Microphone setup

Bubbs Zenovka · Microphone setup

Now that i am leaving the Air Force today after ten years (yay!) i am planning to start using my keyboard a bit more in SL, i just have a quick question about set up.

I currently use a headset for a Microphone but find that when i sustain a long note, it can get very distorted due to the obvious fact of how close my mouth is to the mic.

can anyone reccomend a good mic to use and maybe something that i can use between the Mic and my PC, im not sure what - something like a amp, where i can adjust the volume by using a knob rather then opening volume settings.

im not even sure if that is possible..

Fyrm Fouroux

Hi Bubbs.
There are loads of folks here who can give you some top notch advice. I am seriously lacking in the computer power department, but seem to get a half decent sound up using a mid-price laptop, with an Alesis8 MultiMix USB mixer.

I put the output from my keyboard into the Alesis mixer, together with my mic (I use an AKG - quite a few models for you to choose from depending on price budget etc). I also stick my electro-acoustic guitar into the Alesis. I have a dreadful time getting the mic positioned right on my boom stand for piano playing. Maybe EvaMoon or Djai could give you some advice on that one, since they are primarily pianists while my main thing is guitar. My stand frequently suffers from brewers droop!

Anyway, moving on, I actually put the Alesis into an Edirol UA25 box and then put the box output into the laptop, but if you were starting out with the simplest layout, I think you could just stick the Alesis right into the computer.

I'm pretty sure you will get some better advice than this from others but this is a pretty basic set up that should not break the bank and kind of works for me.

And congratulations on completing 10 years of service. I hope you enjoy being a civilian once again.

Gavin Mackay

Kim uses the Alesis too, but also has recently gotten a really hot mic to add to her array. Her setup is awesome, and the sound is crisp and clear. I'm sure she can provide some guidance.

Distilled1

I third the Alesis (I use a non USB ) with 1/4 mains out to the sound card E-mu 0404 (about 99USD the Alesis 8FX was about 129USD when I bought it, I think the USB ones are about that as well.

the real nice thing about this is the 4 mic inputs have a decent pre amp to run condensers (if you go that route)
but even a Shure sm-58 does the trick, if your used to a computer mic you may want to start with the sm-58 or similar dynamic mic, due to condenser mics picking up a whole lot more and getting the mic control good is a challenge if you have never used one .

the nice thing with the alesis set up (I don't know how the USB one works (what software it comes with or you need) is, you can run guitars acoustic or electric into it, keys , an ADAT, CD player just about anything and mix your vocals to that and into the main outs, as well you can return to it with headphones or monitors and hear exactly what your streaming.

a mixer weather the Alesis or even a 4 channel or 2 small one would suffice. its all what you want, but my recommendation is a mixer #1 a decent sound card (if you can#2) and start with a
Dynamic mic (no pre amp needed) unless money is no object and you plan to do more (like recording, micing an acoustic)a decent one like the SM-58 will do well.

theres some that use software mixers only, but I prefer to have the physical pots sliders and or knobs to adjust!

Congrats on the 10 years /me salutes you, and welcome back civilian

EDIT TO ADD:
Fyrm, whats brewers droop! lol I think mine has that as well!

Bubbs Zenovka

brilliant - exaclty what i was looking for.

I cannot belive the DJ in me, didnt put "mixer" in my post somewhere - i will check this out, i will have a dedicated pc now for my music/radio/DJing with my Creative XFI Platinum soundcard - or whatever it is called...

i will check out the Alesis8 MultiMix USB mixer though - many thanks!

Fyrm Fouroux

RayW

Norris Shepherd

I have an Alesis mixer as well... but it's busted and being repaired. I bought this one to use temporarily, but it works so nice i may keep using it even when i get the Alesis back. The only thing that it doesn't have is a USB connection.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pr...-Mix.120-Compact-Mixer?sku=630265

As for mics, I bought this one and it has worked really well for me. It's an entry level condensor mic, but it was well reviewed at some audio and sound engineering sites, and has served me very well.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pr...d-Condenser-Microphone?sku=270620

DjaiSkjellerup

I use a Behringer Xenyx 1202FX mixer and a Shure SM58 mic for my vocal. I also use a pop shield which takes away any vocal blat and ensures you are far enough away from the mic that you can set your levels properly without trying to swallow the mic.

Boom mic stands are troublesome...thats a trusim along the lines of "wrestling is fixed"....so what advice can I give?...umm..gaffer tape...lots of gaffer tape..you are not really a muso if you dont have a roll of it in your bits box. Smile