audio Looking for a $250 XLR Mic Setup.. HELP!

[Zakara]

Hi guys, hope we are all well and staying safe.

 

So... I have a $250 budget for an entirely new microphone setup and I have only ever used a traditional headset and basic microphone on a stand.

I'm looking for a condenser mic using an XLR input and I will need an audio interface that can connect to my PC via USB along with a mic arm all for $250 if possible.

I'm very new to this whole other side of things with audio so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Microphone:

After looking at reviews and the price of the "Audio-Technica 20 Series AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Side Address Microphone", it seems like a good option and one of good quality.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002T45X1G/ref=crt_ewc_img_srh_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2OZDCM2SDJCA2

 

Audio Interface:

In terms of an audio interface, i'm not looking for anything major in my first setup. Essentially, I just need a starter interface so I stumbled across the "Behringer 302USB Xenyx 5 Input Mixer".

Again, it seems like a relatively low cost, solid mixer for around $50.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005EHILV4/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1FEL2CWJXR5UG

 

Mic Arm:

 

That leaves me with around $50 for a mic arm that can attach to my desk, I am looking for one that is strong and the construction is solid so I wont have to replace it in the near future, but also don't want to spend excessive amounts on just the arm. The main thing I am confused about is how the AT 2035 will connect to the mic arm. I'm assuming that I have to ensure that the threaded mounting system matches on both the mic arm and the microphone itself? Again, I am very, very new to this side of computer tech so any help and links to anything $50 or under for a mic arm would be fantastic!

 

Thank you for reading,

 

Cheers,

Jack

Edited April 17, 2020 by Zakara
Added tags

[Semper]

I've got something very similar to what you're looking at.

I run:
AT2020
Xenyx 502
Neewer shock mount
An OMPF-33 pop screen

LyxPro XLR cable
and a UCA222 as my interface
these between the mixer and the interface
And your choice of generic Chinese arm. I'm using one from Dragonpad,(though it's very likely that a large volume of these come from the same location with a different name attached to them)

 

I've been running it since ~mid 2014, and while it's still technically functioning, I can't recommend anything from Behringer in good faith. It's been a constant stream of issues with my 502, least of which the condenser being worth nothing. My volume level will fluctuate at will and require manual intervention on a near-daily basis. the UCA222 has needed to be replaced twice.

I feel you'd be better off with something like a Scarlett Solo as your interface, bypassing a mixer if you don't have a need to control levels.

[Zakara]

4 minutes ago, Semper said:

I've got something very similar to what you're looking at.

I run:
AT2020
Xenyx 502
Neewer shock mount
An OMPF-33 pop screen

LyxPro XLR cable
and a UCA222 as my interface
these between the mixer and the interface
And your choice of generic Chinese arm. I'm using one from Dragonpad

 

I've been running it since ~mid 2014, and while it's still technically functioning, I can't recommend anything from Behringer in good faith. It's been a constant stream of issues with my 502, least of which the condenser being worth nothing. My volume level will fluctuate at will and require manual intervention on a near-daily basis. the UCA222 has needed to be replaced twice. The

I feel you'd be better off with something like a Scarlett Solo as your interface, bypassing a mixer if you don't have a need to control levels.

Ah nice! This is really helpful, thank you!.

So if I was to get the Scarlett Solo instead of the 502, is it just a case of plugging the XLR input from the 2035 into the interface, then the interface to USB? Will I need anymore cables?

In terms of a mic arm, is it a case of you can pick up a generic arm and it will fit most microphones? Or is there any specifics I need to look out for?

Sorry for all the questions haha, as mentioned I'm very new to all this.

 

Cheers

[Semper]

11 minutes ago, Zakara said:

Ah nice! This is really helpful, thank you!.

So if I was to get the Scarlett Solo instead of the 502, is it just a case of plugging the XLR input from the 2035 into the interface, then the interface to USB? Will I need anymore cables?

In terms of a mic arm, is it a case of you can pick up a generic arm and it will fit most microphones? Or is there any specifics I need to look out for?

Sorry for all the questions haha, as mentioned I'm very new to all this.

 

Cheers

I have no direct experience with the Scarlett solo, but I know it's well liked. My understanding is that is has a USB interface built in, so it should be
Mic <--> Interface <--> PC.

 

A quick look at setup videos seems to confirm this.

Most if not all arms will include a 5/8"-27 thread mount with a 3/8"-5/8"screw adapter, which should interface with a shock mount. If you can pardon the dust, and the flash picture quality (it's very early morning for me), this is what's going on between the arm and the shock mount
 

Spoiler

There are direct thread options available, however I have no experience with them (at all, never even looked at one), so I can't make comment.

[Zakara]

1 minute ago, Semper said:

I have no direct experience with the Scarlett solo, but I know it's well liked. My understanding is that is has a USB interface built in, so it should be Mic -- Interface -- PC. A quick look at setup videos seems to confirm this.

Most if not all arms will include a 5/8"-27 thread mount with a 3/8"-5/8"screw adapter, which should interface with a shock mount. If you can pardon the dust, and the flash picture quality (it's very early morning for me), this is what's going on between the arm and the shock mount
 

  Reveal hidden contents

There are direct thread options available, however I have no experience with them (at all, never even looked at one), so I can't make comment.

Awesome! Really useful info, thank you very much dude. Appreciate it.

 

I'll be going with a AT 2035 and a $30 ish mic arm. Just need to decide upon an interface and im all set.

 

Cheers! Appreciate the help Semper!

[Zakara]

Does anyone know if this will work with the specs I have mentioned above?

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ammoon-5-Channel-Interface-Recording-Broadcast/dp/B078S8QTH4/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2TY5ZZB2F0EPP&dchild=1&keywords=audio+interface&qid=1587117459&refinements=p_36%3A405446031%2Cp_72%3A405434031&rnid=405433031&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=audio%2Cmi%2C143&sr=1-5

 

Found it and its quite an affordable mixer with good reviews. Not sure if I need a specific voltage for the condenser mic's. I'm reading in some places that I need a 48V mixer or something?

 

Cheers! 

[The Flying Sloth]

1 hour ago, Zakara said:

Does anyone know if this will work with the specs I have mentioned above?

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ammoon-5-Channel-Interface-Recording-Broadcast/dp/B078S8QTH4/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2TY5ZZB2F0EPP&dchild=1&keywords=audio+interface&qid=1587117459&refinements=p_36%3A405446031%2Cp_72%3A405434031&rnid=405433031&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=audio%2Cmi%2C143&sr=1-5

 

Found it and its quite an affordable mixer with good reviews. Not sure if I need a specific voltage for the condenser mic's. I'm reading in some places that I need a 48V mixer or something?

 

Cheers! 

1, That's a very cheap low quality Chinese brand that I wouldn't recommend
2, Just about every XLR input on the market has what is called 'phantom power', this is the 48V power required to run condenser mics and inline amps
3, Do you really need a mixer? just plug your mic into an audio interface, a cheap mixer isn't going to add anything positive to your sound 
4, If you want a cheap interface the Behringer UM2 and UMC22 are extremely affordable single input interfaces.
5, Personally I'd stay away from the 2035 just because there may be other options at a similar (or lower) price that would better suit your voice such as an MXL V67G or 3U Audio CM1, well, that and the 2035 isn't a real condenser microphone, it uses an electret capsule instead of the large diaphragm it pretends to have. Check the Podcastage Youtube channel if you want to get an idea of the sound difference between cheap microphones.  

If you have any other questions feel free to quote me and I'll try to answer as best I can

Sloth

[Zakara]

5 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

1, That's a very cheap low quality Chinese brand that I wouldn't recommend
2, Just about every XLR input on the market has what is called 'phantom power', this is the 48V power required to run condenser mics and inline amps
3, Do you really need a mixer? just plug your mic into an audio interface, a cheap mixer isn't going to add anything positive to your sound 
4, If you want a cheap interface the Behringer UM2 and UMC22 are extremely affordable single input interfaces.
5, Personally I'd stay away from the 2035 just because there may be other options at a similar (or lower) price that would better suit your voice such as an MXL V67G or 3U Audio CM1, well, that and the 2035 isn't a real condenser microphone, it uses an electret capsule instead of the large diaphragm it pretends to have. Check the Podcastage Youtube channel if you want to get an idea of the sound difference between cheap microphones.  

If you have any other questions feel free to quote me and I'll try to answer as best I can

Sloth

Hey!

 

Thanks for the info! I think the UMC22 looks like a much better option as you are right, I have no need for a mixer and decided against the original interface I linked. I'm familiar with podcastage and have been watching some of his videos to learn more... or try to.

 

I'll swap out the mixer in my order I had before for the UMC22 as its cheap and simple.

 

Really appreciate the information, helps out a lot!

 

Thanks Sloth!

 

Jack