Need help finding a good vocal microphone.

[Forced Fed]

OK, so some buddies and I rap on the side, more so for fun and as a joke than anything but doesn't mean we don't take it serious. I decided to pick up a pretty basic version of Antares Auto-Tune for more than just sounding like T-Pain.

Now, I am looking for a Vocal Microphone that is plug and play into my computer. I have found a couple good things on eBay and am just wondering what I should look for. Like what stats or specifications of a certain microphone might have over another. I have done a little research but honestly this category isn't my specialty.

Any help would be appreciated!

-The Fed

[Kracka]

Link to any sound clips or videos? Lets hear it!

[Forced Fed]

Originally Posted by Kracka

Link to any sound clips or videos? Lets hear it!

I will post sound clips/videos as soon as we get something more high quality put together. Our next release is gonna be, I'm in love with your sister, instead of I'm in love with a stripper by Mike Jones.

Anyways, here is the mic I found on eBay that is plug and play it is 140 bucks and that is pretty much my limit that I am willing to spend, let me know what you think of it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/OSP-USB-Condense...item2ea45ac4bf

I am gonna look at the mics that you all suggested here in a few minutes, I just woke up.

[twack]

sm58 best well rounded mic ever made and durable as all get out. but if you want studio quality get ready to pay well over $300

[1ViciousGSX]

Originally Posted by twack

sm58 best well rounded mic ever made and durable as all get out. But if you want studio quality get ready to pay well over $300

+1

[HKSenilyks]

I've been making hip-hop music now for about 7 years and about to years back invested in a studio. I have a pretty basic condensor mic, its made by Sterling audio and its called the ST-51. For $100 brand new at guitar center it puts out incredible sound. what kind of computer do you run, do you already have a line mixer/interface

[Forced Fed]

Originally Posted by HKSenilyks

what kind of computer do you run, do you already have a line mixer/interface

Sorry I had missed this originally, but no I don't have a line mixer/interface at least that I'm aware of lol. I'm getting my feet wet for the first time in this whole recording music stuff, maybe I'm getting over my head but I hope not.

I have a DELL Inspiron E1705, bought it back in 2006.

Processor: Intel T2500 2.0GHz Core Duo
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Calistoga i945GM/PM
Hard Drive: 100GB 7200RPM SATA (Hitachi TraveStar)
Memory/RAM: 1GB (1,024MB) Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (667MHz)
Graphics: nVidia GeForce Go 7800 256MB

[HKSenilyks]

Originally Posted by twack

sm58 best well rounded mic ever made and durable as all get out. but if you want studio quality get ready to pay well over $300

while the SM-58 style mics are good their mainly made for live production, and they usually run about 80-100 dollars new, so for about the same price you can buy a lower end condenser and have a way better quality

[tpunx99GSX]

Who is T-Pain?

[Forced Fed]

Originally Posted by tpunx99GSX

Who is T-Pain?

Sorry I meant T-Payne I think, not sure how he spells it.

[HKSenilyks]

Your ebay special mic is a decent condenser, but your always going to loose sound quality if your going right into usb

[tpunx99GSX]

Originally Posted by Forced Fed

Sorry I meant T-Payne I think, not sure how he spells it.

ok... who is T-Payne?

[Matt D.]

I say head to Guitar Center and see what they have to offer. Most everyone there is pretty knowledgeable about stuff.

[Forced Fed]

Alright, thanks for the input guys! Looks like I will head to guitar center and see what they have to offer. I will definitely keep the SM-58 and ST-51 in the back of my mind.

[tpunx99GSX]

NM just youtubed it. I really hate that style of Hip Hop. Makes them sound like pussies.

[Forced Fed]

So I got my Auto-Tune and I guess I need an iLok?

Anyone tell me what the purpose of this is? Is this just for security purposes?

[tpunx99GSX]

Originally Posted by Forced Fed

So I got my Auto-Tune and I guess I need an iLok?

Anyone tell me what the purpose of this is? Is this just for security purposes?

USB Keys (ilok) are usually for licensing purposes. They should always come with the product. I would talk to the guy you bought it from. Suppose otherwise you could check the hacking sites such as Astalavista and may have a a crack for the software.

[Forced Fed]

Originally Posted by tpunx99GSX

USB Keys (ilok) are usually for licensing purposes. They should always come with the product. I would talk to the guy you bought it from. Suppose otherwise you could check the hacking sites such as Astalavista and may have a a crack for the software.

Thanks Tpunx, I will be making a phone call tomorrow. I don't actually have anything physical like a box or anything from the purchase. I received everything through email like the Serial Number and Activation Key. When I downloaded Auto-Tune EFX from Antares site and went to activate it it stated that I needed an iLok so I didn't go any further until I learned more.

[At-Least-It's-An-Evo]

I've had experience with this basic condensor mic. It's not bad. We recorded with Pro-Tools and with Garageband and it came through clearly. (we didn't use the USB one though-you can buy the non-usb version and hook it up to some small M-Audio Fast Track or Mbox and have a decent recording though)-nothing studio like,but enough to get demos and stuff tracked.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/MXL-MXL-...35-i1177542.gc

It's not the fanciest nicest thing like the upper end ones, but then again, it dosn't sound like you have a nice studio with equally nice equipment.

And are you wanting that Auto-Tuned T-Pain style or were you meaning you wanted to stay away from it? Because there is another program that is suppose to be smoother at the transistions of 'auto-tuning' called... Melodyne

[Forced Fed]

Thanks, good useful information At-Least-It's-An-Evo!

Basically, we do want the T-Payne style sound, but it doesn't mean that is all I want the Auto-Tune software for since we will make a lot more music without that type of sound.

I guess I should of maybe done a little more research than I did before purchasing Auto-Tune, which is uncharacteristic of me, but I was excited. However it is too late and luckily for me it only set me back $90. So I am hoping this software will help us record just in general without only sounding like Cher - Do You Believe In Love.