Microphone question

[BenF]

I had a simple sound hole pickup and a boss micro BR, but sold them to fund the deposit for my forum guitar.  I therefore have no real recording equipment.  In the last couple of weeks t I tried recording myself on my camcorder, just to see myself back and hear myself, in order primarily to compare it with other versions of songs on youtube.  Much of the stuff I play has numerous covers on there of varying standards, so I thought it would let me guage how I'm doing.  (Apart from my generally guitar disliking wife and very young children, nobody else hears me play, so I get no feedback)

I sounded and looked pretty garbage to be honest, but It gave me things to work on that I would otherwise not have seen.  Only problem is the sound quality is poor.  The voice picks up OK, but the guitar is awful.  I guess the microphone on a camcorder is set up to pick up voices.

It does, however, have a stereo mic input.  Could I buy something relatively cheaply to plug in that would record the guitar a little better, and if so could I plug a mic in that would pick up both guitar and vocals better.  I know nothing about recording equipment, so forgive me if this is a silly suggestion.  I don't want fabulous quality, just something that will enable me to record and track progress and improvements.

It is handy because it records straight to DVD, so I can keep track of thngs easily.  One day it might even end up on youtube...........in a few decades maybe!!

Thanks for any advice.

[Will Fly]

Take a look at the Sony ECM-MSD1 Gun Zoom Microphone. It fits a camcorder input. I use an older model Sony Stereo mic on my Minidisc recorder, and it gives excellent sound.

Will

[BenF]

Take a look at the Sony ECM-MSD1 Gun Zoom Microphone. It fits a camcorder input. I use an older model Sony Stereo mic on my Minidisc recorder, and it gives excellent sound.

Will

Quality Will, that looks like it would do the job nicely.  I see a used one on evilbay too for not a lot, I am watching it.  Aprreciate the help - I wouldn't have known where to start.

[ducktrapper]

Eventually you will want to acquire a Shure SM57 or SM58 or something along those lines like a Fender P51. Relatively inexpensive, very respectable, incredibly versatile and nearly indestructible.

[BenF]

Thanks Duck.  I think I need a budget option just now, but agree that over the coming years I think I'll need to aquire some better gear to compliment my guitars.

[fiddlehead207]

audio technica makes a stereo mic that is used for camera work. i saw one on musicians friend for under 70$

[Frank_S]

I had a simple sound hole pickup and a boss micro BR, but sold them to fund the deposit for my forum guitar.  I therefore have no real recording equipment.  In the last couple of weeks t I tried recording myself on my camcorder, just to see myself back and hear myself, in order primarily to compare it with other versions of songs on youtube.  Much of the stuff I play has numerous covers on there of varying standards, so I thought it would let me guage how I'm doing.  (Apart from my generally guitar disliking wife and very young children, nobody else hears me play, so I get no feedback)

I sounded and looked pretty garbage to be honest, but It gave me things to work on that I would otherwise not have seen.  Only problem is the sound quality is poor.  The voice picks up OK, but the guitar is awful.  I guess the microphone on a camcorder is set up to pick up voices.

It does, however, have a stereo mic input.  Could I buy something relatively cheaply to plug in that would record the guitar a little better, and if so could I plug a mic in that would pick up both guitar and vocals better.  I know nothing about recording equipment, so forgive me if this is a silly suggestion.  I don't want fabulous quality, just something that will enable me to record and track progress and improvements.

It is handy because it records straight to DVD, so I can keep track of thngs easily.  One day it might even end up on youtube...........in a few decades maybe!!

Thanks for any advice.

Ben, I bought a pair of Behringer C2 mics. They are only $60 for the pair at American Music supply and come in a nice carrrying case. Granted, these are low budget mics but I've made a few recordings with them and they sound just fine, at least to me. I think they would be great for what you want to do. You could use one mic for vocals and one for the guitar. The soundcard and mixing software you use will also have a huge impact on the overall sound quality.

[Queequeg]

Shure SM57 & SM58 are both fine for live performance, but for recording, you really need a condenser microphone.

[BenF]

thanks for resurrecting this thread.  My new Zoom H2 that I got for christmas has a 3.5mm headphone out, so I am wondering if I can run it into the mic input on my camcorder?  I can't see why it wouldn't work to be honest.  I'll try it tomorrow maybe.  The sound quality is really good for such a simple piece of kit.

[jeremy3220]

  My new Zoom H2 that I got for christmas has a 3.5mm headphone out, so I am wondering if I can run it into the mic input on my camcorder? 

Yeh but you'll be making a recording of a recording.

If you want to record video you could get two mics (one for voice, one for guitar) run them into a two channel preamp then to a mixer then run a stereo cable to the camera. You might even be able to skip the mixer and just run guitar into the left or right channel and the vox the opposite, then mix as you see fit with some editing software on your computer.

[fongie]

Ben, I just bought a Shure Beta 58 for $80AUD, secondhand but vgc. Check out e-bay for bargains
cheers
fongie

[ronmac]

Ben, I just bought a Shure Beta 58 for $80AUD, secondhand but vgc. Check out e-bay for bargains
cheers
fongie

I would be very wary of buying Shure mics on EBay, unless it is from an authorized dealer. From experience, I can tell you that there are lots of counterfeit Shure and Sennheiser mics being flogged. They are almost impossible to detect from their physical appearance, but have a very noticeable performance difference.

[fongie]

I would be very wary of buying Shure mics on EBay, unless it is from an authorized dealer. From experience, I can tell you that there are lots of counterfeit Shure and Sennheiser mics being flogged. They are almost impossible to detect from their physical appearance, but have a very noticeable performance difference.

Ron, you are so right, I printed out so many info regarding fakes and how to identify a fake, also info on what to ask the seller. Whew! I know what you mean, it's a worry. I was lucky, the one I purchased was a genuine, his had it for some years with the original receipt. He only up dated for a cordless.
cheers
fongie

[Big E]

I had the opportunity to compare my sm58 to a couple of cheaper mics the other day. I tested them all on my amp one after another. Wow what a difference. The sensitivity was the most noticeable. My sm58 isn't exactly an expensive mic compared to the other two cheaper ones I tried,but what a difference. The sound was also much broader with the sm58.
I'm certainly not saying the sm58 is the "best", but for under $130, it is worth the $.

Sorry, I'm not even going to mention the brand names of the other two mics, but they were around $50, from what I recall.

[fongie]

BigE, SM58 are definately the way to go. For the money, these guys are brilliant. I would luv a cordless.
cheers
fongie

[jeremy3220]

BigE, SM58 are definately the way to go. For the money, these guys are brilliant. I would luv a cordless.
cheers
fongie

I wouldn't recommend it for recording acoustic guitar. A condenser will be much more sensitive.

[fongie]

I wouldn't recommend it for recording acoustic guitar. A condenser will be much more sensitive.

Your right jeremy, I'm only applauding a SM in general, but you and Queequeg are right
cheers
fongie

[unclrob]

I record with 57's always sounds great.

[jeremy3220]

I record with 57's always sounds great.

I have one too and it sounds fine but I see no reason why someone should get a 57 or 58 when they could get a condenser instead. A small diaphragm condenser will be much more sensitive, detailed and powerful(by that I mean it requires much less pre amp gain to get the the same volume). Some pre's barely have enough power to get the 57 near 0db when recording sources like an acoustic guitar; I had an Mbox and with the gain turned all the way up I still had to make sure the 57 wasn't too far away from the guitar. With a condenser you can put the mic 8 feet away if you want.

[BenF]

I guess I started this thread and therefore have the right to ask a further stupid question.  Since I posted the original, I got a zoom H2 for home recording, and sold my digital camera to pay for it.  Basically because it wasn't very good, and I suppose sound is more important than video.

I have no cash to spend just now, so this ios theoretical, but if I were starting from scratch, and wanted a set up for recording guitars and vocals, ability to do some editing after recorings and potentially some multi tracking etc, where would I start.  Bear in mind I haven't got a clue here.  Would I be best with a Mac laptop rather than a Windows based laptop (I have neither at present), and what would I need to go with it in terms of hardware and software.  Would i need seperate mics for guitar and vocals.  One pre-requisite for me would have to be portability/storage space, as I have no dedicated guitar space.  I would need to be able to set up for a few hours and pack it all away again.

Those of you who know about this stuff, basically if you were buying a whole set up from scratch, within a realistic budget, what would you recommend.

I am interested in this, and would like to know what to aim for in terms of a number.  Neither of my guitars have pickups, so I would be recording direct to a mic, which I understand is the best sounding method anyway.

Forgive my ignorance on the topic.  I suspect that others might find your suggestions interesting too, however.