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I need a mic. I need your help PLEASE

J

JeffVanter

Guest
Sep 23, 2012
120
3
#1
First off, I'll be recording on a laptop which I heard that if you plug directly into a laptop you'll get unwanted distortion. Is it that way if you use a mic too? If so, then all of my efforts to record are for nothing and money would be spent on something I cannot use anyways :crying:


So now that's out of the way, I'd like to get help with a mic. Thing is, I do a lot of different styles but the main thing I'd be recording would be solo bass music on my six string bass. I use a lot of that high C string but also use that low B at various times through my compositions. Of course everything in-between as well. Would THIS mic register my lows AND highs very well?
PR40

Also, will there be a lot of hum or hiss coming from the mic? I've only ever recorder directly into a desktop which didn't sound great at all. I'm looking for a mic that can handle both lows and highs with no hiss and hum. Think Steve Baileys recordings.

Thank you all very much in advance for any help I can get If anyone has any tips or suggestions, please feel free to hit me with some knowledge!
 
#2
A couple of things need to be mentioned.

You initial question is correct, and that will need to be taken care of before you worry about mics.

Before you worry about getting a mic, you need to get a better way to translate sound from its source into the computer. Most people use things called 'interfaces' that do this; you plug your instrument, or your mics, into this thing, and it translates the sound it receives into your computer. Here is a well know and low cost example I recommend you get:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-audio-interface

How much do you know about recording?
 
#3
I know a little and just enough. I'm more familiar with editing on cheap programs than I am with the physical aspect as I did everything nearly for free in the past. So some of this is new to me.

An interface. So this could be used for Windows, right? It will bring up an interface to record and edit with?

Thanks for the help. Also, if you are familiar with mics for bass, I need help on that too if you wouldn't mind :help:
 
#4
why not use a DI like one of the Apogee units? If you combine the Apogee Jam or One with Garage Band, iRig, etc you can get some amazing results.

But if you are set on using a mic into your computer look at the various USB mics on the market. A USB mic makes it simple. Blue makes a good variety of USB Mics.
 
#5
Biggbass said:
why not use a DI like one of the Apogee units? If you combine the Apogee Jam or One with Garage Band, iRig, etc you can get some amazing results.

But if you are set on using a mic into your computer look at the various USB mics on the market. A USB mic makes it simple. Blue makes a good variety of USB Mics.
Click to expand...

OP seems to be using a Windows computer, so GarageBand won't work. Also the Apogee units are a bit more expensive.

However, a USB mic would be simpler. OP, assuming you're playing through a decent amp, you could get this:

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Put it in front of the amp, and you're good.

Now, when I say interface in the previous post I mean the physical, red device you're seeing. That's the interface. You need music editing software to see and mess with the sound. Most people use Digital Audio Workstations, or DAWs, for this. Myself, I use a program called REAPER (www.reaper.fm). It's simple, very good, and has a free trial that lets you use all of it's features for 30 days.

There are tutorials that can show you how to set up a mic or interface with REAPER to get sound coming through.
 
#8
I could go the USB route but I'm interested in having a professional sound and not something that sounds good but could definitely be better. So if the DI would do the trick with a mic, then that is what I would prefer.
 
#9
Instead of a USB mic, look at an affordable interface and standard mic. Here's why:

1) USB ports are a valuable comodity in the studio, as there are never enough. So why waiste it on a single mic when that port could be used for a multi channel interface instead?
2) If you have an interface with an XLR or combi jack (XLR or 1/4" in the same jack), you could use it for any mic you can borrow from a friend. It wouldn't have to be a USB mic.
3) SM57's (THE industry standard mic) sells for around $50 used, and you'll always find a use for it.

Most of the sub $500 range interfaces come with some form of recording software and a full suite of extra plug ins. Plus there are also a couple of bundles out there that include not only the interface and software, but a mic and headphones as well.

For example: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxStu/
While not necessarily the best gear going, it is good enough to let you do some pretty amazing stuff if you put your mind to it.

Just for fun, here's a vid on mic'ing your full band using one mic and simple interface, in this case Mbox Mini with ProTools Express, using a Behringer B1 condenser mic. Total price, less than $300 NEW!



Whether you like the song is irrelevant. This is about showing that you can do it, with minimal outlay of finances.


Skip the USB mic. Just my "dos centavos".
 

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