So what is a Phantom Power? I found this
Let me start by saying I highly recommend going the route the other commenter said and buying the audio interface - it will save you a lot of headache and is the proper solution for this. However if you still really want to use that sound adapter with that mic you will need this to be able to get a signal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_KMu.AbYYXBWAS Plug the XLR to 1/8” that came with your microphone on the output and plug the other end into the sound adapter. Then plug the included XLR from the input of the power supply to the microphone. Disclaimer: You may have hums and hisses doing this and that is why it is better to go the interface route. Plus your trusting cheap electronics to not send 48v directly to your computer and fry the whole damn thing just to save about $80.
Quick update - I tried hooking up both mics, but ASIO couldnt find the AUX mic. Apparently that's because it doesn't have enough power or something. I'll probably end up ordering this.
Just curious, (and you probably know), why does the AUX mic need power, but the snowball doesn't? Is it because USB also transmits power?
Hello! As of now i have a BM-800 condenser microphone and the philips shp 9500 as my head phones. Both of these go straight into my mobo (i use this pre amp for mic Link) and they sound solid but im wanting the best (or a good upgrade). Would getting a scarlet solo be worth the cost as an upgrade to my audio setup? I could use it as an pre amp for my mic and Dac for my headphones right? I need suggestions please help me im kind of an audio noob. Thanks!
And the cables are male to female on either end, and plug into this phantom power just fine. Not sure what else you need besides that. That's all it came with.
Do you have it set up as shown in the third picture down on this Amazon listing?
If so then it could just be that the camera has a higher gain input than your PC. A different (more sensitive) sound card may fix this.
Your microphone requires power. I had this same issue then i bought my condenser mic. Something like this will work fine. https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484280909&sr=8-1&keywords=innogear+ig101
It includes an A-D converter and +20db fixed amplification. Hardly the best thing on the market but it would technically work.
However you would still need to provide 48v Phantom Power. You could use a box like this to do it.
Okay I'll give some specifics. I have the blue yeti pro using the white xlr cable plugged that into the input of my mic pre (https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC) then have a xlr to trs cable the xlr is plugged into the output of the mic pre and the trs is in my computer.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got this in addition to the 2i2, I didn't know the 2i2 had phantom already built in. So all i really need to do is plug my mic into the 2i2 and the 2i2 into the laptop?
Your mic gain shouldn't have to go up that high. Is your mic maybe a powered mic that you haven't powered? Some mics need a pre-amp device Having your gain up 3/4 must make your mic sound like shit and bring up all the background noise like crazy. I have my mics gains turned to 1/32nd maybe.
As for the setup, you are going to need a USB audio device. Doing this with audio cables won't work the way you're doing it. Believe me, I tried
It was a present from Christmas to help me get started recording, I didn't question it at the time because it was a way better mic than I had and I had no idea about the different kinds of microphones. I was thinking of getting on of those XLR designed mic's and just buying this to connect it to my internal sound card an Asus Xonar DX.
https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC here's the link to the one I have.
I tried plugging it in directly with the XLR to 3.5mm but again it just doesn't show up as a device on Windows. :( I just don't have any idea what to do.
The big difference between the two is going to be that the SM58 is a dynamic microphone and the BM-700/800s are condenser microphones.
Advantages of a dynamic microphone generally are that they can tolerate being used in very loud settings and they don't require +48v (phantom power). Disadvantages are typically that they don't tend to be as "detailed", high end is often lacking (especially on something like an SM58 that has a built in windscreen). Also, the reason they can typically handle being used in loud settings is because that is essentially how they work. You are physically having to move a coil with sound pressure. In order for that to happen, it is going to typically require a reasonably loud source (great for guitar amps, drums, sometimes vocals).
Advantages of a condenser is that they tend to be a bit more "detailed" or more "clear" sounding than dynamic mics. High end is usually a lot more present and they are great at picking up much quieter noises. Instead of having to move a giant coil with sound pressure, you are making a small piece of thin metal vibrate (great for vocals, strings, acoustic guitars, piano, etc.).
Disadvantages of a condenser mic are that they typically cannot handle being thrown in front of something really loud. Fancier condensers will have built in pads to reduce gain, but looking at those BM-700s, that isn't a feature you will be getting. Also, condensers are going to require +48v of power (phantom power), which your Tascam doesn't have. It would require something additional, like this (https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1502757851&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=phantom+power&psc=1)
Phantom power supplies aren't terribly expensive, and they will always serve a purpose. Especially if you continue using that Tascam or other fancier Tascam units. I only have experience with the Tascam MidiStudio 688, but it is one of their better options and doesn't have it. It's possible the PortaStudios have it, but I don't believe they do.
As far as mic stands go, that should be pretty universal. The mics appear to come with their own shock mounts (likely what you mean by 'fancy holder'), which will just attach to the mic stand. You shouldn't have any issues there. My only suggestion would be to get one on a tripod that has an arm (boom stand). Some of the stands i've picked up on Amazon are extremely light. Many people suggest making sure you seal off the bottom of the main pipe and then filling a bit of it with sand to add some extra weight. I haven't had to go that far, but just be careful with how far you try to get the arm to reach.
Not having used the BM-700 / 800, I can't specifically recommend them, but like most microphones, you can likely find something cool to do with them, even if they don't sound 'good'. Back at the studio I worked at we had this junky little RadioShack microphone that looked like a Transformers action figure. The thing sounded horrible on its own, but made for a really badass room mic when recording drums.
Most likely in this case you will get what you pay for. A $25 condenser likely isn't the highest of quality, but that being said, it may not be that bad and might work better on things like guitars and vocals than the SM58. Worst case scenario is you are out $25 and have an extra mic laying around that may not be your 'go-to' mic, but could come in handy at some point.
Hope that helps. Let me know if you still have questions.
So I’ve been looking for an XLR microphone and I found a Zingyou BM-800 off of wish for $38 that comes with mostly everything: shock mount, boom arm, and the like. I’d just need to purchase a sound card and a phantom power source.
My question is, which would be the “best” for the BM-800? I’ve been looking at this for the power source and this for the sound card.
I’m currently using a blue snowball ice, and I’d like to try XLR out. I’m just wondering, is this mic a good starting XLR mic?
Thank you for reading this
Hello, I have recently received the at2020 microphone and today I connected everything. I connected the phantom PSU to a socket, the xlr to xlr cable to the phantom PSU and to my microphone, and then I connected this xlr to 3.5mm jack cable from my PSU to the PC. So, I turned on my PC, turned on the PSU, and decided to test it by recording my voice. This is going to be hard to explain, but when I played the recording I heard a static type noise for a split second and then I heard my voice (which was extremely quiet, barely audible). Please help. I don't know what to do at all since I don't have much experience with microphones. I hope my microphone isn't broken. P.S: I HAVE NOT configured anything with the microphone. I simply plugged everything in and tested it. I didn't configure it because I was not sure that this was necessary. Is it? Also, I do have a recording of what the microphone sounded like. Please let me know if you would like me to link it. Below I have linked all the parts that I bought. Phantom PSU: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Microphone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSYF0BH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 XLR-to-3.55mm cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068NZD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KAPGLQC/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUS7RSG/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DY1F2CS/
I also needed a 5/8 Male to 1/4 Female mic screw to mount to mic to the arm properly, which wasn't included. Got that for $5 on Ebay, there's tons of sellers.
Don't laugh, I've been using the logitech guitar hero mic because I can't get the condenser to have sound, but I'll list what I have for the ACTUAL set up.
Videos, mostly youtube/advocacy content, in the future there may be podcasts. Mostly spoken content, which is why I went condenser, all the research I did suggested this for talking. I also have a pop screen (not sure if you consider that relevant, but being thorough).
This phantom https://www.amazon.ca/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC
This mic (or very similar): https://www.amazon.ca/Professional-Broadcasting-Recording-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00X9OM4BW/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1500311177&sr=1-13&keywords=bm+800
Line-in from the phantom thinger to my iMac (late 2011)
Garageband to record.
By the way, thanks so much. This is by far the most supportive, helpful, and kind r/ I've ever been to!
Don't laugh, I've been using the logitech guitar hero mic because I can't get the condenser to have sound, but I'll list what I have for the ACTUAL set up. Videos, mostly youtube/advocacy content, in the future there may be podcasts. Mostly spoken content, which is why I went condenser, all the research I did suggested this for talking. I also have a pop screen (not sure if you consider that relevant, but being thorough).
This phantom https://www.amazon.ca/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC
This mic (or very similar): https://www.amazon.ca/Professional-Broadcasting-Recording-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00X9OM4BW/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1500311177&sr=1-13&keywords=bm+800
Line-in from the phantom thinger to my iMac (late 2011) Garageband to record. By the way, thanks so much. This is by far the most supportive, helpful, and kind r/ I've ever been to!
would this work instead of a $60-120 one? https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC#customerReviews
Either this power supply: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HDNFybXP32WJY
Or this interface: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EK1OTZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OENFyb8GZ7EQD
Ya my mic pre should provide phantom power right? https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC it is this one if you would like to know.
For a condenser mic yes, for a dynamic no.
You can use one of these to power a condenser.
Edit: added link to stand alone phantom power box.
Thanks for the tip. My current goal is to buy the ATR2100 along with this little device that's only $20 but seems to work quite well.
Ok, to fix your phantom power dilemma, try this: http://www.amazon.com/InnoGear%C2%AE-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462236977&sr=8-1&keywords=phantom+power+box
Then as far as audio, listen to people when they say keep it coming from HDMI. Or you can turn it OFF the HDMI in OBS and use the mixer USB but you'll need to use something like an hdmi audio demuxer to bring it into the switch OR even better, run it out the TOSLink digtal port to the mixer with something like this:
Short update on the situation. Not sure if anyone will see this further, but just in case, here's what's going on now.
I got the compressor and all the components (phantom power, XLR cables ,etc) and got it all hooked up. Problem is, i'm getting some serious static/electrical popping coming through on the mic when it's going through the compressor. If I plug the mic in to the mixer directly like I was doing before, there is some slight static that can be heard if the mic is muted, but it's much higher when going through the compressor.
Not sure what I can do about this. I'll have to post this issue on more pertinent forums, i'm sure, but if anyone out there can see this and provide some further insight, that would be much appreciated!
EDIT: In case it helps, these are the components I got. The phantom power and the XLR cables These go along with the Composer Pro-XL linked in the OP.
Depending on your mic you will need to use an external 48v phantom power, as the included 48v phantom power is pretty crummy and will cause audio crackling. think it has something to do with power over usb. This is the one I purchased https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Condenser-Microphone-Recording-Equipment/dp/B00KAPGLQC/ but any should do.
In all, i've had a pretty crummy experience with my 2i2 and am actively looking to replace it.