did sort of ignore his wishes, didn't I?

Oh, well. Hope some other lurker thinks it would do them some good.

MadTiger3000

acutaly you helped me out the most

i seen that other direct usb mic and that not what i was looking for

i was looking for a pre amp with some mics like you listed off
i have a few pre amps that i'm checking out

well I can tell you that you need a usb AUDIO INTERFACE. The other person who ahs given you feedback suggested one. I usually shop from Sweetwater.com
for my equiptment. Prices range with quality. I know they have one for under $100. Or you can get a usb mic with a built in audio interface but I would suggest a seperate audio interface.
Later
-Sam