Recording on a Laptop

[Anth0n]

Anyone got suggestions for some computer microphones suitable for vocals? I currently have a crappy one and it's weighing me down.

[loansindi]

At 7/23/09 07:24 PM, Anth0n wrote: Anyone got suggestions for some computer microphones suitable for vocals? I currently have a crappy one and it's weighing me down.

Any one of these USB condenser microphones, when combined with a pop shield, will serve you quite a bit better than any 'computer' microphone.

[nathanallenpinard]

What's your budget?

[Anth0n]

At 7/23/09 07:34 PM, nathanallenpinard wrote: What's your budget?

Up to $300.

[loansindi]

At 7/23/09 08:01 PM, Anth0n wrote:

At 7/23/09 07:34 PM, nathanallenpinard wrote: What's your budget?

Up to $300.

In that price range you'd probably be best served by something in the link I provided. When you start looking at nicer microphones, you wouldn't want to spend less than $300 (the shure ksm27 is a wonderful mic in that range) but then you'd also need to invest in an interface to get the sound into your computer, (the nice thing about the USB mics is that they've got this hardware built in already.) and that's another $100+.

[nathanallenpinard]

Yeah, just the pre-amps aren't as good in those USB versions, though they are probably the same quality as the 100 dollar preamps you find on the market. The quality changes when you get to the tube pre's that go past 500.

OP: What type of recordings are you doing? Instrumental, Vocal (singing), Voice Acting?

I would check out the "How to Voice Act" Thread if you are going for voice acting, there's a small 300 dollar'ish list of equipment in there.

If you are going USB, you might want to try this out: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P odcaster/ should work for all uses within reason.

[loansindi]

At 7/23/09 09:00 PM, nathanallenpinard wrote: Yeah, just the pre-amps aren't as good in those USB versions, though they are probably the same quality as the 100 dollar preamps you find on the market. The quality changes when you get to the tube pre's that go past 500.

but he only has $300. Meaning he either buys a decent microphone with an integrated inexpensive a/d converter, or he buys an inexpensive microphone and an inexpensive d/a converter.

Frankly, for $300 you're not going to get anything that's flat-out amazing. The quality will, of course, blow away anything marketed as a 'computer' microphone, and be more than appropriate for most hobby needs.