I am completely ignorant to recording

[ThugLifeLewis]

Hi i'm new to the forums. I am 16 years old and i would like to start learning how to record vocals but i don't know anything at all. I am looking for a microphone but i don't know what to look for. I hear words like "condenser" and "dynamic" and other stuff. At first i was looking for a usb mic but after looking through the forums i learned that i should get a mic with a "pre". again i have no idea what this is. Can someone please give me the basics of recording equipment and point me in the right direction on buying my first mic?

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by ThugLifeLewis

Hi i'm new to the forums. I am 16 years old and i would like to start learning how to record vocals but i don't know anything at all. I am looking for a microphone but i don't know what to look for. I hear words like "condenser" and "dynamic" and other stuff. At first i was looking for a usb mic but after looking through the forums i learned that i should get a mic with a "pre". again i have no idea what this is. Can someone please give me the basics of recording equipment and point me in the right direction on buying my first mic?

buy a shure sm7

[glenn Taylor]

Dynamic mics don't need phantom power. Condensers do. That's a 48 dc voltage that is sent from the mic pre or mixing board to the condenser mic through the xlr mic cable. Dynamic mics can be used for drums instruments,vocals. So can condenser. The expensive mics like U87's AKG 414 and other large diaphram mics are condensers. A third mic is a ribbon mic. You can google all about the different mics. Buying a first mic? How much do you wanna spend.
That is a great 1st post title. What do you really mean?

[ThugLifeLewis]

Originally Posted by glenn Taylor

Dynamic mics don't need phantom power. Condensers do. That's a 48 dc voltage that is sent from the mic pre or mixing board to the condenser mic through the xlr mic cable. Dynamic mics can be used for drums instruments,vocals. So can condenser. The expensive mics like U87's AKG 414 and other large diaphram mics are condensers. A third mic is a ribbon mic. You can google all about the different mics. Buying a first mic? How much do you wanna spend.
That is a great 1st post title. What do you really mean?

I'm looking to spend about 200-400 bucks. and what exactly is phantom power?

[glenn Taylor]

It's power again 48 volts dc that most all mic pre's and mixing boards have that runs to pins 1 and 3 on the xlr mic cable. It powers a little amp circut in the condenser mic. I am guessing it gives the mic a little better fidelity over a dynamic mic. Some people prefer the sound of a dynamic mic. Sure sm7b, sure 57 or sennheiser 441. To my ear they are duller than a condenser. What setup do you have? What do you want to record with the mic?

[ThugLifeLewis]

Originally Posted by glenn Taylor

It's power again 48 volts dc that most all mic pre's and mixing boards have that runs to pins 1 and 3 on the xlr mic cable. It powers a little amp circut in the condenser mic. I am guessing it gives the mic a little better fidelity over a dynamic mic. Some people prefer the sound of a dynamic mic. Sure sm7b, sure 57 or sennheiser 441. To my ear they are duller than a condenser. What setup do you have? What do you want to record with the mic?

i have virtually no setup. i have my dell inspiron 1525 laptop and cool edit pro downloaded on it...
and i was looking to record rap/r&b vocals.

[ST.]

This is a slippery slope...

What happens is you want a microphone... but then you end up buying an audio interface. Then you realize that your laptop can't handle this kind of thing. So you buy a computer. Then you realize you need monitors to hear your stuff correctly. Then you decide you need more inputs-- and of course you'll need more mics. Then you realize that cool edit only allows two tracks to be recorded at a time. Then you end up getting a new DAW.

If you're satisfied with that, you've only spent 10-20 times your budget by then.

It all starts with a microphone and that birthday check from grandma.

Beware

[popote_jr]

you'll need a USB interface, where you'll plug the mic into, to transfer the sounds recorded to your computer.

You'll also need headphones

A mic, a cable and a mic stand.

then, you'll need time to experience with your setup, try things...

to read on how to operate what you've got, make it work for you.

400$ dollars for a first rig is doable, esp. if you buy used.

So:

USB interface (on or two channels)
Mic (I'd go with a dynamic or a cheap LDC)
headphones
Mic cable
Mic stand

Have fun!

[Black Seal]

There's still hope. Walk away now. As said above, $400 is about right to start. There's lots of helpful info on this board. Don't be suprised that even if you spend days on here that you'll be more confused than when you started looking on here. Be patient.

[glenn Taylor]

Well you will need to divide the $400 up into a usb interface mic pre and a mic.
Here is one. You should check on ebay under computer interfaces type in $100 to $200 or so. Many times they have usb interfaces and 1 mic packages. You need to figure out if you are going to get all your beats from mp3's or cd's. If you are going to hook a turntable or any stereo player like an ipod to the interface you should have 2 ins rca is the port or 1/4". The xlr in would be for your vocal mic. So maybe a interface that has a usb 1 or 2 xlr inputs phantom power unless you buy a Sure sm 7b or any dynamic mic. Also 1 or 2 rca or 1/4" line ins for importing from a ipod headphone out.
1. usb interface
2. mic
3. xlr cable
4. ipod 1/8" to two rca cable
5. 1 or two sets of headphones
6. 2 powered monitors
7 1 boom mic stand

[ThugLifeLewis]

so what exactly is an interface and what is its purpose?

[ThugLifeLewis]

and whats up with the monitors? how do monitors help make your sound better?

[glenn Taylor]

Well your laptop needs a preamp to plug the mic into. You can't plug the mic into the laptop. There might be a line or mic input in the laptop,but it most likly will not work. The interface preamp will make the mic sound good going into the laptop. I do not know about usb mics. Maybe you could find one that will go directly into your usb port on the laptop and sound good. Do some research.
I have a 10 k pro tools setup in my studio and a mbox usb interface and an ibook for writing. So again if they make usb mics that will work plugging directly into your laptop and it will SOUND GOOD. Go for it. The laptop might have 2 line inputs for hooking your ipod to transfer beats into your computer. The problrm is the built in ins and outs will usually not sound as good as a usb separate interface.

[glenn Taylor]

INFO Audio Interfaces: Buying Guide

[Psycro]

for a fellow newb i recommend buying a Tascam US-144 mkII (audio interface), its about 200 bucks and i believe it comes with Cubase LE5, (stripped-down music production software, but still leaps and bounds ahead of cool edit..) with a 400 dollar budget you can buy that, and a Shure SM58 vocal microphone, and you're golden. the SM58 is about 120 bucks, but still great quality. with Cubase you can also arrange and create your own beats and record vocals on top of it, because it comes with a library of VSTi's, basically virtual drum kits, and virtual instruments.

i bought pretty much this exact setup a few years ago when i started out, except i got Cubase LE4 with my interface, and instead of the SM58 i bought an SM57 for guitars and an Apex 460 for vocals (the Apex 460 was about $350 canadian)

Edit: i also still use this exact setup haha, havent bought new gear in a long time, aside from upgrading software.. i now use Logic Pro 9 and Pro Tools 9, though i use Logic more

[glenn Taylor]

Originally Posted by Psycro

for a fellow newb i recommend buying a Tascam US-144 mkII (audio interface), its about 200 bucks and i believe it comes with Cubase LE5, (stripped-down music production software, but still leaps and bounds ahead of cool edit..) with a 400 dollar budget you can buy that, and a Shure SM58 vocal microphone, and you're golden. the SM58 is about 120 bucks, but still great quality. with Cubase you can also arrange and create your own beats and record vocals on top of it, because it comes with a library of VSTi's, basically virtual drum kits, and virtual instruments.

i bought pretty much this exact setup a few years ago when i started out, except i got Cubase LE4 with my interface, and instead of the SM58 i bought an SM57 for guitars and an Apex 460 for vocals (the Apex 460 was about $350 canadian)

1+ on that Tascam I bought one used for $80. It's built like a tank. That is a great suggestion.

[ThugLifeLewis]

so if i buy an interface i don't need a preamp?

[jordanvoth]

Give the Presonus OneBox a shot. Comes with software, condensor mic and headphones. 300 bucks gets you there.

[ST.]

Originally Posted by ThugLifeLewis

so if i buy an interface i don't need a preamp?

I think it's safe to say that is generally a yes. However, sometimes there are audio interfaces without preamps. Other times, there are audio interfaces that have preamps which leave something to be desired. However, at the starting level, they should be fine (especially for your budget).

Also, external audio interfaces usually connect to computers with USB or Firewire. For your dell laptop, I would NOT recommend Firewire. For laptops, firewire can be a bit dangerous. USB would certainly be the way to go.

[Aaron Miller]

To the OP: There's a site called tweakheadz.com that has some basic info about mics, pres, recording techniques, etc. It's organized into tutorials so it's easy to follow. Might want to check it out.

As for mics: I'd start with an SM57.

[StarfishMusic]

ThuglifeLewis, this would make you a gear virgin. You sure you're ready for this brothel? And still thoses voices are calling from far away...

[ThugLifeLewis]

oh im ready, i'm lubed up and everything. one more thing, i have a dell inspiron 1525, is it gonna be able to keep up with all this equipment?

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by ThugLifeLewis

Hi i'm new to the forums. I am 16 years old and i would like to start learning how to record vocals but i don't know anything at all. I am looking for a microphone but i don't know what to look for. I hear words like "condenser" and "dynamic" and other stuff. At first i was looking for a usb mic but after looking through the forums i learned that i should get a mic with a "pre". again i have no idea what this is. Can someone please give me the basics of recording equipment and point me in the right direction on buying my first mic?

Do your homework.

Here are a couple of good starting places...

Tweak's Guide to the Home and Project Studio - a comprehensive guide to home recording (this is the one Aaron mentioned above; there's a lot of info but it's mostly arranged for beginners).

Tips & Techniques GearSlutz Tips & Techniques Collection


My very serious advice (as someone who has dropped loads of bank on gear) is... take your time. Gear gets better and cheaper all the time. Don't be afraid to get a good, basic piece of kit to start out. You can always upgrade to platinum level when you know your way around.

Happily, most kids your age already have some budget limitations imposed by their teen reality. But even if someone else is bankrolling your efforts, remember, that green don't grow on trees. Go slow and know what you're doing and you won't be one of those guys with a bunch of really nice gear sitting around unused because, while it was great gear, it wasn't actually what you needed to do what you want to do.

[aNiMaL ChIcKeN]

Treat your room.

[Chitown Ray]

[QUOTE]Treat your room./QUOTE]


animal you almost mad me spit my rice pudding out!

[AstralPStudios]

I think we should be recommending books...not hardware :P.

[teaforce]

Originally Posted by AstralPStudios

I think we should be recommending books...not hardware :P.

thumbsup


Here's the basic low-down of what I'm guessing you want to know: Get to know a phrase you will hear over and over again - SIGNAL CHAIN. Signal chain is the path from a sound source to the recording medium. [I'm assuming in this case the BEGINNING of the chain will be your voice (or somebodies voice), and the END of the chain your computer program (audacity, garageband, logic, pro tools, cubase..). There are a few pieces of hardware you need to get the sound from BEGINNING to END.

1st piece of Chain - microphone: converts the sound pressure waves in the air made by your voice into an ELECTRICAL signal (electrical signal as moving electrons within a cable).
-there are 3 basic kinds of microphones, Dynamic, Condenser, and Ribbon. They are categorized by how they capture sound. you can read about each elsewhere. A condenser (british? word for capacitor) must be powered to output a strong enough signal for recording. "Phantom Power" is 48volts created by the next piece of hardware that powers acondenser mic. Dynamic mics do not need phantom power. Plug and play.....

2nd piece of Chain - preamp (or Pre for short) - microphones are usually connected via XLR (google it) to a little box called a preamp. This piece of hardware increases the microphone signal (a signal level called Mic level) to an appropriate level (a signal called Line level), the amplitude on how much the signal from the mic is increased is called GAIN. MOST all preamps have phantom power, power fed through the mic cable that powers condenser mics. At this point the signal is still just electrons moving back and forth. Until the next piece....

3rd piece of Chain - converter (often called ADC or DAC meaning Analog(electical) to Digital(One's and zero's) Converter or Digital to Analog Converter) - after the preamp, the signal is converted to 1s and 0s by a converter so your computer can read it and record it.

Voice -> microphone -> preamp -> converter -> computer program

Those are the basics to get you started. That's just the surface. Preamps and converters are often found packaged together like in a MOTU 8pre or a Presonus Firepod. These are called AUDIO INTERFACES. They are usually connected to your computer via USB or Firewire. This is what I'd recommend if your just starting out. If you get a mic like a shure sm7 (which is a kickin mic) you'll need the other peices to get it into your computer.

If you use an interface it would look like:

voice -> microphone -> interface -> computer program



infact, signal chains are written like this all the time on gearslutz.



Monitors - good monitors and room treatment allow you to hear an accurate sonic picture of what you've recorded. If you can't trust what you hear, then how can you make appropriate mixing decisions?


My advice is read all that you can before buying anything or check it out for yourself. And after all that, dive in, turn some knobs, learn something, and have fun. good luck
thumbsupthumbsup

[gavriloP]

When audio people talk about monitors they are not talking about computer displays but speakers. I thought I should mention this just in case...

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by AstralPStudios

I think we should be recommending books...not hardware :P.

Never had much luck tracking with my copy of 'The Mixing Engineer's Handbook'.

Hey, Lewis......I was right there twelve years ago. I knew that somehow this computer should be able to catch my tunes but I didn't know a condenser from a dynamic. I knew nothing.

I took a deep breath and jumped in the water. I can swim pretty well now.

Don't hesitate, man. The sooner you pull the trigger and start tracking, the sooner all this will start making sense.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by ThugLifeLewis

oh im ready, i'm lubed up and everything.

Mate- loose the "h" from your name and you will fit right in here

GJ
Newcastle/OZ