More home recording advice please

[ronmac]

I believe that the SM57 and 58 are the same mic except for the snowball. The ball holding the pop filter for vocals. The core [the electronics] are identical.
Can someone verify this for me?
Pete?

Here you go, right from the Shure website...


SM57 vs SM58
     Question
     What are the real reasons an SM58 should be used for vocals, and an SM57 be used for instruments? Of course, everybody seems to use these mics as mentioned. No one has given me a convincing reason for this, other than 'That's just what you do- everyone does it this way'. Please ease my anxious mind!
     
Answer
     

The SM57 and SM58 microphones are based on the same cartridge design. The main difference is in the grille design. The SM58 was designed for vocal application and it uses a ball grille that acts as an effective pop filter. The SM57 was designed as an instrument microphone where a smaller grille size is preferred. In this application, pop and wind are not usually a concern.



The SM57 uses an integral resonator/grille assembly, where grille is actually a part of the cartridge. These two grille designs place the diaphragm of each microphone in a different acoustical environment. The distance from the top of the grille to the diaphragm is shorter on the SM57 compared to that of the SM58. This allows for a closer miking position with a more pronounced proximity effect. The different resonator/grille assembly design of the SM57 is also responsible for its slightly higher output above 5 kHz.

[BenF]

Thanks Ron, very helpful indeed.

[Danny]

  Ben a little off subject, but Q. (Mark) PM'd  me about a sale on Zoom H2's today. And I ordered one for 129.00 shipped.
                I couldn't believe it. I hope I don't have to "dunk" it on the coffee table to make all the mic's work.
    So look forward or look out cause here comes some noise from a transplanted mule in Tejas and his little herd of music makers.

[BenF]

I am really looking forward to hearing your songs Danny!

Thank you everyone for your good advice on here.  I am set on a list of 4 USB 2.0 interfaces, and will moniter ebay for deals.

I also have now changed my mind on the mic, and will get one Rode NT1-A mic.  There is an ebay package with a shock mount, cables, case and a pop filter screen for £150, which seems very reasonable.  I will then continue to look for a deal on a second mic for the guitar as I go along.  Second hand ones seem to come up a lot - actually there is a Rode NT1 on just now for 99p!  I am watching!

I like the idea of seeing how I get on with a single mic to start with, and then adding a second later.

One final question though, I have an old PC, which I have running great for this particular task.  It has a good processor and lots of memory, and 3 USB2.0 sockets on the front, but nothing else really.  The fan is, however, quite noisy, and tends to turn on and off randomly.  Is there anything I can do to block the sound of the fan from interrupting recording?

Thank you all again - this forum really is great!

[hatofthecat]

I like the idea of seeing how I get on with a single mic to start with, and then adding a second later.

Sounds like a plan    if you go with the M-Audio interface with more than 2 XLR inputs then best next microphone upgrade would be a matched pair of mics just for the guitar such as a pair of Rode NT5 (no I don't work for them....honest) leaving the NT1A on purely vocal duties.  Close miking the guitar does mean you have to sit a bit more still though.... so no more Stevie Wonder style rocking about as you play 

The fan is, however, quite noisy, and tends to turn on and off randomly.

If its just the case fan it might worth replacing it with a new "quiet" one.  You can pick them up on ebay for just a few quid (search for "quiet case fan").  Two minute job.

If the PC still too noisy then it might be worth fitting some acoustic deadening inside the PC case, also can be found on ebay or in your local PC World.

Pete

[Bailey]

I use an inexpensive usb interface for my laptop with Cubase. The Tascam us122 has two mic/line inputs and comes with the Cubase LE for multitrack recording. Very easy to use.

Here are some songs that I just recorded with mine:

http://www.reverbnation.com/rexellsworth

[BenF]

Thanks again guys, Bailey, I'll listen to some of your tunes at lunchtime - looking forward to it.

I had a thought about this potential investment.  I dabbled with electric guitars for a while, but never enjoyed it.  However, the more I learn, the more I think there may be times when a wee solo wouldn't go amiss.  I have a very old poor quality strat copy rusting in my garage, with no strings etc, but I believe I have learned enough to have a go at making it work and play in tune.  Some of the acoustic restoration jobs detailed on this forum have inspired me somewhat!

Would the interfaces noted allow me to plug it straight in and add effects/amp models, or would I need something else.  Forgive my TOTAL ignorance here.  My desired investment in this would be a new lead and a set of strings, and maybe some man hours with a soldering iron and some wire wool (to remove rust) to get things working again.  No point if I need to invest in amps, software etc.  I ain't spending much money on it.

[Michael T]

Ben, most of the interfaces will come with at least a temp software package in which you can choose how deep you want to go as far as MIDI controls and cabs/amps are concerned. Several interfaces will accept a 1/4 i jack (I have a line 6 tone port system that would take either 1/4 jacks (without a line level) or XLR inputs. The thing has so many combinations of cabs and amps I could hardly use it, spent more time tweaking knobs and lining up tracks than I did playing, it's in a plastic bag collecting dust.

The M-Audio takes 1/4 inch or 1/8 th inch and XLR inputs and the fast track ultra has 4 independent pre-amps for XLR line level inputs non-powered (condenser mics etc) as well as 4 non-line level 1/4 inch jacks. It comes with the cakewalk-pyro package as well as offers for full MIDI packages to review. The Cakewalk /Sonar stuff can be a simple package or you can get as complicated as you wish with the downloads. For me, I go with the straight pyro package for simple automatic cabs and multi-track capacity, 1 take 2 track stereo recording is all I really wanted but it'll handle many more tracks if you wish. Then there are the on-line downloads too numerous to get into. Audacity is a free good one for laying down a few tracks too, I have/do use it once in a great while, for no other reason than I have it on the computer and it is easy to use too. Electronics can get a bit involved if you are in to it. I'm not, I just wanted a really good interface (cause what goes in is the 1st step and that I wanted that strong & clean-hence the upgrade M-Audio interface), the software is for preserving or manipulating what you put in.
I hope that makes sense.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackUltra.html

[BenF]

Cool, that is what I thought.  Given that I can't afford this right now, maybe I will dig out the electric and take it all apart in anticipation.  If I break it, so be it, it is worth nothing.

Thanks for the response.  I am tempted to go with the Fast Track Ultra - it is top of my list, but I can see cost constraints limiting me to the Fast Track Pro (the Ultra is double the price in the UK).  I take on board all you have said about the benefits of the Ultra mind you.

So I am all set now, I have my wishlist, I just need to get saving!

[Michael T]

Ben, the Ultra is the same unit with 2 pre-amps instead of 4, other than that they are pretty much identical. I usually use only 2 mics for solo work myself so it likely will be fine unless you have other players lining in.

[obe-wan]

I am tempted to go with the Fast Track Ultra - it is top of my list, but I can see cost constraints limiting me to the Fast Track Pro (the Ultra is double the price in the UK).

Hey Ben, Ive been follow your thread with alot of interest mate, you've been asking all the questions I would of. Same deal in Oz re- the price difference of the Ultra to the Pro. Im acually heading from the other direction, Ive got a Tascam DP-02CF 8 track digital recorder, which is a great unit, but I always end up transferring everything across to my laptop anyway, which is a bit of a pain. Ive already got the mics, so I'll probably flog the Tascam on ebay and go buy the Pro.

By the way, can anyone tell me if these units are voltage sensitive?
What I mean is theyre powered via the USB so that voltage would be the same no matter what country you're in? Ben, US ebay is MUCH cheaper than buying local here, if its a case of just powering it through the USB they should be good to go for our voltage??

Cheers, Scott

[BenF]

That is my understanding Scott. It needs USB 2.0 if you read the trasfer rate info. 20% faster than a FireWire connection, which grabbed my attention.

[hatofthecat]

By the way, can anyone tell me if these units are voltage sensitive? What I mean is theyre powered via the USB so that voltage would be the same no matter what country you're in?

USB 2.0 power output voltage specification is 4.75 V min to 5.25 V max.  This is not affected by the mains voltage in your country as your PC (or USB hub) power supply takes care of the voltage downshift. 

Most people are not aware of it, but the actual mains voltage you get out your wall socket is allowed to vary a bit from the "standard" anyway.  Some extreme Hi-Fi folks will invest serious bucks in cleaning up their mains power, especially for playing back vinyl... but I've never yet been able to tell the difference with my standard issue cloth ears 

Pete

[flatlander]

So look forward or look out cause here comes some noise from a transplanted mule in Tejas and his little herd of music makers.

bout time.