Hey guys, I'm so excited!!! I went to Guitar Center last night and bought 2 microphones and an audio interface so I can hear my vocals when I'm recording them. Here is the front and back view:


I think I'm in love.

I got the MXL 990 and 991 for $100! I also bought a good xlr cable, a shock mount and pop screen.


I got out of there for only $338.
Now all I need are those spiffy headphones that Otan is always braggin about.

Way to GO! I bet you're going to be posting a song a day with the subject "OH THIS SOUNDS SO MUCH BETTER!"

About those headphones... The $65 jobbies - they're bottom heavy and the sponges on the ear parts get really uncomfortable after about three hours. So, I'm still looking. And while I still support the Koss Pro-35's, they re-designed them so that they dont fit my big jar-head now, so, I'm totally bummed.

EDIT: On second thought about the bottom-heavy comment - I burned a CD of my recent stuff and played it in the car, and holy mother, it's WAY bottom heavy, so, maybe those Pro-35's have been masking the bass all this time. Always check your shit through three different sources folks...

Hey - have you tried out the mics yet? Did you make sure to get a phantom power source for the big mic? Or does it not require phantom power? Deets!! deets!!

SECOND EDIT: THE OBLIGATORY VINA THREAD EMOTICON:
<--- WTF?
[Edited 9/9/04 10:35am]

Damn, I think I might just stick to what I have for headphones... the ones on my walkman seem to be pretty flat...

Well... we set it all up when we got home. I was sooooo paranoid it wasn't going to do what I needed and it was going to be a big headache and I wasn't up for that kind of disapointment after a long day. We tested the 990 and it worked with midi and wave files! That little box records the vocal, how I have no idea, but I select that as the input instead of my ISIS soundcard. As long as it fucking works, I don't care! I get my music in one ear and my voice in the other and I can adjust the levels. I'm fricken ECSTATIC!!! It's like this box was made for me. I'm so in love!

I have to play with the settings a bit more, because the mic is so sensitive, it was picking up a little bit of the music from my headphones. If I do just use my walkman heaphones I can cover the ear up where the music is playing and maybe block it more. Look at the pic again, phantom power is there! And that emoticon is appropriate because I'll be making sweet love to my new toys. I found this review on musician's friend and thought it was funny.

Pretty amazing
Features: 10
Quality: 8
Value: 10
Overall: 8
Netti from Maryland/DC, USA
Experience: I own it
Background: CEO, Artist
Style of Music: Urban [R&B, Hip Hop]
Aug 27, 2004 - I didn't exactly expect it to take in my voice exactly as it is because other microphones didn't do so (due to poor quality), but for the price this microphone is amazing with its clarity, warmth, and even how stylish it is. It's absolutely sexy with the shockmount on. For the price, you get more than what you've paid for.


I agree.

Congrats Vina, I can't wait to hear your voice through those mic's, it's gonna be a whole new world for you. Then with your kickass mixing skills in Cakewalk, I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl to hear it.

I just picked up an American Telecaster () a few weeks ago and it's the best feeling guitar I've ever owned. I played it every waking hour until I had to start working on plumbing issues ovver the holiday weekend.
mine's black

Ever see that movie "The Money Pit" with Shelly Long and Tom Hanks? I'm living it and I'm getting pissed that it's taqking away from my new git fiddle.

I digress, Congrats!

As far as headphones go, I follwed Otans advice (as usual) and I listen to things in the car (with a sub woofer) and in a boom box, then I know how the headphones are actually working. The Koss ones' are just kickass and I haven't found it being bass heavy or anything, just perfect.

headphone edit
[Edited 9/9/04 12:31pm]

There seems 2 be a button 4 Phantom power on the unit.
does this mean U're discarding your ISIS card Vina?

I should get a new card anyhow but dough is T.I.G.H.T!!!!

The MXL series arte great! I'm so pleased!

'dre

DreZone said:

Nope! I'm just now using this to record my vocals only. The ISIS still works good for everything else. I just couldn't monitor my vocals through the ISIS because of latency. I've got Windows 98 and only 600mHz. I'll upgrade to a super computer by the end of the year, and then get things like Cubase and VSTs.

Oh SHIT! Did I mention that the MobilePre came with Reason?!?! It's an adapted version, but still. WoooooHOO!

Thank you all for sharing my joy!

Slave2daGroove said:

Thanks for the compliment! Good luck with the Money Pit.

I...REALLY...NEED...TO...HAVE...THAT...TOO!!!

Congratulations, Vina, let us hear some new stuff soon!

funkaholic1972 said:

I'm really excited about exploring Reason.

I'm gonna get a super computer like yours by the end of the year.

That's great Vina.Upgrading your gears can B really uplifting &
inspirational.I'm glad that it made it easier 4 U 2 create.
/peace Manki

Hey cool stuff Vina! A step up is a step up! Your gonna be able to expand into so many more options with composition and speed of recording . Very happy 4 U. Ya sound excited as heck. Tell us when you've got something down, (i'm sure you will !)

Can't wait to hear some of the stuff you do with the new equipment. Reason is really cool and intuitive once you learn the basics. I've been using it now for about 4 months and it has really fueled some creative moments!

Manki Flux Hey Sinned7, I'm gonna check your tunes out soon!

So I got aquainted with my new mic over the weekend. With my other mic, I used to have to boost the eq in the mids and highs and now with this one it almost sounds too tinny! The guy at Guitar Center told me to place some egg cartons or similar material behind the mic so it would bounce back the sound and be warmer. I'll try that.

Anybody got mic placing techniques? I'm guessing since this mic is so sensitive it's really important. (Recording class was sooooo long ago...) So I was in the corner of my room, next to the computer and tape deck. Maybe that made it tinny? I'm gonna try a take in the middle of the room.

VinaBlue said:

That was a great choice, Vina. I love the M-Audio sound cards. They sound good and the price is right!
I don't know their mic's, but when you give us your new recordings, I'll be able to tell if I'd buy one too or not.
Right now I'm the manager of the studio I work in, so I can use the best equipment in the world, but I still would like to have my own stuff, so I won't depends on the studio.

Hey Vina!

I got that mic recently too. For the price it is soo much better on vox than my SM57 (obviously).

Hope all is well.

Chaz

chaz said:

Hey Chaz! Been a while, huh? Good to see you.

Heavenly said:

I didn't even realize this was a sound card!!! I just told the guy what I had to work with and what I wanted to do and he suggested this little box. Damn, I was working with 4 year old technology, so this is a step up. It's only gonna get better from here on out.


The product reviews on the mic are pretty good: http://www.musiciansfrien...56/rpp=10/

Hey Vina!

Its been awhile, how are you doing?
Can't wait to hear what you come up with!




Jshua