Microphones (Page 1 of 3)

Dino, something I hadn't thought of but am now thinking of trying is using the zoom recorder as a microphone with the computer's webcam.  I'll try it out perhaps tomorrow and let you know if it's simple enough to integrate or not (I know it can be used as a usb mic).  The upside to this (if it works easily enough), is that you then also have a travelling recorder (although... you can't plug it in to use as a Mic just anywhere).

If you wanted to invest a little more money, I'll always recommend something that can handle a bit higher quality mic, as you will get orders of magnitude better results.

For example, a simple 4x4 mixer/interface can be had for ~ $80 (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MultiMix4USB/) and you can pick up a nice condenser mic package for less than $100.  (http://www.guitarcenter.com/MXL-990-991 … 1126981.gc)   There is always used gear of this type to be had on e-bay and craigslist at ridiculously cheap prices, too.

This type of setup will give you really good results, and it also lays the foundation of a system that can grow with you.  As you learn about recording, and become a more sophisticated recording engineer, you'll have the tools available to help you grow.

I got it through Amazon.  This isn't your old style USB mic that comes with computers.  It is designed for vocals and instruments and I think it sounds pretty good.  http://www.amazon.com/CAD-U1-Dynamic-Re … amp;sr=8-1 
I am going with Jeromes remarks about getting a mixer and two better mics so I can place one in front of the guitar and one in front of my ugly mug to sing in.  But in the mean time, this mic sounds wonderful.

The mixer looks like a great deal jerome,I think I will get one later I saw the reviews good! My problem now is I have to pay my homeowners tax so my funds are limited. pete I think I may buy the same mic you have.Mkm I do not have micro zoom on my logitec,I have tried it all ways and can not make it sound good.

There's a million different interfaces out there, so let the market work for you.  Think about what you want to do now, and what you might want to do two years from now, then go shop around.  If you know someone local, borrow before you buy.

You can get everything from nifty little two track handy-dandy's like this http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alpha/ to studio quality tube driven fire wire stackable madness like this http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FirefaceUFX/ and all points in between.

It's a whole new strain of GAS, babe.  I got it bad. 

Blue makes some of the finest microphones on Earth. It shouldn't surprise anyone that their USB models are top notch (and they are). When I get $5K to drop on a condenser, it's gonna be a Blue Tube.

My caution with USB mics is that you're limited to one track recording. They limit you to plugging into a computer.

I am with the school of thought of a mixer as there are a lot of advantages down the track. 

1. Its expandable. Yiou can add a pre amp later on and get an amazing increase in your existing mic's performance ( its like upgrading your entire mic wardrobe )
2. You can record multiple tracks simultaneously. IMHO the best accoustic guitar results come from double micing the guitar. Some people even triple mic with a room mic to gain some ambience. You can then adjust the volumes of each track to get the desired effect after you have recorded.
3. The quality will be better than that of the usb, the mixer should by rights have a better pre built into it than the one in the usb path.

If cash outlay is restrictive you could consider a mic to usb cable and that way you can buy a standard condenser mic and hook it up to usb in the meantime and then buy the mixer later on when you have the cash. BTW, many mixers come with free software to start you off in recording and in many cases this software is all you will ever need. Just make sure you get a mixer that uses USB2 or firewire. USB1 will give you too many latency issues.

Whatever you choose, have fun )

+1 on stereo micing acoustic guitars.  Sounds awesome when done right.

I've found that Cubase (http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cu … start.html) is being distributed with almost everything these days.  I've got a copy of it as it came with my Tascam interface, but I haven't really put a lot of work into understanding it as I'm getting much better with Reaper.  A lot of people like it, though, and it gets pretty good reviews outside the "My DAW is better'n your DAW" arguments.

Mics first, then interfaces. 

I have used those, and still do.  They're good quality home recording mics.   The guitar player in the band owns that set and we record with it quite a bit.  You can set them up a couple of ways.

If you're singing and playing, and want to record both, sing into the 990 and set the 991 up somewhere around the bridge or wherever you think the guitar will resonate the most.   Keep it as close as you can to the guitar, but when you're playing, make sure you don't move into or away from the mic too much.  Your dynamic range will be all wonky if you do.   Experiment with the 991 placement a bit to find the best effect. Use a pop filter on the 990 if you can for vocals.  Doing it this way will give you some bleed, though. You'll hear the guitar on the vocal track and vice versa. 

If you absolutely don't want any bleed and you want the best sounding recording, record the guitar stereo and the vocals separately.  Mic the guitar with the 991 as above, and then set the 990 about 18" out from the guitar somewhere between the 12th fret and the sound hole.  Pan one track to the right and the other to the left.  Set the recording levels on your DAW so that both tracks are reading the same level.  Hit record and play the guitar only.  Sing in your head.    This is a "stereo" miced guitar setup.     Afterward, set the 990 up for vocals on a new track, play the guitar part back through a set of headphones, and sing.   You'll then have three tracks (two guitar and one vocal) to mix down to your heart's content.   You can go back and add fills and turnarounds, or whole new instruments this way if you want.

The 990 and 991 can also work as an "ambient" mics if you want to record "the room."  If that's what you want, it should be set up where you would have someone sit if they were in the room with you listening to you play.    I have hardwoods in my kitchen and living room, and the acoustics there are really nice, so when the wife isn't home, I set up my little two tracker Fostex box and goof around this way.  It's a good way to record your noodlings, too.

The interfaces all operate in generally the same way, so I'm not pushing one brand over another.  There's a lot of different features available, which is why I recommend shopping around for something that fits what you want to do.  This one is mine http://tascam.com/product/us-800/, just for reference.  As an FYI, with the 990/991 mics we're talking about, you are going to want an interface that can provide phantom power, as those mics require it.  Most condenser's do.

The interface plugs into the computer via USB, and the computer opens up an input channel for each of the inputs provided by the interface.  So for example, my Tascam provides 8 input channels, so when I open up my DAW, it sees 8 potential audio inputs, and allows me to route audio from them individually to various other parts of the software, ultimately ending up as a recorded track.    This allows me to record 8 simultaneous tracks (great for drum sets or quadraphonic weirdness).   If you buy a 2 track interface, you'll be able to record 2 simultaneous tracks.  A 4x4 gives you four inputs, etc...  Depending on how fast and how much memory (can't have enough) your computer has, there can be limits to total input.  So for example, I know my Mac can handle 8 simultaneous connections, but if I took the exact same setup and plugged it into my mom's old Dell laptop, it would start to have problems after about three simultaneous tracks.

I'm not going to promote a particular interface, as your needs are unique, and you will want to find the right one for you, but I will recommend two features, regardless of what you get.  The first is phantom power.  This will allow you to run your condenser mics directly from the interface, and not have to provide an external pre-amp.  The other is the ability to monitor directly from the interface.  This is important because all digital recording suffers from latency, which is the time it takes for the sound generated by your mic to be processed and recorded on disk.  If you are monitoring your audio post-process, you will notice a distinguishable time between when you strike a note and when you actually hear it back through the headphones.  It's annoying and it makes layering tracks a pain.  If you can monitor directly from the audio interface you won't have that problem.

Anyway, I've been hitting this stuff pretty heavy for the last six or eight months, and the best thing about it is that I still don't know enough to fill a thimble.   There is an unending amount of information to learn, which to me is the best possible thing.  The best way to figure all this out (and have a complete blast at the same time) is to just lock the doors one weekend and go to town with it.  Set up and record in whatever kind of configuration you can think of.  Compare and contrast.  Write some new songs and record them three different ways.  Eventually, you'll find what you like and that's ultimately what matters.

Good luck, and more importantly, have fun!

Thanks for the info Jerome.  Your thimble of knowledge over runneth my bucket.  I am slow, so for now, all I want is two good mics and a decent usb mixer to capture a little smoother sound.  I do like the MXL kit you mentioned.  Most reviews seem to be positive.  Although I did see a lot of them being sold used on Craigs List.  Whats up with that, i wonder?  Again, I really appreciate the info.  I will fill my thimble slowly and maybe down the line check into recording separate tracks and later putting them together for a great sound.  For now, these things are over my head.  I am looking to record with two mics at the same time, with no delay

I haven't even considered software yet.  That, too, may come later.  But for now, like I mentioned, I just want to find something fairly cheap (mics and mixer) and maybe move up to the next level. I don't mind spending a bit more for mics, but don't want to go too high on a mixer if I can help it. One step at a time.  Just the one mic and the webcam was a big move for me, but now I am ready for the next step.  Two better mics and a usb mixer sounds easy enough for now.  I will check out the DAW software however.  Who knows?

@Pete, I use a Shure SM57 on a tripod stand to mike my tuba. They are a good value ($100-$150) and are excellent for miking instruments.
I have seen acoustic guitarists use a SM57 on a stand for a guitar and a SM58 for vocals.
I bought two SM58s after I saw the Rolling Stones use them for a road concert. SM58s are tough, durable and sound great if your mouth is very close to the mike. A pop filter cover is necessary for recording.
I've seen Sm58s on Craiglist and E-Bay for $100 new in the box.
toots