USB Mics

[coldwaternights]

So, i'm looking for suggestions.


Actually, i've narrowed it down to a few:


Apogee MiC
Blue Yeti Pro
Blue Spark Digital



Now, the Spark Digital hasn't come out yet, but a rep with Blue said that between the Spark Digital and the Yeti Pro, he recommended the Spark Digital since it will be used for vocals and acoustic/electric guitars.

Unfortunately, the Spark Digital isn't out yet and there's no release date.

Anyone have any experience with the Yeti Pro or Apogee MiC?
I need a great sounding, quality USB mic for the time being.
Currently im not able to use my xlr mic and apogee duet.

Any feedback is apprecated.
Thanks!

[jb4674]

What are you going to use it for?

[coldwaternights]

recording acoustic guitars.
some vocals.
mostly electric guitars though.

[shawntp]

Apogee Mic is awesome, I unloaded a lot of recording gear and just use the Mic and my ipad now. It works ok for m3 3-watt Carr Raleigh Cabinet (clean or dirty). A condenser isn't the first choice for electric guitar unless its a sparse mix or solo electric. If you have many electric tracks or high gain over a few tracks you really will probably be better off with a dynamic mic that gets the bite and has a more focused sound. A single condenser on a cabinet can work though - it all depends what you are going for.

[jb4674]

You can get a Shure SM57 with a USB adapter ;)

[coldwaternights]

Apogee Mic is awesome, I unloaded a lot of recording gear and just use the Mic and my ipad now. It works ok for m3 3-watt Carr Raleigh Cabinet (clean or dirty). A condenser isn't the first choice for electric guitar unless its a sparse mix or solo electric. If you have many electric tracks or high gain over a few tracks you really will probably be better off with a dynamic mic that gets the bite and has a more focused sound. A single condenser on a cabinet can work though - it all depends what you are going for.


aside from acoustic playing, i'll be using it for mostly clean ambient electric guitar playing as well as some fingerpicking.
and also some medium gain tones.
i've heard the apogee MiC is good but that the converters aren't great, they arent 24 bit or something like the Yeti Pro for example.
and im waiting for the specs on the Blue Spark Digital.
i'm not sure what to do. Whaddya guys think?

[coldwaternights]

anyone else?



any help/advice is much appreciated.
i really need to figure out which usb mic is best for my needs.

thanks!

[misa]

Mind if I ask why you can't use your Apogee Duet?

I think jb4674 makes a good point about just getting a USB adapter, especially if you already have an XLR mic. It will give you much more flexibility and a better upgrade path if you start getting nicer mics or mic pre-amps in the future.

[shawntp]

The Apogee Mic is 44.1/48 kHz, 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion

They Yeti Pro is 192 kHz, 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion

Both are higher than CD Quality. The A/D conversion is not linear and directly reflected by specs. The main advantage of 192 is really to give you the incredibly high resolution when you are making decisions during sound production. I dont think that level of detail is really necessary for a $200 condenser.

A better mic/room & treatment/technique at a lower resolution is going to sound better lightyears than a worse mic or environment with issues.

Personally I just happened to like Apogee mic sounded on my voice. It was a little colored and just fit nicely for demos. The Mic has the same converters as the Apogee One.

[coldwaternights]

Mind if I ask why you can't use your Apogee Duet?

I think jb4674 makes a good point about just getting a USB adapter, especially if you already have an XLR mic. It will give you much more flexibility and a better upgrade path if you start getting nicer mics or mic pre-amps in the future.


thanks for the advice.
i'll look into USB adapters...........to be honest, i never knew about them, lol. I'm no recording expert obviously.
I can't use my Duet right now because im in between places and dont have a place to use it and get cables and mics all sorted out and set up.

[coldwaternights]

The Apogee Mic is 44.1/48 kHz, 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion

They Yeti Pro is 192 kHz, 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion

Both are higher than CD Quality. The A/D conversion is not linear and directly reflected by specs. The main advantage of 192 is really to give you the incredibly high resolution when you are making decisions during sound production. I dont think that level of detail is really necessary for a $200 condenser.

A better mic/room & treatment/technique at a lower resolution is going to sound better lightyears than a worse mic or environment with issues.

Personally I just happened to like Apogee mic sounded on my voice. It was a little colored and just fit nicely for demos. The Mic has the same converters as the Apogee One.

How do you think the Apogee MiC will sound with my acoustic and micing my amp?
So, you think that having a USB mic that's 192khz is unnecessary?
Also, what does this mean exactly? "The A/D conversion is not linear and directly reflected by specs".
i just want the best quality i can get.
do you think an xlr mic through a usb converter would be better than even the best usb mic?

oh and one last thing: to those that are recommending a usb converter..........has anyone used the Blue Icicle? I've read mixed reviews.

thanks to everyone for their suggestions. :)