XLR mic setup questions and comparison

[Syntaxvgm]

I usually avoid audio at all costs. 

 

 

But I want either a base at2020

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK

 

An at2020USB plus 

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020USB-PLUS-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00B5ZX9FM

 

And an at 2035

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2035-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00D6RMFG6

 

So I really need to live monitor my audio through my headphones, no latency/loopbacks from the pc. 

How would I go about splitting an xlr output from the mic for live monitoring? 

I do have a nice volume control mounted under my desk (restive, just a potentiometer that lowers volume, not an amp) that I could do it through. is this practical to adapt without like a mixer or something? Or should I just get the USB at2020 with the 3.5mm jack and volume wheel? 

[zwunder]

First off, to get XLR into your computer you'll need a preamp. I recommend something like this or something else from Scarlet. All of them have live audio output. In addition, the benefit of this is that you'll get a higher quality sound out of your microphone, and you'll also have the ability to change mics in the future if you don't like the one you have.

I would also recommend the AT2035 bundle you have linked.

[ShearMe]

Or should I just get the USB at2020 with the 3.5mm jack and volume wheel? 

 

Yes. That really is the easiest way.

[zwunder]

Yes. That really is the easiest way.

The easiest, but the least upgrade-able and with the lowest quality.

[Syntaxvgm]

First off, to get XLR into your computer you'll need a preamp. I recommend something like this or something else from Scarlet. All of them have live audio output. In addition, the benefit of this is that you'll get a higher quality sound out of your microphone, and you'll also have the ability to change mics in the future if you don't like the one you have.

I would also recommend the AT2035 bundle you have linked.

thanks. 200$ for the mic and the preamp is more than I'm looking to spend once you factor in pop filter and shock mount. 

Honestly, USB will work fine for me. I'm not looking to record anything other than me talking. Eventually, I do want to spend the money to get the kind of audio setup I want, but seeing I just spent only 50$ on sony v6's as my main headphones, I really don't think I should spend 250$ on a mic setup just yet. 

[Syntaxvgm]

The easiest, but the least upgrade-able and with the lowest quality.

 

 

I've been using a Scarlett 2i2 for a couple of years now. It features two XLR inputs with separate gain controls, phantom power, direct monitor, line output with separate volume control and a headphone jack with separate volume control.

 

So far my only complaint is that sometimes I've had driver issues. Otherwise I could not be happier.

how much of a difference does it make? Does usb really degrade the quality that much? 

[William5849]

On my setup, I use the 2035 set you have there and a rode mic holder with a Focusrite USB Audio Interface. I monitor audio from the focusrite.

[xtasemusic]

Get the Scarlett studio, Great Microphone, great pre-amp and not too bad pair of headphones all in the same package and its pretty inexpensive. to give you an idea, I have a scarlett 18i8 as a pre amp, blue bluebird and a reactor microphone , also an akg 220. fair collection of headphones and a 550/551 microphone bundle , out of all that , what mic do i use the most ?  the one in the scarlett package ( I smoke hookah so i dont want the dust to be trapped on my other microphones. ) I do use the scarlett 18i8 more than the 2i2 that comes with the scarlett studio package but only because I have external instruments. But the Pre amp inside is the exact same. So to repeat: SCARLETT STUDIO MAN ! then you can even upgrade the mic and keep that focusrite quality pre amp. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-Studio-USB-Audio-Interface-Recording-Package-/141737594485?hash=item2100380e75

[xtasemusic]

how much of a difference does it make? Does usb really degrade the quality that much? 

Everything goes through USB , the quality of the sound depends 2/3 on the pre amp 1/3 on the microphone. You could be fine with USB but the non upgradability can cause you some issues IE always having to have the headphones plugged in to the microphone itself. it ruins the aestethics if you ever consider streaming and volume control is on the unit so changing volume of the headphones while recording is going to be annoying. just my 2 cents.

[Syntaxvgm]

Get the Scarlett studio, Great Microphone, great pre-amp and not too bad pair of headphones all in the same package and its pretty inexpensive. to give you an idea, I have a scarlett 18i8 as a pre amp, blue bluebird and a reactor microphone , also an akg 220. fair collection of headphones and a 550/551 microphone bundle , out of all that , what mic do i use the most ?  the one in the scarlett package ( I smoke hookah so i dont want the dust to be trapped on my other microphones. ) I do use the scarlett 18i8 more than the 2i2 that comes with the scarlett studio package but only because I have external instruments. But the Pre amp inside is the exact same. So to repeat: SCARLETT STUDIO MAN ! then you can even upgrade the mic and keep that focusrite quality pre amp. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-Studio-USB-Audio-Interface-Recording-Package-/141737594485?hash=item2100380e75

see the thing is I don't ever see myself upgrading this mic if I'm satisfied with it other than some sound dampening. It's just for, well talking. My voice ain't pretty, and I just don't see the point in investing in something that, while it would make a lot of sense if I would grow in to better mics, but not a lot of sense if I won't? Maybe?

Everything goes through USB , the quality of the sound depends 2/3 on the pre amp 1/3 on the microphone. You could be fine with USB but the non upgradability can cause you some issues IE always having to have the headphones plugged in to the microphone itself. it ruins the aestethics if you ever consider streaming and volume control is on the unit so changing volume of the headphones while recording is going to be annoying. just my 2 cents.

I have a separate volume wheel for my headphones to keep me from touching it if need be.

[xtasemusic]

Ohh , and here is an example of how the MIC in the scarlett studio sounds. im telling you , its crisp and great for audio.

[Syntaxvgm]

Ohh , and here is an example of how the MIC in the scarlett studio sounds. im telling you , its crisp and great for audio.

what did I just watch...

[Syntaxvgm]

Also I would like to add that the boom arm stand bundled on the third option is a very nice thing to have.

 

Whatever microphone you end up getting, you should definitely get one of those boom arms. But you should really have a shock mount holder for the microphone if you use one of those. Especially if you use a condenser microphone.

 

If you're short on cash and like DIY, you could always make one of those from old desktop lamp parts which are essentially the same. You just need more springs to hold the heavy microphone up. I made one myself using two identical lamps and it has been working really great.

the third one doesn't have a boom arm, just a deceiving picture. I will be getting a boom arm.

[xtasemusic]

what did I just watch...

hahahaaha , its my entry for the ultrawide competition that linus and LG started, but its to show you how crisp the sound is microphone wise. it was recorded with the Scarlett studio pre packaged microphone.

[ShearMe]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the quality of the preamp built into a USB microphone.

 

Any quality gains from a mic running through an audio interface are due to the ability to control more aspects of the signal. Setting the gain properly is easy on an interface, but can be difficult or impossible on a USB mic. 

[Syntaxvgm]

I think the best setup for you would be the Audio-Technica USB mic, boom arm, pop filter and a shock mount. If you are willing to pay that much. The mic is on sale though so it is very tempting.

 

The only problem is that you wouldn't be able to use the live monitor feature if you don't want to plug your headphones into the microphone. Which sounds stupid to me anyways because I would imagine a free dangling cord would add some noise that the very sensitive microphone would pick up. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

well I did just buy the USB one. it's convenient, and I don't want to spend another 150$ on top of it for the pre amp. I will one day, but for now this will be great, and maybe by then I'll take the time to learn audio equipment. At all.

Got a shcck mount for the included stand, no boom arm yet, I'm kind of planning to use this on the go for a bit, and my home setup is in turmoil, ill get an arm when I decide...well where I'm mounting it.

Anyway got a pop filter too, and picked up a c920 webcam for 49$ on a sale that ends in an hour, cause, why not make wonderful sky calls and have a great video thumbnail. All that for 216$, think like 230 with tax. I see where the preamp would benefit, but the point of this thread was me, being an audio equipment noob, wanting a mic setup, wondering how practical price-wise the xlr options were compared to just getting the usb one.

I really don't plan to do any more than , well the equivalent of twitch.( I will be doing twitch, just on a audio-geek friend's recording setup) so I really don't see the need for that right now when I can use things like a new desk chair that supports someone that's 6'2" and doesn't break in 3 months (squeak!).

The audio passthrough, i'll run a 3.5mm extension cable coupled with an inline volume control, already have both. At home, there's nothing zip ties can't fix once I get a boom.

Anyway it seemed like a better deal to me. Don't get me wrong, I see the value of what you are saying, but for me right now, I'd feel like I wasted money.

[Syntaxvgm]

Awesome, hope you get your setup working nicely!

It will make a nice setup I can throw in my laptop bag if i need to. Thanks for the help, sorry I didn't go with what was suggested.