Reddit reviews Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone Bundle with Pop Filter with 2 Layered Mesh and 10-foot XLR Cable

I use this mic for any vocals I do and I get pretty decent results for a bedroom. You can find cheaper mics than that, but make sure you get a large diaphragm condenser mic and make sure its XLR, not USB. It doesn't come with a mic stand. I learned that the hard way

You'll need an audio interface as well. That's probably the cheapest interface that's worth getting as well from what I hear.

About $250 or so for a cheaper setup, but it's a one-time purchase and the added quality is worth it I think.

So for recording with my Samsung Note 5, I use the voice recorder app already on there. I've never had an issue with it. I use the Stony Edge Lapel Mic, which just plugs into your headphone jack for anything with the phone now. Haven't done a commute ramble with it yet, but I will.

For other recording purposes, I use a Blue Yeti Blackout Edition, and have a Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone, Cardioid Mode(Gloss Black) for mobile use (i.e. traveling). I have a generic pop filter I picked up at a music store, and a DR Pro Tripod Mic Stand with Telescoping Boom for streaming and recording at home.

The Yeti is a pretty popular mid-price mic for GWA peeps. Snowball is a GREAT starter mic though. My dream mic is a toss up between the Shure SM7B and the AT2035 (both please?)

For desktop recording/editing, a lot of people use Audacity, which is what I started with. I now use Reaper Pro to record, and Izotope RX6 for editing.

Disclaimer: None of these Amazon links are referral links, and I earn no money from them

Pro Tools definitely isn't necessary if you're getting Logic Pro, but if it fits your budget at the end, go for it.

For Headphones, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, or Sennheiser HD280 Pro if you want to allocate more of the budget to other gear.

Assuming you're not going to doing large sessions, the Steinberg UR44 interface should meet your needs and is very budget-friendly.

The Shure SM57 is a must-have for any studio, great for electric guitar but can be used for just about anything. The SM58 should also definitely be considered.

You'll also probably want something like the Audio-Technica 2035 for recording vocals (or other instruments), and a couple of other mics that I'm sure other people will recommend.

The Yamaha HS8 is a great monitor that you'll find widely used in studios all over the world, and won't break the bank. This package also includes stands and cables.

edit I know it wasn't asked for, but price out what it costs to have someone come and tune a piano in your area. If it's reasonable, take a look on Craigslist, you can often find used upright pianos in great shape for free, being given away by people who are moving and don't play enough to justify the effort of moving it.

EDIT BACKUP DRIVES! Unless the people there have their own way of backing up the things they record, or even if they do, get a couple of hard drives and back things up often, just in case any tragedies should happen.

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That's all I got off the top of my head, I'll come back and edit this post later if anything else comes to mind, hopefully this is a good starting out point for you.

The Rode podcaster is a REALLY great mic. However, it is also a dynamic mic which has a low sensitivity. It is meant to be used a few inches from your mouth and probably would not be very well suited for picking up multiple people.

The best way to mic multiple people on a single recording is to get several XLR dynamic mics and feed them into a mixing board or preamp. The Akai EIE is great for this because you can have multiple audio streams output to your computer. However, a Behringer Xenyx 1202USB or a Tascam 1200 would work well too. Pair that with a few

If you want to do mic multiple people with one mic then you're looking at a condenser mic. For the price of your podcaster($230) I have a few suggestions. I would still look at getting an XLR setup, because they are much better IMO.

• AT2020 ($100)
  
  
• AT2035 ($150)
  
  Pair one of those mics with the Behringer Zenyz Q802 USB ($80), Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, ($150), Focusrite Scarlett Solo ($100), Presonus AudioBox 2x2 ($100), or Presonus AudioBox iOne ($70). For future-proofing I suggest gettign at least a 2 channel audio interface, in case you want to add more mics later. That's up to you. Make sure you factor in the price of a mic stand.
  
  If you have any questions let me know! You could always go with a USB mic, like the Blue Yeti or the AT2020USB, but I think you'd have more luck with the XLR setup. Up to you.

Wish I had seen this before I bought a Behringer Xenyx 802 and an Audia-Technica AT2035. I just can't get rid of all of the background noise from my wife in the living room with me watching tv (an office would be dope but not right now).

Here’s my personal recommendations:

For an interface, this is the best bang for the buck on the market right now (again, in my opinion), especially if you’re just starting out :
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QHURLHM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520813639&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=umc404hd&dpPl=1&dpID=41q-puettzL&ref=plSrch

For a mic(s), it really depends on how extensive (and what) you’re going to be recording, and specifically if you plan on recording real drums or not. I’d recommend just getting one or two mics to start with, and getting more slowly over time, because if you use sampled drums in the beginning (which is a reality for many small home studio owners), you can do quite a lot of work with 2 mics. I’d recommend the following:

Any large diaphragm condenser in this price range will get the job done, but here’s what I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D6RMFG6/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1520814113&sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=condenser+microphone

An SM57 is a standard in many studios, and is also versatile and good to have around:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000AQRST/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520814292&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sm57&dpPl=1&dpID=31KR2%2BJ86GL&ref=plSrch

Now, for a monitoring situation (a.k.a. How you’re gonna actually listen to what you’re recording and mixing), it’s not the smartest idea to invest in monitors (which will eat up a substantial amount of your budget) without investing in treatment for the acoustics of your room. You could easily spend $500 on these two things alone, so I’d recommend just getting a pair of decent headphones for starting out. I know mixing on headphones is a whole can of worms on its own, but while you’re learning, it’s really not gonna make a difference, as long as you have something better than apple Earbuds (not that they aren’t useful). Just get something where you can really understand the sound of it, and reference on a lot of different systems, especially your car. (Disclaimer, I wouldn’t recommend spending more than $100 on headphones, and try to look for something with a relatively flat response, instead of something with cranked bass and hi end, so you can hear as accurately as possible)

As far as DAWs go, I know how appealing it is to buy the same program that people at the top of the industry might be using, but the truth is that most DAWs nowadays can essentially do the same thing. If you only take one of my recommendations, let it be REAPER. You can use a fully functionally demo for as long as you want, and chances, it’ll do everything you need, especially while you’re starting out. Hell, I know professionals that swear by it, and for good reason; it’s insanely flexible and useful, and for the price point (basically free, but if you end up sticking with it, you really should buy a license, it’s only like $60), you just can’t go wrong.
http://reaper.fm

Edit: Unless you’re gonna be mixing 50 track songs right out of the gate, your MacBook will probably be just fine for the time being

Hope all of this helps, good luck!

Much appreciated - I'm still trying to lock down all the music making subs.

For anyone curious moving forward, I think this is my pick:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6RMFG6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BTW, do you know if there is a sub specifically for musical instrument/software reviews? like a BIFL but for Midi's, Mic's, Software, etc.?

When i bought it just one, maybe more might pop up https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6RMFG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

should i spend the money on a sound booth or would it be better to save my money and try to upgrade to. this microphone with this mixer?

Yeah I could suggest a few.

[Blue Yeti] (http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418924712&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+yeti&pebp=1418924714123)
MXL 990 Condenser Mic
Audio Technica AT2035 I have owned all of these and they might be pricey for you, but any one of them are worth the investment. My favorite is the AT4040, but that is like $300. The AT2035 is a great alternative to that and it's what I use a secondary. Anyone of these are fine just read some reviews check out their manufacturer's webpage. It's important to get a good mic that is right for you. For example the Blue Yeti was nice, but I have a kinda high pitched voice and it was not picking up mid frequencies as well as I would have liked.

If you don't feel like spending that much a couple of good mics are:
Audio Technica ATR2500 $66 on Amazon.
and
MXL 770 $60 on Amazon

EDIT: Forgot to mention. We actually have pretty similar voices oddly enough as it is. Another thing I noticed was the amount of essing (the his sound while pronouncing s) and a little bit of pop on hard consonants. I would lean towards getting a mic with a good mid-range focus and a pop-filter.

I have a similar setup, though it's all digital.

Here's what I do, and then I'll suggest a setup for you.

My equipment:
vocal mic - at2035

audio interface - umc404hd

midi pedalboard - fcb1010

midi controller - maudio code61

I have both my vocal mic at2035 and guitar plugged into my UMC404HD.

The UMC404 allows you to record 4 input channels (2 stereo) into the computer via USB, it also has midi inputs if you want a midi controller that isn't USB.

That allows me to monitor the input directly and to monitor after passing both through ableton live. The direct input monitoring (using the mix knob on the umc) doesn't have any effects applied to it since it's only the mic and guitar that are straight into the recorder.

The UMC also has 4 output channels, which allows you to send some outputs to the monitors, and some to the headphones, I use this for "cue" tracks and the metronome, which gives me a click track in my headphones, but not over the output I would use for playing live.

I then have a code 61 that I use for pad drums, midi control and keyboard input.

I want an FCB1010 to do the looping and etc inside of ableton itself, so it's a single contained unit and everything goes through my laptop, but currently I just program my sustain pedal on the keyboard to trigger looping.


What I would do for you is...

If you're using an amp / pedals for your guitar, get something like a shure sm57, plug that into the UMC, and point it real close to your amp so that you're capping it without any room noise.

If you're looping guitar, you can have the looper pedal connected in line before your amp.

If you're only wanting to loop vocals, you can inline the looper pedal to the mic before input to the computer/umc.

You can loop both with a single pedal, but at that point, your output probably should go into the computer only, skipping the guitar amp. You can direct monitor that, and have it inputting to the PC. You can have midi / etc backing on the PC playing back at the same time into your headphones/monitors.

I personally use amp modeling VST on the PC and just playback my guitar through my monitors anyways.

A much cheaper (but still good) alternative to the code61 is the akai mpk mini 25.


If you want to skip a loop pedal and only loop in software, this is specific to ableton, there are a few ways to do that.

I've seen 2 main methods.

1. Map a pedal switch to the "session record" button in ableton. It's the empty circle to the right of the transport controls at the top. When you hit this, it triggers midi / audio recording for every armed track in the session view. I know this will overdub midi notes, but I think it will simply overwrite audio.
   
   
   
2. Map a pedal to arm/load/play the looper VST on a track. If you want to loop more than 1 track, you can set the track output to be send only, set the looper on a send, and direct the audio output from those tracks to the send with the looper on it. This will allow you to trigger the looping for any track thats getting sent to that single send/fx channel.
   
   Here is a video explaining one of the ways to do looping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFQzc8bYE2g
   
   If anyone else knows better ways to do looping in ableton, I'd love to hear about it.
   Hope this helps.

> Ooh, nice. The Electro Voice RE-20 is my goal microphone.

I like it, but I prefer a warmer sounding condenser mic. I've got an AT2035 at home. But the RE-20 does the job for the studio and the sound they're looking for.

You could get an AT2020 and a cheap 48V phantom power converter. Or an AT2035 and a cheap 48V phantom power converter.

Hey guys! I've recently decided to invest in a solid condenser mic and an audio interface. I would be recording keyboard, acoustic guitar, (maybe electric, but not a priority) and vocals. I am on a pretty low budget as I am also attending university, but would love some feedback on the options I have narrowed it down to, or suggestions for equipment I should consider instead would be welcome too! For the AI, I thought either the PreSonus http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00154KSA2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_3&smid=ATVPDKIKXDER
or the Mackie Onyx
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VZG550?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_4&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
would suit my needs just fine. For the mic, I have narrowed it down to between the Rode NT1A
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QAUOKS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
and the Audio Technica 2035
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6RMFG6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=A4V0ATM4SIKP4
Once again any feedback/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!Thanks again!

This package seems to include everything but an arm. Which includes the XLR cable for the mic to interface connection. The Scarlett will already have the interface to PC connection I'm assuming.

I'll check that out his channel right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2035-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00D6RMFG6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479557977&sr=8-2&keywords=at2035
I'd suggest this and depending on your price range, a Behringer UM2, Scarlet Solo or PreSonus. If you already have an interface, this microphone NEEDS phantom power to run.

How about this setup?

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2035-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00D6RMFG6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1453596213&sr=8-2&keywords=microphone+audio+technica

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Q502USB-5-Channel-Mixer/dp/B00CTKI10A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1426532990&sr=8-3&keywords=behringer+xenyx+usb

That would be just over $200. But how does the interface connect to the computer? Is it just USB or some audio jack?

There's a ton of great advice here already, but here's something I wish somebody told me at the beginning: Don't start with a USB mic. Get a Mixer and an XLR mic. I can't tell you how much I wish I'd have gone with this setup at the beginning, to allow for expansion in the future. Even just a little Behringer XENYX Q802 USB for myself and a potential guest, and an Audio Technica AT2020 XLR would have been an amazing way to kick things off. It's also crucial to include a pop filter and XLR cable, so this AT2020 bundle with the mic, pop filter, and cable all included, is a great deal. This is a much more solid investment, and as I said, I wish somebody told me this when I started.
Edit:
Even better, there's this AT2035 bundle. The AT2020 and AT2035 mics are very similar in quality, but the AT2035 comes with a shock mount, which is a great addition to any setup, in order to avoid all those little bump and vibration noises.

XLR. It is the AT2035 with Scarlett solo. I won't be able to do the room acoustic treatment like the foam panels for a couple months but I'll be able to get started with the VST plugins in the meantime.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2035-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00D6RMFG6/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_267_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=K7R0B0NM6PJQETGDTC71

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2035-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00D6RMFG6

If you're ready to invest a little bit of coin, the package above is excellent. The only other thing you'd need with it is a boom arm to mount to a desk.

There are some much cheaper options if you're still boot strapping.

Imo, the Yeti isn't your best choice. Sure it's USB, but I'd say you're better off getting a decent condenser and an audio interface. Behringer's U-Phoria series have super-low latency and def won't break the bank.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFIGZF6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7htXAbFHRXGBR

As for a mic, this is what I'd suggest:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D6RMFG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5ftXAbXQWMMEC

Gets you the mic, pop filter, and shock mount. It does push up the budget a bit, but you should also get a pretty solid ROI should you decide to resell (bigger market) and you won't need to stand the mic right in front of you.

Which mic should I get?
I have these three in mind:

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D5E9FBM/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1#Ask

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2035-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00D6RMFG6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510291268&sr=8-3&keywords=audio+technica+mic&dpID=51WbZtvoahL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I think the last two may be the same mic with different add-ons, but I'm not sure. Does anyone have any experience with these? I'll mostly be recording guitar/vocals. Thanks! (I hope I put this in the right spot)

Yea if you're using the snowball then I am surprised you got the quality this good honestly. Idk how serious you are about this. But this mic is a very good choice when paired with a nice interface like a Scarlett. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2035-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00D6RMFG6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469258457&sr=8-2&keywords=audio+technica+mic