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Newbie in desperate need of advice!

I want 24 bit studio quality recordings on a budget. Tough ask! Mainly for Voice overs & vocals.

Here's my current plan:

SHURE SM57--> FETHEAD PREAMP--> SCARLETT 2i2 INTERFACE--> PC

Then output to USB MIXER (if poss?) with KNS8400 HEADPHONES for monitoring/mixing

I've added the mixer for 2 reasons:

1) Adding reverb/eq to the headphones without effecting the recording (I hate hearing a flat/dry vocal)

2) Linking a minidisc player to listen to backing tracks while recording vocals.

Do I actually need the mixer though or can all this be achieved on the DAW?

Or maybe a multitracker like the Zoom R8?

Lots of conflicting info out there so any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

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  • The idea of monitors (cans here) is to be able to listen to exactly what is being sung/recorded. Reverb is usually put on at the end. By the way, this question, asking for gear recommendations, will probably be disallowed. Please read the 'dos & don'ts' of the site.
    – Tim
    Commented Sep 9, 2018 at 13:25
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    I'm not really sure what it is you're asking. If it's "can I do this with just a DAW?" the answer is "Yes."
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Sep 9, 2018 at 13:34
  • And - SM57 is good for recording instruments, SM 58 is better for vox. Although for the same sort of money, a condenser mic would do a better job.
    – Tim
    Commented Sep 9, 2018 at 14:53
  • A 57 is fine for vox if you've got a pop-shield [read lingerie & coat-hanger] in place ;-) My issue was with "everything else"
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Sep 9, 2018 at 16:21
  • I was asking if it was an effective first set up and if anyone could recommend an alternative for a tight budget.. Being new, I wasn't aware that you couldn't ask for gear recommendations. Seems a bit odd to me, but if thems the rules...
    – NateDawg
    Commented Sep 10, 2018 at 9:01

1 Answer 1

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Good quality on a budget is routine these days. You don't need the preamp and you probably don't need the mixer. You can do this all 'in the box'. Your DAW can put a reverb plugin as a channel insert that will be monitored but not recorded. The Scarlett has ASIO drivers that will enable not-quite-realtime monitoring, but near enough.

SM58 is an SM57 plus the 'ball'. For studio work you'll use a better, seperate pop filter anyway. You'll get a brighter sound with a condenser mic., but plenty of good work has been done with a SM57!

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