Another Recording Question

[Matteran]

I am going to buy this mic:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SHUSM57LC

With this cable:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--CBIMLN

How can i plug that mic into my computer? I do all my recording on my computer, and I'm happy with the quality, but I thought I would get an excellent mic, but I'm not really sure what I would need to get to use it with my computer. Is there some sort of XLR->1/4", 1/8" (you know, regular instrument, or sound card cable plugs)? Or do i need to get some sort of mic hub, that i can plug XLR mics into and it feeds the signal from the mutiple mics into on signal that would go to my computer? The mic hub thing would rock.

Oh yeah, and I hope XLR is right term for the microphone plug format.

[deviatedwolf625]

Yes, XLR is correct, and I would get a mic preamp, there's lots of them. It's like a USB device that you just plug your mic into.

[Matteran]

how much would a preamp go for? And the USB thing, is that the "mic hub?" if so, is there a firewire version? Also, if you're bored enough, could you post a link, or the name of a recommended product?

[Matteran]

*Bump*

Please, would anybody be able to help me?

[elevate]

How can i plug that mic into my computer?
As has been indicated, you need a mic preamp. These come in endless flavors, though it kinda breaks down to either a mixer or a dedicated mic pre. The mixer or preamp then has direct outs, which are usually 1/4" jacks. You can then run that directly to your soundcard's input(s).
The mic hub thing would rock.
That would be a mixer.
how much would a preamp go for?
You can spend between about $50 and $10,000+. This (http://www.midiman.com/products/m-audio/mobilepre.php) goes for around $150, or something like this (http://www.midiman.com/products/m-audio/audibudy.php) for $80 (mic pres are of similar quality to the MobilePre), or something like this (http://www.midiman.com/products/m-audio/dmp3.php) for $200 (higher quality than the previous two). All three of those are "good for the money" preamps with no frills and clean sound.

What kind of sound card do you have? What will you be using this mic for? Odds are, you could spend the money on an LD condenser mic and get much better quality - factored in to the price of that SM57 is a lot of rugged chassis and internals (for live use) and the Shure name.

[Matteran]

I've got a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, it's a nice card, i use it for gaming and stuff, i would have got a more professional recording card, but i need this computer for other stuff. I'll be using it to mic vocals, if i can find a singer, tablas, and maybe my acoustic guitar, if it gets a fuller sound that the built in shitty pickup.

[elevate]

i would have got a more professional recording card, but i need this computer for other stuff.
I use my M-Audio Audiophile 2496 as my primary sound card, which includes gaming. No problems whatsoever.

If you're going to need a general purpose mic, I'd recommend you spend $10 more and get this (http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=11440&Category=Microphones). This will be worlds better than the 57. If you can spend $60 more, I'd recommend getting this (http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=7727&Category=Microphones), which includes a very good mic cable. Both of those mics require phantom power, so keep that in mind, though most mixers and preamps provide phantom power, so it's mostly a non-issue.

[Matteran]

hey thanks man, you've answered all my questions, now to wait for my next paycheck.

EDIT: If i did get the mic that's 60 more dollars, i'm getting a good mic cable with it, so, i'm saving some money, and it ends up being only like less than 20 dollars more than the first one. So i think i'll go with that one. It sounds great.

[elevate]

Before you do that, do you have a mixer or mic preamp?

[Matteran]

true, i guess i'll need to buy one of 'dem first.

[elevate]

true, i guess i'll need to buy one of 'dem first.
Yes you will. I realize that this is a bit more of a cash outlay than you had originally planned, but this setup is so much better than what you were planning on doing. Even if you had got the 57, you still would have wanted a mic pre - those preamps on consumer grade sound cards are a joke.

[Matteran]

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHUB1202

this is also a mic preamp as well as a mixer, right? I think this would better fit my needs. from what i can tell it has four XLR plugins and a number of 1/4" plugins. So, if i bought a mic and plugged it into this, and then outted that signal to my computer, everything should work fine?

[elevate]

this is also a mic preamp as well as a mixer, right?
Well...sorta. Technically speaking, it's a mixer, and mixers usually have mic preamps - the exception being line mixers, but we don't need to get into that. But yeah, basically you've got the idea. If you don't mind buying used, I'd recommend this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2577895039&category=23785). I've got one, and I auditioned several cheaper mixers by Behringer, Yamaha, Mackie, etc... and I just think the Soundcraft mic pres are far superior. But if you feel more comfortable buying new, then I think that Behringer mixer will do just fine.

[Matteran]

hey man, you've been really helpful, thanks. I'm cool buying used. I love eBay, but i need to wait till next week to get payed, so i hope another one goes on sale around then.