Mic with my Micro BR

[papa_lazerous]

Hi first post here, been having a look around for a few days and cant see an answer to my question yet.

I want to use a Shure SM57 with my Micro-BR cant I just convert from XLR to a 1/4" jack to go into the input of the BR? or do I need some other equipment inbetween.  Sorry if this is obvious but I dont want to mess up my Micro-BR I only had it a week

[Mr. Scar]

I'm not positive but I don't thing sending a mic into the guitar input will be very effective. The best way to external a mic, is to use one with a small 1/8 inch hook up. The smaller the better for the br. Maybe you can get a mic preamp for the SM57 that has a 1/8 cable out put.

[Pedro]

Hello there papa_lazerous and welcome to the community. 

Maybe you can get a mic preamp for the SM57 that has a 1/8 cable out put.

That is the best solution, a microphone preamp amplifies the signal and converts the inpedance so that it can be used with the Line IN of Micro BR.

A microphone preamp is something like this and it can cost from $20 to $2000.

[EricAtUNC]

Hi all, I just discovered this forum and it's great!!

I've had my BR for about a year, and I wasn't really happy recording with the built in condenser mic, so I got a Shure SM57a.  I tried going from this 57a XLR out to 1/4 in to BR, very low sound and quality.  I then added a ART Tube Preamp w/compression.  I go mic XLR to preamp XLR, preamp 1/4 to BR 1/4 guitar in.  This provides a very good sound, the best I've gotten so far.  You need to adjust the pramp out and BR in settings to get it just right, but it sounds very good IMO.  Now, I don't know what the difference is between the 1/4 and the 1/8, I do have an adapter that I could try, but I've been so happy with the current setup I haven't.

So whether 1/8 or 1/4 is better I don't know, but an external mic with preamp is the way to go for acoustic guitar (or acoustic plus vocals).

Thanks,
Eric

[Pedro]

Hi all, I just discovered this forum and it's great!!

I've had my BR for about a year, and I wasn't really happy recording with the built in condenser mic, so I got a Shure SM57a.  I tried going from this 57a XLR out to 1/4 in to BR, very low sound and quality.  I then added a ART Tube Preamp w/compression.  I go mic XLR to preamp XLR, preamp 1/4 to BR 1/4 guitar in.  This provides a very good sound, the best I've gotten so far.  You need to adjust the pramp out and BR in settings to get it just right, but it sounds very good IMO.  Now, I don't know what the difference is between the 1/4 and the 1/8, I do have an adapter that I could try, but I've been so happy with the current setup I haven't.

So whether 1/8 or 1/4 is better I don't know, but an external mic with preamp is the way to go for acoustic guitar (or acoustic plus vocals).

Thanks,
Eric

Hello Eric and be welcome!

Thank you very much for the report. Maybe one day you could share  a sound sample so that we could hear it. I must confess I've thought about buying that particular preamp so I am very curious to see how it sounds with the Micro BR.

Thats the way to go, if it sounds good, let it be. The difference is all about the inpedance.

Thank you for your input. 

[j.storms]

Hey, I picked up one of those Art Tube Preamps from MF and it worked beautifully with the Micro BR.  No more low volume recordings on things like acoustic nylon guitars... very good recommendation from Admin guy!
Agree with you on this preamp for BR!  Best $29 dollar investment this year.
j

[Pedro]

Hey, I picked up one of those Art Tube Preamps from MF and it worked beautifully with the Micro BR.  No more low volume recordings on things like acoustic nylon guitars... very good recommendation from Admin guy!
Agree with you on this preamp for BR!  Best $29 dollar investment this year.
j

That's very cool.

[hewhoiscalledj]

Hello, He-Who-Is-Called-J here fresh from registration and totally impressed by this little wonder box. I've gotten the hang of tracking individual instruments and all that jazz but have difficulty getting a decent band/room recording. I just learned about adjusting the sensitivity level of the inputs/mic so I'm dying to try that out at practice tonight. My previous recordings using the built-in mic have been pretty bad; either not loud enough or too much distortion.

I also plan on trying a condensor mic plugged into the PA with a monitor mix sent to the MicroBR. If I understand correctly, that should solve the preamp issue. I would imagine that this should work better than the built-in mic but if anyone has suggestions or input about recording in a live-band setting, please let me know.

Feedback and unwanted distortion are my mortal enemies....

[steamfurnace]

I'm actually using mine to record songs/backing tracks from my computer that I have already processed through Cakewalk Home Studio.  I then output the Micro BR to 2 channels on my BR-864 which is in my studio in a different room than the computer.  This still leaves me 6 tracks to record guitar and vocals in the BR-864 without even using the virtual tracks and unhooking or lugging the computer or 864 from room to room.

[steamfurnace]

Sorry, my previous reply should have been to the thread on How I use my Micro-BR, not this mic thread.  I jiust ordered a Sony ECM-DS70P electret mic to try field recording our band rehearsals.