What Mic + Soundcard?

[quit]

Alo again, I decided to get a normal mic. Probably the Sure sm57 or 58?

I plan to plug it into my comp but I think I need an external soundcard? (note: I will be doing live stuff soon so I might need more inputs and outputs. (midi drums, keys, mic, guitars etc) I literally have no clue when it comes to hardware so some guidance would be appreciated

So, what do we all recommend me getting. To record vocals mainly

Thanks in advance

[quit]

bumpp

[steeze]

If you're recording mainly vocals I'd recommend the SM58, especially if you're going to be having lots of rowdy MCs round haha. Soundcard wise, well, what's your budget?

[back2onett]

How many inputs/outputs and what kind? what budget? is it just for live stuff or production too?

[rdubz]

SM58 is great for live performances, though if you wanna record vocals for tracks then I'd recommend getting a condenser mic instead of a dynamic, costs a bit more getting the phantom power but it's worth it

[quit]

I want to do two things.

1) Record vocals to place on my productions

2) Play instruments and decks live - Midi drums, Midi keys etc.


I do own a Hercules RMX with an inbuilt sound card, will that be good enough for question 1?

for question (2) wont I need a mixer and amp also? I have no idea

Budget is £100 for mic - ?£ for everything else as I have no clue

Thanks

[back2onett]

I want to do two things.

1) Record vocals to place on my productions

2) Play instruments and decks live - Midi drums, Midi keys etc.


I do own a Hercules RMX with an inbuilt sound card, will that be good enough for question 1?

for question (2) wont I need a mixer and amp also? I have no idea

Budget is £100 for mic - ?£ for everything else as I have no clue

Thanks

For a mic the SM58 is just about within budget and it's a solid mic for the price.

That hercules probably won't be enough for recording, does it have line or XLR inputs, if so how many?

Unless you have active speakers you will need an amp, yes. As for the mixer unless you need a lot of inputs/outputs and what to setup a lot of monitor mixes you won't need it. I know that some soundcards have an inbuilt software mixer that will run easily on computers/laptops.

The main issue here is that DJ soundcards and production/studio soundcards are usually built with different needs in mind, I doubt you find many studio soundcards with phono inputs and outputs and likewise I haven't seen many DJ soundcards with multiple mic preamps and digital connectivity (SPDIF, ADAT etc) you may need to get 2 seperate units and then compromise a little on the prices by going lower down the market but I should warn you a cheap DJ soundcard is very likely to shit out on you live.

[Beat Scientist]

Basically there are 2 kinds of mics (please dont correct me, i know there are more I just cant be assed going into too much detail)
the first kind is Condensor Microphones - these are used in studios or in live sound where good quality is required ...they are very delicate and require care when handled.
the second kind of mic is designed for amature use (or where it doesnt matter if the mic gets dropped, put inside a kick drum kit etc. this is a dynamic mic.

as a general rule you get what you pay for and dynamic mics are bottom of the barrel, not to diss the 57, 58 and 59 theyre great when used creatively but there are better options out there, BUT if you really just want something cheap that you dont have to worry about damaging then gor for a 59 (virtually identicl to the 58) the 57 is nicer with snares (under) and guitar stacks when there are no condensors available.

you say your budget is £100 so I'd say your best options are (give or take £25 each way) a sweet SE Electronics mic, a lovely Rhode or a trusty AKG Shure. (if you can track one down near you you might also try and get hold of a Joe Meek mic or an MXL.)
Avoid Samson mics at all costs.


The only trouble with condersor mics is they need +64v so make sure your able to use it before you buy, but being that you already said your getting an external soundcard that shouldnt be a problem ..most ext soundcards have mic inputs (64v) and if sor some reason it doesnt you can get around the problem by buying a DIbox and using that to power is.

[back2onett]

Condensers use 48v phantom power btw. Also dynamic mics aren't inherently bad, they fit a purpose that condensers don't. I doubt you'd want to use a condenser mic for live vocals.

[lowpass]

Basically there are 2 kinds of mics (please dont correct me, i know there are more I just cant be assed going into too much detail)
the first kind is Condensor Microphones - these are used in studios or in live sound where good quality is required ...they are very delicate and require care when handled.
the second kind of mic is designed for amature use (or where it doesnt matter if the mic gets dropped, put inside a kick drum kit etc. this is a dynamic mic.

Condensor and dynamic are two different types of microphone used across a range of applications throughout amateur and professional use. Labelling dynamic microphones specifically for amateur use is not correct (although I wouldn't like to trust amateurs with any condensors! )

as a general rule you get what you pay for and dynamic mics are bottom of the barrel, not to diss the 57, 58 and 59 theyre great when used creatively but there are better options out there, BUT if you really just want something cheap that you dont have to worry about damaging then gor for a 59 (virtually identicl to the 58) the 57 is nicer with snares (under) and guitar stacks when there are no condensors available.

Again, the amount of use dynamics have across professional application (specifically 57 on guitar cab comes to mind) I would hardly call bottom of the barrel, sure I probably wouldn't use it as first choice for a vocalist but sometimes just sometimes it works (particularly with more aggressive performers!)

you say your budget is £100 so I'd say your best options are (give or take £25 each way) a sweet SE Electronics mic, a lovely Rhode or a trusty AKG Shure. (if you can track one down near you you might also try and get hold of a Joe Meek mic or an MXL.)
Avoid Samson mics at all costs.

I would say on a budget SE is the way to go for condensor definitely!


The only trouble with condersor mics is they need +64v so make sure your able to use it before you buy, but being that you already said your getting an external soundcard that shouldnt be a problem ..most ext soundcards have mic inputs (64v) and if sor some reason it doesnt you can get around the problem by buying a DIbox and using that to power is.

Usually 48v is the standard from most preamps, but that has been said already