Can Anyone Reccomend A Good Microphone?

OK, I have a mic input. Does that help?

For me,the Sennheiser 421 dynamic microphone is hard to beat.It's durable,versatile(5 different pattern settings),and goes well with most quality sound cards{such as M-Audio or Soundblaster),and recording environments.

Haha, mentioning "quality sound cards" and "Soundblaster" in the same line... I've had nothing but trouble with my X-fi Elite Pro - hell, the friggin' thing seems to have a lesser MIDI polyphony than my old Audigy 2.

But anyways, back on topic - I don't really have a steady studio set up, so I make due with a portable record - namely, the Zoom H2. It has surprisingly good internal mikes (two stereo ones actually, so you can even record WXYZ surround on the fly), and you can use it as USB audio interface in addition to the line in connections. The only negative part is that it feels kinda flimsy - cheap and plasticky (plus I haven't quite gotten the USB audio to work on my Mac, but it might just be Leopard :dry:).

Anyways, if you are interested in this alternative, it's about $200 retail. You could probably get it for a good deal cheaper on eBay if you are willing to go down that approach.

OK, I have a mic input. Does that help?

often it does, but i'm guessing it's a 3.5mm mic input.

and that doesn't..

often it does, but i'm guessing it's a 3.5mm mic input.

and that doesn't..

OK, then can I just not use a microphone? :O

[re: 1/8"]OK, then can I just not use a microphone? :O

How big is the hole your microphone will plug into?

Little: 1/8" (3.5mm)?? Same as a portable CD player, or iPod?

Big: 1/4" (6.3mm)?? Like a guitar amp input?

Bigger: XLR ?? With three holes in a triangle shape?

...

:whistling:

you can use an xlr to jack and put a little converter (1/4 jack to 3.5mm) on the jack so it fits.

i'm sure this will work.

remember though, the preamp is 50% (or more) of your sound, and since you obviously have a 'scrafty' one, you do the math.

good luck.

How big is the hole your microphone will plug into?

Little: 1/8" (3.5mm)?? Same as a portable CD player, or iPod?

That's it.

you can use an xlr to jack and put a little converter (1/4 jack to 3.5mm) on the jack so it fits.

I have little idea of what you mean by that? I'm by no means technologically savvy, so that statement is techno-babble to me. What is an XLR? Where can I get one of these converters? All I am asking is a few more details. :D

i'm sure this will work.

YAY! Some good news for a change!

remember though, the preamp is 50% (or more) of your sound, and since you obviously have a 'scrafty' one, you do the math.

good luck.

What does that mean?? The preamp? A 'scrafty one'? I'm confused! :wacko:

[re 1/8" jack] That's it.

Good to know.

I have little idea of what you mean by that? ...What is an XLR? Where can I get one of these converters? ...What does that mean?? The preamp? A 'scrafty one'? I'm confused! :wacko:

I'd stay away from using adapters...it may work, but you'll probably get a whole whack of noise with all those extra connections.

Get a mic like this: Sony ECM-MS907. It's a little condenser microphone (Takes a single AA battery). You won't get perfectly professional results, but you're not using professional gear so...You'll get decently useful recordings. I used this mic with a Sharp mini-disc recorder for years - recorded many a gig, and most of my audition/application materials for various projects.

BEST THING you can do would be to take some pictures of exactly what you're working with (your sound card inputs, etc) and go to a pro audio/music store and get some professional opinions. Try some gear - most places will give you a 14-30 day return policy. Bring a mic home, put it through its paces, and see what works for you.

:thumbsup:

...I ordered a condenser mic- the AT2020, and I'll post when I have used it.

It's a good thing you opted NOT to go for this one... You'd definitely need some adapters - some way to convert the XLR connection from the mic, to the 1/8" connection on your soundcard. AND (I'm not sure you realized), but that mic requires phantom power. Something your soundcard is not likely able to supply. Go with either a small condenser (like the Sony) or a bigger, dynamic mic (Shure SM57) + adapters.

Get a mic like this: Sony ECM-MS907. It's a little condenser microphone (Takes a single AA battery). You won't get perfectly professional results, but you're not using professional gear so...You'll get decently useful recordings.

AND (I'm not sure you realized), but that mic requires phantom power.

Let's just say, I found out a little late. Luckily there were a heckuva lot of problems with trying to get it shipped, so we just canceled the order. :cool:

I'm looking at the microphone you offered right now, and it looks perfect! I'll show it to my mom and see if we can order it. Thanks! :thumbsup:

i'd like to know, when you record, if your soundcard will record stereo or just mono (since this sony mic records mid-side).

let us know.

You could always go for a USB mic too, no need for a sound card then ;)

I'm looking at the microphone you offered right now, and it looks perfect! I'll show it to my mom and see if we can order it. Thanks! :thumbsup:

:)

Glad to help! Hope it does the trick.

You could always go for a USB mic too, no need for a sound card then ;)

this would be the last option if none of the other million solutions worked..

Oh, I dunno about last option. I would much rather have a usb powered mic with a dedicated A/D converter in stead of taking the "XLR-jack-minijack-onboard soundcard" route ;)

Samson Audio - C03U

I use this one for cheap mobile recording with my laptop, works great :)

I haven't really heard anything good about USB mics, and it doesn't help that the website that david gave has no reviews on the product...

I just realized- I spelled "recommend" in the thread title wrong... :P Took me long enough!

Well here is the c01u, which is the little brother to the one I mentioned:

samson c01u review - Google-s