microphone purchase

stu · Fri 10/09/2004 19:58:37

okay, i want a good quality microphone for my pc.
i want to do voice recordings and perhaps some guitar playing recordings, all crystal clear, or as near as possible(since i have no sound proof room). i've had a quick look on the net and at some mags, but i can't make 100% sense of all the jargon that comes with microphone specs.. so i was wondering if someone with some experience and knowhow in this area could help me find out which microphone is better out of these two that i've found..

Logitech (savastore.com)
and,
Labtec (maplin magazine scan)

also, while i'm at it. can anyone find a better one? not too bothered about price atm, and remember, i want it to be pc compatible. any help is appreciated, thanks.

LGM · Fri 10/09/2004 21:39:00

If you want most clearness, go with a USB Logitech. If not, they are all roughly the same. I would go with Labtec.

shbaz · Fri 10/09/2004 23:36:06

If you're going to record guitar, get a Shure SM57 and buy an adapter or (if you have one) run it through a mixer first. The PG57's cheaper and nearly as good.

If you didn't know, the SM57 is the industry standard for live guitar capture as well as vocal. There's one on any national level government podium (in the USA).

You can use any passive mic with a PC with an adapter. The XLR jack is three pin but don't be fooled, only two are used.

EDIT: Geoffkhan only spelled "Shure" wrong because I did. $:-\$ Sorry.

Gregjazz · Sat 11/09/2004 00:06:37

Let me tell you, though. You get what you pay for. 'Sure' microphones are usually pretty top-quality. It depends on what you want to do with the mic. If you're recording guitar and vocals and stuff, you're probably going to want a condenser mic. My advice would be to go with the 'Sure'.

c.leksutin · Sat 11/09/2004 03:00:15

Quote from: Geoffkhan on Sat 11/09/2004 00:06:37you're probably going to want a condenser mic. My advice would be to go with the 'Sure'.

Condencer mic's require a phantom powered mixer. Dynamic mic's dont. Look up the definition of both before you decide what to buy.

C.

shbaz · Sat 11/09/2004 07:50:35

Quote from: c.leksutin on Sat 11/09/2004 03:00:15
Quote from: Geoffkhan on Sat 11/09/2004 00:06:37you're probably going to want a condenser mic. My advice would be to go with the 'Sure'.

Condencer mic's require a phantom powered mixer. Dynamic mic's dont. Look up the definition of both before you decide what to buy.

Not true - the signal is smaller but it doesn't require a phantom powered mixer. Phantom power is provided to reduce noise by boosting the signal strength (noise will have a small value and by boosting the signal you're yelling over the noise, electrically). If you have a good sound card (preferably external if you want serious quality) and quality cable you shouldn't have more noise than a typical computer microphone bleeding into your signal. XLR to 1/4" phono converters usually have a small audio transformer inside to take care of the impedence mismatch, these are the long thin ones that cost about $10. It isn't preferable by any means, so you're sort of right, but I just wanted to clear that up.

None of that matters though, because the SM57 is a dynamic mic.

stu · Sat 11/09/2004 07:54:49

thanks for the replies and help. i will looking further into your recommendations and stuff when i get back from work today.

thanks again.

modgeulator · Sat 11/09/2004 08:49:13

Check out this site, lots of good info:
http://www.hr-faq.org/

shbaz · Sat 11/09/2004 09:00:56

Ah, but if you're really hardcore you'll pick up a free subscription to Tape Op.

modgeulator · Sat 11/09/2004 10:24:24

Nice. Too bad free subscriptions are US only

Gregjazz · Sat 11/09/2004 16:28:46

Oh sorry, my bad. "Shure" microphones. I forgot how to spell them.