Mic setup questions

doits · September 1, 2015

Okey dokey so I have a little extra money and would like to upgrade from my cheap 10dollar lavaliere mic for video game commentary and teamspeak. I'm mostly set on this microphone: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QJOZS4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2PD5VGZG73WAG&coliid=I2VJLIQE1WNX25

From what I've found it blocks out a good enough amount of ambient sounds and I think this will work for pop filter: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002GXF8Q/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2PD5VGZG73WAG&coliid=I1P0K54SQ9D32I&psc=1

My question is if I use usb interface can I still get lag free monitoring? I currently use o2 odac for audio. Could I get something like this: http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Stereo-Female-2-male-Y-splitter/dp/B00D683FR8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1441072268&sr=8-3&keywords=audio+splitter+2male+to+1+female

and tie the 3.5 out from mic with 3.5 out from odac? Or the final option is to get a focusrite solo but I'm still unsure if I can mix in my voice for monitoring.

Once I figure how to interface, I use a mx brown keyboard and an ac unit within 5ft of me. Do I need to get a boom arm with shock mount or just stick with stock tripod?

This is my first time with mic setups so any suggestions or tips would be awesome. Thanks for looking!

elecxonica · September 1, 2015

Unfortunately if you use USB you won't have lag free monitoring, however from what I've found the Focusrite interface you mentioned does have lag free monitoring on it. As for your idea involving the Y spliter, that may actually work, however I don't have anyways to test it so YMMV.

As for sound reduction, as far as I know because that mic is a dynamic style mic it will reduce background sounds, and as such you shouldn't need the boom for reducing sound. That said, the boom arm may be useful for getting the mic closer to your mouth, which may make it sound somewhat better.

doits · September 1, 2015

Alright so what I picked out is fine, I'll decide on a cheap boom arm later if I need it. What is the best way to mix lag free monitoring self with pc sounds? I think the ghetto y splitter may work then control mic volume through recording devices. Is the 2i2 worth it then use xlr from mic and rca out to ysplitter from odac?

These are just idead, I'm unsure if they would work or what is best. Is live monitoring necessary? I currently use o2odac from pc, then 3.5 to pyle headset amplifier that splits signal to speakers, headset, and earbuds depending on what I want to use.

Edit: I can't think of a way to add in mic monitoring outside of analog y splitter. Also my headphones are a somewhat hard to drive(t50rp and k612) so I don't think I can use focusrite 2i2 as dac mixer.