Need Help (new into music scene)

[saskesan]

Hello guys

I'm a student & ive been listening to R&B music & Rap music since some time now. I'm an asian & i sing in Punjabi & English. (punjabi = indian)
I started making music with "Mixcraft" 3 years ago. mixing & singing.
Using a simple pc microphone.

Want to make such music, fan of this guy => YouTube - Imran Khan - Amplifier

I downloaded some instru's and sang on them. But now i really want to advance in this. I still make music using MIXCRAFT on computer.(work well)

I was thinking to buy Samson co1u condenser mic + pop filter. ( for better vocals, as i heard its a good mic )

But is that everything to make the music sound like (done in studio) i worked abit with some other programs: Reason, Cool Edit Pro, Music maker, ect...

Or do i need Digidesign Mbox 2 (for better quality) ??

btw i dont want to be an professional, its my hobby. So i want to make it sound clear & studio like.

I will try to upload some of my songs i made (u wont understand cos of language but please pay attention how it sounds like)

If u guys can guide me, wld be awesome

Thanks in advance

 

[dacalion]

Oh yeah, there's plenty of help here...lol. We just finished a good debate on programs that help you sound better here...https://www.illmuzik.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27044 Read through that thread and it will help you out alot. Be sure to post up some of your work in the "Showcase" forum so we can check it out. Personally, I'd like to hear your voice before recommending a mic.

 

[Big Tone]

sup man welcome. if your on a budget there is no need for an mbox. you do need a way to get the best sound you can into your computer. you can get good quality soundcards for decent prices these days.

 

[saskesan]

thnx for replying guys,

well does the sound card change allot ?

I thought its the microphone that change allot into ur voice...

Btw, gonna upload soon some songs i made

laterz

 

[dacalion]

Well, he was referring to you asking if you needed a mbox...There are tons of things that will make your music sound more professional.

Here are the bare minimums
1. You will need a good mic.
2. You will need a way to get your vocals on your computer. Actually the mbox isn't a bad choice if you hurry and get one from Sweetwater while you can get Pro Tools with it for free. (you would have a good interface and a good program for recording vocals all in one shot...) a mbox 2 is a good choice for a tight budget. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MBox2Mini/ keep in mind that you can get ProTools 8 with it free if you get it from Sweeetwater but you have to do it soon because they are gonna stop that offer. Here's what PT will do...
http://akmedia.digidesign.com/news/docs/Whats_New_in_LE_and_MP_v8_56290.pdf

I think this is the way to go on a budget but but at the same time, getting all the tools to make a studio sounding recording.

 

[saskesan]

Thnx again for the replies every1

Well here is a song that i made with a friend of mine (Punjabi rapping)

As i told we are debutants, and new into this. Made this with headphones + mixcraft, thats it.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R8ka7C-H9Y"]YouTube - Vajje Di Beat[/ame]

Can you tell me if it sounds good or many things need to changed.

I think i'll go with MBOX 2 + Samson co1u mic. (will that change my recordings??)

ty & let me know

 

[thedreampolice]

DONT BUY THE SAMSON MIC!

Get a regular mic NOT a usb mic. A USB mic will cause fits with pro tools!

 

[saskesan]

first of all, ty for ur reply

But why u saying samson mic no good ? its very popular...& i heared better then SM57-58
I need a cheap & good mic...as i make songs on pc...need usb mic or so...

btw listen to the song i uploaded, made with headset...& tell me what mic can suit me (cheap one please)

ty again

 

[thedreampolice]

Just don't get a USB mic, if you have an Mbox use that as your interface and plug a mic in to the mbox.

When you use a USB mic that becomes and audio interface as well, and lots of programs don't work well with multiple interfaces. Honestly if I was buying my first mic it would be an SM57 hands down.

 

[saskesan]

ty for reply mate, but atm i dont have MBOX 2 & neither a mic :/

btw, did u hear my music ? i made it 3 years ago using mixcraft. sound quality & vocal ? bad or average ? let me know

Btw peoples told me the Rode Nt1a is good, what are ur thoughts about it ?

& Someone mentioned me ART MP studio V3 is better then MBOX 2 or other audio interfare.

Please guide me on that aswell

ty allot

 

[thedreampolice]

But you said you are getting an Mbox,

Your first mic should be an SM57, you will use that forever. Once you get a better handle on things then you can upgrade.

As far as your track, there are so many effects on your voice its hard to tell. But a better mic would help for sure.

Now the ART MP studio V3 is ok, but it is NOT an audio interface. So I would still say the Mbox is your best bet. The Mbox2 is discontinued so I would grab one of those fast if you are going to get one. The brand new Mboxs are AMAZING and sound very very good.

 

[dacalion]

Yeah I agree, do not get a usb mic, go with the Shure and the mbox 2 as your interface, save that usb port for something else. There are tons of gear that are better but this is about as good as it gets on a budget.

 

[lion-ucs]

first of all, ty for ur reply

But why u saying samson mic no good ? its very popular...& i heared better then SM57-58
I need a cheap & good mic...as i make songs on pc...need usb mic or so...

btw listen to the song i uploaded, made with headset...& tell me what mic can suit me (cheap one please)

ty again

comparing that samson to the sm58/57 is like comparing a banana to a grapefruit.
Sure, they're both fruit and their yellow on the outside, but their insides are very contrast.

You're talking about sm58 & 57, first they're standard xlr - to - xlr or trs. This samson is usb. The SM's are dynamic microphones, the Samson is a condenser microphone.

The Samson has a larger diaphragm and wider freq response than the subjected shure mics.

I've heard the sound of both shure mics and the sound of the c01u. The latter is good, but the SM's are still a bit better, quality wise.


All of that out of the way, I don't think a usb mic is a bad way to go, considering its just a hobby and you don't seem to have any plans of doing your own production. BUT, the c01u isn't the only one out there. In fact, the blue snowball has been immensely more popular. But if you go the ways of a usb mic, then any interface is pretty much pointless for YOUR needs. ProTools is equally unneeded for YOUR needs (and I'm not just saying that because I don't really like PT).

A good mic (either usb or standard with an interface) and any of these free or cheap programs will do you fine as a hobbyist.

 

[saskesan]

thanks for the reply, I mentioned its only for hobby, but if i do anything, i want to do it well so want a studio like vocal something that sounds good when u listen to it

btw is the Rode Nt1a not better then SM57?
& between SM57 or SM58, for vocals (no instruments) which is better ?

I will get myself MBOX 2 asap with pro tools.

 

[thedreampolice]

@lion-ucs I cant say I disagree, but when you go USB on the mic you are forced to use two interfaces. One for input one for output. This will cause extra setup hassle and latency. Its just not worth it.

 

[saskesan]

thanks for the reply, I mentioned its only for hobby, but if i do anything, i want to do it well so want a studio like vocal something that sounds good when u listen to it

btw is the Rode Nt1a not better then SM57?
& between SM57 or SM58, for vocals (no instruments) which is better ?

I will get myself MBOX 2 asap with pro tools.

here is an example of a vocal that i wish to get


so please can u tell me what effects & how to get this sound clearty ?

Thanks allot

 

[lion-ucs]

@lion-ucs I cant say I disagree, but when you go USB on the mic you are forced to use two interfaces. One for input one for output. This will cause extra setup hassle and latency. Its just not worth it.

True
What I'm saying is to go one or the other. As a hobbyist, he should'nt need both. IMO, shouldn't really need the interface tbh.

thanks for the reply, I mentioned its only for hobby, but if i do anything, i want to do it well so want a studio like vocal something that sounds good when u listen to it

btw is the Rode Nt1a not better then SM57?
& between SM57 or SM58, for vocals (no instruments) which is better ?

I will get myself MBOX 2 asap with pro tools.

You're comparing those bananas and grapefruits again.
Technically speaking, any condenser mic should be better than any dynamic mic, but that all depends.

No mic will give you that effect and clarity depends on your recording environment regardless of the mic itself.

I know most are saying go with the Mbox w/PT. I'd say unless you plan on pursing music more seriously now or in the future, then you're spending much more than you need to

 

[thedreampolice]

Technically speaking, any condenser mic should be better than any dynamic mic, but that all depends

I totally disagree here, in fact all the vocals for Thriller where recorded with SM7 (NOT SM57) mic. Dynamic and Condenser mics are different for different purposes. I almost always use a nice dynamic mic for really aggressive vocals, and usually a condenser for the pretty type vocals. I say get an SM57 because no matter what other mics you get or how you upgrade you will always find a use for that 57, you will have it for 20 years. The NT1A will get replaced when you upgrade to another condenser.

If you walk in to a real studio they will have over 10k wrapped up in just a vocal channel.

I also don't think pro tools is the end all be all, but it never hurts to know it and its the cheapest it will ever be right now.

 

[lion-ucs]

I'm not saying condensers are out right better for anything.
I'm saying spec-wise.

Of course, each have their specific situational needs. Its all too different to compare each other so blatantly.

All this mic talk is reminding me, I need to get some corded mics. The wireless ones are fine, but they arent battery powered -- which, Idk why its just 9V/100mA >_>

 

[thedreampolice]

Thats phantom power.

and spec wise there are dynamics that can blow away condensers. Specifically the SPL spec, dynamics will win that one every time ha ha