Do i need a audio mixer for a condenser mic on pc?

[Zzyxz_O_Bot]

I've been wondering if i just get a condenser mic with a phantom power connected directly to my pc will the volume be to low?

my knowledge on audio equipment is very low sorry if this is real dumb, still trying to learn

[patagent]

I've been wondering if i just get a condenser mic with a phantom power connected directly to my pc will the volume be to low?

my knowledge on audio equipment is very low sorry if this is real dumb, still trying to learn

 

How are you planning to connect to your PC? XLR to USB?

[Zzyxz_O_Bot]

The connection will be like this

MIC - XLR female to male - Phantom power - XLR to aux 3.5 - PC

[patagent]

The connection will be like this

MIC - XLR female to male - Phantom power - XLR to aux 3.5 - PC

 

I haven't tried your setup but I often need to maximize the input gain on my Audio Interface (which has max 57 db gain) to hear my wife's vocals depending on how far she is from the mic. I think a PC has 10 db gain? (Actually that's just my laptop mic) Other PC's might have 30-40 db. I would imagine it could be an issue. But don't quote me on it.

 

A Presonus Audiobox costs $99, provides phantom power, and comes with free DAW. Phantom power supply and XLR to aux cable will run to $40 at least.

[esldude]

What is your purpose for the microphone? You can get condenser mics that connect to PC via USB. Or get a $99 device like suggested above. The best answer is dependent upon what you are trying to accomplish.

 

Now I am not sure how you are getting XLR to 3.5mm with phantom power in between though obviously it is possible. Most likely with phantom power the input on your PC would have enough volume.

[Zzyxz_O_Bot]

What is your purpose for the microphone? You can get condenser mics that connect to PC via USB. Or get a $99 device like suggested above. The best answer is dependent upon what you are trying to accomplish.

 

Now I am not sure how you are getting XLR to 3.5mm with phantom power in between though obviously it is possible. Most likely with phantom power the input on your PC would have enough volume.

 

I'm not sure i understand your confusion is xlr to 3.5mm strange?

also I'm just using the mic for voice chat and the occasional video recording session

[Gonzbull]

For your needs just get a USB condenser mic. They're real cheap and sound pretty ok.

[Zzyxz_O_Bot]

but aren't usb audio devices really low quality?

[esldude]

I'm not sure i understand your confusion is xlr to 3.5mm strange?

also I'm just using the mic for voice chat and the occasional video recording session

 

Unless you already have something how are you getting phantom power to the mic? You can buy phantom power supplies for $20-25. I would worry about noise pickup once you go to the adapter as being around a computer you might get some noise pickup (though you may not).

 

Unless you already have a microphone I would suggest something like one of these condenser mics for around $50 which connect thru USB.

https://www.amazon.com/CAD-U37-Condenser-Recording-Microphone/dp/B001AIQGUO/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1489460089&sr=1-6&keywords=usb+microphone

 

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-iCE-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B014PYGTUQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1489460089&sr=1-3&keywords=usb+microphone

 

If you do have a mic already, yes I think with phantom power and adaptor you'll have enough volume. If you are using Windows there is usually a setting for connected mics to enable "mic boost" which depending on the sound card will give 30 or 40 db boost over the 10-20 db of the sound card. 50 db total gain is enough for a condensor mic and even 40 db is probably enough for your purposes.

[Gonzbull]

No they're not. You can't avoid the USB part of the chain unless you're prepared to spend some $$.

If you want a better sounding rig, as suggested above get an audio interface with mic preamps. Then get a good condenser Mic. Presonus and Focusrite make the best budget interfaces.

 

You'll notice the difference in Mic quality more than the interface.

[esldude]

but aren't usb audio devices really low quality?

 

Not necessarily. Look at those I linked. They were pretty much tailor made for your needs. They may have just a little higher noise floor than a quality condenser with a quality mic pre-amp. By that I mean if listening to your recording turned up pretty loud there might be just a barely heard hiss. Generally that isn't going to be a problem.

 

This route should be simpler, inexpensive, pretty good quality and not too many downsides for your needs.

 

You also can pay a bit more for a bit more quality and a headphone monitoring jack.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-G-Track-Condenser-Microphone-Interface/dp/B0015MJE22/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1489461038&sr=8-32&keywords=usb+condenser+microphone

 

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2500-USB-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B004QJREXM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1489460997&sr=8-8&keywords=usb+condenser+microphone

 

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020USB-PLUS-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00B5ZX9FM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1489460997&sr=8-12&keywords=usb+condenser+microphone

I haven't used the USB version of this, but have heard the AT2020 and it is a good sounding mic.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Rode-NT-USB-USB-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00KQPGRRE/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1489460997&sr=8-14&keywords=usb+condenser+microphone

[Zzyxz_O_Bot]

Hmm alright thanks for the suggestions I'll take them into consideration. again sorry if you've been pulling your hair out over things i've said my audio knowledge is very low

[jcn3]

Hmm alright thanks for the suggestions I'll take them into consideration. again sorry if you've been pulling your hair out over things i've said my audio knowledge is very low

 

i would suggest getting a usb audio interface like the focusrite scarlett 2i2: https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Studio-Interface-Recording/dp/B01E6T56EA?th=1 -- only $146, provides phantom power, and provides more flexibility for you.

[gmgraves]

I've been wondering if i just get a condenser mic with a phantom power connected directly to my pc will the volume be to low?

my knowledge on audio equipment is very low sorry if this is real dumb, still trying to learn

 

My solution depends on whether or not you already have the XLR connected microphone in your possession. If you don't already own a mike, I suggest that you buy a condenser "USB" mike. This type of mike is made by several manufacturers such as Berhinger and these are designed for A/V bloggers. You don't need a mixer, or a Microphone preamplifier, or a phantom power supply. The mike has a USB jack on the bottom. You merely connect a USB cable from the mike to your computer. The Behringer model is attractive because it is cheap and my experience is that Behringer mikes are excellent values for the money and their USB condenser mike is just $60!

 

 

http://tinyurl.com/h7s5wyl