PM42
49 posts
Nov 11, 2017
11:14 AM
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I'd like to record my practice sessions directly to my computer rather than my phone, but the mic on my laptop is crap. Does anybody use a particular USB mic that they like? One that is good for acoustic playing but can also handle amplified volume?
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LSB
297 posts
Nov 11, 2017
1:47 PM
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Rather than spend the money on a dedicated usb mic, You might consider buying a small, possibly used, USB audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which runs $99. new. This way you can use whatever mic you want into your computer, including your favorite current harp mics, if you have any.
In my view, USB mic on its own is a waste of money. As always, YMMV.
Last Edited by LSB on Nov 11, 2017 2:31 PM
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ME.HarpDoc
272 posts
Nov 11, 2017
1:53 PM
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I have the Snowball by Blue. About $50 on Amazon. It's the only one I've tried but i do like it into my MacAir.
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nacoran
9655 posts
Nov 11, 2017
2:20 PM
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I like my Blue Yeti. Right now it's got a bad connection in the earphone, but it's held up pretty well. It's got 4 recording patterns, so if you are recording with someone else you can do stereo, and if you've got a noisy heater in your living room you can set it to mono (well, unless the noisy heater is directly behind you!) It's got a mute button, a gain knob and a volume knob for the headphone jack. They run about $100-$125. They've got a more expensive condenser model for $250, but I don't have any experience with that one.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
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Andrew
1720 posts
Nov 11, 2017
3:42 PM
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Yes, I suspect LSB is right.
Other USB products tend to be inferior in quality to the analogue ones (e.g. expensive USB turntables are worse than cheap analogue ones), and a USB mic would have more limited application than an analogue one and a USB preamp. I had a really dirt-cheap USB camera/mic combo which, no surprise, was no better than the mic in my PC, so I ended up buying a Scarlett 2i2 and Shure SM57, SM58 and PG81 to go with it. The only advice I can give is buy your SM57 new and from a Shure-recommended dealer, otherwise you will end up with a Chinese karaoke copy. Or did we already have that thread?
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garry
686 posts
Nov 12, 2017
7:38 PM
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If you're looking to play acoustic, you might be better off just buying a good audio recorder like the Zoom H1 here.
This will produce good quality recordings to an SD card, which you can then upload to your computer. You can also use it to record gigs and jams. Very useful.
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shakeylee
707 posts
Nov 12, 2017
10:10 PM
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Blue snowball.
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www.shakeylee.com
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florida-trader
1227 posts
Nov 16, 2017
1:15 PM
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You don't need a separate mic. You just need an adapter. You can buy one of these and use your regular mic with a 1/4" jack. Use Audacity to record the sound.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Guitar-Interface-Adapter-Recording/dp/B003U6CT5K
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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MindTheGap
2394 posts
Nov 16, 2017
11:49 PM
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+1 for the Zoom H1. It makes good quality recordings, very convenient to use, and has a good set of features for recording in all sorts of situations. I believe you can also use it as a USB mic direct to your PC, although I've not tried that myself. So it could be an all-round solution.
I agree that a conventional mic and USB adaptor is also a good option. Even a cheap one will do the job, but you can also get more featured ones e.g. with tube preamps and voicings.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Nov 17, 2017 12:39 AM
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Andrew
1730 posts
Nov 17, 2017
2:09 AM
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Can any of you recommend a mic preamp that has both digital AND analogue outputs?
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Andrew.
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LSB
300 posts
Nov 17, 2017
5:54 AM
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Andrew, since your Scarlett has both types of outputs, am I correct that you mean just a mic preamp, without the USB interface as well? What’s your intended use?
Probably not for the application you have in mind, but could be helpful to others reading this thread: The Cloudlifter CL-1 is an excellent supplemental preamp for use with audio interfaces that have their own phantom power - the CL-1 is placed between the mic and the USB interface and uses the phantom power from the interface to create clean gain boost from the incoming mic signal on its way to the preamp/interface.
This is pretty much necessary if you plan to use a ribbon mic, as I do, for recording.
The CL-1 is also valuable as an in-line signal booster for long cable runs.
Anyway, probably way off topic now, thought it might be useful to someone though.
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Grey Owl
857 posts
Nov 17, 2017
6:02 AM
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@MindtheGap. I have the Zoom H2n and it works well as a audio recorder and it does indeed have the facility to connect direct to the pc via usb. I have used it for direct recordings into audacity, in fact I used it to record Golden Brown where I loaded the backing track into Audacity then added a background riff track and next the melody line. A very useful device!
YouTube
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Andrew
1731 posts
Nov 17, 2017
9:19 AM
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@LSB.
My intended use was a guitar amp, but now that you say that my Scarlett has both outputs, it's quite possible that I am not familiar enough with it.
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Andrew.
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MindTheGap
2395 posts
Nov 19, 2017
12:40 AM
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Grey Owl. Thanks for that - the proof of the pudding. That was a nice number.
Turns out I needed a firmware upgrade for the H1 I'm using, but then it just works, and sounds good. I've not tried a H2 but based on what I've seen and read, I'd expect it to be a good design too.
At the risk of turning this into a Zoom Recorder thread, there is apparently a flaw with some H1 models where it slowly discharges the battery even when switched off. I've fallen foul of this feature. The hack is to remove the battery between uses! You don't need a battery when running in USB-mic mode.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Nov 19, 2017 12:41 AM
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SuperBee
5080 posts
Nov 19, 2017
2:08 AM
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Yes my H1 runs the battery down even when switched off.
It’s inconvenient enough that I stopped using it the way I’d intended. But I hadn’t thought of using it as a mic for the computer. I’ll have to give that a try.
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1847
4533 posts
Nov 19, 2017
8:02 AM
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i have an h2 you can use a wall wort with it ... no batteries needed.
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LSB
302 posts
Nov 19, 2017
11:31 AM
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Andrew,
As you’ve probably sussed out by now, I’m referring to the R and L line outputs on the back of the 2i2. Of course these would most commonly be used going to a pair of self powered monitors, or with a separate amp and speakers, but should provide a properly usable signal for a guitar amp as well.
I have the 2i4 btw, nearly identical to yours but does have a second pair of line outs, which is nice if I need them. Nothing one or two Y adapters can’t do for you essentially, if your pair of line outs is already in use.
Last Edited by LSB on Nov 19, 2017 11:32 AM
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