Voice Microphone, What to buy, how to use Options

[jodc]

I want to record voice and my piano playing at the same time.
I've figured out how to record music from my Yamaha P80 keyboard onto my iMac, using Cakewalk Metro.
But how do I go about recording voice. What microphone under $100 do you recommend ? What port does it plug into ? Can I record voice and piano at the same time ?
I appreciate all help !

[Synthetic]

well... a good mic for less than $100 in my opinion is the Samson condensor mic that sells for $69. The only drawback to that mic is that you need a mic preamp to make it work.

Unless you have an audio interface for your computer, you may as well just get any cheap computer mic with 1/8" plug to use however. It will do the job but not as well as if you use an interface and especially with a good mic preamp and condensor mic.

Another scenario... if you have an audio interface and no mic preamp... then you get a Sure SM58 that will work good for recording both piano and vocals.

I was using an SM57 (like the SM58 but unidirectional) and just got the Samson condensor mic and was amazed at the difference in quality of the sound. So if you can afford the preamp.... I would suggest getting a good condensor mic for best results.

Ohh... and if you are really strapped for cash.... you can even use the simple mic built in to your computer or the provided mic that sits on monitor to get ok results. You just have to experiment with placing the mic between your vocals and the piano to get the best sound.

[ryosode]

You would think something as analog as microphone should be an ancient technology available at a cheap price. That's not really the case.

I use a Shure SM57 too and I am happy with it. But my setup involves a microphone, a mixer, and an audio I/O going into my Mac. It's much more than $100.

If your budget is really tight and you have to do it below $100, I heard some good things about SONY MS907 stereo microphones that they use with MiniDisc recorder or DAT recorders in a meeting for recording people talking. You might wanna check it out. Here's a little something:

http://www.speechtechnology.com/prodpage.c....cfm?URLID=1117

[urbanmatador]

i used nothing but a SM57 for years, and it always peformed great. 79 bucks, plus it doubles as a hammer! the SM58 is good too... more expensive and doesn't sound quite as nice on a guitar, which is why i prefer the 57... some recording engineers swear by the 57, and use it even in high end studio work.

i also have a sony ms907 which is a stereo condenser mic, takes 1 AA battery (which lasts around 200-300 hours), has an 1/8" stereo connector (your imac has an 1/8" stereo input) and sounds excellent. cost me 100 bucks exactly, and was quite worth it. it was my main mic until i bought an avlex avs80 (which is sweet!)

looking a little above your price limit, the rode nt-1 can be found for about 170 dollars. it needs phantom power (and therefore a mixer), but sounds unbelieveable. very very good mic. if you consider a tiny little samson mixer gives you phantom power and costs maybe 60 bucks or so, it's very good deal on an incredibly good setup. but might be more than you need.

those are your options, as i see it.