Mic Recommendations

[Quilava 1,290]

Lately, I've been thinking of actually using my voice for covers/dramatic readings,

 

however, the mic I have (currently a headset) is not good enough for quality recordings. So I was thinking about getting a proper mic and a pop filter, however, I have no idea where to start with these things so I'm asking for a bit of advice as to what mics you people use and recommend.

 

Budget isn't that much of a concern here. Thanks~

[akalink 163]

What ever you do, I warn you, do not buy a USB microphone. It doesn't matter how much and how good of a microphone it is, you limit yourself by going USB.

 

I suggest a condenser microphone, they are fragile as glass, but they do way better than dynamic microphones. Get an interface that can power the microphone (this is called phantom power) Like this one http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1376368519&sr=1-1&keywords=recording+interface+usb . A type of mic stand and a pop filter are also mandetory. MXL 990 is a good singing microphone, but its an okay talking microphone. Its what I use for recording. Be aware that the knobs on the interface are not volume, they are gain. The more you turn it up the more noise you will hear in your recording. I hope this helps you.

 

Also I might add you can score a mxl 990 for cheap on ebay. It comes in a lot of packs and many people don't need them.

Edited August 13, 2013 by akalink

[DusK 1,264]

Lately, I've been thinking of actually using my voice for covers/dramatic readings,

 

however, the mic I have (currently a headset) is not good enough for quality recordings. So I was thinking about getting a proper mic and a pop filter, however, I have no idea where to start with these things so I'm asking for a bit of advice as to what mics you people use and recommend.

 

Budget isn't that much of a concern here. Thanks~

If budget isn't too much of a concern, you can go with a condenser mic, but you'll need to buy quite a bit of additional equipment. You'll need to power it, so expect to spend at least $20 on a phantom power supply. Condenser mics are also super-sensitive to room echo (they're "stupid" mics and can't differentiate between wanted and unwanted sounds), so expect to have to shell out on some room acoustic treatment, which can vary in price depending on your needs. I definitely recommend MXL for condenser mics, which vary widely in price.

 

If you don't feel like going through that much effort or spending that much money, a pop filter and a Shure SM57 or SM58 will do. Each run about $100.

[akalink 163]

You can build some equipment to absorb unwanted sound super easy and super cheap. All you need are safty pins, pvc pipe and corners, and some soft blankets. Doing that you can make easy storage sound absorbers that cost little. They are good for echo which will happen with condenser mics. 

[Quilava 1,290]

@@akalink

@@DusK

 

Thanks to both of you

 

Having the same trouble I had when I built my first computer

Though I still have to bite the bullet and actually pick one :T