Help choosing microphone for beginner

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:16 pm

Hello,

I have been playing several woodwind instruments for a few years now and I have become increasingly interested in recording them to my computer, the idea of recording multiple parts and putting it all together fascinates me the problem is I don't have a microphone that will do it justice (currently using a desktop pc mic which sounds terrible) I'd love to get a better mic that captured the sound of my instruments with less noise. I don't want to buy anything expensive as this may be an interest that could only last a few months and if that's not the case then I will invest in a more expensive microphone,

Could you recommend a microphone I could use with my PC to get the best sound possible for between 50 to 100 Euro

Thanks for you help.
Dave.

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:02 pm

I guess the simplest way is to get a USB mic. Samson make a few, along with others.

Or you could make a foolproof investment that you're guaranteed to want to keep, or if you don't wanna get knee-deep in recording, you could probably sell for the bulk of the price:
1 x SM58
1 x USB powered interface with 1 preamp.

(or, 1 USB mic with a view to get the SM58 if you decide to stick with it)

Software? Audacity or Kristal
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:21 pm

Remember that you not only have to get a microphone but you also have to amplify it.

Mic + Preamp = sound

Then you have to take your source signal (sound) and convert it to digital so that your computer can play them.

Then you must consider which software you will use to multitrack with your pc.

So, there is more that meets the eye. If you are on that tight a budget then you will have to consider your options.

Codemonkey's suggestion of a USB mic could be an option.

Just keep in mind that USB devices are typically slower than that of a firewire device and introduce latency due to the buffer needed for data to stream into the computer.

For example, after you have recorded a track and are listening to it while recording the second you will notice a delay from when you play your instrument to when you hear it in your headphones.

Also the preamp in USB mics is usually lacking in musicality. There may be good USB mics out there, I have no experience with them. Any professional would try to convince you to spend the money on the wise investment, that is a good preamp which is not cheap.

I do know that emu makes a USB device that is very good and has had many positive comments on the forum:

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=15185

Check it out, I hope you have lots of fun!

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:46 pm

If you want an inexpensive way to record simply and be able to upload to a computer you could consider using any of the small recorders like the zoom.
http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=69278
This has four track capability, decent (not great) built in mics, will accept external mics, uploads easily to computer, comes with Cubase LE (an excellent software program.) With the addition of a set of headphones you could escape the latency issue while overtracking. I don't know what the exchange rate is but these are $200-250 US.
There are other similar products Tascam, Marantz, etc. The Zoom is the only one I have had first hand experience with. My other thought is that these units are good for field recording, live gigs, concerts, practices, etc. due to their small size they can go anywhere. If you decide to jump in the pool with recording whole hog, mics, preamps, interfaces, this type of device would still be handy.

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:45 am

This E-MU 0404 look interesting, I saw that It comes as a PCI card too with all the interfaces coming off the card, If I were to buy this would an XLR interface mic work correctly. I've read that some mic's need "phantom power" Will the 0404 provide this?

This is the E-MU 0404 as a PCI card http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=10447

Thanks for your suggestions

P.S. This morning I found the mic to a Olympus digital voice recorder, its giving me a better sound that my desktop mic and now I'm hungry for better sound. I would love to be able to hear the key work of my flute move as I played.....

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:51 am

Codemonkey wrote:

I guess the simplest way is to get a USB mic. Samson make a few, along with others.

Or you could make a foolproof investment that you're guaranteed to want to keep, or if you don't wanna get knee-deep in recording, you could probably sell for the bulk of the price:
1 x SM58
1 x USB powered interface with 1 preamp.

(or, 1 USB mic with a view to get the SM58 if you decide to stick with it)

Software? Audacity or Kristal
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

I am using mixcraft 4.5 and I really like it, I am currently on a 15 day trial. The SM58 is $99 on pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com and the 0404 PCI is also $99, If I had the two of these devices I imagine I would get fairly nice sound quality.... I just need to find $198 now...... (this has turned out to be a much more expensive investment that I first imagined)

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:16 am

The 0404 does not supply phantom power, so you would not be able to use a condenser mic. It will not accept USB input directly, your computer would but the latency issue would still likely be a problem.
If you want to have phantom power (condensers require this) then you probably do need an interface like this
http://www.zzounds.com/item--TASUS122L
So for about $30.00 more you have more options. All of these interfaces come with some type of software free, so if you are considering buying Mixcraft you may want to wait until you purchase whatever your final choice is.

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 8:27 am

jg49 wrote:

The 0404 does not supply phantom power

jg I think you got it mixed up a bit, remember 0404 does not power through the USB cable, you have to use its power supply to power it. 0404 does clearly have phantom power. No worries about condensers, just laptops where you want a self powered device.

I think all the positive feedback on the 0404 does make it one of the best interfaces for the money.

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 8:53 am

jammster wrote:

jg49 wrote:

The 0404 does not supply phantom power

jg I think you got it mixed up a bit, remember 0404 does not power through the USB cable, you have to use its power supply to power it. 0404 does clearly have phantom power. No worries about condensers, just laptops where you want a self powered device.

I think all the positive feedback on the 0404 does make it one of the best interfaces for the money.

Are you talking about the 0404 USB or 0404 PCI? the 0404 USB is $200 ouch.

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:07 am

My bad

jg , you got that right

Yeah, looks great! You still need a Mic Pre however. Smile

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:09 am

jammster wrote:

My bad

jg , you got that right

Yeah, looks great! You still need a Mic Pre however. Smile

What's a mic pre? preamp?

As much as I'd like to record my own music I think I'll have to wait, all this equipment is starting to cost allot.

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:18 am

davidpower wrote:

As much as I'd like to record my own music I think I'll have to wait, all this equipment is starting to cost allot.

Ha HA HA HA HAAAAA
Don't get into this thinking its cheap by any stretch of the imagination.
It's the worst drug there is. And more expensive then a lot of the other ones you might be thinking of.

Off to laugh maniacally at myself for having no money since I just bought some more gear this week.

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:27 am

Well, on the surface it looks like all you need is a good mic to record. Now you are learning what more is involved.

In the ideal world Microphone Preamps, or mic pres are analog circuitry specifically designed to minimize noise and maximize musicality.

Often times one hears a great sounding song and thinks its easy to make because they see whats on the outside. But little is known about the circuitry and expertise used to get the end result.

So, if you just want to make simple recordings I urge you to start searching feedback on Google on the various USB microphones and just start there.

Leave the expensive world of home recording while you can, because it will cost you much more that you anticipate it ever could!

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:43 am

If I got this http://www.thomann.de/ie/emu_0202_usb.htm and this http://www.thomann.de/ie/shure_sm58_set.htm could I start recording my own music onto my pc ?

From what I've read above a USB mic is no good because it would introduce a latency, I like writing backing tracks to music so recording while listening to one through headphones would cause the finished product to sound out of time, No?[/url]

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:46 am

These were the best search results I found for USB mics:

Rode Podcaster

AT2020USB

Blue Snowball

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