Looking for an inexpensive mic for my Mac

[the_poochies]

I'm doing a radio podcast for a friend's Web Site and I need a microphone to input my voice on the podcast. I know that the Mac comes with a built-in mic, but I wanted something that doesn't sound like it's coming from a built-in mic.

If it helps, I have a Griffin iMic so a 1/8" plug would work on my Mac.

[TheTominator]

What do you consider "inexpensive"?

[Speedy]

Lapel mic.

[deckeda]

Musician's Friend is advertising "Mic Month" http://www.musiciansfriend.com/mic-month-deals#micdeal

I have no idea what may or may not be a good price there.

More important than price will be the type, quality and connection type. And whether or not you should additionally need, or benefit from a stand, pop filter and so on. Don't forget there such things as USB Mics too, if that helps.

[lost in space]

This one is on my list, rated highly for natural voice, acoustic music reproduction and build quality.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio...denser-mic

Their price is pretty good, but isn't anything special.

[deckeda]

the_poochies wrote:
... I know that the Mac comes with a built-in mic, but I wanted something that doesn't sound like it's coming from a built-in mic. ...

If this is a one-time deal, where you supply an audio file you recorded, there are ways to cheat.

For example, my Late '08's mic is located behind the left speaker grill. If I put my mouth fairly close to the left speaker the recording's quality is much better.

I've made a few quick 'n dirty screencasts for an online class I'm taking. Because the screencasts need to include audio from an app I'm pretending I know how to use (hah!), I can't have the Mac also record from another source easily such as the mic, mic input or USB mic.

So what I did was use my iPhone 4's included voice app. The mic's located down low, with the speakers. Recording my voiceover while speaking close to the iPhone's butt I get a clean and clear recording that sounds better than what my MBP alone can achieve.

I take the audio recording from iTunes (after syncing the phone) and dump that into iMovie along with my screencast movie. It's really kludgey to do it this way (and yes I know iMovie has a voiceover function) but the class i almost over, and I have a fine voice recording.

[deckeda]

So the_poochies, like I said if this a temporary thing and you don't mind the phone/iTunes rigamarole give it a try.

Let's say the podcast consists of people in different areas talking over Skype or even over cellphones. Each person records just their voice howsoever they like and someone pieces the recordings into a whole later in Garageband or some other DAW.

[deckeda]

lost in space wrote:
This one is on my list, rated highly for natural voice, acoustic music reproduction and build quality.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio...denser-mic

Their price is pretty good, but isn't anything special.

I'm interested in something less than $100 to get started casually messing around with. Condenser, most likely, and XLR to use with an audio interface I already have for phantom power if necessary. Any others to consider?

Their price is pretty good, but isn't anything special.

Yeah, not being familiar with mic prices I figured the MSRP they show for many of these wasn't realistic.

[August West]

Versatile, inexpensive for messing around.

B1

[Psurfer]

Hmm, that's interesting, because I've been looking for an inexpensive Mac for my mic!