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October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | i recently saw a posting here about recommended usb microphones. i did a search and came up with no results. i think the brand name, samson, was mentioned. is the model # C01U a decent model? i've never used a usb mic and would like to start doing some recording soon. much obliged for any insight from you professional types.
edit: just typed "samson" in the search and got a few hits.
i see that jeffw likes the samson. i find the above model number on the bay for $79.00, including stand, 10ft cable, stand adapter, carrying pouch and windscreen plus free shipping. sound like a good deal? |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | USB mics are ok for starting out and saving money but will not give you "excellent" results.
Having said that, the Samson is a decent mic and for the money could be considered 'above average". YMMV |
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October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | mahalo stephen. tell me more about achieving "excellent" results, if there is such a thing, recording on to a hard drive. i suppose the software used will make quite a difference, but i have not ventured into that arena yet. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | i have it. i like it. it's simple and sounds very good. |
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Posts: 5576
Location: big island | thanks jeff. i'm gonna get one. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Well. it depends on what you are looking to achieve. For simple home demos and overdubbing a few tracks, there are many free or inexpensive DAWs that you can get. Computer Music magazine includes a pretty nice feature laden DAW with pretty good plug ins free with every issue. If you go that route, the USB mics are very competent in what they will do.
If you are spending hundreds of dollars on DAWS like Cubase, ProTools, Sonar, Logic, etc., you might feel that a USB mic will not provide the results you are looking for.
Bottom line, if you are just starting out and don't know what to expect, the USB mics are a good way to jump into the game. When it comes time to upgrade, you haven't dropped a lot of cash and you can either keep it around to play with or give it up to some aspiring friend on the OFC!
PS...don't listen to Jeff....he has proven time and again that he has no taste! :cool: ;) |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Talent will make more of a difference than equipment. Great players can take a cassette deck with a $29 Radio Shack mic and sound better than I do with tons of expensive equipment.
Recording to a hard drive is not an issue but you should try to have a fast one (preferably separate from the operating system drive). Also try to make sure your sound card/interface can give you a fairly low latency for best results. |
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October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | thanks for your time stephen. i am running three hard drives (2 RAID, 1 non-RAID) on my dell xps gen4 as i do alot of video editing. they are all "fast". i have a creative labs audigy 2ZS sound card. gotta look into the latency specs. it should work.
i will look into some DAWs. i don't require much, 4-8 tracks at the most, vocal, guitar, ukulele and bass.
appreciate your expertise! |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Go buy the latest edition of Computer Music (runs about $15 at Borders/Barnes & Nobles). Nice beginners rag from the UK. I still pick up a copy on occasion when they run articles that catch my eye.
They include a disc every month and it always includes their CM Studio DAW. It is a great little piece of software for free and might do everything you need. At worst case, it will get your feet wet and help you decide if you want to upgrade to a more "complete" DAW. |
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October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | will do. mahalo nui! |
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October 2006
Posts: 5576
Location: big island | hey stephen,
got the CM magazine and podium software. now awaiting the samson usb mic. with "free shipping" they sent it via the slow boat.
thanks again for the leads. |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by Lanaki:
i don't require much, 4-8 tracks at the most, vocal, guitar, ukulele and bass. Wot!?
No harmonica!? |
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October 2006
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Location: big island | muzza,
i will probably never play a song that has an ukulele and a harmonica in it...but thanks for catching that! |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Lanaki, should be a nice beginners setup to get you going. Let us know if we can help. |
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USB Microphones
