Reddit mentions of Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone,Black
Sentiment score: 41
Reddit mentions: 57
We found 57 Reddit mentions of Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone,Black. Here are the top ones.
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- INDUSTRY STANDARD - The first choice for performers around the globe, the SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone is ready to bring any performance to life. From the club to the stadium, Shure has your back.
- CLARITY & CARE - The uniform cardioid polar pattern reproduces every note as it was intended, delivering warm, crisp sound time after time.
- LEAVE BACKGROUND NOISE BEHIND - The SM58 has a spherical mesh grille and built-in pop filter to keep any unwanted noise out of the mix.
- DROP THE MIC - The durable construction and break-resistant stand adapter makes the SM58 the perfect companion on the road, going strong through the toughest performances.
- VERSATILE - The SM58 can hold its own live onstage as well as in the studio, isolating between vocals and instruments.
- WHAT’S IN THE BOX - Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone, 1 - A25D Swivel Stand Adapter, 1 - 95A2313 Storage Bag, Free 2-YEAR WARRANTY included.
Features:
Specs:
| Color | Black |
| Height | 3.3070866108 Inches |
| Length | 10.3149606194 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Release date | March 2010 |
| Size | SM58-LC |
| Weight | 1.10010668738 pounds |
| Width | 4.92126 Inches |
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Vocal-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B000CZ0R42/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521186918&sr=8-3&keywords=shure+58
Great video again!
I gotta say though, the one unpolished part of your videos is the quality of your mic. The Shure SM7 is kind of an industry standard for radio and as versatile a mic as you're going to find, but if the price tag is a little steep for you, an SM58 should do the job just fine. Eminem actually recorded album tracks on this mic. I've got a few and they take a beating as well.
I think a small investment in your part can really push your projects to another level.
Or, I'm an idiot because you're already doing a great job. Thanks for your effort.
If you're looking for a durable, good all-around dynamic mic for recording/performing, I would recommend the SM58.
If you're wanting a condenser mic, I've been using the MXL 770 for a couple years now and it's been great. Do you have an audio interface? If not, the one that I use is the PreSonus AudioBox.
EDIT: Feel free to PM me with any particular questions. I've been in a band for a few years and working on my second CD. Not an expert by any means, but if you have starter questions, I could definitely give you my two cents.
Based on this picture, I will try my best. Correct me if I am wrong:
https://www.tubefilter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/couples-therapy.jpg
Headphones:
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E
Microphone:
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Vocal-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B000CZ0R42
Mixer:
https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-L-12-LiveTrak/dp/B074G25D6Y
If interested, I can tell you the setup I use for this podcast if you like the sound (My first time, still working out the kinks). It's portable too and I wouldn't have to guess the equipment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuoIcdQLoAE
Good monitors are huge. Headphone sound is fine, but you want to mix using unbiased reference monitors so you know what things are going to sound like. Then you make sure it sounds good through headphones, in the car, etc. Even something like these will make a huge difference. If you've got some extra coin, go for something better. I found a pair of Mackie HR842 monitors on eBay for $250 (the old ones, not the new mk2 model). They're amazing.
You don't need more inputs than what you're actually using. If you're trying for a cheap home studio, your Apogee will work just fine. Just switch cables/inputs when you're recording something new.
But anyway. Here we go. What I would buy (of note, these are all Amazon affiliate links):
Mics:
Monitors:
Bass:
I've been out of the "assorted percussion" game for a while, so you'll have to use your best judgement for that.
All that I've listed is $744 off of Amazon. You can DEFINITELY find cheap used mics and the Bass DI. Look for Gear Talk: Classifieds on Facebook, for example. This is all stuff that you can use today to get your home studio off the ground and functional. You also have $256 to spend on other stuff that you might need (percussion, surdo, etc.)
Logic and Pro Tools are built from the ground up to be recording suites. Ableton, while certainly being a live-sound-first option, works just fine. Nothing wrong with getting your feet wet using Ableton, and switching over to a bigger/better suite later. I recorded my first EP using GarageBand before making the transition myself.
Start with the basics. Start with what you NEED to record, not what you want. While what you already have is basic and not feature packed, it works and will get you in the game. (Related: stay away from plugins until you know how to really mix well with the basic compressor and EQ your recording suite comes with.)
Hope that helps!
Bam
sm58 is your boy ,standard vocal mic across the world and will do a whole lot more too, sturdy and affordable.
It's probably overkill for this application and outside of your price range, but when I tried Dragon Naturally Speaking several years ago, I used a Shure SM58 with a cheap impedance transformer on a nice sound card. My accuracy was 95% and this was 10 years ago. I would check out Shure's SM58+X2U Combo. I'm sure in combination with the software advancement that you would see damn near 100% accuracy with this. An industry standard microphone compared to that cheap USB nonsense should absolutely make a huge difference.
I enjoyed it! I had a question though, what mic are you using? I think the audio quality could be GREATLY improved with a condenser mic. Some of the voices sounded tinny and actually kinda hurt my ears because of it. It's not your voice, it's the mic.
A great condenser mic I can wholeheartedly recommend is the Shure SM58 Get that and a mixer, I use the Behringer Q1202USB Mixer. With those you will have FAR superior quality. They're really not that expensive either, I recommend getting the 4 channel mixer in case you ever want to expand with more people. But they do offer cheaper 2 channels. The SM58 mic is amazing quality for the price you pay.
If you fix the audio then I'll listen in every week for sure, also having the good audio will really allow you to compete with bigger podcasters like PFW.
Just a quick thing to mention, the AT2020 is not a Dynamic microphone as OP requested. The Shure SM58 ($100) would be a great starter, it's a solid microphone and priced well.
I personally use a Rode Procaster ($230) and Yamaha MG10XU ($200) and think the sound is great, though the mixer is almost certainly overkill so it ends up a little out of budget there. The Scarlet 2i2 u/Triksterism mentioned is a very popular and solid choice for the interface.
Edit: Either I'm stupid or reddit's new interface makes it a pain in the butt to create links compared to the old system.
Beginners kits get asked often here. Here is what I wrote up a few weeks ago for beginners kits:
A beginners kit on a tight budget ~$180:
A good beginners kit ~$700:
An advanced hobbyist's kit ~$1975:
If you are recording everyone in the same room, you should definitely be looking and dynamic mics instead of condenser which are going to be much better at reducing ambient noise. I also have the MXL 770, and love it, but I only use that in my studio where it's just me. For "entry level" I would look at something like:
Shure SM58
Samson Q2u
Audio Technica ATR2100
Personally, every time i've tried to make music on an iOS device I've given up in frustration. It might be fun for fooling around, but the interface drives me crazy and makes me want to do just about anything else. This is just my opinion maaaan.
In terms of software, I'd start out with REAPER as a DAW because you can get started right away on your gaming rig for free. It has a 60 day evaluation period, which can be extended until you are overcome by guilt. You're going to have to dig around the net for free VST virtual instruments and sounds, but they're out there. Buy a cheap USB audio interface, and a cheap mic and start working on your own music. You can record acoustic instruments, vocals, and random sounds with one of those mics. I'd find a cheap pair of open back headphones for mixing, and use whatever closed back sound isolating headphones you have lying around for monitoring while you're recording.
I think the best way to learn music production is to force yourself to produce music on the regular. To that end I'd suggest learning about songfight.org, which is an online songwriting and production contest that happens roughly every two weeks. There is nothing like a firm deadline to inspire you to create. You're given a title, and you write, record, and produce a song with that title. People on the Internet vote, and there's a winner. Folks on message boards will often give you feedback on your song so you can improve. Also there is a podcast that reviews the current batch of songs, so at the very least you're gonna get some feedback from those jerks. Disclaimer: I am one of those jerks.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Reddit's very own r/Gameofbands which does something similar, and might hook you up with folks to collaborate with.
Not sure what perspectives you are looking for but here are my thoughts. :)
I am more on the Pro Audio/recording side of things but you can run the music from anything that plays YouTube and get a mic/interface that can be plugged into any pro system. (Your living room setup can become a karaoke machine)
The standard mic for live is a Shure SM58 which is not too expensive. Then you can get a used audio interface to run the sound from your computer. For example the PreSonus AudioBox USB. Granted, you would need speakers but could plug into your current home Audio system or buy a bundled system with a mic, interface, and speakers, etc.
The advantage of using the computer is you can easily record her singing! Just another route to consider, although I suppose the appeal to a machine is simplicity and having it all in one box.
Ok, I understand.
I should preface any advice I give about products that I have very little experience recording vocals. Also, if I am going to be selecting and setting up mics, it depends highly on the room, any room treatment, the individual vocalist, and a million other factors. The only sure way is for the vocalist to try stuff out and see what sounds good. You have to rely on the ear above all.
I'd be pretty doubtful of any mics less than $99. Not that you can't find good mics for cheaper, but at such a low price point, you're much more at the mercy of other recording factors. You really do get what you pay for in audio equipment, assuming you know what to do with it.
For vocals, we'd likely want a condenser mic. The issue is that condensers (as opposed to dynamic mics) are generally going to be more expensive. We could easily look at $200-$500 condenser mics that are still considered 'budget' mics. A little research led me to this guy. I've never used it, but it's from a brand I trust, it's a good option for setup (since it has USB output) for a beginner home-recordist, and it's got good reviews. If the guys over at gearslutz.com give such a cheap mic a good review, then I'm willing to bet it's pretty good.
On the other hand, there's a pretty standard all-purpose budget mic that I need to mention, the SM58. It's a dynamic mic, it's going to require some sort of audio interface to be used with a home recording setup, and it's not really specialized for vocals, but it's a standard and it will get the job done. If I were gifting someone a first mic without knowing their situation or exactly how they intend to use it, I would likely go with the SM58.
If you'd like to look a vocal recording item that's more with your original budget, you could go for a pop filter. If you've seen videos of people recording vocals, it's that circular fabric thing in between them and the mic. It's a good idea to use one, especially with a mic like the condenser mic I linked, and you can find them for $20 and much less even.
I hope some of this is helpful!
If you want decent and dirt cheap, the GLS Audio ES58 is an outstanding Shure SM58 clone. I have 2, and the only major drawback is the handling noise (so try to keep it in a stand). Otherwise, it's extremely difficult to distinguish from the real thing, and appears to be almost every bit as durable.
Of course, there's no shame in owning the authentic, original tried-and-true SM58. It's right at the high end of your budget, but it will almost certainly last you a lifetime. You don't have to take my word for it, either. The '58 is, without a doubt, the single most used microphone in the world.
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, condenser mics will pick up those clicks and possibly annoy those you're playing with...
You can go two routes with this:
The great thing about this route is the interface also serves as a DAC, a headphone amp, speaker volume knob, and you can also record your voice or instruments if you need to!
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Remember, when it comes to this stuff, don't always go with the cheapest option. Remember the saying "If you buy cheap, you buy twice." Think about what you want going into the future (i.e. do I want nice speakers, to record anything in the future, etc.). Let me know if you need anymore information!
>connected with USB
Are they going through some sort of hub? You could try home-running them into your system. For simultaneous USB devices you may need to create an aggregate device on your system. That'll look different on Mac and Windows.
But honestly, you'd be better off buying a cheap interface with a decent mic.
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Since you want to avoid picking up noise that isn't your voice you'll want to go with a dynamic microphone.
Something like the Shure SM58 paired with a Behringer XENYX Q802USB will do you good. Then, down the road you can upgrade the microphone to something better like the Shure SM7B or something.
SM58.
I mean the SM58 is basically the universal standard for live performances. I'm not too into the mic game to find anything cheaper, and I don't really know what the speaker setup would be like for you.
If you don't need to do any mixing (you're just rapping over a beat), all you really need is a USB mic preamp and a microphone. Plug them into your computer and record you vocals with a free program like Audacity.
I don't really think there's a clear answer for this, but the good news is that there are many excellent options these days. Sound quality isn't always the most important aspect to consider. Many artists have had great success with just an SM58 microphone hooked up to their computer. If you're just starting up and you don't need studio quality recordings, something like this might be fine. I often just use a basic handheld mic when I'm multitracking a new arrangement for my group to learn. It's quick, simple, and often easier for recording beatboxing with too. There are plenty of free or affordable programs available for multitracking too, so the mic will be your main expense.
If you're looking to make some top quality recordings, you can expect to start spending more as well. Not going to lie - this is where it can get complicated and expensive. I'd recommend starting basic and get a decent condenser mic with a stand and a pop screen, a soundcard or usb mixer with a decent preamp, and stick with the cheaper software for recording.
If you find you're getting more serious with your recordings you may want to upgrade the microphone to a Neumann, install some noise dampening panels, and look into a DAW (digital audio workstation, or recording software) such as Pro Tools.
Whatever you do, don't spend too much on overpriced cables. Check out Monoprice
Okay this is going to be a long post, so here goes.
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If you really want to get into sound design, youre going to need a few essentials. A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), an audio interface, a handheld recorder, and a microphone.
DAWs
As far as a DAW goes, there's a few alternatives you can go with. I personally use Avid Pro Tools for near everything I do, but also mess around with Reaper. I've found that most studios will use one of these two. Most DAWs will have a pretty steep learning curve, so be ready for that.
Pro Tools First is the free version of Pro Tools. It has a lot of limitations, but for starting out it should be fine. If you want less limitations it costs big money, but I'm sure you can find a crack or two as long as you don't use it commercially.
Reaper is starting to grow on me lately. You can customize it to your needs, and the full version is only $60. You can also just deal with a popup everytime you open the program for ten seconds and use it for free. I mainly prefer Pro Tools over this because the video engine in Pro Tools is much better. But for batch editing multiple sound files, Reaper is muuuuuch better.
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Audio Interface
This basically takes over as an intermediary between high quality audio and your computer. You can plug a microphone right into it to record sound straight to your computer. You can do this with a USB microphone as well, but the quality is a million times better with one of these.
I would recommend either the Behringer UMC22 or the more advanced Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Both will do the trick, I just prefer the mic pres on the Focusrite a bit more.
Handheld Recorder
Handheld recorders allow you to record anything you want to without having to deal with any cables. They should be compact but durable.
The Tascam DR-40 is a great intro recorder. It was the first recorder I got 5 years ago, and it still holds up. I've dropped this thing so many times and it still powers through.
Another favorite is the Zoom H4N. This was a favorite among most of my classmates as it was the one my school supplied, but I didn't feel like going through the checkout process all the time so I saved up and got the Tascam. It has a newer version, the Zoom H6, which is pretty slick, but comes at a higher price point. It also comes with some interchangeable microphone capsules so you can get different types of recordings. I'll cover more of this later.
I'll leave off with the recorder I have now, the Sony PCM-M10. This thing is a godsend. It's discontinued due to a newer version coming out, but you can find this guy on eBay for around $300-400. It's smaller than a phone, and the sound quality is amazing. If you have the money to shell out for this guy, definitely go for it. Every sound designer inn the industry I know swears by it.
Microphone
So the first thing you need to know is that there's a load of different microphone types. Its a lot to cover, so I'm just going to link you to this article that will cover the basics of what you need to know. Basically I would recommend different microphones for different things, all depending on what you're trying to capture.
A good all-around microphone is the Shure SM57/Shure SM58. They're essentially both the same microphone. But these things will LAST. Like,people have run over them with trucks and they sound fine. Definitely a good starting point
For vocal recordings, I would recommend the Rode NT1A. This mic is a great starting point for capturing voice, and is durable to boot.
For capturing foley/field recording, I would go with the Rode NTG2. Its a shotgun mic with great quality for the price, and never let me down in all the years Ive been using it. I won its successor, the NTG3, in the Riot Creative Contest a few years back, but still use the NTG2 from time to time when I need to.
Some Extra Stuff
Theres a lot of cool, free plugins out there. I've used both Blue Cat's and Melda's plugins, and they all get the job done with a bit of tweaking.
As far as building up a sound library goes, I would recommend recording literally everything you can around you and playing with those sounds with plugins as a good starting point for building up a library. There's a few resources out there that give out free SFX every once in a while, GDC has had a bundle go up for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. You can also check out the BBC Sound Effects Library. Be careful about getting libraries and bundles though, as they add up quick. I have to go through my sound library soon, and I probably have around 500,00+ files but only really need a few thousand.
For all your sounds, you're going to want a file manager. A great and free one is Mutant. You just add the directory where you downloaded your sounds to, let it load them in, and voila. You can search easily for what you need.
Hopefully, all this was somewhat helpful to you, or to anyone else reading this who's interested in sound design!
>Im worried that being that the AT2020 is a cardioid mic
I think you mean that the AT2020 being a condenser mic not a cardioid mic. The AT2020 is both a cardioid and a condenser mic, but the "cardioid" refers to the polar pattern and "condenser" refers to the type of transducer. You definitely want to get a cardioid or hypercardioid microphone.
Condenser microphones are much more sensitive than dynamic microphones. That means that they pick up your voice from further away but also pick up more background noise. Condenser microphones also general will record a more accurate respresentation of the sound input (they sound better). Generally you want a condenser mic about 6-8" from your mouth pointed directly at you (or slightly off-axis) and directly away from any background noise.
Dynamic microphones are less sensitive so they don't pick up as much background noise but they also generally need to be closer to the sound source. They also don't have as good audio quality for lower end microphones. Generally you would want a dynamic mic 3-4" from your mouth pointed directly at you (or slightly off-axis) and directly away from any background noise.
If you have $300 to spend on an interface and microphone then I suggest spending more of it on the interface and less on the mic and then upgrading the mic in the future if needed. That is because some of the lower priced interfaces will introduce noise into your system. There are two main styles of interface. There's the tube amp style (think Scarlett 2i2 or Presonus audiobox 2x2) and there are mixing boards (think Behringer Xenyx or Yamaha MG10XU). For your price range the tube amps will give you better sound but you won't be able to adjust it as much hardware-side. The mixing boards will give you much more control over your audio but with slightly reduced quality. since you are streaming I highly recommend going the mixing board route, but that is up to you. Personally I love my Mackie ProFX8V2 ($200) but the Yamaha MG10XU ($200) is basically made for streamers. I like my Mackie because it has audio inputs which allows you to easily add hardware effects (EQ, compressors, gates, etc). The Yamaha has a very simple built-in compressor that you might find useful.
If you want to go the audio interface route then I highly suggest the Steinberg UR242 ($170) or the Presonus Audiobox 44VSL ($200). These will give you the best sound for your money. I have tried every one of these interfaces and mixing boards and these 4 are my favorite. The Scarlett gave me huge problems and has also given all of my content creator friends issues.
Now for microphones. You mentioned that you wanted the SM7b but did not want to price tag. The SM7b is basically an upgraded version of the SM58 ($100) and SM57 ($100). The SM58 is geared slightly more towards vocals while the SM57 is geared slightly more towards insturments, however they are very similar. These microphones are nearly indestructible, are the go-to microphones for live stage performances, and the SM57 is what President Obama used for every one of his speeches. It has This cover on it. I highly recommend either microphone and they will pair well with your $200 interface and sits right in your $300 budget.
If you have any questions please let me know, I would be happy to help.
Off the top of my head:
Dynamics
Shure SM58 (go for the one without on/off switch)
Shure SM57 (ONLY DO THIS IF YOU KNOW MIC PLACEMENT AND HAVE A POP FILTER OR WIND SCREEN; SM58 is better for voice but SM57's are a bit cheaper)
Shure SM7B
Electrovoice RE27
Sennheiser MD421
Sennheiser MD441
Condensers
Audio-Technica AT2020
Audio-Technica AT4050
Audio-Technica AT4040
Everything else is $500+. This is mostly a low-end choice selection to buying XLR microphones.
Forewarning: I'm only a hobbyist. If you want more info, definitely go to the subreddits I linked as well as the resources in their sidebars.
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Mic: $100
Shure SM58
Video of SM57 and SM58 sound test starts at 3:30
With either of these mics you'll need an XLR cable
and a device to deliver phantom power to the mic. They're the same price but I linked to the SM58 amazon listing because that's the more popular one for vocals. These two mics are industry standards so you can't really go wrong with them.---
Interface: $130
Shure MVi Digital Audio Interface
When getting your DAW, I recommend getting some sort of microphone amplifier / hardware interface. I'm not too familiar with the budget options of these but if you have any questions about DAW hardware and software, head over to /r/audioengineering and post in the appropriate stickies.
I linked to this shure interface because it does both XLR (microphone cables) and 1/4" TRS (Guitar/instrument cables). I highly recommend reading reviews and opinions about it to see if it's the right one for you because, again, I'm not too familiar with the budget options in this category.
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Which leaves $170 left in your budget for your choice of headphones and other gear:
Mic stands, mounts, cables, and pop filters can be pretty cheap, get your preference for your work space. Get a floating mount if you're having problems with translation through the stand. (I.e. desk bumps, people walking in adjacent areas, etc.) If you get a wire mesh pop filter, make sure it has a bevel around it (I've cut myself on mine too many times).
My recommendation for headphones would be some type of closed monitors. Audio Technica M-series headphones are popular entry level cans. If you have any questions about them or how they compare to other cans, head over to /r/headphones and post in the sticky.
ATH-M40x $80
ATH-M50 $133
ATH-M50x $125
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As for the DAW itself, any decent computer will work fine for single-channel recording, these days. If your computer can run minecraft then it's more than enough.
What's important is that your software and hardware can use ASIO drivers. ASIO drivers will help reduce any latency on the computer's side, which is really helpful for live recording and playback. Definitely read up on how to use ASIO devices for live recordings. Depending on what you get and what version driver you're running, you may have to mess with the driver settings manually from time to time.
I'd get the Shure SM58 if you're on a budget.
i recorded these on a shure sm88 which is only 88 on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Cardioid-Microphone-without/dp/B000CZ0R42. Its the same mic i did the vocal drop on Pitbull dont stop the party. if your looking for something a little more upmarket but still cheap and good cop the http://www.amazon.com/Rode-NT1A-Anniversary-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B002QAUOKS . ITs the same mic that Nick Hook (who works with Brenmar and everybody) that he used to record Azealia Banks 212.
First, I'd like to point out that in your situation it would be redundant to run your mic through the mixer and then through another interface (unless your mixer has incredibly awesome pre-amps, which is something I'd argue most Behringer products lack).
If I were you, I'd ditch the $10 mic for a used SM58, and the Behringer usb mixer for a decent cheap interface like the PreSonus Audiobox, or if your budget permits, something from the Focusrite family.
That said, you may be able to increase your sound quality 10 fold just by upgrading the mic and leaving the XENYX. I don't have any experience with either of those products, but they are by brands I would warn any newcomer to steer clear from. Good luck!
Yeti is sensitive and you can do a lot better at the price point.
Dynamic Microphones
For most gamers I'd recommend dynamic microphones since they pick up a lot less noise. Look into: XM8500, SM58, Beta 58.
Condenser Microphones
If you are set on a condenser microphone, be aware everyone is going to hear your keyboard, mouse, roommates etc. Avoid the Yeti. Look into: AT2020, MXL 770, Samson C02, LyxPro SDPC-2.
Mixers for Single Microphones
With any of the single microphones you'll be able to use the Xenyx 502, 1 RCA to 3.5 cable and 1 XLR cable.
Mixers for Microphone Pairs
With either of the stereo microphone pairs you'll need to use a mixer with more inputs OR go halves with a friend. You'd be able to use the Xenyx 802, 1 RCA to 3.5 cable and 2 XLR Cables, you are also going to want a stereo microphone bar
Accessories
Scissor Arm - $20 : You'll want a stand with any of the microphones listed, however if you'd prefer a stage style boom arm it would be the same price.
Pop Filter - $7 : You'll want one with any of the condenser microphones. However it would be a nice addition to any of the microphones.
Windscreen - $3 : You'll want one with any of the dynamic microphones.
--EDIT-- Let me know any questions you have. If you want to talk we could meet up on the discord server or something.
Strongly urge you not to use a condenser mic live, particularly with cheap sound equipment. You're likely to get huge problems with feedback, and with your budget you could easily pick up a different mic and still come out ahead.
Secondly, condensers are fragile. You need to be babying the shit out of that thing when you move it around.
Here's my suggestion:
Get an SM58 in your life. With this you can go straight into your amp with the right conversion cable (bypassing the need for a more expensive mic interface).
If you can't run dual inputs to your amp, you can get a cheap mixer like so and run both through it into the amp.
personally i'd probably go with a scarlett solo or 202hd amp and a e835 or sm58 mic around that price point; i'm a bit of a dynamic mic fanboy though
Yes, there are recorders that can record multiple tracks. Like the Tascam DR-40 has XLR inputs. I'm not necessarily endorsing the Tascam. I have the DR-05 and find it acceptable quality. Something like the Zoom H4N has XLR connectors built in, so you could record a mic into those and use the built in condenser mics to record your guitar.
You left out some relevant information: Budget, can your guitar be plugged in or will you mic it? Do you have a pretty sound free workspace?
I think budget is the most important part here. I interpret 'nothing flashy' as being a cheap as it can get without being poor quality.
I'm gonna link to listings on Amazon because it's easiest, but B&H or if you live near a Guitar Center might be a better place to buy.
A possible setup:
If you need/want to mic your guitar then consider the SM-57. It is nearly identical to the SM58. Here is a guy demonstrating using one to record his guitar.
This guy's video makes me wonder if just an SM57 with a decent preamp (i.e. one with clean gain) might be all you'd need... but that isn't ideal. You could go with two XM8500s, one for guitar and one for vocals ($40). Or one SM58 for vocals and one XM8500 for guitar($120). That all comes down to budget and preferences.
Potential Changes & other thoughts -
A more expensive preamp - ART Tube Dual Mic Preamp With USB - $190- this has some compression and a limiter. It's debatable whether in this range it would be better to get a decent mixer, a preamp for your vocals, and let the preamp on the mixer handle the guitar, or if something like this would be better. Like a Behringer mixer - Q802USB ($80) + ART single channel Preamp for vocals ($40/$50) would be less money than the Dual USB preamp.
Or maybe just the Q802USB would suffice for your needs. It has preamps already built in. They are not the best preamps in the world. I mean... after all I wrote above, the more I think about it the more I think you should try a Q802USB and see if the sound is what you're wanting.
Headphones - Add in some headphones to monitor your audio. ATH-M40x ($100) would be my recommendation, but this is where a lot of personal preference comes into the mix, no pun intended.
Different mics - Rode has some mics that compare the the Shure SM57/58 that might be better. And the options for mic are virtually limitless, when you consider not just the mics can vary, but the audio interfaces and processing options. I really think a dynamic mic will be most user friendly for a one off home recording.
I hope I haven't confused more than I helped. I think the essentials are this: good mics, clean gain, easy to use. Whether you get the dual channel ART preamp or the Q802USB, either will be easy to use. I would bet the gain on the ART preamp is cleaner, meaning less background hiss at higher levels, than the Q802USB, but perhaps that is just an unreasonable bias. In either case, the mic is going to be important and where your budget plays a big role. The SM58 and SM57 are superb for vocals and recording guitar. A condenser might be better if the acoustics of your recording space allow for it, but I hope you saw from the video I linked of the guy recording his guitar with the SM57 that a great sound can be achieved with a $100 mic. If that is out of your budget, keep in mind the XM8500, but the sound is not as clear as the Shure mics it tries to emulate.
Spl (sound pressure levels), response across the board, noise floor, there are honestly a ton of factors that make some capsule built in 67 worth $30,000. Daft punk is a group of musicians and though I might be wrong, don't know much about the difference in mics due to the fact they create electronic music. I know musicians who are engineers but they are few. I can have you sing into a Shure SM58 and then a Nuemann U87 and in a studio environment on even shitty speakers you could hear a difference, but once you place those tracks in with music the brilliance gets lost.
Ok, Thank you. Here is a similar setup to what I use. My personal one is a bit more sophisticated but nonetheless, these items will certainly get you started and aim you in the right direction.
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Let's start with the Mixer:
Your mixer will be your new interface. Rather than plugging one microphone into your computer you'll plug all your microphones into one mixer which then will be connected to your computer via USB.
Microphone - Mixer - Computer
Here is a good starter at a decent price. It'll be your most expensive single piece of equipment (unless you decide to get top tier microphones). You'll be able to EQ and set levels to each microphone hooked up to the mixer before sending it to Audacity (or Audition, Reaper). You can also hook up more than 3 mics, a guitar, your phone, maybe you want to hook your computer up to it to play a sound, basically anything that sends one signal to another, you'll be able to do it with this and record it.
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Next Microphones:
If you're able to hook up a mic cable (XLR) to your Blue Yeti, you can still use that microphone, too. Obviously, switch your polar pattern to cardioid that way it's more directional and doesn't pick up as much room noise. Also, try to point it away from your AC unit. Regardless, since the Blue Yeti is a condenser microphone, it'll pick up more room noise because it's much more sensitive. That's why in broadcast situations you'll always see dynamic microphones such as the Electrovoice RE20 or Shure SM7b. For your own sake, I would do some research on condenser vs dynamic but any website you shop at (or if you go to Guitar Center in person) you can filter microphones by condenser or dynamic. I highly recommend buying yourself 3 dynamic microphones to reduce room noise.
Here are my microphone recommendations:
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Finally, your Accessories:
You'll need 3 XLR's to hook 3 microphones up to the mixer. I recommend purchasing them from monoprice.com - very cheap cables that last a long time if you learn to wrap your cable correctly.
Same with your microphone stands:
Most microphones you buy will come with the mount for it. If you get the Behringer XM8500 or the Shure SM58 you might need one of these if it doesn't come with it:
Also, for both of those mics I definitely recommend buy either a pop filter or wind screen to put over top to reduce plosives. If you don't know what plosives are, google it. You wont need to worry about plosives if you purchase the Rode Procaster or RE20.
One very last thing to mention is headphones. Through the mixer, there is a headphone jack where you can plug headphones in to monitor the mix. However, there is also something called "Main Out" or "Control Room Out" - you can send your vocal mix to an external Headphone Amplifier/Splitter that way you and your friends can all listen to the mix in real time.
Audacity is a good program but I recommend getting familiar with Reaper The trial version is free version and I think after the 60 day evaluation you're still allowed to use it although it may press you to buy it. I personally use Adobe Audition but that requires a subscription. If Audacity works fine for you, then by all means.
I apologize for the long post and I hope it's not too overwhelming. Mixer, Microphones, Cables, Stands, and headphone splitter is basically what this whole post is about! Feel free to ask questions.
If all else fails just find a podcasting kit to purchase from somewhere and go from there http://www.bswusa.com/Podcasting-Packages-BSW-Internet-Radio-Going-Pro-Kit-Dual-P10534.aspx
Oh in that case I would switch up it
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Interface - The one you had didn't have Phantom Power (48V), which is required for 90% of condenser microphones, I wouldn't buy an interface without it. Focusrite is going to offer better preamps, expandability, and is just a better offering. Yes this adds +$20 but if I were to compare value add I would say the Focusrite interface adds $100 if not more over the Line6.
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T50LY/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Focusrite+Scarlett+2i4+USB+Audio+Interface&qid=1565645877&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Microphone - while that AT2020 is a nice microphone, I wouldn't be an audio nerd if I didn't recommend consider trading it out for a Shure SM58. It's a rite of passage mic, it's going to sound good out of the box, but you can learn how to make it sound even better. It's also going to pick up less unwanted noise (mom yelling that hotpockets are ready, cops bursting in your room when you been swatted.
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B000CZ0R42/ref=sxin_4_osp1-d1fabffa_cov?ascsubtag=d1fabffa-c2ec-4fa0-ae31-2e07a178f49c&creativeASIN=B000CZ0R42&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.d1fabffa-c2ec-4fa0-ae31-2e07a178f49c&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=sure+sm58&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B000CZ0R42&pd_rd_r=a40496d4-0539-4f37-a1f5-06c41f3afb62&pd_rd_w=zLA9w&pd_rd_wg=YvsDi&pf_rd_p=c501273b-119a-4fc9-ad78-eda5006b0be9&pf_rd_r=K79XXEN93XVP9C4Z5Q2R&qid=1565646518&s=gateway&tag=popularscience_os-20#customerReviews
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The boom arm you have will work with any mic so you leave that.
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If your budget is strict here's a bundle that has the Scarlett Solo and the AT2020, which has solid reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Interface-Bundle-Microphone/dp/B07V4MNBMX/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=Focusrite+Scarlett+solo&qid=1565646973&s=gateway&sr=8-10
Note that acoustic treatment is typically much less important for dynamic mics than for condenser mics :) It's a little trickier for multiple person commentary (as you sort of need a dynamic mic per person, which means probably XLR over USB, but you'll be saving on sound treatment, so there's that). Something like a Focusrite scarlett 2i2 interface with two ATR2100 mics or two Shure SM58 mics (SM58s are tanks, and are usually in great quality when gotten used).
Joint commentary is tricky. You can either do a shutgun mic, or condenser and try to manage unwanted noises, or you can go the multiple dynamics route, which should give a very good signal-to-noise ratio.
Something like the Blue Yeti may suit. It's a multi-pattern USB microphone. If your mixer is worth its salt, you should be able to output from your computer via an audio interface or simply use a line out to a separate channel.
I personally use the Audio Technica AT-2020 XLR version (this also has a USB version) for recording a bit of vocal work, including rap and some spoken word stuff. It works great on voice and acoustic guitars. However that doesn't solve the lack of phantom power. If it picks up too much ambience (which it definitely can) ease off on the gain a bit and speak louder.
A dynamic mic like this Nady may work as well, however this type can be quite sensitive and will pick up ambient noise.
I don't know if your budget stretches this high ($430), but the Electro Voice RE20 is in my opinion the gold standard for spoken word and radio type stuff that isn't a condenser microphone. It's dynamic, so it doesn't require phantom power, it has a cardioid pattern which will help filter out ambient noise and it just sounds fantastic to my ears. Even though it is quite pricey, it will stand the test of time and providing you take care of it, it will hold its value.
TL;DR: No phantom power requirement, not too sensitive, inexpensive. Pick two.
(Just realised the Shure SM58 might also fit the bill, but it won't give you that sexy radio voice. However, you can abuse the hell out of those things and they will still work and ask for more.)
Hope I've been helpful.
Here are your best budget options of gear you must have:
Headphones -
[Audio Technica M50] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HVLUR86/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HVLUR86&linkCode=as2&tag=silastu-20&linkId=KJN5X2ZF3TL466SZ)
Sony MDR7
Monitors -
KRK RP5G3
M-Audio AV40
MIDI Keyboard -
Akai MPK Mini
Korg nanokey
Novation Launchkey
Moar Buttons & Knobs -
Korg nanocontrol
Korg nanopad
Microphones -
Shure SM58
Shure SM57
Recording Interface -
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
PreSonus Audiobox
It's really, really hard to isolate sound in a room that hasn't been specifically treated for it. A shield like that might help, but you could also find success literally by just hanging quilts or moving blankets over the door. Perhaps even choose a room with a good amount of furniture.
The Blue Mic is a great choice for an all-in-one solution, but you might find better success with a clean dynamic microphone. A popular model for podcasts/radio is the Shure SM7B, which is obviously out of your price range. An SM58 might also work well. The issue with something like the Blue Microphone is that it's more of a condenser-style mic, so it will pick up a lot of the room. Whereas, one of the two mics I just recommended will tend to pick up mostly only what's right in front of the mic. But, for those microphones, you'll also need an audio interfaceto connect to your computer.
With all of that said, I would honestly not worry so much about getting an ultra-clean sound. You'll need to spend more on equipment to achieve that, and honestly, because it's an office and not a treated studio, you'll have trouble. For podcasts especially, as long as you aren't getting noise that drowns out the voice, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much slack a listener is willing to cut you. At the end of the day, they'll probably be listening to the podcast in their car or on earbuds on their commute. Therefore, a lot of room tone and background noise will go unnoticed.
I hope this was helpful.
Depends on what you're using the mic for. Assuming you're using it for streaming/PC gaming, you can look into dynamic microphones because they don't pickup as much background noise as condenser mics.
Generally, most dynamic mics are XLR which need some sort of pre-amp. A popular budget pre-amp is the Behringer UM22, and a fairly popular XLR dynamic mic is a Shure SM58.
My setup is overkill for general PC gaming, but I use an Audio Technica AT2020, which is a condenser mic, connected to a UM22. It doesn't pickup much keyboard noise thanks to my MX brown switches, but if I press hard enough, it'll get picked up (albeit slightly). I usually use push-to-talk anyways so it's not a problem.
I got a pretty good deal on /r/hardwareswap for my UM22+AT2020 for ~$100 a while ago, otherwise I would've purchased a dynamic mic.
YMMV though! My friend isn't an audiophile nor professional streamer so his setup may not be optimal for reducing keyboard noises. I've heard of plenty of people using Blue Yetis and were with their purchase.
I believe the Griffin StudioConnect does not have a mic input, just a 1/4" guitar/bass, line in and MIDI.
For $150, you can get the iRig Pro which has an XLR connector for mic, a 1/4" for guitar/bass and a MIDI interface.
You can plug any xlr mic into it, they are inexpensive, widely available used on craigslist, and come in a huge range of types. The $100 Shure SM58 is well regarded.
The Behringer XM8500 is ony $20, and will probably work great for you as well, so you can see the versatility in having a mic preamp and XLR connector like the iRig Pro provides.
It also has 30 pin, lightning and usb cables so you can hook it up to mac/pc/old ipad/new ipad. I have one and like the device, it's very compact and sounds good. I carry it and it's cables in a Tom Bihn Organizer Pouch
For $160 you can get the Presonus AudioBox iTwo which has a second xlr mic/1/4" input, allowing you to record acoustic or electric guitar and vocals simultaneously, for instance. It also comes with mac/windows software to edit your performances.
Then going on up they keep getting more expensive and have more features. I like having the mic preamp in the same device and the ability to hook it up to my mac or pc, so I spent the extra money on the iRig Pro. If I were doing it again today, I would probably buy the Presonus for the larger, sturdier box and the second input.
Have fun!
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Cardioid-Microphone-without/dp/B000CZ0R42
As someone who has used multiple AT2020s in the same room, I'd recommend something like the Shure SM58 instead. I found the AT2020 picks up other speakers in the area a lot more than a mic like the SM58. Lavaliers might be good too, like /u/slybird said.
I'd just buy the XLR cables, unless you're really into learning the internals I suppose.
Regarding multi-track: You could theoretically split 3 players left and 3 players right, but its still gonna limit your editing abilities. So movements, breathing, side-chatter, etc, will be harder to edit out. Multi-track will be a significant upgrade though.
What's your use-case for the audio interface?
Yes! It's called Performance Anxiety. Anxiety has physical manifestations - namely, tension in your throat and higher heart rate. Being able to relax your throat beforehand is key. I have no tips for that because I take beta blockers. Many others though recommend very slow, deep breathing. I can attest that this works in general, but the minute I get on stage, all the tension comes back. YMMV!
There's also the issue with mics as inverteduniverse detailed. You need to practice with the same mic they use at karaoke - usually this one. Get one and a cheap amp...boom, karaoke at home.
If you want a dynamic, the Sure SM58 is a good one (generally runs ~$100), or the AudioTechnica Pro 41 is another good one. You will also want to get an interface to control the gain and get a better analogue/digital conversion for the signal than what you can get from your computer. You can go cheap, like with the Behringer UM2, or more expensive with something like an Audient iD4, but if you go cheaper you might need to get a Cloudlifter to get high enough gain without adding hiss from the preamps into the signal.
Thanks! Any mic recommendations? I've been told that the Shure SM58-LC would be good for what I want to do, but I don't have much of a background in this
EDIT: Reading more about the mic, it seems like its tailored pretty heavily towards vocals, so maybe the SM57 instrument mic? But then would that have trouble picking up vocals?
You bet!
Interface is: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56EA
Mics are: https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Vocal-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B000CZ0R42/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1536266509&sr=1-4&keywords=shure+sm58&dpID=4106gE2DYWL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch (but they are definitely cheaper ones)
Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS) is another option, despite the name there's also Mac and Windows versions. It's more like Fruity Loops so there's support for audio tracks and loops but also sequencing for MIDI and virtual instruments, it comes with a bunch but then there's also hundreds of free plugins available on the net and hundreds more paid in VST format. It's a little more fun than Ardour I think and you can get a song started up pretty fast in it.
As far as a mic goes, Shure SM58 is pretty much the industry standard vocal mic but there are lots of clones too available for cheaper. With that you'll need an audio interface the Focusrite Scarlet Solo is pretty solid assuming he only needs to record one thing at a time. There's lots of bundles available though for cheaper if you look at the related products.
For a keyboard something like this Nektar 49 key controller should be good, there's of course more compact ones for cheaper or fuller sized ones for more. There's ones with more controllers like knobs, sliders and drum pads for a bit more, for controlling and automating plugins etc. If you have a second hand music store anywhere around you can probably score one for a lot cheaper.
Audio Interface
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Microphones
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Hosting for $20 a month
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That's everything you need to run the show.
Since I saw other people wanting to do voice acting and you yourself might be unsure about what gear to buy, here is advice from a musician:
Try to practice with what you have, when you start to feel more secured about your skill, try to buy a better microphone, do NOT buy a condenser microphone, those are too sensitive if you are starting out, buy a dynamic microphone instead!
Recommended microphones, both made by the brand 'Shure':
SM58
SM7B (If you really can afford it)
To be able to use a microphone that is from an XLR cable to maintain quality you need an audio interface, there is a market solution that brings you to a prosumer level very cheaply and it is called a 'focusrite scarlett solo' it is one of the cheapest but also most durable and stable interfaces in the industry that is worth having! You can hook your electric guitar too if you want to.
The interfaces:
Focusrite scarlett Solo
Focusrite scarlett 2i4 (If you really can afford it, options like the Pad button make it amazing for general use outside of recording)
Now you need a DAW if you want to upgrade from audacity, a DAW (Digital audio workstation) is your workfield, it is what provides you what you want in terms of FX or samples (if it delivers them)
Good cheap DAWs:
Reaper by Cockos
Ableton live 10 intro (more expensive but you get more fx to it, it is less userfriendly for beginners from my experience though)
VSTs are what you will be using in your arsenal for FX and voice processing, you got tons of free VSTs that work like a charm and you got tons of paid ones that obviously work better but you can get them for cheap at plugin boutique! or sign in for emails of the sellers! PM me to request the list for free VSTs, if the demand is high, I'll make a list for it here and edit the post!
The plugin boutique website
This is probably a question for /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers - They're usually pretty great for answering music production questions :)
That said, Logic, Reason or Pro Tools are your 'staple' DAWs - They are all equally powerful (for your intents and purposes), and Logic is the cheapest, so Logic is a good idea. You're also going to need a USB Audio Interface (I recommend the Scarlett 2i2 for small projects, or the Saffire Pro 40 if you plan on micing a drum kit) to get signal from mics/guitars into the computer. Look into getting some cheap-ish mics (AT2020 for acoustic guitar/vocals/overheads, and the SM57 and SM58 for whatever else, at least for starters).
There are oodles of great Youtube tutorials that will teach you how to use Logic, and eventually you'll want to invest in studio headphones and studio monitors (unless you already have them), which are built specifically to give you an objective sound to accurately mix.
I'm not an expert producer, but I do freelance stuff locally out of my home studio - My work for reference
Feel free to PM with questions, and you should definitely post in /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers! They'll probably have better answers than me, but I hope this helps.
Shure SM58 maybe?
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58-LC-Vocal-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B000CZ0R42
That's where I would start
That mic is great, but you can get something like an SM57 much cheaper, if she's recording acoustic guitar.
If you want a pretty good vocal mic, that will also be cheapish you can get something like this.
Or just buy an sm58 which is a cheaper version of the other one you just showed, and is good for doing live stuff if you want to do that.
You can also get a 4x4 input thing so that she can multitrack into a daw, or just a smaller one if she's only ever going to record like 2 tracks at once.
I got something like this.
The SM57 and SM58 are pretty much standards in the music world.
That being said, IIRC the SM7b (the mic you're looking at) is what Micheal Jackson recorded a lot of his stuff on ( the bad album at least), so it's def pro level.
For singing, those would work, but there are likely better ones. This one should work quite well for singing. If you're gaming though, those ones would be good at multitasking. You'd definitely want to get sound boards though. This video shows how to make them for cheap.
When it comes to a good staple dynamic microphone, the one that almost always brought up first is the shure SM-58
https://www.amazon.fr/Shure-Microphones-dynamiques-SM-58/dp/B000CZ0R42/ref=sr_1_2?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=39IZTQXPHV3KA&keywords=shure+sm58&qid=1562894271&s=gateway&sprefix=shure+sm%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-2
and a great starter interface that works with it is this unit from behringer
https://www.amazon.fr/Behringer-UMC22-U-Phoria-Interface-entr%C3%A9es/dp/B00FFIGZF6/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=BDMR9OGTFJDR&keywords=behringer+umc&qid=1562891547&s=gateway&sprefix=behringer++umc%2Caps%2C-1&sr=8-1
then you'd only need your own choice of stand, and an xlr cable and you're good to go
and of course, an advantage of using an interface with your microphone is if you want to get a better setup, you don't have to replace everything all at once
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you can add to the setup, or replace parts one by one as you wish.