A few questions about microphones for recording guitar and vocals at home

January 19, 2005 2:42 PM

A few questions about microphones for recording guitar and vocals at home. (More inside)

I'd like to do some recording at home. I'd like to record acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and vocals. I've decided to use Garageband (with my eMac) for this, but I'm unsure of what microphone to use.

I've heard the Shure SM57 is a good general mic, but then I found the Shure Beta 57A.
The 57A seems to be more of what I want, but I'd like to hear what other people have to say. I'm open to other mic suggestions, too. Preferably, I'd like to spend under $150 (I'm able to find both the SM57 and the Beta 57A new for that on ebay).

Along with a mic, I'll need a stand. I'd like a more versatile stand than a simple table model, but I don't need one that's huge either. Any recommendations? Does the model of microphone affect which stand I need?

My final question is about a cable. I'd like to be able to connect the mic directly into my eMac, so I need a 1/8" mini-jack. Are there any specifc cables people recommend? And do I actually need a pre-amp for doing this recording?

posted by Camel of Space to Shopping (20 answers total)

As far as I know, mic stands always have a screw mount on the end. Mics come with a specific holder, which screws into the mic stand. If this isn't the case with the SM57, you should be able to find an appropriate holder at any music equipment store (the 57 is probably the most popular mic around).

I have a boom mic stand which is pretty versatile -- it should be serviceable for just about anything.

You definitely need a preamp. If you plug the mic directly into the computer's input, the sound level will be very low and you'll have to crank up the gain to be able to hear anything -- and that adds significant noise.

There's no reason to worry much about the cable. Just about anything you can find at your local music equipment store should work fine for home use, as long as it has the right connectors.
posted by xil at 3:02 PM on January 19, 2005

I looove the Shure SM57, although I have to admit I haven't tried the 57A. The whole Shure line seems to create a nice warm sound that I like, with good sensitivity, not too touchy. Go with what you like and are comfortable with.

You should be able to find a clamp that can accomodate your microphone no matter which stand you use. Sometimes it takes a bit of jerry-rigging, but clamps are interchangeable, and even the pivoting mounts can be fitted with simple adapters that can change side-mount to vertical-mount. You can just ask at your music store what you'll need to configure the mic.

I use a K&M tripod mic stand, which is great for performing, easy to adjust, and can stand up to a beating. I think this is my model. You mentioned something about a tabletop -- sitting at a table doing vocals would work if you're looking to create a muffled or super-intimate, whispered sound, but even for home recording I usually stand. Standing creates a lot more control and range in the voice. .
posted by Miko at 3:03 PM on January 19, 2005

If you want to record electric guitar, get a 57 or a beta 57.

If you want to record acoustic guitar, get a condenser microphone or two and a quiet room. I use a Behringer ECM8000 which can be had for 40 bones about anywhere they are sold. I've also had good results using a large diaphragm condenser (such as the MXL 990)

Stands ... ebay a good mic stand. Most microphones come with mic clips and any adapters required to attach their mic to a standard microphone stand.

Condenser microphones will require a phantom power supply and a way to get their signal into the computer. I use a Tascam US-122, which has both of those features in one unit and all powered by the USB connection.

Start reading the newbie forum at Home Recording.com. This is a great source of information for the begining recordist.

Don't bother with any microphone that will plug directly into the eMac. Unless you're just recording scratch tracks and don't want to ever share any music made with that microphone.
posted by bryanzera at 3:07 PM on January 19, 2005

Ditto on the MXL 990; it's what I use for acoustic guitar and vocals.

For a preamp/phantom power, I use the Presonus TubePRE.

For cables, you'll need an XLR cable to go from the mic to the preamp, a 1/4" cable to go from the preamp to the computer, and a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter to plug it in.

To hear what this setup sounds like, check out the last two mp3s on my site, linked from my user page.
posted by ludwig_van at 3:11 PM on January 19, 2005

On a related note, I've also been looking at microphones, with an eye toward recording both in-home and on the street.

I had been looking at the Shure mic line, but I'm wondering if there are special concerns for recording in the field.

I think I've convinced myself that an iRiver ifp-790 flash recorder would be good for my purposes (voice and environmental sounds), but do I need to do any kind of pre-amping of a larger Shure mic, or can I just step it down to a mini-plug and expect decent results?

Ultimate destination: Mac and Garageband. (Curse You Apple for not offering decent recording on iPods!)
posted by baltimore at 3:21 PM on January 19, 2005

Just a note: it depends on what kind of recording you are doing. I have and expensive and a cheapie mic - and I end up using the cheapie lots because I like the lo-fi quality it gives my songs.
posted by Quartermass at 3:25 PM on January 19, 2005

I've heard good things about the Tascam US-122, but you might want to look at the cheaper Behringer UB802 to go between your mic and computer.
posted by bobo123 at 4:21 PM on January 19, 2005

I use a Behringer B-1 I paid something like $75 for it off craigslist. It's a good mic for acoustic guitar and vocals, but it requires phantom power so you're going to need a mixer. If you already have a Sure SM57, I'd opt for the B1.
posted by The White Hat at 4:41 PM on January 19, 2005

Here are the links for the two microphones above (I screwed up the html):

Shure Beta 57A

Shure SM57

Quartermass, for lo-fi recording, what cheap microphone do you use/would you recommend?

Please keep the advice and help coming! I know nothing in this area, so all of this is very helpful!
posted by Camel of Space at 4:42 PM on January 19, 2005

A lot of the mics mentioned so far are dynamic mics, which are (generally speaking, of course) a LOT more suited to live sound reinforcement, rather than recording.

From personal experience of recording vocals and acoustic guitar at home, I heartily recommend the Rode NT-1A and Audio Technica AT-3035. Both available for < £150. both require phantom power (from a di box or mixing desk), since they're condenser mics.br>
Instead of a DI or mixing desk (and definately, seeing as you're recording into a computer, you're better off getting some kind of firewire or USB interface - M-Audio do some excellent, budget friendly ones. As you're using condenser mics (by now, I hope you are), you need one that takes a three pin XLR (aka Cannon) lead, so that your mic can get the phantom power it wants.

Stand? Doesn't matter. As long as it can hold a mic solidly anywhere from ankle to overhead heights, it's fine. Most condenser mics will come with a cradle that screws onto your stand's end. You'll also need a pop shield (eBay), or a pair of tights stretched over a wire coathanger (closet).

If you've any questions about getting started, setting up, software, or anything, my email's in my profile.
posted by armoured-ant at 5:14 PM on January 19, 2005

The SM57 is standard for electric guitar and it'll work great. For acoustic guitar and vocals, the preference is large-diaphragm condensers which are generally nice and smooth. The second most popular for that is one or a pair of small-diaphragm condensers, which are slightly more accurate but less flattering.

For a large-diaphragm condenser, the Rode NT1 for instance is popular, but Audio-Technica, AKG etc. all make some very good ones. It's really a matter of taste, as they color the sound a lot so you'll preferably want to try a bunch out at your music store. See also Harvy Gerst's ridiculously exhaustive Mic workshop on HomeRecording.com.

You'll want a good clean preamp. Don't listen to anyone who tells you to use tube preamps like the TubePre - tubes, especially on the low end, alter your sound a lot and are great as an effect but if you have to pick one you're definitely going to want a clean solid-state boost.

M-Audio has the low-end market for that sort of thing cornered. They make the DMP3, which has two mic/instrument channels, retails for about $150 and is extraordinarily clean for the price point. There's also the Audio Buddy which is their dual preamp that goes for about $80 but is noticably worse in sound quality.

You'd probably do best with an external preamp/interface combination like the FireWire 410 or FireWire Solo, that way you won't have to invest in a good interface too. Generally, M-Audio's USB stuff uses the Audio Buddy Preamps and its Firewire stuff uses the DMP3 ones, so I go for the Firewire interfaces, which again M-Audio really has cornered (though Tascam is coming out with a pretty solid competitor to the 410).
posted by abcde at 6:01 PM on January 19, 2005

Speaking of mic stands, does anyone know of a collapsible backpack type one? I've never been able to find one.
posted by abcde at 6:05 PM on January 19, 2005

Incidentally, that was an inappropriate and pedantic ramble considering the context - honestly, if you want to accomplish that in under $150, and you're using the mic in on your emac without a preamp, you can pick any random set of mics and it'll sound equally mediocre. Not that mediocre is bad if you just want to put across the music.
posted by abcde at 6:08 PM on January 19, 2005

Good advice here, so I'll just wander in with my standard plug for TapeOp, an indispensable magazine for home recording that is a free subscription. Check out their message board too. What Quartermass said about the type of sound you want is important, and the nice thing about TapeOp is that they frequently interview an eclectic mix of producers and musicians, from professionals to home recordists. A recent issue had a very valuable resource, The Listening Sessions, where Dan Richards provides sound files of all kinds of mics.

Personally, we have an Octava MK319 for vocals and it works well, better than the Behringers in our opinion, and we like the Shures and Audio-Technicas too. Good luck and happy recording.
posted by melissa may at 6:37 PM on January 19, 2005

Everyone else is being sensible, so I'll be cheap:

SM-57 of eBay from a 100+ feedback seller: $70.
Onstage(brand) boom stand with folding legs / eBay: $30.
15 foot Hosa XLR to stereo-mini Sam Ash/Musicians Friend: $25.

It will make sound, probably. These computer things are notoriously fickle.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 7:29 PM on January 19, 2005

I used a Røde NT1A (large diaphragm condenser; $199) to record the acoustic guitar and close vocals of this tune and the close vocals of this tune. I used a Yamaha Promix 01 (ancient digital board) for phantom power. I love my NT1A.

Behringer had (still has?) a history of being sued by other companies in the industry for intellectual property infringement, if that kind of thing matters to you.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 8:01 PM on January 19, 2005

One of the best bang for the buck condenser mics is the Oktava MC 012. It's a small diaphragm mic but can usually be found for under $100. You have to quality check before you buy though because some of them can be duds. This mic is much like the mxl 603s. great for recording acoustic instruments.
posted by gallois at 8:02 PM on January 19, 2005

This is the cheapie mic I use - 99 cents on ebay!!!

Here are some songs I recorded with it. (note - not a picture of me!)
posted by Quartermass at 10:02 PM on January 19, 2005

The SM57 is simply the right choice. I have one and couldn't imagine it being better in any way, for electric guitar and vocals.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:32 PM on January 20, 2005

Oh, part 2 of the question:

I do the same thing you want to, except it's a Power Mac, not an eMac. Macs don't have mic-level inputs so you'll need a mic pre. The correct solution is the Griffin iMic, coupled with an XLR (low impedance)-to-1/4" jack (high impedance) cable and adapter, and then a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. It sounds unwieldy but I use it with absolutely no problem. All the cablage/adapterage is available at Radio Shack.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:35 PM on January 20, 2005