Re: Computer vocals microphone

macca2356 · Post by **macca2356** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:59 am

After lots of research i bought a Studio Projects C1 condenser mic for around the £200 mark and i think it's fantastic! For a low budget mic it really shines through in clarity and warmth!If you're looking for something cheaper then i'd recommend a Shure SM58 dynamic mic, this is the industry standard and was apparently used by Michael Jackson on the Thriller album.Hope this helps

freeman · Post by **freeman** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:04 am

A 'good', modern microphone will have an xlr connection and require a lo-z preamp. If your soundcard does not have a breakout box with a lo-z input and preamp like some Audigy cards do, then you will need a preamp with your mic. You can also use an output from a mixing console if you have one available. Radio shack sells a cable, 1/8" stereo phone plug on one end, with 2 - 1/4 mono phone jacks on the other. This plugs into the line input of your sound card and 'breaks out' this jack to 2 1/4 mono phone jacks. You can plug the output of a mixer or preamp into these.I hope this helps. I would be happy to help further.Joe(Addendum: the Audigy breakout box I spoke of is actually an M-Audio Audio Buddy, plugged into a Audigy soundcard, my apologies.)

freeman · Post by **freeman** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:02 pm

You can go directly to the line in jack.Get a Y-Adapter: small stereo plug (soundcard line in) on one end, WITH 2 large mono plugs (guitar cable size, to plug into your preamp) on the other end.Should fix you up.Joe

mazz · Post by **mazz** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:36 pm

Another option would be a USB microphone. A number of companies are coming out with them and I'm sure some are very good. One I've seen (I believe it's the Samson) has built in headphone jacks so you can monitor the output of your DAW while recording. No mixer needed!If I were just starting out, I'd seriously consider going this route for my first microphone.Good luck,Mazz

freeman · Post by **freeman** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:44 pm

Great info mazzhttp://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-SAM-GM1U.htmlI may get one of those just for quickies on the laptop.There are a great number of models available, from many manufacturers.Awesome! Thanks!Of course, keep in mind that you'll be limited to maximum USB cable length, which is about 5 meters Joe