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usb microphone?

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(@jewtemplar)
Reputable Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 186
Topic starter  

Anyone have experience with microphones that can plug directly into a usb port, such as this painfully cheap offering from Nady?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-USB24M-USB-microphone?sku=272015
Or this more expensive one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-.006-USB-Powered-Condenser-Microphone?sku=273175

I'm interested in recording acoustic guitar and vocals onto my laptop (not necessarily at the same time), and have only usb 2.0 and 3.5mm mic inputs (no line in). I guess my main question is:
Assume the following two equipment packages have the same cost. Which is preferable?
1) A microphone, with xlr cable and xlr-to-3.5 mm adapter
2) A microphone with balanced cable terminating in a usb plug

I guess I'll throw on another question. I was pretty impressed with the sound quality of the recording redpoint posted in this thread:
https://www.guitarnoise.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32862

This was just an sm 57 into a laptop's mic input via an xlr-to-3.5 mm adapter. This seems like it could be a fine option for me, but if I want to do both vocals and guitar with just one microphone (at different times, obviously), is the 57 or 58 better suited to the task?

Thanks for your help.

~Sam


   
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(@moonrider)
Noble Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 1305
 

Anyone have experience with microphones that can plug directly into a usb port, such as this painfully cheap offering from Nady?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-USB24M-USB-microphone?sku=272015
Or this more expensive one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-.006-USB-Powered-Condenser-Microphone?sku=273175

I'm interested in recording acoustic guitar and vocals onto my laptop (not necessarily at the same time), and have only usb 2.0 and 3.5mm mic inputs (no line in). I guess my main question is:
Assume the following two equipment packages have the same cost. Which is preferable?
1) A microphone, with xlr cable and xlr-to-3.5 mm adapter
2) A microphone with balanced cable terminating in a usb plug

I guess I'll throw on another question. I was pretty impressed with the sound quality of the recording redpoint posted in this thread:
https://www.guitarnoise.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32862

This was just an sm 57 into a laptop's mic input via an xlr-to-3.5 mm adapter. This seems like it could be a fine option for me, but if I want to do both vocals and guitar with just one microphone (at different times, obviously), is the 57 or 58 better suited to the task?

Thanks for your help.

For the USB mic I'd recommend this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Blue-Snowball-USB-Microphone?sku=279015
Blue hs a sterling reputation for it's recording mics.

In regards to using an sm57 vs. a sm58, go for the 57. The sm57 is intended to be a general purpose mic, while the sm58 is intended to be a vocal mic.

Playing guitar and never playing for others is like studying medicine and never working in a clinic.

Moondawgs on Reverbnation


   
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(@scrybe)
Famed Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 2241
 

yeah, I'd second the recommendation of the Blue Snowball over the ones you provided links to. I have the Blue Ball and found that remarkably good to use given the cost, so I'm guessing the Snowball would be similarly impressive (I think its pretty much the same design only with a usb connect - the Blue Ball is a standard connect).

Ra Er Ga.

Ninjazz have SuperChops.

http://www.blipfoto.com/Scrybe


   
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(@beaner)
Estimable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 122
 

I haven't found any pricing information but this one from Samson looks interesting as it has a USB audio interface built into it. You could plug your A/E or electric into it and use the mic for vocals.
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1917&brandID=2

Regards,
Paul


   
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(@jewtemplar)
Reputable Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 186
Topic starter  

Interesting gadget, although I would be loath to record my acoustic through a pickup. Feel free to keep posting, but I thought I would let you know that I ended up going for a more robust setup of an emu external usb soundcard, peavey 6 channel mixer, and (to start) sm 57 microphone. I'm thinking of adding a condenser at some point in the near future, but I need to make some money (and more importantly, some real recordings with the gear I already have) before I can justify such an expense.

~Sam


   
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