am i being logical at all?

[ellie]

hi, im completely new to the concept of micing instruments into PA during live shows and using mics to make home recordings.

is it logical for me to want a mic that can standalone as a USB recorder and at the same time work well when i place it in front of my guitar amp to get the sound out of the PA?

please forgive me if i sound like i don't know what im talking about... i've tried my best..

 

[bigblackbear]

i don't really understand your question.

let me try rephrasing it for you.
are you asking if it is logical for you to want a mic that works both on computers recordings?

i don't really catch your drift though.

 

[unholyernest]

he wants a USB mic that he can
1. record into computer..
2. once in a while.. got gigs or event.. he wants to use the same mic to mic up his guitar amp into PA system..

am i right?

 

[bigblackbear]

well, i guess what you might want would be an audio interface that has an xlr input.
that way you can use that same mic for mic-ing up whatever you need

 

[ellie]

he wants a USB mic that he can
1. record into computer..
2. once in a while.. got gigs or event.. he wants to use the same mic to mic up his guitar amp into PA system..

am i right?

yeah that's right. perhaps i should have numbered my questions there. thanks for the answers!

ive read a lot of good reviews about the zoom H2 being a nice USB recording interface.

does it function well as an ordinary mic when plugged into PA?

 

[doggieshaman]

i don't think so, because of it's microphone pickup pattern it's probably going to give you feedback all over the place - correct me if i'm wrong though

 

[evident]

first you need a DAW (like PT or Logic)
then if you're using a USB mic, then a regular soundcard would probably do (though you won't get decent results)
If not get an analog Mic, that uses XLR and an Audio interface.
Connect the mic to a mixer, the mixer to the interface and the interface to the DAW and record like that..

don't know what you're asking but i hope it helps..

 

[squarehero]

Hi, I think this might help you on how to mic your amp.
How to mic an amp.

As mentioned, it's probably better if you get an XLR dynamic mic like an SM57 due to the high volume levels. This way, you can plug it into the Direct Input box or mixer of the PA system.

However, a normal XLR mic means that you will need an audio interface + DAW to do home recording. A good external one is a Presonus Firebox (watch out for firewire compatibility problems). Usually the sound card comes with a stripped down DAW which you can use.

As for the Zoom H2, I think it doesn't have any outs. It directly records into memory. So, you can't use it for PA miking. It is only handy for recording without a computer.

 

[blueprintstudios]

1) stand alone USB recorder = Zoom H2/H4

2) to use as live sound mic for PA for miking guitars = Zoom H4 + a dynamic mic like Shure SM57.

Zoom H2 has headphone outputs *with Monitors: ON mode* but with its condenser mics on the recorder, it'll probably "bleed" (pick up other instruments/drums) like hell. so it's a no no.

Zoom H4 has XLR inputs + line out.
so live situation =

amp > shure sm57 > xlr cable > zoom h4 (monitors : on) > line out > mixer > PA speakers

the line out is on the top left, you might not be able to see it clearly on this photo
http://s3.amazonaws.com/samsontech/related_docs/H4_slant.jpg

and yes after that you can use it as an audio interface at home. just plug it into your pc via USB. install ASIO drivers and you're good to go.

Zoom H4 acts as a standalone USB recorder + audio interface + capability for options for XLR inputs. capable of running on 2 AA batts also. so your set should be enough unless you're playing a 4 hour gig nonstop.

10¢ worth.

 

[blueprintstudios]

before i forget, I believe H4 comes together with cubase LE or something. if not use a freebie one like audacity/reaper etc. DAW wise for basic recording should be sufficient

 

[Indigo_blues]

just get a shure SM57. You'll have to plug it into an interface that has USB out though if you want to connect via USB to computer. Or just get a small mixer to plug your SM57 into and run the mixer out to your computer's soundcard via RCA jacks or headphone jacks.

The SM57 is the industry standard for a do-it-all dynamic mic.

 

[ellie]

hi, sorry for not getting back after the 5th or 6th reply.. hahahah


but i just got a Beta57 and it's working quite nicely for me. currently, it's plugged into a Line6 UX1 (a crap choice, i know) but ill get a nice interface some time in the future.




thanks, everyone for the replies!