Okay so you have a decent pair of monitors. Your output is at a high quality, but what about your input? I've noticed that these forums contain a lot of people that either A: MC B: Know an MC C: Use an MC in production. No amount of effects can cover up a crappy recording and/or a crappy mic. I imagine (correct me if I'm wrong) that most of you own a basic Dynamic mic (Shure SM58 or equivalent). For live performance, these mic's are perfect, but for recording you may want something a little more 'sparkly'. Ok, here's the terminology;
Dynamic - Your standard hand-held mic. Self powered when plugged in. Not a great transient or high frequency response.
Condenser - Phantom powered (via a recording desk etc..). Mostly large & thin diaphragms (what picks up sound) capable of capturing very subtle & high frequencies with ease. Much higher quality than dynamic mics.
Polar Pattern - The area that a microphone picks up from. Main pattern being is 'Cardioid'. This is the standard one sided pick up and all you need for starters. Other patterns include 'Hyper Cardioid' / 'Figure of 8' / 'Omni Directional'
Shock Mount - An elastic frame that supports a mic; shielding it from sub-sonic frequencies. Condensers being so sensitive need to be isolated from any surface.
Transient - I keep using this word. It means a waveform that sharply peaks and dies away rapidly, like a snare drum.
Dynamic mic's can be purchased pretty cheaply. Even a decent one (Shure SM58/57)
for about £100. However, condenser’s can dive into the thousands.
Of course you don't need to spend that much to get good results. Here are some
condensers under £300 that are worth looking at;
Rode NT1000 - £139 - Excellent reputable Aussie company Rode at the budget end of the market knock down the price on this beauty. If you see the name RODE then you know you’re getting quality. Cardioid
SE Electronics SE2200-A - £149 - Chinese diaphragm’s and very well engineered for the price. Bass roll of switch and -10dB switch. Crisp & clear. I own one of these as you can see in Studio Pix in the Gallery. Cardioid
AKG C-3000 - £195 - Very clean tidy mic. Dual diaphragm with 10dB attenuator. Nice flat response. Cardioid & Hyper Cardioid
Rode NT2000 - £299 - Upgrading from the legendary NT2 this features oldskool tradition with cutting edge technology. Variable polar pattern, 10dB pad and bass roll off with that same warm flat sound. You cannot go wrong. Cardioid / Hyper Cardioid / Figure of 8
A pop shield is an essential when recording vocals as all vocal transients will distort and the recording will be ugly. A pop shield masks the 'P' the B' transient sounds into defined vocalism.
Also remember, that something has to be equipped with phantom power to work these mic's. If you don't own a mixing desk or an expensive audio interface and don't fancy splashing out ££££'s, you can buy stand alone phantom power boxes that plug straight into the mains. Check out the following for prices & info: