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Some help choosing a mic?

jdch28

jdch28

Apr 21, 2015
84
277
35
Costa Rica
#1
So... Hi. Not bass specific, but kinda related. Please let me know if this is not the right place to ask.

I'm looking for a mic. My plan is to upgrade my gaming setup, going from using a gaming headset to a "headphones + mic through my interface" setup, so the main use would be capturing my voice for gaming with my friends; but also would be nice if it picks amps decently for remote lessons or stuff like that (although I could also go DI into the interface, now that I think about it).

Bonus points if it that can be used in a pinch to mic a cab, record some vocals or record something acoustic.

Already got a Scarlett 2i2 and my AudioTechnica ATH-M30x, just missing the mic. How would a AT2020 or an SM57 work for that? Figured someone around here might have a good suggestion or two. Any ideas?
 
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#5
One more vote for the SM58 for versatility in a mic that won't break the bank.

I don't think this will improve your sound for gaming at all though, unless your headset mic is really bad. The SM58 will presumably be sitting on your desk as opposed to right next to your mouth and will pick up more ambient noise (please tell me you use push-to-talk!). If you're not streamcasting to an audience i don't think it will be too problematic, but when you talk your friends will hear more of the sound of your room and your video card fan for sure as opposed to just your voice.

If just recording bass, direct in works great for most applications.
 
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#6
Thank you all for the suggestions!

And I said:
I don't think this will improve your sound for gaming at all though, unless your headset mic is really bad.
Click to expand...
Oh I know, it's more of a "i wanna stop switching between my headset and my other headphones" kinda thing lol. But thanks for pointing it out, it's always good to get some opinions against my weird ideas.
 
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#7
jdch28 said:
My plan is to upgrade my gaming setup, going from using a gaming headset to a "headphones + mic through my interface" setup, ..... How would a AT2020...
Click to expand...

That's precisely what my kid does. He swiped one of my AT2020 mics for his gaming setup (headphones, mic, interface). That's a fine enough mic for micing a cab or anything else you want to do quickly. That whole setup seems to make him happy.
 
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#10
Paulabass said:
I will be blamed for repetition, but I've been on a crusade to rid the world of SM-58's since they were state of the art 50 years ago.
58's sound like your singing into a paper bag. Buy a modern mic.
Click to expand...

I agree! There are many other microphones which sound better and don't cost much, if any, more.
 
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#11
Paulabass said:
I will be blamed for repetition, but I've been on a crusade to rid the world of SM-58's since they were state of the art 50 years ago.
58's sound like your singing into a paper bag. Buy a modern mic.
Click to expand...

AGCurry said:
I agree! There are many other microphones which sound better and don't cost much, if any, more.
Click to expand...

I'm open to suggestions! I'm more than happy to look into more options!
 
#12
jdch28 said:
I'm open to suggestions! I'm more than happy to look into more options!
Click to expand...

For the uses you've described, I'd recommend an omnidirectional mic, the Electrovoice 635A. It's marketed as a reporter's microphone, so speech is very clear, and it's free of coloration for miking cabinets. Not recommended for live singing, but good in the studio. $139 new, and less used (perfectly acceptable).

If you're set on a directional mic, the Sennheiser e835, at $99, is pretty good.
 
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#13
jdch28 said:
I'm open to suggestions! I'm more than happy to look into more options!
Click to expand...
Sennheiser 835/845, Audix OM2/3, EV ND76 , AKG D5, Heil PR35.
All are in the price range of the sm58 and Ive used all of those but the EV. Eafch have a slightly different timbre that will work with one voice better than others so if you can try a couple you can find what fits you. I've found all of them to be better sounding and easier to eq than a 58.
 
#15
I'd really avoid omni because I'm going to assume that wherever you're gaming or going to start tracking vocals isn't treated? If you have the budget the SM7B is loved and adored by podcasters and vloggers for a nice vocal sound (especially if you're right up close and benefit from proximity effect) and it's a world class singer vocal mic too. It'll also mic a cab just fine, although this isn't it's designed purpose.

Youtuber, deep male spoken vocal = SM7B
Funk band, awesome female sung vocal = SM7B
 
#16
You might think about a Shure SM35. I went through the process of picking out a headset mic to use for quick-n-dirty video recording, but sounding good enough to be serviceable for final vocals.

Evaluate your needs and base your decision on your requirements. I chose the SM35 due to it's good sound (when balanced against the price) and it's tight cardiod pattern that rejects anything immediately outside of the vocal. You need phantom power to use it, but you can pick up a phantom power box if your interface doesn't supply phantom power. (Many interfaces do supply the 48vdc phantom power).

I have a first video that I did with it if you want to hear what it sounds like. I'm doing the guitar directly plugged in to my recorder and the vocal into a separate channel. I added a second guitar overdub and also a simple bass line. The audio was ported to my computer and mixed with Reaper, where it was also synced to my cell phone video. The track isolation was really good, and you could barely detect the acoustic guitar being picked up by the SM35.

 
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#17
Jack said:
I'd really avoid omni because I'm going to assume that wherever you're gaming or going to start tracking vocals isn't treated? If you have the budget the SM7B is loved and adored by podcasters and vloggers for a nice vocal sound (especially if you're right up close and benefit from proximity effect) and it's a world class singer vocal mic too. It'll also mic a cab just fine, although this isn't it's designed purpose.
Click to expand...

Yes, the SM7 is a very nice mic, but I have a feeling its price exceeds OP's budget. Keep in mind also that it requires a lot of gain.

In regards to getting "right up close" to "benefit from proximity effect," that's essentially applying a lot of EQ physically in order to alter the natural sound. If you want to sound like old Bing Crosby recordings (getting up close to those RCA ribbon mics was the basis of the "crooner" sound), that's fine... I prefer recordings to sound natural.

A lot of people seem to think that omnis are impractical due to bleed. Fact is that when you set an omni an inch away from the source, you're not going to hear much besides that source (inverse square law), proximity effect is not there, and any bleed that is present will sound more natural than what's picked up by a directional mic. I would agree that omnis at a distance require attention to room and bleed from unwanted sources.
 

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