Microphone Advice
| NOTICE: I do not recommend buying a USB based microphone. There are several problems associated with USB mics. One problem is that they have their own A/D converter (think sound card) and that converter needs MME driver mode to work with your existing sound card, which gives you the worst latency. Also - this can cause conflicts in the sequencer software if you have two sound devices since they have separate internal clocks - one of them has to be the master and the other won't sync up to the master's clock. |
Buying a microphone does not mean the same thing today that it did 10 years ago. To get a quality studio microphone 10 years ago, you'd be looking at spending several hundred (US) dollars, if not over $1000. Today's market is completely different and you can find really decent microphones for home studios for $100 to $400.
But with anything in this field, you have to determine your needs before you begin shopping. You need to ask yourself these questions:
What am I going to record?
Where am I going to record it?
What is my budget?
For vocals:
To record vocals you need to determine first what type of vocals you want to record. Most vocals are recorded using a Large Diameter Condensor Mic (I'll get into what that means more later). But dynamic mics can also be used. Dynamic mics will get you a harsher, "earthy" sound. If you're recording metal screaming vocals, then this might be a good choice for you. Dynamic mics also do not require phantom power, which means (maybe) less equipment you have to have in order to use them. They're also great for live performances, so you can use them for both recording and live. Win-win all around!
The only dynamic mic for vocals I would really recommend is the SHURE SM58. They cost about $100USD - DON'T buy one for less on eBay - if they say that they're new mics and are less than ~$100USD, then they're probably counterfit and they will not be Shure quailty.
Most studio vocals are recorded using a Large Diameter Condensor (LDC) Mic. The quality of the low cost mics of this category have skyrocketed in the last few years. LDC mics typically give a smoother vocal recording than dynamic mics do and are usually good for most any kind of style. They start at ~$60USD and go up to thousands of dollars, but the entry level mics typically taper off at about $200-$300. There are a lot of decent mics in the $100 range, however and here is a list of some decent ones to start looking at.
| Model | Manufacturer | Approx Price (USD) | Comments |
| MXL-V63M | Marshall | $70 | $100 with |
| MXL-990 | Marshall | $70 | with shock- |
| GXL3000 | CAD | $70 | |
| Nova | M-Audio | $100 | |
| Perception 100 | AKG | $100 | |
| AT-2020 | Audio-Technica | $100 | |
| NT1A | Rode | $230 | |
| C1 | Studio Projects | $240 | |
For instruments:
This is still a subjective area depending on what kind of instruments you're recording. Probably most Home Studios are going to need a mic to record acoustic guitar and a lot will want to record a cab for electric or bass.
Again, the dynamic mics don't need phantom power and you get a very different sound using a dynamic mic than you do a condensor. The only recommendation I make for dynamic mics recording instruments is the SHURE SM-57. This mic is actually the same mic as the SM-58 with a different grill on it. And the same guidelines apply for it as do the SM-58...don't buy from a non-authorized dealer and expect to pay about $100.
Instrument recording with condensor mics are typically done with a Small Diameter Condensor (SDC) mic. There are exceptions and you can absolutely record instruments with an LDC as well (and acoustic guitars you would typically record with BOTH!). SDC mics can also range the same as the LDC and there are even a couple of packages available with BOTH in them (which I think are great for the beginner).
| Model | Manufacturer | Approx Price (USD) | Comments |
| C2 | Behringer | $60 | Matched pair |
| AT-3030 | Audio Technica | $169 | |
| KSM109 | Shure | $180 | |
| MXL-604 | Marshall | $100 | |
| C1000S | AKG | $200 | |
| MXL-990/991 | Marshall | $100 | Best of both worlds! |
I do not recommend beginners to purchase a ribbon mic. These mics are studio mics only and they have a smooth silky sound, but they are not easy to use and require special handling.
For all vocals I also recommend that you either purchase or build a pop filter. You can build one out of a wire coat hanger and your wife's (or mom's) old panty hose, or you can buy one for about $20-$80.
IMPORTANT: With Condensor Microphones, you need PHANTOM POWER to operate them. I cover phantom power in the SOUND MIXER ADVICE page (click on the link above) With ALL mics you need a preamp. Internal onboard sound cards have a built-in preamp, so you might be able to use it with dynamic mics, but I still recommend a preamp to give you a cleaner sound. The preamp is just as important in the signal chain as the microphone! |
Good luck!