Topic: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

I’m not quite sure if this should go into Software & Hardware or Audio...I hope this is the right place.

Anyway, like I said in the thread about a new editing program, I have a birthday fairly soon and I have some money I’ve been saving.
So I need a new mic.  I’ve always used the one built into my computer (2011 Macbook Pro) and it’s actually quite good, but I’m ready for a better external mic. 
I know the Blue Snowball has a good name around here, this is the one, right?

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones- … B000EOPQ7E 

I read that you’re supposed to get some sort of “pads” or “dampeners” or something that you put between your mouth and the mic.  I don’t really know, I am so uneducated about some things.  Do I need one of those, if so, do you have an Amazon link? 

Or maybe you know of a better mic or one comparable to the Blue Snowball.
So: do you think I should get the Blue Snowball, do I need anything else with it, or is there an entire different mic I should look into getting?

Also, I do plan on actually getting into some live action pretty soon.  Is there some sort of a mic that might work better, like a shotgun mic or boom mic or something that will be great for voice acting/foley and live action stuff?
Oh, I have the Rebel t3i and that’s what I’d be shooting live action on, if that makes a difference.

I hope this all makes sense, I am still taking Oxycodone because of my wisdom teeth so...yeah.

Thanks for the help!

Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

I read that you’re supposed to get some sort of “pads” or “dampeners” or something that you put between your mouth and the mic.  I don’t really know, I am so uneducated about some things.  Do I need one of those, if so, do you have an Amazon link?

That'd be a pop filter. They do sell them on Amazon (a search by name will bring up a decent selection). You'll definitely want one if you plan on doing a lot of voice work; without them you wind up with a lot of blown out 'p's and 'b's in your recordings regardless of mic quality.

Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

Pop filter, thank you!  Yes, that's what I was thinking of.  I'll take a look at them.

Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

http://www.samsontech.com/samson/produc … meteormic/ this is the one i use i got it for my birthday and its great!

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Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

I use the Snowball (with no pop filter, by the way) and it sounds pretty nice.
I've also not really had a problem with blowing things out, if that helps.
For live action, I don't know. I've never tried it for that.
It does tend to pick up on the background noise, but a simple noise removal pass in Audacity usually does the trick.

I'd look into a better mic for live action, and then compare prices. I hear shotgun mics can get over $1000, so I dunno how cheap they are.

Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

The Blue Yeti is pretty good. It is more expensive though.

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Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

Well the Blue Yeti is one of the best USB microphones available, I use it and it's great, but if it's too expensive I've heard the Snowball is really good as well. Pop filters are cheap, so I'd suggest getting one, even if it only makes a small difference (I use one). Buying a good shotgun mic might be the way to go if you're going to be doing a lot of live action, but a decent one is going to cost you probably at least $150.

Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

Thanks for all the help! 
Price wise, I think I'm leaning toward the Blue Snowball with a Pop filter, that seems to be the best for the cheapest. 
So yeah, looks like I'll be getting that sometime. 

If I start to do more live action I'll have to look into a shotgun mic.
Thanks!

Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

I find longitec anything are good quality and durable.

Stay strong, do your best, be yourself, and hang on tight. Things are always better in the end, and if they aren't better it's not the end.

Re: I need to buy a mic...suggestions please!

I've had my Blue Snowball since 2009. Love it so much!

A Life? Cool! Where can I download one of those from?