What equipment do you recommend on a budget?

EchoCaptil

Ritsu's Renegades
Defender of Defoko
Okay, I do want to get an XLR microphone in the future, but I want not spend an arm and a leg on the microphone, or equipment, also.. What equipment and microphones do you guys recommend? (I don't know if this is the right place for this post or?)
 

Kiyoteru

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I did you the favor of searching through the forum for existing threads and resources about microphones.

http://utaforum.net/threads/cad-vs-blue-mic-review-comparison.14137/
http://utaforum.net/threads/the-utau-users-dream-recording-kit.13667/
http://utaforum.net/threads/what-would-be-a-good-mic-for-loud-vocals.12417/
http://utaforum.net/threads/what-mic-to-get.12366/
http://utaforum.net/threads/microphone-prices-and-tips.12195/
http://utaforum.net/threads/help-choosing-a-good-microphone-budget-under-100-cad.12254/
http://utaforum.net/threads/microphone-prices-and-tips.12195/
http://utaforum.net/threads/i-need-help-choosing-a-new-mic.12175/
http://utaforum.net/threads/which-mic-should-i-buy-for-my-budget.11990/
http://utaforum.net/threads/which-mic-i-should-buy.11568/
http://utaforum.net/threads/microphone-choices-for-baritone-alto-voices.11560/
http://utaforum.net/threads/choosing-a-mic.11547/
http://utaforum.net/threads/what-is-the-most-realistic-mic-to-use-with-utau.10864/
http://utaforum.net/threads/what-mic-will-give-my-utau-the-quality-of-gahata-meiji.10125/
http://utaforum.net/threads/what-is-a-good-mic-to-record.14636/
http://utaforum.net/resources/selecting-a-microphone-for-utau-recording.180/
http://utaforum.net/threads/thinking-of-getting-a-new-mic.13774/
http://utaforum.net/threads/i-need-help-choosing-a-mic.10966/
http://utaforum.net/threads/what-microphone-do-you-recommend.10297/
http://utaforum.net/threads/what-mic-did-you-use-to-record-your-utau.9371/
http://utaforum.net/threads/microphone-help.6983/
http://utaforum.net/threads/curious-about-condenser-microphone-quality.6231/
http://utaforum.net/threads/microphone-suggestions.6031/
http://utaforum.net/threads/any-good-microphones-30.5366/

If this isn't enough, try asking @_caustic_ about it.
 

na4a4a

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What can you afford?
Cheap is relative and means different things to different people.
 
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na4a4a

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I mean....$250 is plenty to go to XLR. Is that for right now or what you are aiming for in the future?
 
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na4a4a

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Well for right now is good until you can upgrade.
I can give my list of recommendations.

You will need an XLR audio interface, this is what converts the analog signal of the microphone into a digital one and it also has a preamp to bring the signal up.

I recommend the Steinberg UR12, it's fairly affordable and has all the features you need.

For microphones I suggest the MXL 2003a. It's a fairly tame sounding mic where as many of the cheaper ones will be very shrill/have a large high end boost that doesn't sound good.

You will need a stand. OnStage makes both a good adjustable desk stand and a good floor stand. I suggest floor stands as they promote better posture and sound.

For an XLR cable there are MANY brands and nearly any of them will be fine. Just avoid the cheapest cable possible. I have tried Hosa, LyxPro, Audio2000, and GLS. I would recommend Audio2000 or LyxPro since Hosa cables are very thick and unwieldy and GLS cables tend to not fit a lot of equipment. Though GLS will work perfectly fine in your situation so if they are a good price then you can still get that brand.

For a popfilter you can literally get the cheapest thing possible, they are all the same. If you wanted to go higher end you can look into the Stedman Proscreen which is a metal (and washable) pop filter and won't have the slight muffling effects of the fabric ones.

That's it, all you need are those four items. I can now lost you some alternatives if you want something cheaper.

Interface:
Behringer UMC22 (NOT UM2)
The UMC22 is a good lower cost Audio interface. While not as good as something like the Steinberg UR12 it will get the job done fairly well. There is also the UMC202HD and other models you can look at. They all have the same preamp but have other slight differences that may not even matter to you.

Cables:
same ones I mentioned. Cheap cables fail quickly and have interference.

Stands:
It doesn't get any cheaper, I can only suggest even more expensive/nicer floor stands.

Microphones:
While not quite as good at the MXL 2003a, the suggestions below will at least sound alright on their own.
Studio Projects B1: a fairly neutral mic as well. Not quite as nice as the MXL but others have used it with fantastic results.

Nady SCM 960: really, REALLY cheap. Most of the Nady SCM series are the same mic in a different body. This should more or less sound like a $100 mic from a bigger brand but without the big brand markup. Still not great and I'd only recommend it of you wanted a really low barrier of entry. It's a bit muffled sounding in comparison to the other mics but not too bad.
 
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EchoCaptil

Ritsu's Renegades
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Ahh, okay... Since I found the interface on the Canadian Amazon for like 150 or something, and on Ebay for like... 20-30 dollars cheeper
[doublepost=1498415962][/doublepost]
Ahh, okay... Since I found the interface on the Canadian Amazon for like 150 or something, and on Ebay for like... 20-30 dollars cheeper
So I should look in other places too
 

na4a4a

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Yeah, unfortunately since you live in Canada prices will trend a bit higher when compared to the US.
 

EchoCaptil

Ritsu's Renegades
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Thread starter
Yea but, it's all you can do so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[doublepost=1498416226][/doublepost]
Yea but, it's all you can do so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Plus.. I think it's even more since of the place I live
[doublepost=1498416406][/doublepost]
Yeah, unfortunately since you live in Canada prices will trend a bit higher when compared to the US.
Also, what about the AKG Perception 100?
 

na4a4a

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I wouldn't recommend any of th AKG Perception mics tbh.
 

na4a4a

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I found the AKG Perception mics to just be crappy mics in a pretty body. They are generally pretty muffled sounding.
 
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