Usb Microphones, Any suggestions Options

[justnicola]

Hi Everyone!
I was thinking about a USB mic to use with my G4 ibook (1.2) (OSX10.3.9).
When I made enquiries with a computer music retailer, all they wanted to talk about was an UA25 interface and condenser XLR mic. I only want to record vocals and guitar, decent enough quality for a demo to
give to pubs&clubs etc.

Any thoughts on this dark winters morn?

Nicola

[Mac Daddy]

justnicola,

You can probably get away with just a USB Microphone to present to pubs and clubs, however, these clubs/pubs must really be small venues? If this is the case, you're cool.

However, I bet you end up one day purchasing an Interface "ANYWAY".

Keep practising, singing and saving another few weeks won't hurt, plus, you'll begin to "Professinalize" your Hardware... Sorry to disappoint you, but there is still a link between Hard & Software... We all would like to be able to magically make it all work from just our lap or desktops, but it ends up sounding like something is missing or wanting.

Why don't you just walk into the club and do it live? Do it on a working night. Ask to go on during the break? If you are any good you'll get the "Gig" and maybe even a free drink, maybe the band or artist performing might need you... Sounds better than what you are about to do with the USB "Thang".

I have not really heard any "Great Reports" concerning USB Mics, but, if you want to get an unbiased review, go to (soundonsound.com) they have done several, they all had more Cons than Pros from what I remember. The main "Pro" is they are easy to use. "Cons". Bad signals and levels. But, what do you expect for a hundred pounds, dollars or euros?

Interface is the way, but, you know what you want to do, I'd just hate to see you end up with "Newbie Buyin' & Cryin Blues Dues" Im ashamed how easily I gave money away for "Crap". Arrrrrrggggggghhhhhh!

[deaconblue]

Nicola,

I agree with Mac Daddy. If you can, I would recommend picking up a good interface so you have ready expansion ability when you get used to the recording process on your Mac and want to branch out. (you most likely will).

However, if you already know that this is all you'll ever need in the way of computer recording and are set on a USB mic, then there are a couple I would recommend:

Samson CO1U and CO3U are both really nice microphones for decent price (between $60 and $110 US). More info can be found on the Samson web page.

Blue makes some cool mics as well. The snowball mic is a good sounding mic for acoustic guitar and vocals. But you might need to treat your room a wee bit as it will pick up a lot of the natural reverb and give you a lot of reflections in your final tracks. If you plan on recording the vocals and guitar 'live' this won't matter too much.

Finally, the Marshall USB series of the MXL mics are really nice for being good condenser USB microphones with decent tone for 'cheap' (about $90 US).

I have tried several, these would be my picks if USB were my way to go. I have actually helped a couple of friends set up both the snowball and both of the Samson mics with really good results. I have tested the MXLs and own a few of their XLR equivalents.

The sound delta between the XLR and the USB are there, but based more on the fact I am running my XLR MXL mics through a good tube mic pre. If I plug them into a standard mic pre on my mixer, then the sound quality delta is nominal. The XLR based MXLs sound a wee bit 'hotter' but I think this is due to the fact that they are getting their phantom power via 48 volts and not the 5v USB power chain (which is shared with your keyboard and trackpad on a portable device and whatever other USB devices you have plugged into your desktop Mac).

Hope that helps. Best of luck with the decision.

peace