Reddit reviews Professional Handheld Moving Coil Microphone - Dynamic Cardioid Unidirectional Vocal, Built-in Acoustic Pop Filter, Includes 15ft XLR Audio Cable to 1/4'' Audio Connection - Pyle PDMIC78

I think I have a good starting point for you.

Audio interface - Behringer UM2

The audio interface allows you to bring a mic feed as well as an instrument into your computer directly through USB. If you want to record multiple people at once, or drums or say vocals and an acoustic guitar, you will need to look into an audio interface with more inputs.

[Behringer UMC404HD] (https://express.google.com/u/0/product/15619858737903120880_16013321202850388727_15144) This interface allows you to bring in 4 mics at once and I believe the preamps in this are better than the other one -- A little more flexible.

Microphone - [Shure SM57] (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM57--shure-sm57-dynamic-instrument-microphone?mrkgcl=28&mrkgadid=3248788494&rkg_id=0&product_id=SM57&campaigntype=shopping&campaign=aaShopping%20-%20Core%20-%20Studio%20&%20Recording&adgroup=Studio%20&%20Recording%20-%20Microphones%20&%20Wireless&placement=google&adpos=1o1&creative=213185928383&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9NbdBRCwARIsAPLsnFY9zznSd55KwKdcBa-2RynHlnHbWb_fYG-ZBSHUqEptygrhBGJCnCYaAr-UEALw_wcB) Great mic for tons of situations, but may be out of your price range. For budget mics, I have used the Pyle 78. Basically a SM57 knockoff. Certainly not a great mic, but definitely works. Very Cheap! You can also mod these if you are familiar with electronics by swapping out the transformer with a SM57 transformer - not too expensive.

MIDI Controller - M Audio Keystation 49. Connects to your computer via usb, allows you to record performance data with a keyboard and use that data to control any sound you want. There are also cheaper versions of these.

Digital Audio Workstation - Reaper is a "free" DAW that allows you to connect all of this together and mix and edit audio together. I say "free" because it IS the full version, but it reminds you every time you open it that it is the evaluation version, but you can use this version forever without paying. Even if you buy the full personal version I believe it is still only $60.

I suggest beginning to do research on audio engineering on what all these parts do and how they work and work together. There are plenty of tutorials on the web and definitely tons on youtube. Definitely look into Reaper. Technically if you just want to make sample based music, you may not even need to do anything but screw around in Reaper, but these things, especially a MIDI controller, make it easier to make quality music.

I tried to make this as budgety as possible so hopefully people don't chew me out for linking Behringer stuff or the Pyle mic, I just wanted to point out a cheap starting point to get into it. You may be able to find nicer equipment used at some music stores and on ebay, so look into that as well.

Good luck! And as always, I'm here if you need help or have any questions.

Pyle-Pro Professional Moving Coil Dynamic Cardioid Unidirectional Vocal Handheld Microphone Includes 15ft XLR Audio Cable to 1/4'' Audio Connection (PDMIC78) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NqE6CbCKGBVTG

A Samson Q2U is a good option since you mentioned breathing and keyboard noise. It's dynamic as well as both XLR and USB, so you've got both upgrade paths in the future.

If you're set on a condenser mic then the AT2020 is a great choice. I'm using one with a Behringer Q802USB mixer, but you can get a cheaper UMC22 or UM2 which will sound just as good.

edit: If you want to go with XLR and Dynamic, then I highly reccomend the Shure SM57-lc as it sounds absolutely amazing, and there is a ripoff version of it which sounds almost identical called the pdmic78 for $20, but some people say it's not as durable as the sm57 (you can run over that thing with a bus and it still works).

I'm in Canada so just change .ca to .com.

https://www.amazon.ca/Pyle-Pro-PDMIC78-Professional-Handheld-Microphone/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=mp_s_a_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1536946890&sr=8-18&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Microphone

Okay! I'm accross the pond in the USA, so I'm not sure how the prices are going to translate, but here's some things I'd recommend.

Mic: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Unidirectional-Microphone-Connection-PDMIC78/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540221775&sr=8-3&keywords=pyle+sm58&dpID=31VelkjwuYL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

This is a really solid Shure SM57 clone. SM58 is the standard for vox, but the only difference between a 57 and a 58 is the 58 has a slight bump in the upper frequencies compared to the 57 (someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here). The Pyle 57 isn't quite as good as the Shure 57, but it'll get you 90% of the way there, which is more than good enough for practicing and gigging in bars, houses, basements, or wherever.

PA: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EON610--jbl-eon610-1000w-10-inch-powered-speaker

Having a PA as a vocalist is always a good idea. I can't sing for shit and I always keep one of these on hand because of how many vocalists have shown up to practice and haven't a mic, a PA, or both. This is more than enough power to get you to cut through even a loud ass rock band, and it'll sound pretty damn good, too. Best part: the speaker is powered so you won't need a mixer,

Guitars and amps are a bit more personal, but I've personally used https://www.zzounds.com/ and their financing plans to pick up gear I never would have been able to afford otherwise. Zero interest, and they just take the monthly payments right out of your bank account. I highly recommend them.

What kind of music do you play? I might be able to better recommend some good and affordable guitars and amps if I had a better idea of what you're trying to do. Squiers and Epiphones are pretty fantastic for what you pay these days. And also keep in mind that gear is the dictionary definition of the law of diminishing returns: that $5000 Gibson custom shop is not getting you $4500 more dollars worth of tone over a $500 Epiphone.

If you are thrifty when it comes to buying recording gear, you should grab a few of these. They are SM57 knock-offs and sometimes you can find them in Amazon's Warehouse deals for about $10 each. I have had numerous real SM57s over the years, and honestly, for your average basement studio, these sound every bit as good as the SM57s. Don't get me wrong, real 57s are better microphones in that they are pretty much indestructable. But, for $15 you won't cry should you accidentally destroy one of these. They make fantastic snare mics.

Pyle makes a 57 clone called the PDMic 78. They’re $12 on Amazon right now. They actually sound surprisingly good. A little hotter and more treble-heavy than a 57, but for certain applications, I actually kind of prefer that. You can use them for just about everything, even as overheads. Here is a video on how they sound.

Id have to suggest this mic:
http://www.amazon.ca/Pyle-Pro-PDMIC78-Professional-Handheld-Microphone/dp/B005BSOVRY

Its similar to the first one you mentioned there, their both knock-offs of the famous Shure SM57. I have been using this specific mic for my snare in my home studio for a little while now. the only difference between the $125 Shure and the pyle-pro $20 knockoff (aside from cheaper build quality) is a slight peak between 2 and 4khz (will sound a little brighter on the treble side, also good for speech).
Despite a cheaper build quality it is still fairly durable, it can handle high SPL's (loud volumes) before distorting.
Just make sure to maintain a little more distance between your mouth and the mic whereas this specific mic is designed for instruments (shorter space between the cover and the diaphragm; allowing more bass to be heard by the mic (dosent sound good for vocals).

Copy/paste of a budget setup I've been putting together lately:

• 1 x Pile Pro PDMIC78 for snare
  
• 1 x CAD KBM412 for kick
  
• 2 LDCM's for overheads, AT 2020 is a classic, but you can certainly go cheaper with some no-name condensers.
  
• Behringer UMC404HD for an interface. It has 4 mic preamps, which will work much better for drums than the 2-in AudioBox or the Scarlet 2i4 that always comes up on these threads.
  
• 4 x mic cables
  
• 1 x low profile boom stand for the kick mic
  
• 1 x mic clip for the snare mic
  
• 2 x Boom stands for overheads
  
• Download Reaper, use the free trial
  
  I think all told that runs you about $400, but you can use that to set up a solid Glyn Johns set up. If you want to multitrack the rest of a band, the Pyle will work well on guitar cabs, you can DI the bass and use the kick mic on the cab, and condenser mics will do pretty much anything else. I have a better setup for doing final takes, but this is more or less my current setup for demos.
  
  Also, if you're really strapped for cash, you can start with just the interface and one condenser mic, although it won't be great. From there, get the kick and snare mics, then a second OH when you have the money.

This Pyle Mic is a blessing in disguise. I use it all the time.

Here's an example of a recording with 2 of those mics.

I think your plan is great. I've had big success with cheap gear. I'm off the mentality that gear is like a paint brush. You can get a fancy french brush, but you still gotta know how to paint with it!

Good luck with your endeavors.
Chris

SM57 - is a dynamic instrument mic that most musicians have owned.
SM58 - is a dynamic vocal mic that most musicians have owned.

You can great sounds for vocals and instruments on either, but those are both the implied uses.

For anyone starting off, I recommend a Pyle branded clone of both, which can be had for about ~$40 USD on Amazon.

Learn mic placement technique before spending any more money.

Depends how cheap do you want to go, and if you have access to a mixer. My extremely cheapo rig, that I've been getting moderately decent results with, consists of 2 pieces if Newer NW700 condenser mics, 2 Pyle PDMIC78 dynamic mics for close micing the snare and the bass drum, and a small mixer, going into a single input interface. I use the condensers in a Glynn Jones setup, with the dynamics close on the BD and snare. Extremely cheap, abviously Chinese, but doesn't sound all that bad, it's OK for recording a demo, or maybe a youtube video, but definitely not something I'd put on an actual record. The weakest point of the setup is probably the bass drum, capturing a bit more low end wouldn't hurt.

You could possibly get away with not close micing the BD and the snare at all, but that would get you a really vintage kind of sound (think Beatles).

No problem. Good luck. SM57s can be found used for good price pretty easily and the Pyle knockoffs have a bit of a cult following, there's an easy mod to improve them also. There are some pretty good comparisons on YouTube. $16 new. I caught them for $10 at one point.

Pyle-Pro Professional Moving Coil Dynamic Cardioid Unidirectional Vocal Handheld Microphone Includes 15ft XLR Audio Cable to 1/4'' Audio Connection (PDMIC78) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ypyZBbDC432M3

> audio techina microphone

This is more than good enough for what you want to do:

https://www.amazon.ca/Pyle-Pro-PDMIC78-Professional-Handheld-Microphone/dp/B005BSOVRY

Go to YouTube and watch videos about "Pyle PDMIC78". You'll see plenty of reviews that showcase the quality of this microphone. At this stage in your development as a musician, this is the perfect microphone for people with a low budget, in my opinion.

> filter

Save your money. You can easily make a pop filter. Sock over a coat hanger. Voila!

First up, I'm a complete noob.

1. [UK] [<£60] I need equipment to record some folky acoustic guitar music. I already have a stand/pop filter but no mixers or anything else associated with input. I think I might benefit from having separate instrument and vocal mics, right? Currently I just use one USB condenser mic and I don't like it.
   
2. I usually record tracks individually and mix after, so reduction in other room sounds is always a priority.
   
3. I'm not looking for the highest quality fidelity, but I do really hate fuzzy electronic sounds that my Editors Keys SL150 seems to quietly make on each track, preventing me from boosting quiet vocals/guitar without adding lots of hissing. I usually record acoustic guitar and singing.
   
   I know in these threads people discard what's asked re:price because they know better, but I must stress that I really don't want to pay too much for this, which is why I'd rather something like these [1] [2] instead of a couple of Shures for £200.
   
   Thank you!

No problem, happy to help.

If you want to look at a different angle, you can check out another budget gem - the Pyle PDMIC78

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Unidirectional-Microphone-Connection-PDMIC78/dp/B005BSOVRY/

This is actually the mic I've been using on a boom for the past three years for my radio broadcasting setup. It's a rumored copy of the Shure SM57, which is a SUPER popular dynamic mic used for things as important as presidential addresses. I love mine, it sounds great, and again, you won't wrap a bunch of money up in it if you don't like it.

Budget? By play with your friends I assume you mean playing instruments or singing?

After a vocals mic?

Behringer XM8500 - $20


Shure SM58 - $100


E-V ND767A - $150


Shure Beta 58 - $160

After an instrument microphone?

Pyle-Pro PDMIC78 - $12


Audio-Technica PRO 63 - $50


Shure SM57 - $100

PYLE PDMIC78, $13 on amazon. We use two of them, they sound great. Look us up, Geek'd Up Radio, so you can hear the mics working

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_kdNmDb2P437G1

Thanks! The process was fairly unconventional as we only used two Pyle PDMIC78's (basically a 57 clone) for all the drums and did it without a mixer. Everything was recorded in my basement. We hung up some curtains around the drum kit as some DIY acoustic treatment. All the vocals were recorded in a small closet. We used one overhead running into the mic pre on a Lexicon Alpha interface, and then used the second mic on the kick using a XLR to 1/4", into a TC Electronic Spark Booster (basically used this as a preamp), into the instrument in on the interface. So all the cymbals, snare, etc was one channel, and the kick was another. Recorded/mixed/mastered everything on Garageband. The guitar was recorded by micing the cab. Used a strat for one channel and a tele for the other and just double tracked it and panned hard left/right. Bass was done just through the instrument in on the interface and then we used a TSE B.O.D. AU (sansamp clone plugin) in Garageband.

as a very poor 14 year old, would http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pyle-Pro-PDMIC78-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397250042&sr=8-2&keywords=SM57 be okay rather than the 100 pound shure mic?

It functions just like a handheld, so it is sometimes referred to as that. sometimes it is called an instrument microphone as well because the lack of a pop filter gives it a different frequency response. microphones are designed the way they are because of the way they function. here is a similar looking microphone being referred to as a handheld
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PDMIC78-Professional-Handheld-Microphone/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1397974400&sr=8-6&keywords=instrument+microphone
here is a similar looking one referred to as an instrument mic
http://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Instrument-Microphone-ES-57/dp/B001W99HE8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397974812&sr=8-1&keywords=instrument+microphone
honestly though, most handheld mics in similar price ranges will sound the same as the ones listed.

This one is similar.

This one even more so.

PDMIC78 :)

I just put together an in ear system for my 5 piece band with the cheapest stuff we could find. We use it for rehearsals and definitely could use it for live.

Here’s what we use

TP-WIRELESS 2.4GHz Professional In-ear Digital Wireless Stage audio Monitor System (1 Transmitter and 3 Receivers) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXYEJ9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BXXwCbS5EPH7Y

Pyle-Pro Professional Moving Coil Dynamic Cardioid Unidirectional Vocal Handheld Microphone Includes 15ft XLR Audio Cable to 1/4'' Audio Connection (PDMIC78) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BSOVRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_H0XwCbTB3EB1P

ANY MIXER!! Find one on Craigslist for super cheap!