OK. So I seem to be at the point where I think I need a microphone. I would like to record the sound from my amp and it doesn't sound so good going from the amp output into the computer. I think the best bet is to use a microphone placed in front of the speaker. The ideal would be a mic I could be used with both the computer and my camera, and both have a mini jack connection, so I assume that would be no problem.
So, to the question. I really don't want to spend more than I need, but I don't know how much I do need to spend to get something that will give quite realistic sound. I also don't know what to look out for and what to avoid. Can I get a second hand one on eBay and if so what should I be searching for? Any help would be very welcome, bearing in mind my financially challenged state at the moment.
Thanks in advance.
John
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I went through this a while back, when my wife got me a Shure SM57 (classic, quality mic) for my birthday. Others will probably correct me, but in my experience, you need additional stuff just to make the mic work, like an "interface" for one ($). I kept finding that I had to buy more and more things ($$), and never did get the quality of sound that I was able to get with a simple, cheap cassette recorder mic that plugged right into the 1/8" mic input on the computer. I recently found a mic at Dollar Tree (sorry, not in UK; everything costs $1) that works as well as the one I've used for all my recording.
Okay, rant over... I'm technologically challenged, see? Now let the pros give you the right answer. Don't forget to look here, too: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cbnationrecordingcollective
To add to Bear's rant (and perhaps soften it a bit?):
Mics basically come in two flavors: dynamic and condenser. Dynamic mics like the SM58
As usual with human hearing, it depends on what sound you want to hear, as well as what you actually hear. And while the mic is a significant part of that, recorded sound quality has a lot to do with interfaces, impedances, latency, dynamics, the "live" or "dead" quality of the room in which the recording is made, sound baffling, carpet, human bodies, air temperature, blah, blah blah. I own two of the best performance mics ever made: the SM58 for vocals, and the SM57 for just about everything, but which is typically used for close miking instruments and amps. I have performed on large and small stages, indoors and out, with these over the last 15 years, with never a failure.The Shures both retail in the States for right around $100, as they have for at lezast the last 20 years. Yes, if you end up with one of these classic mics, you need an interface box to hook the mic up to the computer. That is why people developed USB condenser mics. The Blue mics are some of the best out there for recoding direct to computer; I keep thinking I oughta pick up one every time I walk into Guitar Center (sorry, what comparable big box music store do y'all have in the UK?) , but they keep coming out wiht new models, so am waiting to see what happens. Unfortunately, they ain't cheap, although their Snowflake can be had for $60. AKG also make excellent dynamic and condenser mics.
If you want that lo-fi sound, then a good mic won't give that to you (without a lot of work).
Perhaps best woudl eb for you to spend a lot of time reading through this excellent article and the associated links before making a purchase:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/microphones_for_the_home_studio.htm
Hi John, i use the full setup of mike-mixer-interface-pc(audacity), this works best for sound-only but you might be able to use a Shure SM57 mike you can plug in to your camera, most buy new ones for vocals but you might be able to find a bargain used one for instruments only, they use a three pin XLR you should be able to adapt the jack end to a mini jack, though you might need a mike booster amp. (-:
Hey John,
This may be one of those good news/bad news situations. The worst problem is that for every answer there are more questions. The good news is that an investment in the right equipment will last a long time and be adaptable to future scenarios. I dont have any hard answers, just some guidlines to consider.
The common cheap computer mics are generally pretty bad, not hard to upgrade from there.
The advise given so far is good, but I am not sure it addresses what you really want. But I am not sure what your really want is really the way to go either, ultimately its up to you.
The Shure 57 condensor mic is an industrial standard for its combination of value, sound and durability. One thing to keep in mind is that on top of the price mentioned, you will also need to get a cable and stand at minimum. And that there are more things to decide there! I am pretty sure you could round up the adapters to plug the thing into your computer and camera, but it might not be the ideal way to go for both. Plugged in directly to either without a preamp may not be ideal. And you will soon discover the need/desire for some form of hardware compression. Trust me. But more on that another time! You also need to study up on the issue of powered/"phantom powered", and the "patterns" which various models are designed to pick up. I am not going to get into that much here either.
Going another direction lets look at the camera issues. The problem with video camera mics are often quality, noise and flexibility. Many companys make upgrades to address these issues. Being able to get the mic closer to the source in the shot is worth considering alone! Of course prices range from modest to ubsurd, but you might want to take a look at something in the range from an Audio Technica Pro-25 or a "shotgun mic, (Starting at bout $50 to $70 US I think) to Something from Rode (Starting at about $150 I think.) That Audio Technica might work as a temporary solution with what you want to do with the computer as well.
With the computer it is also very easy to upgrade from the crap marketed to gamers, skypers and so forth. Pretty quickly however you find your limitation is the on-board sound card. And as I have been preaching over at the recording group, if you want to record along with other peoples music tracks the on board sound card becomes a big problem! The delay of latency just makes it impossibly frustrating to record that way. But! I have just discovered something! (Did I mention that already? LOL!)
When I get time I am going to take some pictures and post a tutorial over in the recording group thread. Right now I have to go back to work, but I will give you more information on it shortly as well.
Mark
Many thanks to all of you.
I'm not sure yet, but you may just have cured me of my misconception that I needed a microphone. I have woken the moths inside my wallet and they are certainly of the opinion that I really don't need one and that I was just being very silly in thinking it might be useful.
Seriously I think this is more expense and complexity than I need at this stage. In comparison with some other things like improving my making and playing, recording is really not as important. It is likely to be something that I tackle in a year or three. I will probably shelve the idea for the moment. Sorry to get you all going like that and I do appreciate the effort you have made in giving advice.
All the best and thanks again.
John
Hi Oily.
Thanks for this reply and the very flattering comments. The question really came about for two reasons. I have used my Canon EOS 5D MkII for recording videos. It is often stated that the recording quality of the built-in mic isn't that good and it has been my intention to look for an upgrade, but it hasn't been a priority.
The more immediate impetus came when I tried to record sound to the computer from the latest guitar. Previously I have felt that I got the best results by playing into my MicroCube and attaching that to the Mac and recording to Garage Band. For some reason this guitar doesn't like the MicroCube, and the MicroCube seems to feel much the same about the guitar. With the amp plugged into the computer the result isn't great. Going directly to the computer isn't great either. I really like the sound of the guitar through my Kustom amp on the clean channel, but it the external speaker output doesn't do well with the 'puter. And that was where the idea came that I should mic from the amp to the computer. Probably what I will do it use the camera and just convert the video to audio only for the moment.
Thanks again.
John
Hi Oily.
I hope to see them in March for the soirée, but I think they may be a bit busy when I am there. I will just put this on hold for the moment. I think learning more about making and playing has to be the priority and I will return to this when time and the wallet moths allow.
Thanks again to you and everyone else for the help.
John
Well Oily kind of put a lot in perspective with his dead on point that your videos have been very good, no major need to break a tight budget improving anything there!
As I said I do have something interesting on the computer mic side though, I will post it as soon as I have time to put a presentation of sorts together.
Mark
John, and all who are here.I think we need a seperate group. -----{What are you using)-- Some king of group to share recording gear with others. I am new to recording and need to spend money that would rather keep..I have 5 mikes ,one is an AKG comparable with an Sm58, two midpriced and one cheap, all work well with my amp but I never put them into my PC. My stepson is a musician and his drummer uses one of the same midpriced mikes I have , It is an Audio Tecnica I bought 4 of these from Musicians Friend and gave him 2. It is not a instrument mike but works well. I had to buy adaptors to plug into my amp for all of my mikes because I still use an old tube amp with 1/4 inch jacks. So you have to keep that stuff in mind when buying something. Also you need an interface to record to your computer and have it sound right . I was told the best starter interface for the money is something like the ALPHA made by Lexicon. $69 at most places.
I am in the same boat as you when it comes to spending money , If I buy something I want to get something that will do more than one job.if possible. If you start a group we might learn what works and what to avoid.
I read the other replies and they know what they are talking about so the only advice I can offer is if you find something that works, buy 2 of them because if it is any good at all they will stop making them.
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