Whats a good, cheap mic for amateur vocal recording?

[manana]

Something under 100 dollars but something that doesnt sound too bad. Im willing to sacrifice money in exchange for a boxier sound etc.

 

[Kodee_Kaos]

Used SM-58

 

[manana]

What about a Blue Microphones Encore 100i?

 

[Verity]

Used SM-58

+1

I've gotten some decent sounds out of an SM-58 in the past.

 

[gfactor]

If you want to go condenser I'd look at the AT2020

 

[manana]

Thanks. If I get the condenser, will I need a mic preamp or could I use my pod?

 

[Hammy]

I'd suggest a Shure SM-58 BETA(!). Try finding one used, or invest $20 more for a new one depending on your situation. I wouldn't bother with a hardware mic pre-amp, try some VST plugins first!

There's a lot of pro's saying that you'd have to buy a really really really good condenser if you'd want to beat the SM-58 BETA soundquality wise.

 

[JamesM]

^Actually, it's called a Shure Beta58a. And I completely agree with this suggest UNLESS you don't have a warm, round tube preamp. Otherwise, run away. That mic is absolutely useless without one. Also, suggesting not to bother with a hardware preamp is a terrible suggestion. A good mic preamp will make MUCH more of a difference than a microphone.

I'm also not sure where you got that "pros" statement, a real pro would never compare a dynamic microphone with a condenser like that. At least none of the pros I've been trained by.

Get a used AKG C1000. Might be a bit over your budget, but it can record literally EVERYTHING from high gain guitars to singing to hard vocals to acoustic guitars to ambient noise. It's a do-everything-very-well microphone.

 

[seesthend]

Check Slampops earlier post:

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/re...eres-how-make-portable-desktop-vox-booth.html

Its mostly about making a vocal booth for cheap - but further down the thread is a great example of utilizing a sm58 by taking the top off and some other creative techniques.

Also - I know you said $100 buuuuuut i've tried and tried to tell people about the Studio Projects C1 ......but it usually falls on deaf ears. It is a HUGE bang for the buck!

 

[xtrustisyoursx]

I'd just spend the money on a decent used mic-pre. A good pre can make even a really bland sounding mic sound pretty good.

 

[manana]

Thanks guys! Now that I have many suggestions for microphones, what pre-amp do you recommend? Remember that I dont need "Pro" sounding stuff just something to get the job done medium-well.

 

[JamesM]

Gonna need to tell us a budget.

 

[manana]

Sure man lets say i spend 70 on a mic. How about 100 hard limit on the pre but a preference for something around 60-70?

 

[seesthend]

Dang man! It might be worth saving for a while longer to get something half way decent....

But there are these two:

PreSonus TUBEPRE Microphone Preamp TUBEPRE B&H Photo Video

Studio Projects VTB1 Microphone Preamp VTB1 B&H Photo Video

Yes, yes....studio projects again - but they are underrated....

and NO - do not shop at B&H!