best setup (mic, mostly)for computer recording?

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devouree

Guest
I do a lot of computer recording, and I think my biggest weakness is a bad microphone. I have a really good video camera mic that I use, but still...
Anyway, I have been considering a good microphone (400 dollars +), and I am confused by all this stuff.
I don't have a mixer or anything, I have just been plugging my mic right into the mic port on my soundblaster live. When you buy a good recording mic specifically intended to do "one track at a time computer recording", what do you have to worry about in the ways of preamps? how about "phantom power"? one said it required that. Oh, also, what about impedience? I couldn't find what my sound card's was, but the mic I remember said it worked best at "1000 ohms" or something.
Thanks for any input
 
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I'm not a mic specialist but here it goes.

YOU WILL NEED A PRE-AMP. (i stress on this, the build in one in your puter is where your lack of quallity mainly comes from !!!) Wheter you use a small mixing desk or a seperate rack unit is up to you to choose, but a seperate one gives better results. A normal pre-amp does include phantom power, as do most desks (maybe not on all channels, but you need only one wich can deal with a mic feed.) If you're serious about recording vocals a seperate pre-amp is the way to go.

After that get a decent mic. i'm not really an expert but take a look at shure, AKG etc... there are good mics on the market for a reasonable price. Investegate this properly because there are a zillion of mics available and they all have their special uses. (you don't want to be singing in a drum-mic or something like that.) Take your time for this so you can find something that fits your needs.

After this is done a compressor should be next on your shopping list.. but that's another story.

cheers, and happy recording.
 
thanks much. that was really good information. I have asked so many people, I was starting to think it was some kind of secret.
 
you cant get better unless you pay ALOT more money than a shure sm57 or sm58.
get a little desk, not a separate pre-amp, just as cheap and one million times more usefull.
 
maybe a little Mackie desk and a lower-end Rode
NT-3 condenser mic (they can use a battery too, but better to use the phantom power on the Mackie desk. i have a Mackie. supposedly they are quieter. i don't know - it's the only only one i've had :)).
 
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good mic

recording directly to the soundboard doesnt give good results, the secret is a little pre-processing. If u base ur composition in the computer dont buy a mixer and go for a specific mic processor, u can get a decent/eficient one from behringer or digitech. As for the mic, SM's are good allrounders but lack true warmness, if in ur compositions voice is positioned mid range they will do. Studio like mics are better choice, try AKG C range
 
a mic is the most important peice of equipment for vocals of coarse.
It all depends on what u want to spend fort a good mic ..
if u want profesional results get a profesional mic
.try a nuemann m-149 or u87 but they are costly(m-149= 5900.00$)
get a ggod mic pre and a good mic and the rest is inb the mix...
U also have to have a quality audio card ...
If u have a 6000$ mic and manley pre's ,then u run it into a 16 bit soundblaster u will die.
 
Honestly,
you cand do that sim pler than it sounds
Get a Shure Sm57(great Mic lasts very long, great quality)
also get a Marshall MXL Mic Mate Microphone Preamp and USB Interface
it converts usual the mic into USB with Phantom power too!
It's a great deal it also has Outstanding quality, and very very easy to set up
 
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