So, I've gotten my 404, thanks for all the information from this forum.

I have a question regarding microphones. At the moment I don't have access to a mixer and I would like to record some rather 'quiet' acoustical instruments and perhaps vocals.

Does anyone have tips in relation to microphones for this kind of job and secondly whether the 404 would be able to handle this?

Comments appreciated.

Cheers

The 404 can indeed handle this. Just make sure your cf card has enough space for the recording. For the kind of vox your looking for you probably want a condenser mic (and likely a preamp to push it). Prices range from less than $100 to well over $1000 so you may want to do some research before buying anything.

Here's a link with basic info on condenser mics.

http://www.recording-microphones.co.uk/condenser-microphones.shtml

Be sure to buy a microphone for vocals and not one specifically for instruments if you want to do vocals as well.

I've got a AKG-5900 condenser (directional) microphone, it's perfect for this. As mic pre-amp and recording unit I use a Line6 TonePort UX2, but I reckon there are other very good pre-amps or recording solutions out there you could use. ( http://line6.com/toneport/ )

For a really good vocal microphone you can’t go past the Shure SM58 (about $200 Australian)

As for a mixer, look at the Tapco Mix50. (About $75 Australian) Don’t bork at the cheep price. Google & take a look! These work brilliant with my SP404.

I’ve been a Television, Radio & Live sound engineer since 1966 (not a typo)

[email protected] if I can help further.

Cheers, Cliffo…

Damn, since 1966. That's like vans skate shoes, I'm sure you got some tricks up your. Welcome to the forum.

i dont know alot about mics. i just stole one from my church and it works good...i think its cheap

now thats old school, much respect.

as for drew go do yourself a favor and return that microphone and ask for forgiveness

I was raised Christian and became Buddhist later, but stealing anything and especially from a house of god is bad news bears.

i find the sp samplers juice up sm58 and pg 58 although im not a huge fan of pg 58

lol yeah i watched for thunder walking home

i would watch for lightning if i were you. i had a strike happen in front of me before! be cool.

i use in my sp-404------shure sm-58
in my sp-555------behringer b-2

without problems.