The general advice that is given to new readers who are unfamiliar with recording equipment is that they acquire a USB microphone - if they can afford one.
While USB microphones are usually very user friendly and most do provide good audio quality, a little research has suggested that they may not be the cheapest option.
Using the setup described below I have made the following recording. Please note that it is essentially raw, and no noise reduction was applied.
https://app.box.com/s/pqn3j5c626uply9ff5odb2ybr7hyt9o6
The setup was as follows:
BEHRINGER ULTRAVOICE XM8500 Dynamic microphone - $19.99
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-XM8500-BEHRINGER-ULTRAVOICE/dp/B0002KZAKS/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425826178&sr=1-1&keywords=behringer+xm8500
BEHRINGER XENYX 302USB Audio interface $49.99
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-302USB-BEHRINGER-XENYX/dp/B005EHILV4/ref=sr_1_5?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425826372&sr=1-5&keywords=behringer+xenyx+usb
Hosa Cable STX110M 1/4 TRS to XLR Male Cable - 10 Foot - $7.78
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-STX110M-TRS-Male/dp/B000068NYY/ref=sr_1_48?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425826489&sr=1-48&keywords=xlr+cable
Total: $77.76
The prices given are those currently applicable in the USA. These items may be more expensive in other countries.
I then compared the current prices of some popular USB microphones:
Blue Yeti - $119.00
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425826844&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+yeti
***********
Shurre PG42 - USB - $249
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-PG42-USB-Vocal-Microphone/dp/B001U1IVBI/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425826918&sr=1-1&keywords=shure+pg42+usb
**************
Shure PG27-USB Multi Purpose Microphone - $199
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-PG27-USB-Multi-Purpose-Microphone/dp/B001U1MGLY/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425826999&sr=1-1&keywords=shure+pg27+usb
**************
MXL USB 006 USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone - $84.96
http://www.amazon.com/MXL-USB-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000JUFEDO/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425827055&sr=1-1&keywords=mxl+usb+006
***************
Audio-Technica AT2020USB Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone - $129.00
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020USB-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1425827144&sr=1-1&keywords=at+2020+usb
Food for thought!
Cheers
USB vs XLR
Last edited by Algy Pug on July 29th, 2015, 4:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
annise
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My only comment would be, it is so so much easier and cheaper for someone to get and use a simple "plug in the USB hole" microphone and use it than to buy and use properly what you describe . And it produces satisfactory results for our purpose. Many find the software confusing at first and that is a big enough hurdle.
Most people starting out want to record and do it cheaply . We want them to too, but we don't want so much noise from a sound card that it is unpleasant to use.
Anne
Most people starting out want to record and do it cheaply . We want them to too, but we don't want so much noise from a sound card that it is unpleasant to use.
Anne