Artist
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I'm looking to pick up a USB condensor mic for my iMac -- anyone got any good recommendations? I'm currently looking at this:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/MXL-MXL-990-USB-Powered-Condenser-Microphone-271009-i1177542.gc
Anyone ever use it? |
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Jun 24, 2009 | 1:16 pm |
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Artist
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I use the same mic, but it's not USB. The sound is great in my opinion. And, in that price range I don't think you would be disappointed. I imagine that the USB version has "phantom power" which you will need. I run mine through a Tascam US-122 so I get phantom power through that.
This is probably one of my cleanest recordings through that set up, http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=91475 if you want to judge sound quality |
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Jun 24, 2009 | 1:58 pm |
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Artist
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It's always been my contention that MXL is great gear. I have several in my studio and I sware by them. I also find myself in a great time to be in a buyers market via the internet. I shop Musicians Friend or Sweetwater...
I dont own a USB mike. However I do understand some have a need to use them... Here is a link to all the USB mikes in the Musicians Friend list> http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=USB+Microphone
now these are good folks. The best part is...NO SALES TAX!
You should find out about latency and a few other things. If your using a hub will it work?
Again I swear by MXL!
Best Wishes,
Geo |
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Jun 24, 2009 | 3:37 pm |
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Artist
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Like fatchance sez 'find out about latency'
If you buy a USB mic I think you should buy one with headphone output for monitoring. Some of the MXL USB mics have that. Its a must imo. |
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Jun 24, 2009 | 4:30 pm |
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Artist
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I have an MXL USB.006 condenser mic I've been using for over 2 years. I use it for recording vocals. You can check out vocal sample here: http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=96200
After having the mic for about a year, I started having trouble with random appearances of static during recording. I would have to uninstall/reinstall the USB CODEC (sometimes several times in a session) to clear it up. I found a solution involving Combo Updater 10.4.9, and that seems to have resolved the matter. Here's the fix I found:
– download Pacifist at charlessoft.com
– download combo updater 10.4.9 (couldn't find the separate applusbaudio kext anywhere, so this was needed) at Apple swupdate
– open the .pkg combo updater in Pacifist
– navigate to /system/library/extensions (within Pacifist)
– option-click on appleusbaudio.kext and choose to install to default location
– to be safe, remove the extensions cache file on your harddrive (found in /system/library) and empty trash
– reboot. |
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Jun 24, 2009 | 5:16 pm |
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Artist
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I used to own an AT2020 USB condenser ... excellent mic. However, I did have an issue with latency on Windows Vista (due to onboard sound).
Using ASIO4ALL cured that (I don't know if there is a Mac OS equivalent or if they have the same problems with onboard sound).
Why I sold it:
- it was a tad annoying to run ASIO4ALL in order to get latency down.
- I found I needed more control than the simple OS mic level. My loud vocals tended to overwhelm the AT2020.
I have since bought an ASIO soundcard and I'm planning to buy a small pre-amp and XLR condenser mic. |
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Jun 24, 2009 | 8:36 pm |
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Artist
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I often use an Samson USB condenser mic, simply plugged into the Mac, no latency, no problem..of course, sound definition is not the top, but it's worth the price (and all i can afford...hehe). Here it is
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1810 |
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Jun 25, 2009 | 9:34 am |
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Listener
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I Use a Snowball USB condenser from Blue and I never have any latency or quality issues. It's very quiet and super clear. It's only disadvantage is that the stand it comes with is rather small, but you can screw it on to a regular threaded mic stand head. |
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Jun 25, 2009 | 11:55 am |
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Artist
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I like Musician's Friend, too - I've always had good experiences buying from them.
I have so many mics, I feel guilty buying any more, but I've got to admit that my frustrations with input devices is starting to outweigh that consideration. I have all these pieces of equipment which, in and of themselves, are each great but, together, are a nightmare. I bought them here and there, when I had the money, over a long period of time, and at different levels of understanding in terms of what they could or couldn't do.
The mic I record with right now is just an Altec Lansing connected to headphones (!). I put the exclamation mark because, I've been liking the results quite a bit. For example:
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=116585
That's just me singing straight into GB using this Altec Lansing mic connected to my Mac Pro using a Griffin iMic adaptor (to USB). No effects.
But, I hate it that my expensive and higher quality mics are so inaccessible due to connection issues. I have BSR and Shure mics but I never use them. It's a travesty! 
Who has a good recommendation for a replacement for my old Digio 01!? I REFUSE to spend another $1200 on the Digio 03, or whatever is out now from them. For one thing, I really didn't like ProTools all that much (too steep a learning curve and all kinds of technical problems - long hours on the phone with their support people then the same issues over and over again anyway).
I am currently using bits and pieces to achieve the same kind of I/O options but it's a pain in the proverbial. Or, does anyone have a software workaround which would make it possible for me to use my Digio 01 with a Mac Pro...?
LOL |
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Jun 25, 2009 | 1:32 pm |
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Artist
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i just use an old thomann drum mic for everything...
plug it into my vox amp using as interface...
never tried a usb-mic... |
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Jun 29, 2009 | 5:13 pm |
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Artist
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well i guess it's back to self choice, some prefer USB some aren't |
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Jun 29, 2009 | 5:25 pm |
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