Audio equipment question.

NateLazda

NateLazda

Active Member
Hey so this is for everyone with experience with recording equipment. Basically I'm looking for a good mic on a budget for recording instruments/my voice. $100-150 range. I'm just not sure where to start with all that I know there are different types you can get like condensers ect.

It doesn't need to be the best but something basic for at home use that will give a good, clear sound.

I've been looking at the Behringer C1. Am i headed in the right direction?

Also, what other accessories I will need with it(connect to my computer, different filters?)

Thanks a lot!
 
Get yourself a Condensor microphone, it's what you'll need, just be careful with it as they aren't as robust as Dynamic mics.
I got myself a Blue Yeti, it's an amazing USB mic that can sit on your desk and has options for 4 polar patterns for recording and also a port for an XLR cable if you have a console.
Also make sure you get yourself a pop filter for vocal stuff, otherwise you'll get all the nasty pops and such in your recordings.
A Blue Yeti probably isn't the best for instruments and also if you want to use it with a mic stand you'll have to get a spider mount, I'd recommend more along the lines of a pencil condensor for acoustic guitars. And also learn how to use your equipment properly once you've got it all if you don't know already, things like mic placement.
 
that's great that helped a lot. Yeah I am probably going to go with a condenser. I'll worry about things like mic placement after. I think my biggest issue would be the actual mic and also the kind of software that I can learn quick and thats fairly easy to use. I just want to be able to record multiple tracks and then align and edit them together without having to spend hours figuring out how to use a program. I learned the basics of premiere in 20 mins so I think I should be fine. What audio program do you use?
 
Blues Yeti is good.. We use the Yeti Pro which is excellent. Which is great for voice not sure about instruments. As far as recording equipment.. I am assuming you are going to record into a computer.. is it a MAC or PC?
 
I use Logic Pro with my setup :) Premiere should be fine, If you are looking for quality recordings then GO with a condensor, it's a no-brainer. Dynamics are only really for amplified instruments and live music as they are a lot cheaper and robust.
 
I drew up a microphone guide a few weeks ago. Hoped it would get stickied because of the mass numbers of microphone threads that pop up here. Take a quick read if you have a moment.
http://yttalk.com/threads/microphone-guide.43466/

A couple of details. The choice to pick up a condenser IMO will depend on your usage. Are you going to be doing a lot of singing, or more low volume chatter like podcasting? If you’re doing singing, is your room treated for sound? The thing about condensers, especially podcasting style mics, but all condensers do it is the proximity effect. You may color your sound too much because in an untreated room, you will need to be fairly close to the mic to keep echo out of the mix.

I would also suggest you may want to take a different road than others have proposed. First of all, stay away from Blue mics. They are podcasting mics and will be next to worthless for instrument recording. Second, dynamic microphones are excellent for recording. Stock standard in instrumentation mics is the Shure SM57 which is dynamic.
http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm57-instrument-microphone

My recommendation is as follows. Find an inexpensive 4-5 channel mixer with a USB out. Mackie, Behringer, Alesis, all good names for a basic feature set. Or look for another "audio interface" that handles both XLR cables and will provide Phantom power. You may not need it now, but it will come in handy later. This will probably run $50 if you shop around. Then since you said $100-$150 total, buy a Shure SM58. And if you get both at the same store, ask them to throw in a 10+ foot XLR cable for free.

The SM58 is used most commonly as a concert microphone. It’s the mic most bands will have on stage. However it’s also an excellent studio mic for vocals, will mic instruments just fine and is a beast when it comes to being able to take a beating. All for around $100.

The beauty of going the small mixer route is that it opens up the wide range of XLR mics which is far better than the USB range. You will keep your SM58 forever, even when you pick up other mics later on because it’s just that good.[DOUBLEPOST=1365002832,1365002289][/DOUBLEPOST]As for software, honestly Audacity will do everything you will need out of the gate. I wouldn't go spending a bunch of money until you start to find that the program is limiting what you can do. When people are just starting to record, their ability does not eclipse free software yet. ;)

When you get further along, Cakewalk and Cubase are good choices. As is Adobe Audition. Personally, I use Audition.
 
Oh yes I wasn't suggesting you get a Blue Yeti, they are PRIMARILY podcasting/commentation mics and should stay that way, I have an sE2200a with a very old TASCAM I/O Interface, don't have a console atm and don't have massive plans to get one just yet.
I also have an SM57 and 58, understand that these are STANDARDS even in studios (some don't like them and say that they are just for gigs but Abbey Road's arsenal consists a large percentage of Shure Mics, they are also amazing for amp recordings and drum overheads), but if your main focus is vocals then a condensor will be much better for capturing the full range of your vocals. But remember a Condensor will pick up ALOT of noise you can't even normally hear yourself and some weird reverb if your room isn't acoustically treated and you live in a loud area and/or with a noisey family.

It all really depends how serious you are, and what you want to record.
I'd suggest if you aren't too serious or don't want to invest AS MUCH money then go for an Audio Interface, you'll still be able to use XLR mics and all that :) you just won't have to shell out so much for a desk
But then again, all depends! Tell us what YOU want to do and we'll provide advice.
 
BunkyFass said:
I'd suggest if you aren't too serious or don't want to invest AS MUCH money then go for an Audio Interface, you'll still be able to use XLR mics and all that :) you just won't have to shell out so much for a desk
But then again, all depends! Tell us what YOU want to do and we'll provide advice.
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heh, indeed. My main caution on the Condenser is the same. In an untreated room, with serious volume output (singing), there's big potential for noise and echo. And let's be honest, treating the room isn't financially feasible for most. To reduce the noise and echo, reduce distance from the mic. But the closer you get, the more the proximity effect will color the sound. In a smallish room at a foot or more away from the mic, the echo will be noticable.

I've taken to suggesting small mixers after my own experience with a Tascam. US144-MKII. Audio interface boxes usually only have a volume knob of some kind. The Tascam I used still picked up audio even when the volume was turned all the way down.

I wanted a hard mute, in case of coughs, sneezes, etc. The mixing board offers that, whereas the audio interface just wasn't good enough. I have no experience with other brands though like the M-Audio XLR--> USB boxes.[DOUBLEPOST=1365005992,1365005886][/DOUBLEPOST]
William Phan said:
Tarmack You should be titled, the Mic God of our forums.
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I just hate Blue mics. hehehe.
 
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