[davecom]

If I want to decently record singing (vocals) through a microphone onto my computer, what do I need as far as the microphone setup goes?

[analogika]

The "search" button at the top of the forum page.

You'll probably need some sort of audio interface as well, if your machine doesn't have an audio input (you helpfully fail to specify WHICH computer, which OS, AND the budget, which can range from $150 to $15,000).

"Search" and ye will find all your answers.

[loki74]

yeah search is a good idea. Musicians friend will probably have all your needs. I have had some pretty good experiences purchasing from them, and they've got a good price to boot. If you look in the mics section that is a good place to find answers.

Keep in mind, if you use an active mic, it will either need batteries or phantom power. If it needs phantom you will probably need to get something that can provide phantom power... doubtful the "mic in" on your souncard does. Also, chances are it will not use a minijack, probably either a normal jack or XLR... in which case you will need to adapt the signal...(both phantom power and jack format bring us back to the audio interface analogika mentioned...)

well, good luck.

[mojo2]

One of the things you MAY want to use as a search phrase is, "Podcasting Gear"

Briefly (and not very expertly) I can say you'll need:

A condenser mic and stand with pop filter $100 + (up to $5,000 or even more maybe)

Maybe 20 ft of shielded (balanced) xlr cable $20

A mixer which supplies your mic the phantom power it needs and that you can use to monitor the recording before the sound goes into the computer and adjust the sound to match your desired result (treble-midrange-bass & effects if any) and then send your signal into your computer. I use an Alesis MultiMix8 mixer w/USB interface because it does all of the above and is pretty inexpensive. Between $100-150 for the mixer.

Some cable to go from your mixer into your usb port

A set of headphones (in addition to the speakers you may already have or would need to get; "monitors," they'd be called) $50 - $150 headphones.

A recording program. When your voice goes into the mic and thru the mixer into the computer it must have a program that will actually record your voice. Some people use Garageband. It's got too steep a learning curve for me. I'm not a musician. I want to read no more than a page or two of instruction then push a button and have the thing impress me by doing what I'm THINKING it should do for me. With THAT kind of ease and performance I recommend Ambrosia Software's Wire Tap Pro. It will record ANY audio that comes into your computer from any source and it sounds great and it's really affordable like $20 or $25 or something. And, BTW, the president of the company posts here.

Audacity is a good and FREE audio editing program that will enable you to shape the performance and give you a different sound than what went into the mic.

I have never used a compressor so I can't advise you one way or the other on this, but they say it adds a desired degree of punch to vocals. Once again I can't speak to that because my knowledge is elementary compared to the complexity that the subject (apparently) requires. Whenever I try reading about this stuff I feel I'm getting into a college engineering course...the LAST thing I want!

Yeah, try googling podcasting equipment and check out podcastrigs.com.

If you want to check out a method whereby you can use your recording set up to record phone interviews or if you want to do it the easy way and use your phone (no cells) to record interviews, go here and you'll be amazed at how inexpensive this is and how powerful it is!

There's a 30 day free trial, too!

http://admiral3.audioacrobat.com

[mojo2]

ooops