i wonder whether does having a better mic helps

[k0sm0s]

i'm not really into the professional stuff la, jus interested in recording singing at home..

so currently i'm using those really cheap recording mic..

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/PHILIPS-AMAZ...201995QQihZ013QQcategoryZ101246QQcmdZViewItem

which costs $15 only.. i bought it several years ago when i recorded singing out for fun..

i've been in the choir for quite sometime, and has learned basic vocal techniques..

however, it's been 1 year since i last sang, and i've certainly lost the touch..

however now, since i heard a really interesting song and wanted to upload my singing too, however me and everyone agreed it's horrible.. so i've been practising the song for quite a few days, meanwhile trying to regain my skills back..

it is a 10 min compilation song thats currently very popular in japan.. currently i've not nailed down the lyrics for some parts.. and also tend to go off on the high and low parts, really lost my ability liao..

so after quite some practices, this is the current result with that $15 mic.. i encoded it low quality to simulate the quality wif the video

link: http://download.yousendit.com/BADFCDFC2DAD27F8

so, ya it's quite lousy.. i know most of it is technique wise.. but i wonder if getting a samson q1u

http://www.sweelee.sg/estore/Product_Details.asp?ProductID=2095

will help it anot.. because i do not plan to really do a band, and i do not want to buy preamps and extra stuff.. tis is all jus for solo home recording.. done on a laptop wif simple headphones and i dun tink i will spend over $200 (in fact over $100 i feel heartbreaking liao) jus to do this hobby properly

do you think that it is worth for me to get the q1u?


equipment: laptop + audacity + philips md110



this is one of the good version of the song (which is SEVERAL good versions of the song, the video is compiled from 15 individual singers' video of the same song and made to sound like a choir)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdLNfT7-gc

 

[sage]

I'm not sure about this, I'm just using a laptop mic from taiwan lol~
You might want to check over at the sound engineering subforum since you mentioned you needed a mic only for home recording purposes... I know a couple of them who stand a better chance at giving you an opinion. Try asking there

Sorry for the lack of remarks on the vid / recording at the mo, I'm over at work

 

[k0sm0s]

eh i go n buy the q1u.. http://download.yousendit.com/F995A96A22958099

i sang far away from the mic coz i dun like the airy sound when singing near the mic.. any idea to destroy the airy sound? i prefer to hold the mic..

 

[l0u5y]

I heard the recording. sounds quite good for a 100-200+ mic.
u doing dis as a hobby den dun spend too much, but dun expect the quality to be very good as well. coz wat ur using is juz a 100+ 200+ mic and ur going thru ur pc or laptop soundcard. it will nvr sound as good as the original song u hear coz professionals use mics that cost 3k+ and more.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

Yes, mics do make a difference. Even among the high ends, different mics make you sound different.

My personal favourite is currently the shure sm 58. From all the other mics that i've tried in jamming studios, this is the mic that makes me sound pro. I want to try more mics though but jamming studios generally don't carry those really high ends one.

Note that you may prefer one model of mic over another and that a higher priced mic might not really be "better" for you.

 

[soft]

k0sm0s, you need to experiment with the position of the microphone when you are singing/recording.

From your second recording, there seem to be a lack of high frequency in your voice. You need to sing into the microphone.

I am sure with some adjustment, your recording will be better.

* do add some reverb/delays when you mix down. just a little will be nice.

 

[luminous]

i have listened to your recording too. to me... your voice and the music having life on their own...they sound detached...obviously not coming from the same time and place. btw its not a critisizm but my mere observation

i've read that some performing artists struggle with sound blending. one guy wrote that he giged with two women-singers, one big lady with powerful voice and another petite girl. it was difficult to blend their voices on life gigs untill he got mixer with "compressor" on mic. channel.

that means you may want to buy mixer not only with delay & reverb (as already recommended above) but with compressor effect as well

 

[Lovehurts]

Yes of course. Singing into a mic of a higher calibre will definitely enhance your voice.

 

[k0sm0s]

i see thanks everyone.. ive been practising everyday for this song.. i now think it was quite a worthwhile purchase.. at least no need to worry its the mic problem..

however i dun noe how near i should sing to the mic.. if i sing to the mic, the sounds become very 'airy' leh.. currently im doing like 45 cm away from the mic.. (i noe u should hold mic 2-3 inches away from mouth) but i dun tink i will spend money on getting mixer coz i only doing this for fun..