Subject:Need Help! Microphone/Sound Card Recommendations??

Posted by: ballab26

Date:4/3/2008 1:10:16 PM

I just purchased Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio and am looking to purchase a microphone that plugs directly into a sound card. What I am trying to do is record vocals and then insert them over mp3 instrumentals that I have downloaded. I currently have a Creative Labs Sound Audigy 2 sound card so I think that might work fine, but I have no idea what type of mic to get. Orginally, I had purchased a Marshall MXL USB.006 Condesner Mic, but I've heard USB mics don't work as well as ones that plug directly into sound cards.

Does anyone have any mic recommendations?? (I'm trying to spend under $150)

Also, how do these mic's hook up to a sound card. I saw that a lot of them have XLR connectors. Do they come with adaptors?

Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

Subject:RE: Need Help! Microphone/Sound Card Recommendations??

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:4/3/2008 7:24:19 PM

.

You would need an XLR to mini-jack adaptor to plug in a dynamic or electret mic, and would need to check no DC power coming out of soundcard for the dynamic.

Why not try something like the RODE Podcaster - plugs straight into USB and will give incredibly better results than a cheap dynamic mic into a cheap soundacrd input....

geoff

Subject:RE: Need Help! Microphone/Sound Card Recommendations??

Reply by: ballab26

Date:4/4/2008 8:29:32 AM

Would the Rode Podcaster work well for recording singing vocals or is it geared more towards VOIP/Narration?

If yes, do you think it would be worth upgrading from a Marshall MXL .006USB to a Rode Podcaster? As far as singing vocals go, is one superior over the other?

Thanks!!

Subject:RE: Need Help! Microphone/Sound Card Recommen

Reply by: drbam

Date:4/4/2008 9:47:31 AM

IMHO, if you're going to be recording vocal performers (singers as opposed to VO), I wouldn't go with a USB mic. They are indeed marketed to the podcast/broadcast/VO folks. You would have greater flexibility and most likely a better result using a standard dynamic or condenser mic.

Subject:RE: Need Help! Microphone/Sound Card Recommen

Reply by: groovyone

Date:4/4/2008 10:07:13 AM

Vocals is a little touchy - you want to find a microphone that suits the tone of the vocal. Usually larger diaphragm microphones - Condensors are good for this purpose. However finding a large diaphragm condenser microphone under $150 is a tough challenge.

The main issue with condensor microphones is that they require power to work (phantom power as it's called) provided through the XLR connection.

So for your situation I'd suggest something like a Rode NT3, or AKGC1000s which both are condensor mics AND have internal power from a 9V battery. They take an XLR connection but you can get XLR to minijack (headphone connector) and use the internal battery power. I use this config with my iRiver mp3 player to collect sound effects.

Spend another $30-40 on a pop filter to place infront of the mic which will stop those bassy distortions caused by air hitting the microphone directly.