Would like your opinion/suggestions for audio setup for a audio novice.

[WelshDdraig]

Hey everyone.

 

I will be getting my new PC soon (within two weeks) and I have begun to start thinking about the audio side of the equation.

 

I have had many "Gaming" headsets in the past, such as Tritton AX180 and Tritton Triggers, but they were never the best in terms of microphone and sound quality. They were Ok for when chatting to friends over Xbox, but that was about it. So with me preparing to get my new computer, I have decided I want better audio, both in terms of headphones and a separate microphone.

 

I will more than likely be purchasing this mixer ----> http://amzn.to/1xS9Yai (Behringer 302USB)

That's all I have decided on so far, which is where you people come in.

 

I am looking for a good microphone, I would like it to be a condenser with an XLR connector since the mixer mentioned above has an input for it. I am willing to spend up to £60 at the max, preferably lower.

 

Along with the microphone, I also need a shock mount (if the microphone doesn't already come with one), a pop filter and a desk scissor arm. Nothing too fancy, so around £5 for the pop filter, £5 for the shock mount (if applicable) and £10-£15 for the arm. 

 

As for the headphones, I would like a pair of closed, over-ear headphones. According to the specs of the mixer, it supports up to 150Ω headphones. I tend to listen to electronic house and clubland music (don't know what to class it as). I will also be using these headphones for gaming such as fps games (BF series) and others such as Minecraft. I am willing to spend £100-ish (max of £110). Suggestions would be excellent. 

 

So, to sum up, I want your suggestions for the following items within the specified price ranges

• XLR Condenser Microphone (£60 Max, preferably less)
• Shock Mount, Pop filter, Scissor Arm (£5,£5,£10-£15 respectively)
• Closed, Over ear headphones ≤ 150Ω (£110 max, preferably less)

 

Thanks very much for sticking through this long post, and Thanks for you help.

[Laputacake]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420662426&sr=8-1&keywords=at2020 £10 more but tis good

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-K550-High-Performance-Closed-Back-Headphones-Black/dp/B005CNR7B0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420662471&sr=8-3&keywords=closed+back+headphones good AKG headphonese

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Suspension-Mic-Stand-Holder-Shock-Mount-Clip-Pop-Filter-f-Microphone-Studio-/121525407224?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_EquipmentStands_SM&hash=item1c4b7a8df8 mount and filter

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Broadcast-Studio-Microphone-Mic-Suspension-Boom-Scissor-Arm-Stand-Shock-Mount-/371226262946?pt=UK_Music_Instruments_Microphones_MJ&hash=item566ecf3da2 arm

[WelshDdraig]

snip

Thanks for the response and the suggestions on the parts. I knew about the Audio-Technica mic, but tried to avoid it as it was out of my price range, but I think I will be able to strech my budget to fit it in. As for the other suggestions, everything seams to be perfect for what I want.

Side note, those headphones you suggested are the same ones I posted about in hot deals earlier, and I completely forgot about them. 

[EpicGeekonFire]

Wait I am confused, sorry if I misread. Why do you need a mixer?

IMO Behringer doesn't make the best stuff, I would go with a cheaper Yamaha mixer. 

 

Oh, Yamaha doesn't have their newer series on Amazon UK

[Laputacake]

Thanks for the response and the suggestions on the parts. I knew about the Audio-Technica mic, but tried to avoid it as it was out of my price range, but I think I will be able to strech my budget to fit it in. As for the other suggestions, everything seams to be perfect for what I want.

Side note, those headphones you suggested are the same ones I posted about in hot deals earlier, and I completely forgot about them.

Yay

[WelshDdraig]

Wait I am confused, sorry if I misread. Why do you need a mixer?

IMO Behringer doesn't make the best stuff, I would go with a cheaper Yamaha mixer. 

 

Oh, Yamaha doesn't have their newer series on Amazon UK

I want a mixer to mix my microphone and a secondary audio input such as music from my phone for when I'm playing games with my friends, I will also use it to mix game audio with music from my phone, so I don't have to keep tabbing in and out to use Spotify. I chose this mixer since it has the XLR input as most USB condenser mics are fairly expensive, an example being the AT2020 from Audio-Technica. XLR version is £69.99 while the USB version is almost double at £133.98 

Edit: You mentioned Amazon UK not having cheaper Yamaha mixers, what mixer would you suggest over the Behringer as might be able to find it on ebay or import it.

[EpicGeekonFire]

I want a mixer to mix my microphone and a secondary audio input such as music from my phone for when I'm playing games with my friends, I will also use it to mix game audio with music from my phone, so I don't have to keep tabbing in and out to use Spotify. I chose this mixer since it has the XLR input as most USB condenser mics are fairly expensive, an example being the AT2020 from Audio-Technica. XLR version is £69.99 while the USB version is almost double at £133.98 

Edit: You mentioned Amazon UK not having cheaper Yamaha mixers, what mixer would you suggest over the Behringer as might be able to find it on ebay or import it.

 

Its about $100 us dollars. Is that out of your price range? 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MG06-6-Input-Compact-Stereo/dp/B00I2J4WJG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420669838&sr=8-3&keywords=amazon+yamaha+mixer

[WelshDdraig]

Its about $100 us dollars. Is that out of your price range? 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MG06-6-Input-Compact-Stereo/dp/B00I2J4WJG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420669838&sr=8-3&keywords=amazon+yamaha+mixer

They sell it on Amazon UK, bit it is £85, that's a little too high for me. 

I know if you want quality, you have to spend, but my budget is around £1500-£1550 for the computer system (including peripherals) and the audio equipment.

So far the system takes up £1250-£1300 (depending for sales).

Thanks to @Laputacake ,I will possibly be getting the AT2020, AKG K550, the mount, arm and pop filter, that takes up around £185. I'm going to get some acoustic foam to dampen the music I listen to, to hopefully stop noise leakage into other rooms and to please my family (My brother doesn't want to hear my music as he is next door), so that is another £30 and then the adhesive is around £5 a can. So, in total I got anywhere from around £35-£80 to spend on a mixer, but I don't want to over spend if I don't have to.

[WelshDdraig]

Snip

Its a good thing I looked at the specs for the AT2020, the mixer I chose would not have the phantom power required to power the mic. The AT2020 need 48v, the Behringer only supplies 15v. 

[Laputacake]

They sell it on Amazon UK, bit it is £85, that's a little too high for me. 

I know if you want quality, you have to spend, but my budget is around £1500-£1550 for the computer system (including peripherals) and the audio equipment.

So far the system takes up £1250-£1300 (depending for sales).

Thanks to @Laputacake ,I will possibly be getting the AT2020, AKG K550, the mount, arm and pop filter, that takes up around £185. I'm going to get some acoustic foam to dampen the music I listen to, to hopefully stop noise leakage into other rooms and to please my family (My brother doesn't want to hear my music as he is next door), so that is another £30 and then the adhesive is around £5 a can. So, in total I got anywhere from around £35-£80 to spend on a mixer, but I don't want to over spend if I don't have to.

Dont know much about mixers so im not much use there .

[WelshDdraig]

Dont know much about mixers so im not much use there .

You have done plenty, so I'll let you off. I do need to find a different mixer since the one I chose would not be sufficient to power the AT2020.

[Laputacake]

You have done plenty, so I'll let you off. I do need to find a different mixer since the one I chose would not be sufficient to power the AT2020.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-SOLO-Audio-interfaces/dp/B00MTXU2DG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420671853&sr=8-3&keywords=focusrite

[WelshDdraig]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-SOLO-Audio-interfaces/dp/B00MTXU2DG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420671853&sr=8-3&keywords=focusrite

Thanks, but again, like the Yamaha mixer suggested by @EpicGeekisonFire ,a little too expensive. I just found a mixer that supplies the required 48v. It is still a Behringer, but the 802 version. It also has more inputs, but is not that much more expensive, £46 compared to the £33 of the 302.

[Laputacake]

Thanks, but again, like the Yamaha mixer suggested by @EpicGeekisonFire ,a little too expensive. I just found a mixer that supplies the required 48v. It is still a Behringer, but the 802 version. It also has more inputs, but is not that much more expensive, £46 compared to the £33 of the 302.

Oh yeah, hehe. Fair enough

[Oktyabr]

I think USB is the main selling point of the 302 you were looking at.  As an audio interface it seemed to get very good reviews.  I didn't read about it being underpowered for most mics? The 802 does not have usb, unless you found one that did?

EDIT:  I thought Phantom Power required 48v as a specification?  This guy reviews the 302USB with the AT2020 and doesn't have any problems...

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3GEKOZ9F5U9G9/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005EHILV4

[WelshDdraig]

I think USB is the main selling point of the 302 you were looking at.  As an audio interface it seemed to get very good reviews.  I didn't read about it being underpowered for most mics? The 802 does not have usb, unless you found one that did?

EDIT:  I thought Phantom Power required 48v as a specification?  This guy reviews the 302USB with the AT2020 and doesn't have any problems...

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3GEKOZ9F5U9G9/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005EHILV4

That is the main reason I was looking at the 302, for the USB. when I dug up the spec sheet for it, it only supplies +15v phantom, while the AT2020 requires 48v. People have said it may work with only 15v, but I don't know. I guess I could get the 302USB and if it doesn't work, I could return it. 

[Oktyabr]

That is the main reason I was looking at the 302, for the USB. when I dug up the spec sheet for it, it only supplies +15v phantom, while the AT2020 requires 48v. People have said it may work with only 15v, but I don't know. I guess I could get the 302USB and if it doesn't work, I could return it. 

If that's an option it would be the one I would choose.  Going USB means that it's more than just a mixer and the sound quality of both the dac and amp sections in the 302USB seem to have garnered few complaints.  For that price it sounds like a real value.

And are you SURE the AT2020 *requires* 48v phantom power, or are they just reposting the general (phantom power) spec?  Did you read that review I posted?

[WelshDdraig]

If that's an option it would be the one I would choose.  Going USB means that it's more than just a mixer and the sound quality of both the dac and amp sections in the 302USB seem to have garnered few complaints.  For that price it sounds like a real value.

And are you SURE the AT2020 *requires* 48v phantom power, or are they just reposting the general (phantom power) spec?  Did you read that review I posted?

I read the review and the guy said it worked. If it works for him, it should work for everyone else. I'm just saying that the AT2020 needs the 48v power as thats in the spec sheet from Audio-Technica direct. http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/a0933a662b5ed0e2/

PHANTOM POWER REQUIREMENTS 48V DC, 2 mA typical