drpellypo Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I've been messing about more and more with garageband, but the limit has been the internal mic on my macbook (that's actually very good!) But it's not great. I've been searching around hte mac forums and loads of people have recommended the blue snowball mic, however, I can't find it anywhere in the UK! I'm going to be using it for vocals only - not for recording instruments. Can anyone recommend a mic that will worth with mac/garageband that's not a billion pound ribbon one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 What sort of vocals?? If you are recording at home then something like a Shure SM58 would be ideal, really nice warm sound but without loosing any detail. Around £70. They also do a more directional one which is the 58a I think, if you are recording everything together this may be worth looking at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 just me singing guy. SO I'll be buying autotune too! haha. SM58 is actually what came up on the search for the snowball, but I'm not knowledgable on recording stuff, just listening to it! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Oh - hang on - it wasn't the sure that came up, it was the Samson. What kind of connection is the Shure one Guy, do you know? From what I've read, I need something that will go straight into the USB socket as I am recording direct onto the macbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I think you have to choose the cable seperately with Shure mics. I presume it will be a regular analogue connection, have you not got a mic input on the Macbook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Nope - not so far as I can see. It looks like it's USB only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 I haven't got a clue then mate. sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 You got Singstar on the PS2/3?? You could try that mic!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 lol - no - I don't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 Shame, just tried them and they work a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullett Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 The SM58 is a good live vocals mic/general purpose mic it will connect to the desk via a balanced xlr connection normally. I'd actually suggest you invest in a USB or firewire external interface. Something like this - http://www.andertons.co.uk/acatalog/info_FASTTRACK.html this will allow you to connect all sorts of external sources including guitars decent mics etc. Some USB mics if you are not ready for the interface route yet. The samson should provide better results than your internal mic. http://www.andertons.co.uk/cgi/ss000001.pl?page=search&SS=usb+microphone&PR=-1&TB=A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Thanks mate. I had come to the conclusion that's what I needed. The price has just gone up by £100 though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I use the M-Audio Firewire soundcard, it is superb, would expect the same from the USB version. You would probably find most usb sound cards with line in would do the job and be alot cheaper too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Guy - yes - I was looking at the cheaper versions. I don't need uber quality. But... I'm a sucker for getting the best thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I've settled on the m-audio and the SM58 mic, but I'm not sure what I need to get cable wise? ANyone any ideas? On the webpage I'm looking at, there's an option for xlr to jack mic cable, but nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Crikey - you guys! What started off as a £30 mic, is now this: Your Order: 1 x Shure SM 58 (£69) Package Deal: #34-1 1 x M-audio Fast Track USB (£59) 1 x S.E. Electronics Pop Shield (£35) 1 x Stagg MIS-0022BK (£15) Package Deal: #34-1 1 x Stagg MC06 XX - 20ft XLR/XLR (£10) Package Deal: #34-1 1 x Delivery UK Mainland (£10) 1 x DISCOUNTS (£-19) Total including VAT: £179 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Well, and I should have done this first, but I spoke to a mate today who's done a lot of studio work and it seems I've got a really good mic for live, but not for studio! So I've bought a Rode NT1-a too. That's another £120 spent! Anyone wanna buy a brand new Shure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Just send the Shure back and get a refund. I know a couple of people who use that mic for studio work and love it. Try them both before deciding as you may not find the new one is worth twice the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 They should both be with me by the weekend; plenty of time to give them a whirl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullett Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 The Rode is a good mic (for the price). I was trying to keep the price down. The Shure is a very effective mic for both live and studio work. Ok so it's not going to be used to record vocals in a high end commercial studio but it often forms the backbone of many hobby-studios it would also be useful for recording non-vocal sources with high SPL (drums/bass) that would kill the Rode. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Well, got the shure today, and I get what people were wining about on the reviews. It's muddy, and when you playback, it sounds like a live performance, not a studio one. The rode is coming tomorrow though, so I'll have a shot with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianFD3S Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Old thread I know, but thought I'd add that Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant use SM58s.. they mentioned it in one of their XFM radio shows. Could be either for filming or for radio work, not sure on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted March 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 In the end I bought a Rode NT1-A and a Creative EMU 0202 USB interface. Massive, massive difference. SO much better than than Shure and M-audio offerings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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