Microphone for starters

paperclips · 05-20-2011, 10:10 AM

Hey there, while music has always been a big part of my life, i have recently had the urge to practice my singing on a more serious level, rather than just singing along to random songs along the radio. Now, i know i sound pretty bad, but hopefully with a little bit of work I'll sound at least good enough to rock a song or two on karaoke nights, pretty simple goal.

Anyways, i have an old headset microphone, but I'm looking at getting a decent mic, for practice. Just need some suggestions on which microphone i should get, preferably one i can plug into a computer.

Thanks.

~~The Virgin~~ · 05-20-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperclips

Hey there, while music has always been a big part of my life, i have recently had the urge to practice my singing on a more serious level, rather than just singing along to random songs along the radio. Now, i know i sound pretty bad, but hopefully with a little bit of work I'll sound at least good enough to rock a song or two on karaoke nights, pretty simple goal.

Anyways, i have an old headset microphone, but I'm looking at getting a decent mic, for practice. Just need some suggestions on which microphone i should get, preferably one i can plug into a computer.

Thanks.

not sure about the microphone but you should focus on your voice first.

s_k · 05-20-2011, 01:17 PM

I'd like to advise you to buy the Behringer XM1800S.
They are very cheap here (I'm sure it's the same there).
It comes without a lead, but that's a good thing as most 'standard' microphone (XLR female to 6,35mm jack) plugs don't fit in your PC.
Any good music/audio shop can help you get an XLR famele to 3,5mm jack. That will fit into your PC's microphone input very nicely.
Alternatively you can buy a converter from 6,35 to 3,5mm, but these usually aren't very sturdy.

paperclips · 05-20-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Virgin

not sure about the microphone but you should focus on your voice first.

Yes, it is definitely something i am working on, its quite hard, and im not too sure where to start, but i think if i can record and listen to myself with a decent microphone that i will be able to make corrections to singing patters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

I'd like to advise you to buy the Behringer XM1800S.
They are very cheap here (I'm sure it's the same there).
It comes without a lead, but that's a good thing as most 'standard' microphone (XLR female to 6,35mm jack) plugs don't fit in your PC.
Any good music/audio shop can help you get an XLR famele to 3,5mm jack. That will fit into your PC's microphone input very nicely.
Alternatively you can buy a converter from 6,35 to 3,5mm, but these usually aren't very sturdy.

Thanks you very much for your help ^^.

s_k · 05-20-2011, 02:45 PM

It might help to listen to yourself while you're singing. But in that case you will need headphones and an amplifier, or a soundcard that supports sending the microphone signal directly to the output

Phantom Limb · 05-20-2011, 05:55 PM

I'd suggest the Shure SM57. It's a pretty good mic for only $100 and you can use it for a whole bunch of things other than recording vocals. They're like an industry standard I think so you pretty much can't go wrong with one of these bad boys.

s_k · 05-20-2011, 06:11 PM

Well if it's just for hooking up to a mic input on a computer to be able to hear yourself sing, the SM57 is a bit overdone I guess.

Phantom Limb · 05-20-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

Well if it's just for hooking up to a mic input on a computer to be able to hear yourself sing, the SM57 is a bit overdone I guess.

I suppose, but it's worth the investment if you can see yourself going any further.

s_k · 05-20-2011, 06:31 PM

Well it's a good microphone. It somehow always sounds about right and it's virtually indestructible. But it's a lot of money if you don't plan on making serious recordings or singing live. Well that's what I think.

Come to think of it, i have Beyers, Sennheisers, I think I have an AKG somewhere... But no shure

.

P A N · 05-21-2011, 12:32 AM

i agree on the sm57. they do sound quite decent for a mic costing only 100 bucks, and even if you don't wanna take it any further, you can stay right where you're at ten years down the road WITH THE SAME MIC cuz they really are probably the most durable mic on the market.

05-20-2011, 10:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
paperclips Groupie Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2	Microphone for starters Hey there, while music has always been a big part of my life, i have recently had the urge to practice my singing on a more serious level, rather than just singing along to random songs along the radio. Now, i know i sound pretty bad, but hopefully with a little bit of work I'll sound at least good enough to rock a song or two on karaoke nights, pretty simple goal. Anyways, i have an old headset microphone, but I'm looking at getting a decent mic, for practice. Just need some suggestions on which microphone i should get, preferably one i can plug into a computer. Thanks.

05-20-2011, 01:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	I'd like to advise you to buy the Behringer XM1800S. They are very cheap here (I'm sure it's the same there). It comes without a lead, but that's a good thing as most 'standard' microphone (XLR female to 6,35mm jack) plugs don't fit in your PC. Any good music/audio shop can help you get an XLR famele to 3,5mm jack. That will fit into your PC's microphone input very nicely. Alternatively you can buy a converter from 6,35 to 3,5mm, but these usually aren't very sturdy. __________________ Click here to see my collection

05-20-2011, 02:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	It might help to listen to yourself while you're singing. But in that case you will need headphones and an amplifier, or a soundcard that supports sending the microphone signal directly to the output __________________ Click here to see my collection

05-20-2011, 06:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	Well if it's just for hooking up to a mic input on a computer to be able to hear yourself sing, the SM57 is a bit overdone I guess. __________________ Click here to see my collection

05-20-2011, 06:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	Well it's a good microphone. It somehow always sounds about right and it's virtually indestructible. But it's a lot of money if you don't plan on making serious recordings or singing live. Well that's what I think. Come to think of it, i have Beyers, Sennheisers, I think I have an AKG somewhere... But no shure . __________________ Click here to see my collection

05-21-2011, 12:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
P A N DO LIKE YOU. Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 629	i agree on the sm57. they do sound quite decent for a mic costing only 100 bucks, and even if you don't wanna take it any further, you can stay right where you're at ten years down the road WITH THE SAME MIC cuz they really are probably the most durable mic on the market.