Microphone for home recording

W

weelzSA

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2009
Messages
3,259
Reaction score
51
Location
Cape Town
So I am thinking of getting a microphone to record some music (while my fiance will do the singing :) ) and just need some advice as what to get?

Saw the Samson C01U Pro and it has gotten really good reviews and the price is not too bad.

I also saw the Samson C03U

Those are currently the two I am looking at getting but obviously if there is something better in the say R2000 price range please let me know.

Also what is the best software to use? Is Audacity still good just to record the audio? I am looking at USB mics to just connect to my PC and then record.

Is there anything else I should be looking at getting?

Please let me know.
 
Last edited:
Get a pop filter along with the mic.
Audacity should be fine provided you don't want to do much editing & arranging afterwards.
 
saor said:
Get a pop filter along with the mic.
Audacity should be fine provided you don't want to do much editing & arranging afterwards.
Click to expand...

Yeah I am looking at pop filter (that is the round thing you put in front of the mic correct :whistle: )?

For now we will just want to record the sound and then add the backing track after or use other software to import the sound recorded from audacity. Unless you know of better software?

At the moment I am more concerned about the mic and if the ones I linked to are worth it?
 
The capsule used in the samson mics are strange and have a bit more noise than I am comfortable with. The usb interface also only allows 16bit recordings, which means you will have to set a higher recording level and risk clipping. It might work for you, since what I was going to suggest does not fall in your price bracket.

Perhaps try to find a scarlett bundle with a mic and a usb interface. IIRC they come up on special from time to time for very decent prices.

Edit: Seems the prices on the scarlett bundle has gone up quite a bit, I think it was on a daily deal earlier the year for around 2k, now it is more than double that.
 
Last edited:
P924 said:
The capsule used in the samson mics are strange and have a bit more noise than I am comfortable with. The usb interface also only allows 16bit recordings, which means you will have to set a higher recording level and risk clipping. It might work for you, since what I was going to suggest does not fall in your price bracket.

Perhaps try to find a scarlett bundle with a mic and a usb interface. IIRC they come up on special from time to time for very decent prices.

Edit: Seems the prices on the scarlett bundle has gone up quite a bit, I think it was on a daily deal earlier the year for around 2k, now it is more than double that.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the new Samson mics as well? What I have read they are really good for recording via USB etc.

What is a Scarlett bundle and USB interface? Sorry for all the questions, just not too clued up with all the names :whistle:

Any mic you will recommend then?
 
weelzSA said:
Are you talking about the new Samson mics as well? What I have read they are really good for recording via USB etc.

What is a Scarlett bundle and USB interface? Sorry for all the questions, just not too clued up with all the names :whistle:

Any mic you will recommend then?
Click to expand...
Yes, well the c01u pro is not exactly new? It uses the same old capsule as the previous model.

http://raru.co.za/musical-instrumen...rface-recording-studio-kit-2nd-generation-inc

I can recommend the Rode NT1A, but it is not usb, so you will need a phantom power preamp, making the system too expensive.

It all depends on what you want to do with the recordings, but I think the samson might be a good enough entry point. It will be good enough to show you that room treatment is a much bigger factor. Either way, recording is not really a cheap hobby...
 
P924 said:
Yes, well the c01u pro is not exactly new? It uses the same old capsule as the previous model.

http://raru.co.za/musical-instrumen...rface-recording-studio-kit-2nd-generation-inc

I can recommend the Rode NT1A, but it is not usb, so you will need a phantom power preamp, making the system too expensive.

It all depends on what you want to do with the recordings, but I think the samson might be a good enough entry point. It will be good enough to show you that room treatment is a much bigger factor. Either way, recording is not really a cheap hobby...
Click to expand...

As I asked about the bundle I remembered getting an email from Raru and seeing a bundle :)

For now we just want to pay around with the recording and maybe share them with friends and family - definitely not looking to do any "professional" or sell them etc. That is why I thought the Samson USB mics would be good enough for that?

Which Samson would you recommend? It can be some other mic too if you have any suggestions. Obviously not looking to spend "alot" for a start but maybe down the road. Also do you recommend a USB interface or will I get away with not using one?
 
The Samson c01u pro will probably be good enough for your purposes. It has a usb interface built in, which limits it to 16bit, but you can use it on your ipad (with a converter). That means you cannot use it with a dedicated preamp, since it only has USB out. So if you want to use a 24 bit capable interface, like the scarlett, you will need a different mic.

Last I checked, the c01u pro was the best in that price class, well at least in SA.
 
P924 said:
The Samson c01u pro will probably be good enough for your purposes. It has a usb interface built in, which limits it to 16bit, but you can use it on your ipad (with a converter). That means you cannot use it with a dedicated preamp, since it only has USB out. So if you want to use a 24 bit capable interface, like the scarlett, you will need a different mic.

Last I checked, the c01u pro was the best in that price class, well at least in SA.
Click to expand...

OK great thanks. SO I shouldn't even then consider the Samson C03U?

You have me now looking at the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio 1 on Raru and made me even more confused :wtf:

Is there a major difference between the samson and the bundle? As in for what I want to use it for will I notice a difference? As mentioned, it will only be used to record vocals.
 
P924 said:
The Samson c01u pro will probably be good enough for your purposes. It has a usb interface built in, which limits it to 16bit, but you can use it on your ipad (with a converter). That means you cannot use it with a dedicated preamp, since it only has USB out. So if you want to use a 24 bit capable interface, like the scarlett, you will need a different mic.

Last I checked, the c01u pro was the best in that price class, well at least in SA.
Click to expand...

Yep, the fact that it only has USB connectivity is a big downer for me. That Scarlett bundle is very good value, they're great devices, I use the 2i2 just as my every day sound device as I no longer record anything.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
Yep, the fact that it only has USB connectivity is a big downer for me. That Scarlett bundle is very good value, they're great devices, I use the 2i2 just as my every day sound device as I no longer record anything.
Click to expand...

So you saying to give the Samson a skip then?

As mentioned, we not going to be doing "studio" recordings but obviously want the best quality (sound wise) we can get.

If I went for another mic, then would I have to also purchased additional receivers etc?

Really just looking for something that can record vocals well and that we can mess round with.
 
So would it make sense then to up my budget and get the Scarlett bundle (or something in similar price range) or should I stick with the Samson or some other USB mic and then decide later wether to upgrade etc?

As mentioned, just using mic to record vocals for now.

Please let me know as I want to buy one today.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
Yep, the fact that it only has USB connectivity is a big downer for me. That Scarlett bundle is very good value, they're great devices, I use the 2i2 just as my every day sound device as I no longer record anything.
Click to expand...

What are the major advances of going for the bundle (or another similar product in price range) or the Samson USB mic? It will just be used for recording audio.

Would you still recommend that bundle or is there something better in the price range?

Lastly, you know of any shops close by where I can walk in and purchase? We live in the same area.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X