Q. What accessories do I need with my Vocal Microphone?

Which other accessories, like preamps, might I need and which would you recommend? I'm just a beginner so far, so please excuse my ignorance at this stage.

Igor Kowalski

Reviews Editor Matt Houghton replies: For vocals, your best bet will usually be a large-diaphragm condenser mic, and companies such as Rode, MXL, SE Electronics, Audio-Technica and AKG (there are too many to list them all here) will offer suitable mics in your price range. When you're buying, if you can, it is worth trying out a few different mics with the vocalist you wish to record (if this is not yourself), as different mics will suit certain vocal types better than others.

If your computer's soundcard only has line inputs, you'll need a microphone preamp with a line output to get a usable signal from your mic into your DAW. Traditionally, a setup consisting of a separate mic and preamp, such as the one on the left, which includes a Rode NT1A large-diaphragm condenser mic and Joemeek Three Q preamp, would be used. More recently, however, a number of USB mics that connect directly to the computer have come onto the market, from the likes of SE, Samson, MXL and Rode. These remove the need for a separate preamp and are generally cheaper than a separate mic and preamp, although many still prefer the added flexibility and option to upgrade that the traditional setup offers. If your computer's soundcard only has line inputs, you'll need a microphone preamp with a line output to get a usable signal from your mic into your DAW. Traditionally, a setup consisting of a separate mic and preamp, such as the one on the left, which includes a Rode NT1A large-diaphragm condenser mic and Joemeek Three Q preamp, would be used. More recently, however, a number of USB mics that connect directly to the computer have come onto the market, from the likes of SE, Samson, MXL and Rode. These remove the need for a separate preamp and are generally cheaper than a separate mic and preamp, although many still prefer the added flexibility and option to upgrade that the traditional setup offers.

Most condenser microphones will usually need to connect to an XLR input that supplies 48V phantom power. I'm not familiar with your particular choice of soundcard, but if it does not offer these, you'll need a microphone preamp that does. You can then connect this to the line (or possibly digital, depending on the model of preamp and soundcard) inputs of your soundcard. Something like the Joemeek Three Q should do the trick nicely, and it includes a compressor and an EQ as a nice bonus. Again, there are plenty of alternatives, so it is worth reading SOS reviews and having a look on our web forum to find out more (www.soundonsound.com/forum).

One alternative option for the mic, if you'd like to keep things simple, is to purchase one that can connect directly to your computer via USB (effectively bypassing your soundcard). For more information on USB microphones, check out our article in SOS February 2007 (and on-line at www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb07/articles/usbmics.htm).

In terms of accessories, you need to think about controlling the sound that goes into the mic. No matter how good your vocal technique, you should use a pop shield to protect the mic from powerful plosives (mainly 'b' and 'p' sounds). It's also worth choosing a microphone with a shockmount, as this will reduce the amount of physical noise transmission from the mic stand to the mic. Don't forget that you need to hear what is playing back from your computer, and buying a good pair of headphones is always money well spent. Look for the closed-back type for this, as they will reduce the amount of sound that is leaked into the mic.

Finally, you might want to think about acoustics in the room you are recording in. Most domestic rooms will colour the sound you record in an undesirable way. Ideally you want to capture a dry sound: one without the sound of the reflections in the room.

People use products such as acoustic tiles, or the SE Reflexion Filter (reviewed in SOS June 2006) to reduce these reflections, but as you are starting out, you can try hanging duvet behind you as you sing. This will stop at least some of the unwanted reflections reaching the mic. 

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