Getting a Mic?

I'm not really sure if there's a similar post(I apologize if there is) but I didn't really see one so I guess I'll go ahead and ask. I might get a new Mic one of these days and I'm not really sure what to get. I've seen a few people recommend the Audio-Technica AT2020 or maybe a Blue Snowball but I'm still a bit unsure of what to pick based on reading some of the customer reviews on the site that sells them. I want to ask you guys who have personal recording experience. What type of mics do you use/recommend? Thanks.

I have to say I'm quite content with the Blue Snowball. It's easy to use when working with Audacity and it's pretty clear. My only advice is that if you use a Windows 7 or Vista computer, make sure you buy the Blue Snowball from either the Blue website or an apple store. I got mine from Amazon and it was an old version (thus doesn't work on Windows 7 unless you have Windows 7 Ultimate and get XP mode (which is what I have now)).

Ah I see thank you! I will wait for a few more suggestions before I decide but if I were to get the Blue Snowball, which of the three settings would you recommend for recording songs??

I use a very cheap mic that I picked up at a music / technical shop. If you go to one of these shops the keeper or assistant should be able to help you find a mic at a decent quality and for a good price. All you have to say is that you need it for vocal recording. The microphone that I have cost only £10 and the quality is great for a mic of that price.

It honestly depends what kind of price range you're within. The mic that I got was a HQ-MIC20 [a VERY unknown] and I had to buy a stand for it [mini one cost £15 and it is a perfect height when placed on a bedside table. You can make it taller or shorter, too].

Try doing a Google search for some good stores or look on Amazon.

Well I've got a logitech desktop microphone and it was only £12.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/webcam-communications/microphones/devices/258

For £12 It works quite well and records quite clearly and is very easy to use. :3

Ah I see, thanks everyone ^-^. I'm kind of looking for something that would produce quite a professional sound. I currently own a logitech desktop mic but it doesn't exactly come out with that professional quality that I like. As long as its not too pricey, I'd be willing to look at it. Like maybe under 150 or so?

Okay, the best studio vocal microphones that a lot of dubbers use are the following, and they are for a pretty cheap price:

-Samson C01U Studio Condenser Microphone
-Samson Q2U Studio Microphone
-Blue Snowball Microphone

(I currently own the Q2U and it sounds pretty good~)

I have a huuuuuuuge problem when mixing people with Blue Snowballs in that the mic tends to make them sound so hollow. It's really difficult to mix and that's not only based on my own experience in Vocamania (we had 3 people with Blue Snowballs), but on the opinions of some people I know. Another friend of mine who happens to also be a good mixer dislikes the mic as much as I do.

Audio-Technica AT2020 is always a safe bet for any beginner. Samson C01U is cheaper but I've read that it's also more difficult to mix. Many of the reviews I found from people with experience of both mics say that it's worth paying more for the AT2020 rather than going for the Samson because the recording quality is better.

Hope this helps~~

Ah thanks so much! What are you guys' opinion on the Blue Yeti? I've heard that that mic is pretty decent as well. Although, I AM really leaning towards the Audio-Technica AT2020

I've heard pretty good reviews for the Blue Yeti as well. The downside is just the weight of the thing. Really big = really heavy and it's made of metal. One of the upsides of the Yeti is that it has 4 different settings to choose from to use for recording, meaning that it's flexible for recording instruments and a group of people singing, but then again, you can also record instruments using the AT2020.
Problem with the Yeti is that you might be paying extra for functions you don't really use.

Here are some posts on Amazon comparing the two.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Yetl-Audio-Technical-AT2020/forum/Fx3GAMK7Q82WQNH/Tx3FCJLFLTOI0DS/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B002VA464S
I think many are mostly leaning towards the AT2020 for vocal work and the Yeti for its versatility.

Well thanks for clearing that up! Also, I'm a bit curious. Do you know if you can mute the AT2020? Or like in a way turn it off while it's still plugged in?

Hmmm... as far as I know, there's no mute button on the microphone, nor an on/off switch. I'm not sure whether the included software will enable you you to bring the recording level down tho. If you want to turn it off, you may have to unplug it but only do so once you've exited all programs that are making use of it just to be on the safe side so that nothing goes wrong with your mic and your PC. ouo

Oh, I see. Well thank you so much!

A bit late, but I have a yeti and I highly recommend it, the quality is really good! The microphone also has a mute button right on the front and it also has an extremely handy gain control knob that allows you to raise or lower the input volume for easy recording. It's a little rough since I'm adjusting some of the timing and one sketch run, but here's an example of the yeti's quality if you're interested:

1925 (Test Version)

Oh wow the quality sounds great, great cover! Is this how the mic sounds like before editing or after?

It does have a bit of editing, but only noise removal and a really tiny bit of reverb. The quality is good enough on it's own but i'm kind of a mixing junkie and like to throw things in

Edit: I'd say the only thing about the yeti is that it's a very strong mic and can pick up puffs a bit easily so either be careful how you record, edit them out or possibly either buy or make a pop filter.

Ah, thank you so much!