Anyone with experience recording music onto PC's?

[tailes151]

Here's the thing, I'd like to start recording some music (just vocals and an acoustic guitar) onto my PC. I've already got a mic in mind, this one, but I'm not sure what else I need. Will this be able to just directly plug into the mic input on my X-Fi?

Mind you, I'm not looking for any amazing sound quality, nor am I looking to spend a lot. I just want something better than my $5 walmart pos mic.

Thanks guys.

 

[nsafreak]

Originally posted by: tailes151
Here's the thing, I'd like to start recording some music (just vocals and an acoustic guitar) onto my PC. I've already got a mic in mind, this one, but I'm not sure what else I need. Will this be able to just directly plug into the mic input on my X-Fi?

Mind you, I'm not looking for any amazing sound quality, nor am I looking to spend a lot. I just want something better than my $5 walmart pos mic.

Thanks guys.

That mic requires 48 volts of phantom power which I very much doubt that the X-Fi can provide. Also the mic you're looking at is likely going to be hooking up via an XLR input which even an X-Fi platinum doesn't have. You're going to need a Mixer as well don't have any recommendations but make sure that you get a powered mixer. You may want to consider getting one with USB output and a quick browse of musician's friend did turn up a few powered mixers that have USB output on them they just are massive overkill for what you're looking to do with 8 track support or more. You may want to consider picking up 2 mics and a mixer that will support two for better recording levels. One mic for vocal and one mic for the guitar. Somebody feel free to correct me on this as I'm no professional musician.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: nsafreak

Originally posted by: tailes151
Here's the thing, I'd like to start recording some music (just vocals and an acoustic guitar) onto my PC. I've already got a mic in mind, this one, but I'm not sure what else I need. Will this be able to just directly plug into the mic input on my X-Fi?

Mind you, I'm not looking for any amazing sound quality, nor am I looking to spend a lot. I just want something better than my $5 walmart pos mic.

Thanks guys.

That mic requires 48 volts of phantom power which I very much doubt that the X-Fi can provide. Also the mic you're looking at is likely going to be hooking up via an XLR input which even an X-Fi platinum doesn't have. You're going to need a Mixer as well don't have any recommendations but make sure that you get a powered mixer. You may want to consider getting one with USB output and a quick browse of musician's friend did turn up a few powered mixers that have USB output on them they just are massive overkill for what you're looking to do with 8 track support or more. You may want to consider picking up 2 mics and a mixer that will support two for better recording levels. One mic for vocal and one mic for the guitar. Somebody feel free to correct me on this as I'm no professional musician.

I agree

 

[Baked]

Get a Mbox 2 if you're serious.

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: nsafreak

Helpful quote.

Wow, thanks for the detailed reply. Heh, I only wish I could understand it all. Really, I have no experience with any stuff like this. Maybe that mic is just too much for my wants. All I'm really trying to do it replace using a mic like this with something better. I won't be using it for playing shows or anything like that, mainly just recording some stuff on my pc and playing it back to see how I can improve.

I guess I really just have no idea what I need to get to fill my needs. I was hoping to not spend all that much more than $100, but I suppose $150 isn't out of the question.

 

[nsafreak]

Originally posted by: tailes151

Originally posted by: nsafreak

Helpful quote.

Wow, thanks for the detailed reply. Heh, I only wish I could understand it all. Really, I have no experience with any stuff like this. Maybe that mic is just too much for my wants. All I'm really trying to do it replace using a mic like this with something better. I won't be using it for playing shows or anything like that, mainly just recording some stuff on my pc and playing it back to see how I can improve.

I guess I really just have no idea what I need to get to fill my needs. I was hoping to not spend all that much more than $100, but I suppose $150 isn't out of the question.

Ah ok when somebody says they're recording music I'm usually thinking that they want to record it so that they can post it on the internet for download free or for sale. If you just want to improve your playing but you want a higher quality microphone there are still a few good choices. Something like either the Snowball or the Samson COU-1 will do the trick just fine. Both of these microphones are condenser microphones with a good level of sensitivity & they both hook directly into your USB port. For future reference the microphone you were looking at would've also needed some kind of stand to hold it like a boom stand, a mixer which basically would have provided power to the microphone and allowed you to establish sound levels and probably some good audio recording software like ProTools LE. And if you're planning to make music available for download these will also work just fine for a good quality recording. If you're willing to spend the extra I would probably recommend the Snowball over the Samson mic because of the extra features that it has along with the higher sensitivity.

 

[tailes151]

Hey, thanks again! That makes a lot more sense. I'm was looking for something similar to those two you suggested on musiciansfriend and came across this. I'm not positive but it looks like it does the same thing, more of a plug and play deal. If you're wondering why I'm looking at musicians friend it's cause I plan on ordering some strings and cases as well, and if the orders over something like $100 they ship free. I think the mic I linked comes with a stand as well, which'll be useful since I need to hold the guitar.

 

[nsafreak]

Originally posted by: tailes151
Hey, thanks again! That makes a lot more sense. I'm was looking for something similar to those two you suggested on musiciansfriend and came across this. I'm not positive but it looks like it does the same thing, more of a plug and play deal. If you're wondering why I'm looking at musicians friend it's cause I plan on ordering some strings and cases as well, and if the orders over something like $100 they ship free. I think the mic I linked comes with a stand as well, which'll be useful since I need to hold the guitar.

That microphone will do the job just fine. It doesn't have the modes that the Snowball has but it does have more of a range available and it looks like it comes with all the accessories that you could need for it. Enjoy