Recording Equipment Questions ...

[damon]

Hi,

I currently have a M-AUDIO Mobile Pre-Amp, a PowerMac G5, and both a Shure SM57 and SM58 dynamic microphone. I got them because I didn't know better at the time and that was what was recommended. Plus I didn't want to spend too much.

However, I get a lot of hissing (background noise) when I record with them; I have to turn the pre-amp up to at least 75% of full capacity and -- even without the microphones plugged in -- this creates a lot of hissing. The sound quality, however, is really good -- it's just the background noise that is obnoxious (though I stop hearing it after a bit).

Now: I am not sure if the problem is a crappy pre-amp, or crappy microphones, or both. The Shures, I am aware now, are more for recording live -- but my question is whether or not a condensor micorphone (the m-audio has phantom power) would solve the hissing/background noise problem by not requiring me to turn up the gain so high. Could I record at a lower gain and get loud recorded clear audio?

If not, would I be better suited to buy a different amp ? Like the Firebox ?

Just need some general help. Any suggestions (links, where to read up, etc) would be much, much appreciated.

Thanks.

Damon

[ferg]

It's definitely not the mics, unless there's something actually wrong with them. I've done a fair amount of recording with SM57s and SM58s both live and in the (home) studio. They're great mics, and, if anything, my experience podcasting has been they've been less prone to background noise than just about anything I've used, as they are both very directional.

If your Pre-Amp creates a lot of noise with both mics hooked up, that may be the problem. However, it could also be the firewire cable (is that what the mobile pre uses?). You may want to try switching it out or repositioning it (particularly if it crosses power cables) and see if that helps. You can also get some snap-on ferrite interference reducer thingy's (~$2 each). That helped in my case.

As for the condenser mics - I personally think they work better for podcasting and recording vocals in general, but they won't likely help their problem - in fact, they may make it worse. They, in my experience, tend to be more sensitve and less directional than the dynamic mics you're using, and, therefore, more likely to pickup other noises in the room.

I'm currently using a setup whereby I run condensers into a cheap berringer mixer, that then goes into an M-Audio Firewire Solo. With this setup, I get no detectable noise from the setup itself, though, if you turn the volume up, there is a very faint hum of my computer fans in the background (despite my best attempts to insulate it).

Hope this helps.
Ferg

[TINKOFF RADIO]

I went back to my SM58 after using an MXL condenser for a few months - especially for it's ability not to pick up ambient tones. I use the MobilePre USB from M-Audio and have pretty good sound - but I know for a fact this pre-amp chokes with 2 mics. I also use a PreSonus TubePre and a Comp16 Compressor to warm up the sound and push the signal. It's a great tone, without costing a fortune.

You can hear the result on my show BURNING TWENTY.

[Steve Pinder]

Is it a hiss or a humm,....if it is a humm, then it is a grounding issue.

Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com

[damon]

It's more of a hiss than anything. I will try to pull it out and use a different cable and connect it to the font of the Mac without any interference tonight. Maybe it is just a cable problem -- basically, even without the mics hooked in, I get the hiss when I have the gain at 75%. And I need the gain at 75% to get enough input to record a vocal that can get up near where it will clip.

I have to run to work, but I will try seperating it tonight and just use one mic (maybe turn the other channel to 0%).

Let me give it a try. Thanks for all the feedback. I think the SM58 does a nice job too -- very good, quality, sound -- it's just the hissing. Maybe I will put together a quick demo tape so you can hear.

Damon

[Dr. Trey]

Just a little note about the 57's and 58's. These mics are dismissed much too quickly and much too often. If you say its only for live applications, I would then ask why it is that every pro studio has them?

As for your problem, I think as everyone else has said, there is no way the mics are the problem, especially if you're still getting the hiss when the mics aren't plugged in.

[X Pat Radio]

Originally Posted by Dr. Trey

Just a little note about the 57's and 58's. These mics are dismissed much too quickly and much too often. If you say its only for live applications, I would then ask why it is that every pro studio has them?

As for your problem, I think as everyone else has said, there is no way the mics are the problem, especially if you're still getting the hiss when the mics aren't plugged in.

The 2 Mics on the Presidents podium are Shure SM57's

[SFEley]

Originally Posted by damon

I currently have a M-AUDIO Mobile Pre-Amp, a PowerMac G5, and both a Shure SM57 and SM58 dynamic microphone. I got them because I didn't know better at the time and that was what was recommended. Plus I didn't want to spend too much.

I know exactly what you're talking about. Replace the PowerMac with a Mac Mini and you just described my initial podcasting rig. And yes, I had the same problem. The issue is the MobilePre -- it's a fine A/D converter but the preamps are fairly cheap, and noisy with any sort of gain. And yes, you do have to turn the gain way up on an SM57 (or SM58, same mic) in order to get any signal. That's just the nature of a dynamic mic.

My solution was to put another preamp between the mic and the MobilePre. I got an ART Tube MP from EBay for $30, plugged the mic into that, then used an XLR-to-1/4" cable to plug into the line-in on the MobilePre. Then it was just a matter of carefully tweaking the gain on both preamps until I got the right balance. It still didn't sound perfect, but it was a lot better, and I was able to get my money's worth from the MobilePre until I upgraded to a good mixer around Christmastime.

If you're interested in the same solution, and EBay doesn't have good deals right now, I'd be willing to sell you my ART preamp for the price I paid for it plus shipping. Or you can try the other solutions you mentioned: a condenser mic, or a different interface. Good luck!

[SFEley]

Originally Posted by BareFT Podcast

The 2 Mics on the Presidents podium are Shure SM57's

He's another podcaster who should be worrying about content rather than sound quality. >8->

[jeffoest]

Originally Posted by Dr. Trey

Just a little note about the 57's and 58's. These mics are dismissed much too quickly and much too often. If you say its only for live applications, I would then ask why it is that every pro studio has them?

My understanding is that most studio's have them because they are cheap and plentiful and very handy for micing electric guitar amps and snares as well as other odds and ends here and there. Recording vocals in a studio environment? Not so much... That doesn't mean that the 57/58 sounds BAD for studio vocals, it's just that most producers find that there are usually mics (usually condensers) that sounds better for any particular voice.