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Microphone and Headphones for £200
Finally looking at getting a microphone and headphones for my music making.
I have a grand total of £200 which I know for these 2 items is next to nothing! But that's my limit at this time.
My first thoughts on the mic is a Shure SM58? as have used shure mics many moons ago, but have no idea on really cheap headphones.
It's a mine field of options out there, so thought I would see if anyone here has any cheap mic and headphone suggestions?
I definitely want new, as second hand mics and headphones don't entice me lol.
Comments
Sometimes these are cheaper. I got them for € 80,- a while ago. https://www.amazon.nl/Philips-Audio-X2HR-Deluxe-Schuimrubberen-Neodymium-Driver/dp/B01N5VHLUG/ref=asc_df_B01N5VHLUG?mcid=9c534930b3fc31cc9c0c9eb999d2fdfa&tag=nlshogostdsp-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=709986887919&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8761363526216338711&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9064754&hvtargid=pla-349687518605&psc=1&gad_source=1
A little more info might help.
Is the mic mainly for vocals, instruments or both?
Do you already have monitors? Are the headphones going to be just for when you’re recording?
Thanks will take a look
Sorry, yes more info:
The mic is for recording vocals mostly, but also for recording any sounds to sample on my SP404MK2 also.
I do have studio monitors and the headphones are for listening while recording only
If you're looking for cheap headphones, gave a look at superlux. They used to build headphones for AKG and now sell some pretty solid AKG-looking ones, that I'm pretty happy with for 25 bucks:
https://www.thomann.de/de/superlux_hd681.htm
Thanks £33 here in the UK, so well within budget!
They look pretty much like my akg, which I love but…they are semi open, so if you are using them for monitoring while recording, they can leak spill into the recording.
As for microphones, I’m always wary of advising on a certain mic. A long time ago I was in a band and my singer wanted to buy a mic. So we all went mic shopping. The results were surprising. He had a few hundred quid budget. So we tried out about 6-7 mics from £80-350. He landed on one about £130ish.
It wasn’t the best known, it wasn’t the most expensive but it was the one that sounded best with his voice.
So as boring as it is, if there’s any way you can try them, or find a mic simulator or something and see what sounds better for your voice it may go a long way.
Nice mention, never thought about the leaking of open headphones, so glad you mentioned that!
I think that's why the Shure SM58 was my first thought, as I have used one of the SMs when I was a kid and it seemed OK with my voice back then, although my voice has changed some lol.
Understandable about trying, but not really an option for me at this time, so anyone feel free to just list stuff and I will try to get an idea from other people's experiences on you tube, however compromised that may be.
Shure SM58 and pair of Sennheiser HD280Pro's
(These are what I use on a daily basis)
Crucial question: what interface do you have?
To drive an SM58 you need an interface with a lot of clean gain.
If you don't have an interface already, you should look at getting a USB mic.
The 280s are £75, so still in budget. I had assumed they would cost more!
Using a Presonus ES4. Recorded synths through it, but never had a mic connected yet. Website says +75 db of gain, although not sure how well you can believe manufacturers specs?
I would recommend an SM58… if youre a screaming rock vocalist. Otherwise the sE Electronics V7 is very good for similar money and will suit more voices than a 58.
Sennheiser HD25 II are a good and highly durable headphone for the other £100, my older model HD25SP bought in the 90s are still in regular use having had a couple of cable replacements. The Lite(?) version with simplified headband (like my SP) are iirc about £100.
Thanks nice to have a few more options to look at!
+1 for the Superlux headphones. I recommend the 660 pro
https://www.thomann.de/de/superlux_hd_660_pro.htm
this one is closed – better for recording. It‘s a mockup of the famous beyerdynamic headphones. There are two versions, the 150ohm version is better but needs a bit more power on your headphone amp. Connected directly to an iPhone is enough for me, the headphone amp on my apogee mic+ is not enough.
Thanks. Still half the price of the Sennheiser, even in the UK. Could possibly get two pairs in case I end up recording another person!
Hi @Fruitbat1919 . Shure’s are really great mics. For the money they are hard to beat.
I know this isn’t considered a studio grade mic, but would one of those zoom mics be worth considering for your recording tasks? I have a single mic & iPad setup right now, using a Zoom H5. With the H5 I can have a decent stereo mic for the ipad, or use it as a SD card reader, and can use the mic alone as a field recorder to grab samples, or record gigs. Plus it can record total of 4 tracks at a time. Also, if I get another mic in the future can use the zoom h5 to power it and plug it into the iPad, so it can be used as a mic preamp/interface. I have found zoom mics to be handy for a single mic & iPad setup personally. Portable too. You can find older zoom models pretty cheap now here in the states. I got my H5 for only $79 at a pawn shop (still in the box new).
Superlux also has mics I saw.
Can understand comfort being an issue. I've never liked wearing headphones anyway, especially since I've had my head pains, so wont be able to wear them for long. Thanks for the info
Yes, my music is purely a hobbie, so compromises are expected at this cost. Never used a zoom h5 though and unsure how those mics would cope with the vocals, which possibly have priority over the other recording. Thanks for the idea!
Will check them out thanks!
Also worth checking is the Rode M2 mic. It’s a condenser mic so you’ll need phantom power, but I think it’s more versatile than the SM58. Great build quality too.
For headphones I would second the Sennheiser HD25 recommendation. You’ll always find a use for them and they are basically unbreakable. I wouldn’t call them uncomfortable, but they do put some pressure on your head, and if you wear glasses you’d have to move the handles above your ears for prolonged use (if you don’t mind looking silly
)
Thanks will check it out
You are correct. So yes a condenser is out really for all my needs. Thanks for reminding me of this
You get Sony MDR-7506 headphones for about 100 Euros / 90 Pounds. They are a classic that is often used for recording and DJing. I have mine for 20 years now. They are pretty robust and can be folded so they take up little space when travelling. Only needed to replace the ear pads ten years ago when the original ones started getting flaky.
Standard equipment in many studios. A recording engineer friend recommended 7506’s to me 30 years ago and I’ve used them ever since. They sound great, they have decent isolation, and you can wear them comfortably for many hours.
+1
My personal fav headphones. Replaced the pads twice over the years. When (if) mine wear out I’ll get the same ones again.
Thanks all, will have a look at the Sonys!