Mic recommendations?

[madnessman]

Planning on using a mic to record vocals, acoustic guitars and electric guitar (amps). The mic would probably go straight into a Line 6 Studio UX2 which goes into a USB (PC). My budget is around $150. And I'm willing to buy 2nd hand...

I was thinking about the SM57 but I heard it's really bad for vocals and the SM58 needs a good pre-amp. What should I get?

EDIT: I just saw the other mic thread (I probably should have read that before posting.. Sorry James!). Do you think the SM57 would work for me? A bunch of reviews I've looked at said that the SM57 wasn't very good at recording vocals (probably my primary use).

 

[l0u5y]

i seriously recommend a condenser, because at ur budget, the sonic difference between a dynamic and a condenser is significantly different. Theres a microphone just for you. Get the audio technica At2020 from Luther Music at Peninsula. It is just nice $150. Let him noe Henry recommended you. Get some cables along and he might bring the price down a little.

 

[Enjaykayb]

The Shure 57 is an all round mic and there is no reason why you cant use this to record vocals. See this article to show you how:

http://macvoip.com/stn/2006/03/30/recording-vocals-with-an-sm57-mic/

 

[joemeek]

Something else to consider is your recording environment. That condenser may indeed sound subjectively "better" on the direct signal, but it's also going to be alot more sensitive and pick up alot of room tone. Especially if you're going to scream like David Lee Roth and "excite" the room with a loud signal. Not to mention the threat of computer noise, A/C noise, your mother washing the dishes downstairs etc leaking into the recording.

My "advice" is, unless you're recording in a treated space, or somewhere that SOUNDS GOOD, stick to a high quality dynamic with a narrow (hyper/super cardiod) pattern. Something like the Sennheiser MD431 is a freaking steal at 100 odd USD used on Ebay.

Best,
Justin

 

[Jerseystar]

i seriously recommend a condenser, because at ur budget, the sonic difference between a dynamic and a condenser is significantly different. Theres a microphone just for you. Get the audio technica At2020 from Luther Music at Peninsula. It is just nice $150. Let him noe Henry recommended you. Get some cables along and he might bring the price down a little.

I agree. I just love Audio Technica Mics although my favourites are the AT4050 and AT4047. I'm haven't heard the 2020 but if for that price I think its a steal too. I'm not sure how much this would cost, but if its not too much extra, and its available in Singapore, you might wanna try saving up for an AT4033. This is in my opinion a no frills AT4050 without much of the 'other' stuff you dont' need and it's a studio staple microphone in many parts of the world.

While its true that a good room is paramount to great recordings but I still think its better to go for a condenser and then treat your room later because you will still be keeping your condenser microphone when you do move into that dream home studio of yours in the future so no fret. Just take extra measures when you do start to record to get as good a sound without that DAMN fan noise from the CPU!!!! jk.

Good Luck