*headdesks repeatedly* :-(

[Rath Darkblade]

Ow.

I've been working on further content for my new YouTube channel (watch this space). To that end, I've already recorded seven songs, a short story, and five good speeches. Now, I tried to make a new recording "Georgia on my mind", with backing from a very nice little chamber trio - piano, cello and guitar. Alas, the finished product always ended up sounding bad because the microphone isn't up to the job.

So I junked the project and tried recording "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes", a nice tenor ballad from Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Gondoliers" - which is all about how if men have women for company, then everything is good with the world, blah blah blah. Again..... though I tried my hardest, my microphone was (again) not up for the job. (And before you say anything, I may be a baritone-bass rather than a tenor, but this song is well within my range... but the microphone simply has too much distortion, and drowns out the ends of words. GAH!) *tears his hair out in a bloody rage*

So in the end, I just gave up on this thing. Wonderful. Two hours wasted because my microphone is crap.

Then again, this microphone is designed for gaming, not for recording songs... but still. It's driving me right up the wall. Damn stupid thing... grumble.

Anyway. Thanks for listening. I feel better now.

[Tawmis]

If it's something you're passionate about, have you considered getting an actual mic that will suit your needs?

[Rath Darkblade]

I have, but in the past this thing was good enough because I wasn't recording songs - just spoken word. Also, I have done other songs previously and this mic was always good enough.

Any ideas what kind of mic or specs I should look for, Tawm?

[MusicallyInspired]

If you're going to do it, do it right. Please do not use cheap mics for music. That makes me a sad panda. They are not equipped with the quality hardware that they need and will sound like garbage even if they don't distort.

http://www.bluemic.com/products/yeti/

[Rath Darkblade]

Not to worry! I consulted at the time with my brother-in-law (who happens to be a music teacher, as well as having a recording studio of his own) and he recommended the Røde NT to me. I have one now, and it gives me so much better output for much less effort. Huzzah, hurrah, and so on.

MI, just out of interest... is there much of a difference between the Røde microphones and the Yeti ones? I am (as yet) a relative beginner when it comes to microphones, so I'm wondering. Thanks again!

[JasefWisener]

I've never used the Rode NT but I can attest to how great the Yeti is. It's my go-to for voice outside of work.

[MusicallyInspired]

I actually am not sure because I don't use USB microphones. I use traditional analog XLR phantom powered microphones. But not everyone has an expensive audio interface or the cables required so USB is better for the general user. I picked the Yeti because my sister has one and it sounds great and it's also touted as the best USB mic out there. Whether that's true or not I have no idea.

[Rath Darkblade]

Yikes. I just looked up how much an XLR Yeti would set me back - the average price here in Aussie-land runs between $450 and $600. A USB Yeti is about $150, which is about how much the Rode set me back.

On the other paw, the Rode produces very good sound, even so. I've only had it for about 2 weeks, but I'm quite happy with it. Thanks for your advice!