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I want to get into home recording a bit for a small solo project I want to do. I'll need an audio interface, a mic for instruments, and a mic for vocals.

I don't think I can go wrong using an SM57 to record guitar and bass (if needed. I don't know yet.) If there are any other mics that kick the SM57's ass for cheap I'd like to know. I mean a used SM57 is like $80-$90.

For the interface, I'm looking into the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Are there any others around the $100-$200 price range I should be looking at?

For vocals I'm thinking of finding a condenser mic around $100-$200. There are a few used Audio Technica AT-4033a's floating around the web for around $200-$300 but I don't know if I want to spend that much. I guess this is what I'm having the most trouble finding. Any suggestions?

Oh, and mic stands! What should I be looking at for these?

Don't forget cables!

Hard to beat the SM57, but the Audix i5 is a similar quality instrument mic in the same price range as the Shure. I have one that I always use for snare or pair with a 57 for guitars. Good alternative, I'd compare the specs though if you're concerned about frequency hyping. The SM57 is known for a bumped up low mid, the i5 is known for a bumped up high mid.

Focusrite interfaces are pretty good but if you do some smart shopping try an M-Audio Quad or the somewhat dated Akai EiE. More inputs and routing options with those interfaces. The Quad looks like it's $250 US and the Akai looks like it's $200 US

If you need to stretch your budget even more pickup a pre non-mod era MXL condenser. I have a couple of 990s that I use for overheads and vocals and always have results that I can work with. Even without them being modded yet.

As for stands, if you need long boom arms go heavy duty. The last thing you want is to be using some cheap Pro-Line stands like I have that cant even support a light condenser or an SM57 and full reach.

waltdogg wrote:...Focusrite interfaces are pretty good but if you do some smart shopping try an M-Audio Quad or the somewhat dated Akai EiE. More inputs and routing options with those interfaces. The Quad looks like it's $250 US and the Akai looks like it's $200 US...

The red Akai EiE is 16 bit and the silver is 24 bit recording. Have had the 24 bit for a few years and love it to death.

echoraven wrote:

waltdogg wrote:...Focusrite interfaces are pretty good but if you do some smart shopping try an M-Audio Quad or the somewhat dated Akai EiE. More inputs and routing options with those interfaces. The Quad looks like it's $250 US and the Akai looks like it's $200 US...

The red Akai EiE is 16 bit and the silver is 24 bit recording. Have had the 24 bit for a few years and love it to death.

Hadn't even heard of the Akai one. I'm leaning towards going with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 for the MIDI I/O. I wouldn't mind being able to hook up a keyboard to play out melodies and screw with VSTs. Editing VSTs using the virtual keyboard in Reaper kinda sucks. With Renoise I could play and edit at the same time, but not with Reaper as far as I can tell.

How much do MXL 990s go for typically? I'm really trying to find more options for a vocal condensor mic.

Not sure if this one was made before or after the change of construction that prevents modding but this is a good deal:

https://reverb.com/item/881695-mxl-990- ... microphone

Both the M-Audio and Akai have MIDI. The Focusrite is good too though.

vocals: go with a dynamic in that price range. SM58 is a standard that most singers can work with. Dynamics just sound better IMHO on vocals unless you spend money for a large diaphragm condenser.

That's definitely true. You could probably do more with a couple 57s for getting a stereo image or for two different instruments and a 58 for vocals. I don't like condensers on vocals much either unless I can change the input impedance of my preamp. I like the 990 because it doesn't sound over hyped with or without input impedance matching like other cheap condensers or some nicer ones I've had experience with.

waltdogg wrote:That's definitely true. You could probably do more with a couple 57s for getting a stereo image or for two different instruments and a 58 for vocals. I don't like condensers on vocals much either unless I can change the input impedance of my preamp. I like the 990 because it doesn't sound over hyped with or without input impedance matching like other cheap condensers or some nicer ones I've had experience with.

I don't have much use for doing stereo. None of my pedals are even stereo. I can't imagine it'd help vocals much. Is the SM57 really good for vocals at all? I've only ever seen it used for recording instruments and snare drums.

The 990 does sound pretty nice from the demos I found on youtube. I might try looking into some more large diaphram condensors though.

SM57 is good for everything, especially if you're trying to get away with one mic.

D.o.S. wrote:SM57 is good for everything, especially if you're trying to get away with one mic.

Maybe I can hold off on a condensor and just go for the 57 for rough demos. Then I guess once I want to polish them I could find a better mic for vocals. I think that's a solid plan.

Well, not just stereo but if you ever need to capture more than one instrument at the same time. Doesn't hurt to have two 57s or a 57 and something similar for it. The SM58 and SM57 have the same capsule just with different windscreens if I'm not mistaken. Take the dome screen off a 58 and you can use it like a 57 and a 57 doubles as a vocal mic that's just as good as the 58 but you'll wanna be more careful without the metal windscreen.

waltdogg wrote:Well, not just stereo but if you ever need to capture more than one instrument at the same time. Doesn't hurt to have two 57s or a 57 and something similar for it. The SM58 and SM57 have the same capsule just with different windscreens if I'm not mistaken. Take the dome screen off a 58 and you can use it like a 57 and a 57 doubles as a vocal mic that's just as good as the 58 but you'll wanna be more careful without the metal windscreen.

Didn't know that about the 58 and 57. Interesting. I won't be needing to capture more than one instrument any time soon. Unless I'm singing and playing guitar at the same time.

For those in a kinda tight budget, consider the GLS ES57.

I've found a few good deals on a 57. One is $65 at a shop near me. Might be able to talk them down. So I'm pretty set in that department. Still been looking for something alright for recording vocals besides like a 58 or something.

Can't go wrong with CAD M179 for your condenser needs.
The multi patterns and the price is hard to beat IMO.