Condenser Microphone.

What make of condenser would be good for recording guitar,just for my own interest,not to upload or anything.What money would buy a fairly decent one?..Thank's.

Echoes675

Microphones can cost thousands, really depends on your goal.

As you say you just want to record your guitar for personal uses I'd say you could get a fairly cheap bottom end mic to do the job. Do you have a soundcard with an xlr input and phantom power? I ask because condensor mics need power, some have the option for batteries but most don't therefore require a source. I have a cheap behringer B-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002KZAK8/ref=asc_df_B0002KZAK87243327?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B0002KZAK8
It is cheap (about £60 on Amazon) but it is really fantastic. I play sax and have used it for some home recording projects. It also works great with voice and guitar too. Again though, I have an external sound card with XLR inputs and phantom power.

If you don't want to be spending cash on a sound card, there are USB powered microphones. They plug in and istall just like any other USB peripheral. I haveno experience with these types of mic, maybe someone else here can help

You could go a different direction and get yourself a portable recorder. I use the Zoom H2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoom-H2-Handy-Recorder/dp/B000WA368Q/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_img_in(This model has been surpassed by the H2n) It is really great. I use it to record band practice. It has 4 built in, 2 front at 90degrees and 2 reat at 120 degrees. You can record in stereo (front or rear mics) or 2 channel surround (Merging the front and rear L+R) or 4 Channel surround (2 WAV files, one for front and one for rear)
I use the 4 channel surround as it allows me to balance the band. I hang the recorder from the bottom of the lamp shade and it picks up everything very clearly. I also use it for solo recording (when I'm practicing it's great for reflecting on my progress). It has variable gain positions (High, Med, Low) and there is also some built in features such as a compressor and a limiter. It records in MP3 and Wav.
There are other recorders out there from Zoom, and some nice ones made by M-audio.

Faing

http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-guitar-interface-222445

Handy little bit of kit.

Thanks very much for the replies.....From the info given,I have a better idea of what I need......cheers:)

Faing

Faing wrote: »

http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-guitar-interface-222445

Handy little bit of kit.

Would that take the microphone in the guitar input? I want to stop the delay/lag..If not,what would be a not too expensive interface to do it? I have been looking on the net,but its hard to beat people that are users of equipment,to give good feedback..I have also been looking at condensers with built in interface...Thanks

travis1976

I use an 8 track, but have in the past used a nice cheap 4 track, with usb out for transfering file to the pc/laptop. I use both dynamic and condensor mics. I started with a behringer xm1800, was ok, I have a behringer b-2 condensor and a nice wharfdale dynamic. But seriously the 4 track is the business. Guitar line in, and mic in. Check out adverts.ie great bargains

I have been reading around,and some suggest that unless a room is like a proper studio,the condenser will pick up too much background noise?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/rode_nt1a_complete_vocal_bundle.htm

I am thinking of getting this bundle.

sarkozy

Hi, I'm not a gear-head, and I know how confusing all this recording stuff can be. Why waste money on something mediocre when you can get something that'll probably do you for life?

On a friend's/sound engineer's advice, I got that Rode NT-1A. I also got a Shure SM57 for recording amps. I've since read that actually small diaphragm condenser mics are actually better for recording acoustic guitar because of their 'response profile'. However, for home recording at the level I am (and I think you are), the Rode NT-1A would be ideal.

It's literally one of the best value for money mics I've come across. Is it too sensitive? No, because you would increase/decrease the gain and move the mic closer or further away to get your desired sound. Is it sensitive? Hell, yeah, it picks up all those beautiful subtleties of the acoustic guitar and is an excellent vocal mic.

One important thing: you will need some kind of interface between the mic and your computer. I have an M-Audio Fast-Track Pro. It's not professional quality, for home demoing and some proper recordings I've put out, it's great.

Another thing: this mic requires 'phantom power' - basically, this means the mic has to be powered by something to make it work, unlike dynamic mics. So, when considering your interface, make sure it has phantom power as a feature. Mine does.

And another thing: if it's acoustic guitar you want to record, you just won't get what you're looking for with a dynamic mic (Shure SM56/57, etc.). They're excellent mics but they're designed for a certain purpose - higher volume, less sensitivity to handle amps, percussion, brass, etc.

If you're not interested in getting an external interface, then a USB mic is the way to go, and I'm sure there are decent condensers out there to do that. It totally depends what you want to do. Personally, I made the choice to spend a bit more and get the external interface so I wouldn't have to worry about not having the quality sound recording when or if I decided to get a bit more serious.

Just my two cents!

Adyx

Deleted User wrote: »

I have been reading around,and some suggest that unless a room is like a proper studio,the condenser will pick up too much background noise?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/rode_nt1a_complete_vocal_bundle.htm

I am thinking of getting this bundle.

If you do find you are getting too much background noise, you can use a high-pass EQ filter at around 100Hz to get rid of unwanted rumble etc. What software are you using?

sarkozy

sarkozy wrote: »

Hi, I'm not a gear-head, and I know how confusing all this recording stuff can be. Why waste money on something mediocre when you can get something that'll probably do you for life?

On a friend's/sound engineer's advice, I got that Rode NT-1A. I also got a Shure SM57 for recording amps. I've since read that actually small diaphragm condenser mics are actually better for recording acoustic guitar because of their 'response profile'. However, for home recording at the level I am (and I think you are), the Rode NT-1A would be ideal.

It's literally one of the best value for money mics I've come across. Is it too sensitive? No, because you would increase/decrease the gain and move the mic closer or further away to get your desired sound. Is it sensitive? Hell, yeah, it picks up all those beautiful subtleties of the acoustic guitar and is an excellent vocal mic.

One important thing: you will need some kind of interface between the mic and your computer. I have an M-Audio Fast-Track Pro. It's not professional quality, for home demoing and some proper recordings I've put out, it's great.

Another thing: this mic requires 'phantom power' - basically, this means the mic has to be powered by something to make it work, unlike dynamic mics. So, when considering your interface, make sure it has phantom power as a feature. Mine does.

And another thing: if it's acoustic guitar you want to record, you just won't get what you're looking for with a dynamic mic (Shure SM56/57, etc.). They're excellent mics but they're designed for a certain purpose - higher volume, less sensitivity to handle amps, percussion, brass, etc.

If you're not interested in getting an external interface, then a USB mic is the way to go, and I'm sure there are decent condensers out there to do that. It totally depends what you want to do. Personally, I made the choice to spend a bit more and get the external interface so I wouldn't have to worry about not having the quality sound recording when or if I decided to get a bit more serious.

Just my two cents!

Thanks for that post....I presume with a usb mic I wouls still have the delay in headphones?.....The interface is the only way to solve that?

Adyx

Adyx wrote: »

If you do find you are getting too much background noise, you can use a high-pass EQ filter at around 100Hz to get rid of unwanted rumble etc. What software are you using?

Someone suggested garageband to me.....

Adyx

Deleted User wrote: »

Someone suggested garageband to me.....

Right, well I don't have a Mac but I'm sure Garage Band has an eq with a high-pass filter. It may also be called a low-cut filter. It would probably in the effects section or similar. As I said, set it to around 100Hz to cut out background noise without adversely affecting the sound of your guitar or vocal recordings.

Adyx

Adyx wrote: »

Right, well I don't have a Mac but I'm sure Garage Band has an eq with a high-pass filter. It may also be called a low-cut filter. It would probably in the effects section or similar. As I said, set it to around 100Hz to cut out background noise without adversely affecting the sound of your guitar or vocal recordings.

Is the garageband only for mac? I am using windows 7

Wailin

I got the rhode set also and it is a very good mic for guitar and vocals, well priced too. I also got this interface which is great value for the price, can only record with 2 mics same time but if all your doing is acoustic stuff with or without vocals then its perfect.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_saffire_6_usb.htm

Adyx

Deleted User wrote: »

Is the garageband only for mac? I am using windows 7

It is an Apple only product I'm afraid but not to worry because there's a huge range of Windows applications too. For just basic recording Audacity is perfect (and free). You'll need to install Lame if you want to export you recordings as mp3s. It can only record 1 mono or stereo track at a time though, but that probably won't be an issue for you and you can always record tracks separately and mix them later.

Alternatively, if you do get a separate interface, you'll probably get software with it if you buy it brand new. I have a Tascam interface that comes with Cubase LE and I believe Focusrite interfaces come with Ableton Live Lite. These are probably overkill starting out however and can have a steep learning curve but long-term they're nice to have when Audacity stops being useful.

http://www.thomann.de/de/maudio_fast_track.htm

I was in contact with thomann and this is interface they suggested for the mic...This has phantom power, which the condenser needs.

Adyx

I'd say that'll be perfect along with the Rode mic. It's a good quality interface and you get a version of Pro Tools with it so you'll be sorted for software too.

Thanks to all of you for the replies/help

sarkozy

I own both this box and a Rode NT-1a. Thrilled with both.