I read your article on 'Choosing and Using Studio Microphones' (SOS September 2006), but I still feel that I lack the knowledge I need to buy everything I require. I am interested in a relatively cheap (sub-£300) condenser mic suitable for connection to my Creative X-fi Elite Pro soundcard. I'll mainly be using it for vocal recording, but in the future I might try some instrument recording.
Which other accessories, like preamps, might I need and which would you recommend? I'm just a beginner so far, so please excuse my ignorance at this stage.
Igor Kowalski
Reviews Editor Matt Houghton replies: For vocals, your best bet will usually be a large-diaphragm condenser mic, and companies such as Rode, MXL, SE Electronics, Audio-Technica and AKG (there are too many to list them all here) will offer suitable mics in your price sub-£300 range. When you're buying, if you can, it is worth trying out a few different mics with the vocalist you wish to record (if this is not yourself), as different mics will suit certain vocal types better than others.
If your computer's soundcard only has line inputs, you'll need a microphone preamp with a line output to get a usable signal from your mic into your DAW. Traditionally, a setup consisting of a separate mic and preamp, such as a Rode NT1A large-diaphragm condenser mic and Joemeek Three Q preamp, would be used. More recently, however, a number of USB mics that connect directly to the computer have come onto the market, from the likes of SE, Samson, MXL and Rode. These dispense with the need for a separate preamp altogether and are generally cheaper than a separate mic and preamp, although many people still prefer the added flexibility and option to upgrade that the traditional setup offers.Most condenser microphones will usually need to connect to an XLR input that supplies 48V phantom power. I'm not familiar with your particular choice of soundcard, but if it does not offer these, you'll need a microphone preamp that does. You can then connect this to the line (or possibly digital, depending on the model of preamp and soundcard) inputs of your soundcard. Something like the Joemeek Three Q shown here should do the trick nicely, and it includes a compressor and an EQ as a nice bonus. Again, there are plenty of alternatives, so it is worth reading SOS reviews and having a look on our web forum to find out more (www.soundonsound.com/forum).
One alternative option for the mic, if you'd like to keep things simple, is to purchase one that can connect directly to your computer via USB (effectively bypassing your soundcard). For more information on USB microphones, check out our article in SOS February 2007 (and on-line at www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb07/articles/usbmics.htm).
In terms of accessories, you need to think about controlling the sound that goes into the mic. No matter how good your vocal technique, you should use a pop shield to protect the mic from powerful plosives (mainly 'b' and 'p' sounds). It's also worth choosing a microphone with a shockmount, as this will reduce the amount of physical noise transmission from the mic stand to the mic. Don't forget that you need to hear what is playing back from your computer, and buying a good pair of headphones is always money well spent. Look for the closed-back type for this, as they will reduce the amount of sound that is leaked into the mic.
Finally, you might want to think about acoustics in the room you are recording in. Most domestic rooms will colour the sound you record in an undesirable way. Ideally you want to capture a dry sound: one without the sound of the reflections in the room.
People use products such as acoustic tiles, or the SE Reflexion Filter (reviewed in SOS June 2006) to reduce these reflections, but as you are starting out, you can try hanging a duvet behind you as you sing. This will stop at least some of the unwanted reflections reaching the mic.