Need advice/suggestions on Audio equipment

[JonD7]

Hello!

I may be getting some money in a month or so... $1500+ I'm thinking.

Was going to spend that money on a new build but underwhelmed with the hardware that's currently out,

so I figure I'd spend the money on other stuff I could use... new audio, keyboard etc etc.

 

Incase you're curious on what my listening is, gaming(mainly Chivalry Medieval Warfare and single player games, Valves series, Batman Arkham etc etc)

Music genre: Metal music, Killswitch, Demon Hunter, Pantera, Living Sacrifice and electro like Daft Punk, Zap and instrumental music, reggae... I guess I listen to everything, lol

 

Headphones: I'll be getting the Sennheiser 558's.

Speakers: I think I'll be getting the Audioengine A2+'s with a Polk subwoofer... would like your thoughts on these.

My reason for these is because I have no DAC, the built in DAC would be good enough until I can afford something better later on

and my desk space is currently limited so anything bigger than the P4's would be too big I think.

 

I'm a digital artist and have been asked by multiple people that they would like to see my painting process on Youtube or a live stream... but I'd like to have a mic to communicate with them or commentary at least.

I'm having a hard time deciding on what the best method would be for my situation.

 

I can see the convenience of USB mics but would the quality of XLR mics be better?

I also have a Shure 57 laying around that I originally bought to record my guitar amps with but never got any use out of it, so I thought maybe an interface would be good incase I would ever like to make music again but googling all of that audio equipment really confused me.

[LancerBG]

I am currently using the A2+ and love them, you may want to try them with out a sub first, may save you a few bucks. I find the base perfectly adequate with a slight boost from software..just saying. 

[Toxic Tom]

Just get a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or something (maybe 2i4 if you want). I have the 18i20 and it's great. The sound quality is about as good as it gets and the drivers are pretty good.

[ShearMe]

Sine you already have a mic, a simple interface like the Blue Icicle is all you really need. The bigger interface mentioned above has more features, but I don't think they'll be neccessary for simple youtube videos. Put some cash into mounting hardware (stand, shock mount, pop filter, etc) if you don't already have it.

I am currently using the A2+ and love them, you may want to try them with out a sub first, may save you a few bucks. I find the base perfectly adequate with a slight boost from software..just saying.

Beat me to it. +1

[JonD7]

Thanks fellas!... should I buy a shockmount for my mics?

 

@ShearMe @Toxic Tom What about the Shure X2u? seems to have better reviews than the Icicle and yeah! the Frostrite Scarlett 2i2 looks great but it's also $43 more... both look great.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-X2U-XLR-to-USB-Signal-Adapter/dp/B001PPXFAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390798131&sr=8-1&keywords=Shure+X2U

 

And for a condenser, I think I'll buy an MXL V67(I could wait to buy this but I like the way it sounds and looks) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JRPYGE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3BMEHN6IMIFGS&coliid=I254HTFTIKMIUQ

[ShearMe]

should I buy a shockmount for my mics?

 

Yep. Not 100% necessary, but since you're splurging why not? It can help save a recording sometimes.

 

@ShearMe What about the Shure X2u? seems to have better reviews than the Icicle 

 

Well it better - it's twice as expensive.

[Toxic Tom]

Thanks fellas!... should I buy a shockmount for my mics?

 

@ShearMe @Toxic Tom What about the Shure X2u? seems to have better reviews than the Icicle and yeah! the Frostrite Scarlett 2i2 looks great but it's also $43 more... both look great.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-X2U-XLR-to-USB-Signal-Adapter/dp/B001PPXFAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390798131&sr=8-1&keywords=Shure+X2U

 

And for a condenser, I think I'll buy an MXL V67(I could wait to buy this but I like the way it sounds and looks) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JRPYGE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3BMEHN6IMIFGS&coliid=I254HTFTIKMIUQ

I can't really recommend the Shure X2U because Shure isn't really an audio interface make, drivers could be dodgy etc. This is coming from an audio producer though so you may not care as much as I do?

[JonD7]

I can't really recommend the Shure X2U because Shure isn't really an audio interface make, drivers could be dodgy etc. This is coming from an audio producer though so you may not care as much as I do?

I do care sir, I assumed it was a plug and play device.

After researching more, I like the 2i2 but I see that it only records in mono? for commentary or recording music, this wouldn't be a major problem... it would just take more effort in editing.

But how would this work during a live stream or Google hangout?

I've seen good things about the ART USB Duel Pre, it's only $79... going to look into it more.

[Toxic Tom]

Most professional audio equipment records in mono, as microphones, guitars and basses are all mono sources. You can however record in stereo by using both mono inputs on the 2i2 as one stereo input.

Honestly for livestreaming and google hangouts there is no reason why you would need stereo recording.

[ShearMe]

Honestly for livestreaming and google hangouts there is no reason why you would need stereo recording.

The Tek's videos always annoy me because they usually use stereo.

[Toxic Tom]

Bear in mind that a voice is also a mono source, i.e: it is a sound created from one point in space (unless you are really wanting to capture room ambience which is then not technically the voice that is being recorded).