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Subject:For Those That Sing w/Acid Projects
Posted by: NetFox
Date:11/15/2002 1:44:07 PM

I am just curious to know what kind of microphones others use and where they got them. I have been using the mic that came with my computer but wondered if a different mic would sound better. Please reply if you have any info---Thanks

Subject:RE: For Those That Sing w/Acid Projects
Reply by: SonicSounds
Date:11/15/2002 1:51:53 PM

I'd get a condenser microphone. They're expensive ($300+) but well worth it. Just make sure you've got an outboard mixer with SLR inputs. If you're not too picky about how the vocals will sound, go with a standard SM58 (Shure). You can snag one for $70 and they sound great. Again, don't try to use the amp on your card (if it has one). It's not powerful enough to get a decent level from the mic. You need a mixer.

Subject:RE: For Those That Sing w/Acid Projects
Reply by: Elroc0
Date:11/15/2002 2:00:58 PM

Just about any microphone you can buy at a music store like guitar center, sam ash, music go round ect.. would be better than what came with your pc.what price range are lookinbg to spend within?

Subject:RE: For Those That Sing w/Acid Projects
Reply by: FilthyK
Date:11/15/2002 3:01:06 PM

You don't need a mixer. You need a pre-amp, which is a little device that boosts the line signal level for mikes and guitars. Mixers usually have them built into the board, but you can buy just a pre-amp instead of buying a whole mixer board if you don't want to spend the money.

I would recommend a Presonus Bluetube pre-amp, or any pre-amp by Joe Meek. As for mikes, I think it really depends on 2 main factors. What kind of vocals are you cutting and what other things do you want to record?

If you are doing vocal-driven tracks; recording acoustic guitars and/or accessory percussion; or do alot of experimental sampling, I would suggest a condenser mike. Some good ones are Rode, AKG and Oktava (if you're on a budget). Please note, you will need a pre-amp that has "phantom power" if the mike doesn't have it inside (should be a place for a battery in the mike for "on-board" phantom power).

OTOH, if you plan on cutting vocals and heavily processing them with compression, gate-effects, distortion, flange, etc., then go with a Shure SM58. It is THE industry standard workhorse mike. Dynamic mikes like the SM58 are not as sensitive to sound vibrations as condenser mikes are. In my case, I have a strong voice and do a decent amount of effecting, so I use an SM58, but I have a decent soundcard, too (M-Audio Delta 44).

Oh, and you will want a pop-filter . . . you know, the little windscreen-looking thingy that sits in front of the mike.

Layyyter . . .

Subject:RE: For Those That Sing w/Acid Projects
Reply by: Elroc0
Date:11/15/2002 3:10:26 PM

filthy is correct but I would mos def buy a quality recording mic i.e. shure kms series or akg or audio terchnica or rhodes NT series something to that effect a good condenser is always best for recording vocals. I have an sm-58 and 57's for live vocals and instrument recording that is what they're best suited for. SM-58 is an industry standard but more so for live than recording. Every studio I've ever been in always record vocals with a large diaphram condenser or nice warm tube. but now you're getting upper $100's i'd say $300 or better but you can't beat quality if you can afford it.

Subject:RE: For Those That Sing w/Acid Projects
Reply by: Outlaw
Date:11/16/2002 7:09:03 AM

I recently bought a NADY Scm-900 condenser mic for about $60.00 US. Many people eeek at the name butt this is a good mic..it sounds warm and has a good presence..that could be something to look into . hey with the 200 or so bucks you can save you can get a good pre-amp or mixer..just a thought dewd... i have other mics that i can choose from and this one is going on my usal picks for vocals.....check it out!

http://www.nadywireless.com/products/product_pgs/scmmics_pg1.html

Subject:Dang you guys know your stuff!
Reply by: NetFox
Date:11/18/2002 5:06:17 AM

Thanks for all the good info---I didn't expect so much detail.
People using this messageboard are pretty freakin smart.
I haven't seen this many smart people on one messageboard since the days of "Neworder" security board. Course many of those people are now imprisoned or under federal criminal investigation as I am for tampering with cyber-security.
A word to the wise as was told to me by the F.B.I. "there is no such thing as being anonymous online from the U.S. government"--I'm rambling about a topic that has nothing to do with this board--sorry :) Thanks again guys for the good info on mics!

Subject:RE: Dang you guys know your stuff!
Reply by: Laurence
Date:11/18/2002 8:51:58 AM

I've seen a Berhinger large diaphram condenser mic lately at several places for about a hundred bucks. It had a bungee type shock mount included and looked impressive up close. In the music store I saw it at, they had a headphone monitor setup so you could try it out, but the headphone was dead in one ear, so I couldn't give it a proper listen. It definately looked "pro".

Laurence Kingston

Subject:RE: Dang you guys know your stuff!
Reply by: drbam
Date:11/18/2002 9:58:05 AM

FYI, there's a good review of 3 low budget large condensor mics in the current issue of Home Recording mag. I've got a Studio Projects C1 that sound incredible for the price (about $225). However, in my view the quality of the mic pre is even more important than the mic. A great mic running through a low end mic pre will sound . . . low end. . perhaps even bad. OTOH, a budget mic can sound pretty amazing running through a good mic pre. If you're recording vocals and acoustic instruments, the mic pre is NOT a place to cut corners.

drbam

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