October 01, 2004

• Sure SM 38, can't lose. Heck they're givin' those things away now.
• Of course, it looks just like a Telefunken U37.
• Er, the first question, which I forgot: Any recommendations for a microphone that is under $100 and won't make me sound like I'm in a tin can?
• sorry, SM58 is what I meant. dang numbers. $100 online.
• Telefunken U-47, pete, and I dont think you could get one of those for under $100. I second the Shure 58. Its a standard road mic, so its solid, durable and has good sound quality. I got mine for About $60-$70 new in Japan (actually it was a 57, which is pretty much the same thing, slightly different dynamics), so if you hunt around you can probably get a good deal. I have seen these mics take a LOT of abuse and still work fine after several years, so you might scope a cheaper used one on ebay. Any mic that costs more will probably be a condensor mic which are more sensitive, but more costly and fragile, and easy to overload. Generally they are made to have a permanent place in a well-tuned studio, and are probably overkill if you are just doing voice broadcasting over the internet.
• SM58. No question.
• Your main problem is going to be finding an adapter from XLR to 1/8 inch mini plug. If you have an audio store around/are good at soldering I would build one instead of buying multiple adapters as XLR to 1/8 inch is not common. 58 definitely much better for vocals than the 57 which is good for instruments.
• and power too, the SM58 ain't gots no bat'tries.
• Hmm. Is there a decent one that does have a 1/8 plug? The only noise going to go through the mic is my voice, so it doesn't necessarily need to be top of the line.
• SM58 is a good choice. Note: I am a sound engineer. I may know whereof I speak. Then again.. Another problem you may have with pluging it into your puter is perhaps impedance. Either use a DI box (cheap from radio shack) or fiddle with the settings in your audio options in whatever operating system you have. This is a loudness-level issue. The crappy mics you buy from the computer store work at a different level from pro audio mics. This may or may not apply to you, depending on various stuff. The cannon-to-mini jack issue is also a decent problem as Uncle notes, but again Radio Shack will sell the connectors/adaptors. You will also want to buy a decent cable, as poor cables introduce nasty noise, buzzing, etc. Don't let them cross your power cables if possible. You could probably do without the professional mic altogether, if you do enough research. There are cheaper mics made for computers which are by no means poor quality. YOu do not, strictly speaking, need to go for top-shelf, with what you're after. As a matter of fact, there is negligible difference between an SM57 & an SM58 in terms of sound quality, for the untrained ear. 57s are regularly used for vocals in conferences, etc. They just have a sturdier grille-design and can withstand being bashed with a drumstick rather more easily. There are differences in polar pattern which only a sound nerd like me would need to know. 57's have a flatter response, too. etc. '58s are designed for Vox & have a wider area of sensitivity than '57's, from memory, & are a little 'warmer' sounding but you won't even notice the difference. There are many knock-offs and copies of SM58s out there, most considerably cheaper than the real thing with little or no sound quality difference. I cannot guide you to a suitable one, you'll have to listen to the quality. When I was doing live sound, most of the '58s I used were good quality copies, and they were just as good. On preview: you get the idea
• Also, the XLR-1/8" isnt that big a deal, just get an XLR-1/4" and put an adapter on it, thats exactly what I do with my recorder and its fine. Also, what nostrildamus said. Voice only internet radio recording doesnt need top of the line. Also, getting something made specifically for computers will probably have a better form factor, and will be made for use with a computer vs. a pro mic which will need a larger stand.
• Would this work?
• I don't think that's a hugely great one.. but it would do for starters, I reckon. Rather inexpensive.
• if it's just the cable that's a problem, Griffin has a microphone (XLR) to 1/8" cable in fancy white ($25). Griffin GarageBand Microphone Cable
• Shure SM58 is the universal mike, versatile, extraordinarily durable, and fairly inexpensive.
• And the Telefunken u47 isn't a Telefunken anymore.. in fact I think the exact same mic is now made by Neumann. They just bought the design, or the company, or some shit. So Zappa's catch-line from Joe's Garage is now sadly an historical footnote for sound engineers, just like the lyrics to Baby Snakes will soon be. Now, if you only knew what 'Fido 3' was...
• My vote is definitely for the SM-58. Durable as all-get-out, and by far the best sound for the buck if you're micing voice (spoken or sung).
• They live in a ho-ho-a-ho-ho-a-hole ...
• Nostrildamus: The link I put in the first post was for a vintage Telefunken. The guy wants $8K fido-3 was a tour bus