mic & preamp

[yas‮]

Okay, so I'm in a band. As I always used some cheapo microphones, now a need a good one. Can you guys give me some suggestions about buying a good mic and a preamp? I've got about 400$ to spend on these, yet I want to make it cheapest it can get, while maintaining quality.

As for the mic, i'm aiming for Shure SM 58 SE. Is it any good?

[megadokyo]

I went for a shure, but then i found that audiotechnica ATM410 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Mic is simply superb.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/cd45922e09b78f2c/index.html

I mean, of course for a long time Shure SM 58 SE has been THE standard for so many parts of the music industry, but this microphone is slowly replacing it, and i really do highly recommend it, they're both good, but the quality of this one is great. And not just for live performances, but for recording as well! I recorded saxophone and vocals and they sounded amazing with this mic.

As for a pre amp, i know nothing of those unfortunetely, so hopefully somebody else can chime in on that one.

[Jack Lupino]

Well as for a preamp, you just need a mixer really, try one of berhinger wich comes with exellent effects like echo and such, always a little echo to add warmness to the tone.

[yas‮]

Ok, so I'll go for the ATM410, as you say.
As for the preamp or mixer, I need it for live performances in cheap venues without their own mixers, to bump up the mic gain and probably give put it through some equalizing.

[Lysix]

buying a mixer/preamp shouldn't be too hard. there are lots of budget ones on the internet, and plenty of websites will point you in the right direction.
dont use a condenser mic when you're gigging, though!  not sure if you were planning to, but just in case xD

[yas‮]

Thank you Captain Obvious.

[Lysix]

Somebody i knew once argued that a condenser mic at a metal gig was a good idea. I decided from then on i had to state the obvious.

[Jack Lupino]

Somebody i knew once argued that a condenser mic at a metal gig was a good idea. I decided from then on i had to state the obvious.

Rather than kick him in the nostril and forget about it :]

[yas‮]

Went for the Audio Technica ATM410 and Behringer XENYX 1002 FX. Thanks, guys.

[megadokyo]

Good luck man

[Lysix]

So how does that preamp connect to a computer, say?

[yas‮]

Line out through cinch -> mini-jack converter and into the soundcard's line-in, I guess.

[Lysix]

Is there no USB/Firewire method?

[yas‮]

Nah, this one probably doesn't have usb, but the higher xenyx models certainly do.

[Lysix]

BUMP.
As i've come into a fair amount of money, i've decided i shall copy old yasiekekeke here and up the anti.
I think i'll purchase the shure mic mentioned here (id rather have a condenser, though), but does anybody know of a good mic preamp type thing similar to the one yaiekekek purchased?  I've had my eye on the XENYX 1204FX, as it comes with a USB audio interface. But couldnt i just buy a low end mixer and buy the usb interface seperate? Or would that not work?

i purchased the same board as yasiek did, as well as a USB audio interface of the same brand. i bought two sets of rca cables to connect it from mixer to usb, so thats all the connections sorted.
when i get paid this friday, ill be purchasing a microphone. any tips on a good condenser mic? just something that can record vocals well and capture acoustic sounds like a guitar occasionally.