Professional Microphones/Recording

[DataXUnknown]

I'm sitting here at my computer looking for some cool microphones. I was looking into getting into singing and wondering what mics are good for recording more professional sounding. I'm new to the entire sound recording buisness, but am good with computers and know how to work with a lot of programs (not the easy garage band stuff).

I was looking on some information on where to really start with and such. Like buying a professional microphone and just plug it into the computer and start recording that way? Or is there a certain tool to go about recording and mastering?

I do have an okay knowledge of electronics and gadgets of those sorts, but I just have no idea where to start with this and would like somone to help guide me in the right direction. Any kind of help would be cool, dunno if any of you guys out there are singers and wanna contribute :l101:

[coreansurfer]

the standard is the shure sm58

an alternative is the audix om2(i have it, LOVE it)

YouTube - Audix OM2 And Shure SM58: Shootout! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7pWHCZbiSE)


if you google them both you can see some good info.

hope it helps.

as for software, protools amazing.

[HyperTek]

i got a m-audio dmp3 mic preamp *according to what ive read on forums, its probably the best sollution under $200 for a pre amp*

for mic, i got a OSP STM 1300 studio condenser mic. *got it on ebay for like $170 w/case/ vibration mount, wont find too many reviews on it, but just based it off some of the ebay sellers having a video comparing it to other mics, and supposedly it might be a knock off of some higher end mic lol*

Low budget stuff.. but you will produce better sounding songs then souljaboy *his old stuff was homemade /poor sound quality and he still made it big lol*
Pick up a mic stand and a filter.

software ableton live
http://a279.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/53/l_63cf0edbf664d472b62baecb0789285e.jpg

soo far the only thing ive recorded was my car
http://mymassageworks.com/audio/rx7%20FC.mp3

check out this forum
http://www.futureproducers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=24
Read up and get some advice there.. thats where I judged my purchases

another good link
http://studio-central.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=03d07c0d3370d9b219ac5d27ebab4b60

[DataXUnknown]

^Thank you guys for the input. The shure sm58 looks perfect for more of playing stuff live. I'm looking at your setup HyperTek and it really seems perfect for what I'm looking for. Pretty low budget, but best bang for your buck. I didn't really know what I needed until now.

So the mic plugs into the preamp in which the preamp in general terms makes it crystal clear and makes you able to edit the gain and quality and various features like that?

And with the preamp, what kind of connector does it use to connect to a PC/soundcard if at all possible?

[HyperTek]

i plug the pre amp into my soundblaster x-fi.. you gotta buy the chorde to plug it into the mic input on your pc sound card.. then just use software.

[Antihero983]

Sure SM57 Beta is what I use for Beatboxing, and it's daaaamned good quality and slightly cheaper than the SM58