Gonna Sell My SM58 Mic And Interface And Get USB Condenser Mic?

**Dreamcaseal** · 06-11-2012

I've had a Shure SM58 mic, DMP3 preamp, M-Audio interface plus monitor speakers for the past 4 years now. I originally bought the gear to learn to produce music. I though it would be fun. However, i have put it off for years and when I did try to make music it was awful and I was forcing myself to do it.

I ended up using my mic to make video game commentaries on youtube. I found the mic to be very deep and have a lot of bass to it which made for horrible recordings. Over the year I did commentaries I tried different things. Talking from different angles and distances from the mic, etc. I ended up filtering out hte bass and uping the treble and mid through software to get somewhat ok results. I found it funny my video camera had better cleaner audio quality than the muffled SM58. I know there is a SM58 Beta mic that is supposed to not have as big of a problem as this mic and maybe I should buy that instead for my little home studio? But I was thinking to just get a USB mic and some normal logitech USB speakers and be done with all this audiophile junk which isn't giving me much benefit at all and probably worse results actually.

What do you think I should do?

**BAD_one** · 07-01-2012

Man these days all you need is one of those yeti usb mics. Go for the usb mic is my advice.

**Dreamcaseal** · 07-01-2012

Originally Posted by BAD_one

Man these days all you need is one of those yeti usb mics. Go for the usb mic is my advice.

I've been researching different mics and such after i posted this thread. I ended up getting a at2020 condenser microphone and it made my recordings much cleaner especially after using equalization and uping the gain really well on my recordings. However, there was a lot of popping and clicking sounds. I did a lot of research to try to figure out what was wrong with it. First i thought it was my mic but my speakers were also making popping and clicking sounds for a long time now whenever i was watching youtube videos in hd mode or rendering a video and doing something else at the same time. so i assumed it had to do with my m-audio audiophile 192 pci interface i messed with the settings for it then later found this:

Some IRQ crap causing the same problems I was having especially after I upgraded my computer a month ago with a new motherboard etc. I just can't deal with this crap anymore. I'm selling my DMP3, 192, returning the at2020 to amazon, and just getting the damn usb yeti. I'm keeping my m-audio monitor speakers i think though. I could use my samsung tv speakers which I also use for my monitor aka its a damn TV but it sounds too tiny and crisp. I like the big old m-audio speakers and it doesnt need trs connection to work so im just connecting them to the headphone jack of my tv LOL

**ObiK** · 07-01-2012

I'd stay away from any USB mic honestly. No room to expand and grow with other equipment that can REALLY impact your sound. Compressors, preamps and even different mics! When you only have 1 usb mic your stuck and can't add, grow or use it with other set ups.

**Dreamcaseal** · 07-01-2012

Originally Posted by ObiK

I'd stay away from any USB mic honestly. No room to expand and grow with other equipment that can REALLY impact your sound. Compressors, preamps and even different mics! When you only have 1 usb mic your stuck and can't add, grow or use it with other set ups.

BAHAHAHA! THIS COMING FORM A GUY PROMOTING A WEBSITE TO BUY IPAD MUSIC APPS AND STUPID LITTLE PORTABLE MICS TO GO ALONG WITH IT. that whole hurrr durr you can grow ie buy more and more expensive xlr mics since you own a setup that costs more than the mic itself is idiotic and stupid and would be the least of anyone's worries. if you grow to actually need that edge in quality you should already be making money off your talent to begin with and thrown into a real studio. i'm a god damn commentator. my audio quality isnt that big of a deal. im not singing im talking and yelling and saying retarded shit into a mic over horrible gameplay videos that i cant even monetize. as long as the audiio is crisp and has enough depth to sound like me thats all that matter. now shut up while i decide if i should buy a
Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone - Silver Edition

or

Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone

i dont know why i would need to monitor my own voice quite frankly these additions onto the mic are pissing me off. i got my interface, preamp, mic, cables, etc all boxed up and ready to be sold while i buy some sub 100 dollar mic that does what my several hundreds of dollars setup was trying to accomplish. the only audio advancement is in the usb condenser mic department. hell, m-audio been selling the same crap for the past 7+ years. the crap is dated and old. Yes my interface and preamp offers better quality. but when its popping and clicking and crackly cause it has retarded ass irq issues its time to stop. hell im fiddling with this stupid 20 dollar usb logitech mic i bought like 6 years ago and in all honesty if the audio was just a tiny bit better it would be sufficient. as someone who has done video game commentaries for abotu a year and tried several mics and now the finer details in how it affects my overall voice i can honestly say you reach a point where it doesnt matter unless youre making big bucks and have the talent to back up your gear.
i dont need a golden mic when i aint doing shit thats golden

**ObiK** · 07-01-2012

Lol, okay here we go...

LONG before I worked for IK I was telling people NOT to buy USB mics.

Alternatives to USB Mics

Plus when you are comparing recording on your computer vs recording on the go with your iOS device it is entirely different.

I don't care what you do, waste your money however you'd like. I was trying to point you in a direction that would allow you to grow into a full blown vocal signal chain and not just a mic with a USB cable attached. No need to buy expensive mics, I started with an AT2020 too, but the XLR version. Best of luck in your decision.

**BAD_one** · 07-02-2012

Originally Posted by Dreamcaseal

I've been researching different mics and such after i posted this thread. I ended up getting a at2020 condenser microphone and it made my recordings much cleaner especially after using equalization and uping the gain really well on my recordings. However, there was a lot of popping and clicking sounds. I did a lot of research to try to figure out what was wrong with it. First i thought it was my mic but my speakers were also making popping and clicking sounds for a long time now whenever i was watching youtube videos in hd mode or rendering a video and doing something else at the same time. so i assumed it had to do with my m-audio audiophile 192 pci interface i messed with the settings for it then later found this:

Some IRQ crap causing the same problems I was having especially after I upgraded my computer a month ago with a new motherboard etc. I just can't deal with this crap anymore. I'm selling my DMP3, 192, returning the at2020 to amazon, and just getting the damn usb yeti. I'm keeping my m-audio monitor speakers i think though. I could use my samsung tv speakers which I also use for my monitor aka its a damn TV but it sounds too tiny and crisp. I like the big old m-audio speakers and it doesnt need trs connection to work so im just connecting them to the headphone jack of my tv LOL

good luck man... seems like you have a problem.

@Obik as far as usb mics, I have nothing against them and believe they can be put to good use, at the end of the day its all about the songs/mixes and for a beginner a usb mic can't be that bad, its a starting point and there are some good ones out there.

**Mix it! Studios** · 07-02-2012

The problem with USB mics is you're essentially paying for a microphone, preamp AND converters all in one, rather than just a mic. So if you buy an £100 USB mic you won't be getting £100 worth of microphone. You'll also be tied to the same preamp and converters, making your recording options very limited. You also won't be able to use another mic at the same time, so no live multi-track recording.

I would definitely get a condenser mic though, rather than a dynamic like the SM58. SM58 is geared more towards live sound - condensers are more commonly used in a studio environment for vocals.

**CPhoenix** · 07-02-2012

Oh god.... we're recommending USB mics now?

What's next.... MobilePre preamps just fine and there's no reason to grab a Grace M101?

Look... Obi is 100% right on this. USB mics are generally speaking, a bad idea. They are GREAT marketing wise... but application wise... terrible idea for any type of a thought of a studio setup. The main reason is the upgrade issue. YOU CAN'T UPGRADE YOUR STUDIO SETUP AROUND A USB MIC. Secondly... once you realize how your signal chain is supposed to work, you'll realize that any condensor mics needs a preamp, phantom power, and AD converters. This is the stuff that's essentially in an audio interface (in addition to DA converters, midi, etc.) So... you mean to tell me that they somehow squeeze a preamp, phantom, and AD converter into the capsule of a condensor mic (which already has electronic components to capture the sound in the first place)... and all of that power is coming from the universal bus of your computer, which is controlled by the CPU.... and that's just fine and dandy for any type of regular audio work?

Another issue is a driver issue when recording. USB mics use their audio driver. The DAW uses that audio driver. So... how exactly are you supposed to get output to your monitors (or even your regular soundcard)? It's gets complicated, and you better pray your DAW can handle use two audio drivers at once. If it doesn't.. you better pray you can do an aggregate driver somehow and it be smooth. I ran into a problem w/ a new partner of mine that only had a USB mic. My DAW only uses one driver for stability reasons (i'm honestly not sure if any DAWs can use 2 drivers)... and thank god she was on a MAC and ur able to do an aggregate.

The only application i would seriously recommend a USB mic for is if you're recording something out in the field. Only then would it really be useful.

Also... in regards to your SM58, don't get rid of it. You're just using it wrong lol honestly. No offense. SM58 is a workhorse mic. It's meant to handle loud sound sources... especially rap/rock vocals, and live singing. It does what it's supposed to do very well. It's also meant for public speaking. Pretty much anywhere you need a strong sound... SM58 should work. It's dyanmic, so it doesn't pick up a lot of room noise like a condensor would.

You sound like you're looking for a more true respresentation of your voice. You'd probably want a condensor. Get an AKG Perception 120 used for around $60 bucks. You won't regret the choice. Good solid mic, good company, good acosutics. It'll sound like what you're looking for.

This really really sounds like just a bad mic choice for your application. The mic works great on the right things. Also.. the right equipment & correct mic placement is probably the difference between muffled and pleasant. I've performed plenty of times on an SM58... doesn't sound muffled at all.

And to ObiK's defense... if you do any searches on this forum, you'd realize he's a well respected member here, and was here well before he was hired by IK. DUdes been giving out great advise for years now, and that is the reason why IK probably wanted to pick him up... not the other way around. His avatar has nothing to do w/ the advise he gave on this... maybe you should look past that and actually focus on just the words. I've taken some great advise from him already in regards to interfaces (recommended Echo Audio drivers to me and was spot on)... and I'm taking his opinions into consideration for my next CPU upgrade and preamp upgrades. Can't let you badmouth a good member.

---------- Post added at 09:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Dreamcaseal

BAHAHAHA! THIS COMING FORM A GUY PROMOTING A WEBSITE TO BUY IPAD MUSIC APPS AND STUPID LITTLE PORTABLE MICS TO GO ALONG WITH IT. that whole hurrr durr you can grow ie buy more and more expensive xlr mics since you own a setup that costs more than the mic itself is idiotic and stupid and would be the least of anyone's worries. if you grow to actually need that edge in quality you should already be making money off your talent to begin with and thrown into a real studio. i'm a god damn commentator. my audio quality isnt that big of a deal. im not singing im talking and yelling and saying retarded shit into a mic over horrible gameplay videos that i cant even monetize. as long as the audiio is crisp and has enough depth to sound like me thats all that matter. now shut up while i decide if i should buy a
Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone - Silver Edition

or

Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone

i dont know why i would need to monitor my own voice quite frankly these additions onto the mic are pissing me off. i got my interface, preamp, mic, cables, etc all boxed up and ready to be sold while i buy some sub 100 dollar mic that does what my several hundreds of dollars setup was trying to accomplish. the only audio advancement is in the usb condenser mic department. hell, m-audio been selling the same crap for the past 7+ years. the crap is dated and old. Yes my interface and preamp offers better quality. but when its popping and clicking and crackly cause it has retarded ass irq issues its time to stop. hell im fiddling with this stupid 20 dollar usb logitech mic i bought like 6 years ago and in all honesty if the audio was just a tiny bit better it would be sufficient. as someone who has done video game commentaries for abotu a year and tried several mics and now the finer details in how it affects my overall voice i can honestly say you reach a point where it doesnt matter unless youre making big bucks and have the talent to back up your gear.
i dont need a golden mic when i aint doing shit thats golden

Just read this post in full.....

The advice you've been given so far is great advice...... but it's for audio recording. If you know 100% for a fact that all you're goign to be doing is recording your commentary over videos, and your software will allow you to use the USB driver for the audio, and whatever soundcard for your output.... then yeah, get a USB mic. That's kind of a no-brainer. But if you even consider going back into music recording... you just wasted your money and you'll be starting over to get a good sound.

Final thoughts... 1) SM58 is a great mic... you just used it wrong & for the wrong type of recording, and 2) stop trying to saw off the hands of people who are legitamately trying to help you... that's just dumb.