Hey guys, I've just purchased some software to get prepared for my recordings and now I'm looking to find a good mic. I've always recorded rap/hip hop music and my friends tell me my lyrics are very good but that my cheap mic makes the tracks too ugly. I was hoping I could get some recomendations for purchasing a mic that will give my vocals the quality that they demand for my tracks.
I've been hearing a lot of talk about the Shure SM57 which happens to be within my budget. Woud you guys approve of this one or do you have any better suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Unfortunately, yes, it's probably bad. Most computers DO NOT HA
Unfortunately, yes, it's probably bad. Most computers DO NOT HAVE GOOD MICROPHONE INPUTS. They have the worst microphone inputs but all is not lost. For instance, you can purchase a relatively decent and inexpensive microphone preamp for as little as $50. This inexpensive microphone preamp can then be plugged into your computers line level input and not the microphone input. The line level input is marginally adequate on even a Sound Blaster card, just to get you started. Conversely, you can purchase a decent USB 1.1 computer audio interface that includes 2 marginally decent microphone preamps built in that accept professional, balanced, low impedance microphones such as the venerable Shure SM58 ($100 US). And those USB 1.1 audio interfaces can be had for as little as $150 US.
The biggest problem with the microphone inputs on computers is that they are strictly designed for multimedia microphones which require a DC voltage that comes from the microphone jack. This is not good to plug a professional microphone into as it can blow it up. Of course, if you must use one of those microphones, they generally are Omni directional and produce a very thin sound. They also lack proper pop filtering which makes everything sound bad. If you have to use one of those, stick a big piece of foam on it. Foam pop filters are available at your local Radio Shaft stores for only a couple of dollars. But you really want to get away from those multimedia microphones.
Too bad Santa didn't get you what you wanted this year.
Ms. Remy Ann David
Do you think you could show me where I can buy some of this stuf
Do you think you could show me where I can buy some of this stuff online? I already found a site to buy the SM58, but I'm not sure where to look for this preamp you speak of and whatever else I might need. I only have a budget of $200 right now :(
PS: I'm a complete newbie with recording equipment. I've been writing songs all my life, but I just now decided to start making a CD out of them.
I'm working with expensive recording software but I can only plu
I'm working with expensive recording software but I can only plug a mic into my computer for now.
PS: I'm a complete newbie with recording equipment.
Most of us non-newbies would opt for shareware / freeware and buy decent mics and I/O...
Perhaps you should sell the expensive software, then you'd have money for better mics and pre's...
You should get yourself a new SM58 (which is a 57 with a little
You should get yourself a new SM58 (which is a 57 with a little additional pop filtering that also increases lip to diaphragm distance and include an additional large colorful foam pop filter, over the metal ball. Then, make sure that you DO NOT "CUP" the back of the ball of the microphone! This covers up the air holes that create the directional pattern and causes that objectionable "blatty" sound by screwing up the microphones frequency response, that just doesn't make it ever sound good. Roll about 3 DB off at 60 hertz and plug your butt into a decent compressor/limiter like a DBX 160/166 @ 20:1 and you'll be cooking with gas! Then you'll be bad. Really bad! And that's good!
Lurching towards bad on the good side
Ms. Remy Ann David