Microphone suggestions

OK, I have everything set up except a mic. Granted, I have a mono mic, but there are two problems: 1) the output volume is WAY too low and 2) the sound only comes out of the left channel (probably because it's a MONO mic ).

Anyway, I tried going to Radio Shack to purchase a stereo mic, but they looked at me like I was on crack and informed me, "Most mics are mono. We haven't had a stereo mic in [a long time]."

Any tweaking suggestions for my current mic? I have been contemplating going to a music store to look for a stereo mic or maybe Best Buy and get an USB mic (as long as it's in stereo)

Suggestions? Comments?

Thanks,
-Brian

Brian,
as much as I despise "the Shack" - they actually told you something correct this time!!! Most mics are mono. In fact you probably don't really want a stereo mic - they're going to much more difficult to set up and record with correctly than you think and they're really made for specific applications.

Robo's right - budget is the driving factor and the purpose of the mic is 2nd.

DON'T get a USB mic!!!! You will only have grief trying to get a USB mic and MC to work properly. and depending on your sound card, you will have driver conflicts using the USB mic.

here's one of my favorites: <MXL990/991> combo this is a really good set because it comes with a Large Diameter Condensor for vocals and a Small Diameter for instruments.

WARNING: if you don't have a mixer then you might need one! Condenser mics need PHANTOM POWER. Dynamic mics do not, but they still need a PREAMP. Most mixers have both phantom power and all have preamps. you can also get just a preamp, but a mixer gives you more flexibility for monitoring.

Behringer makes a decent starter mixer very inexpensive: <Behringer Xenyx 802>

Now...what about your sound card? are you using the onboard sound card of your computer? you'll want to upgrade that sometime as well. when you're ready to spend more money...let us know and we'll guide you on the path away from the Dark Side! (like those USB MICROPHONES!!! STAY AWAY - They're manufactured by Darth Vader himself!!!)

Thanks, for the info everyone. I guess I don't need to get another mic after all which saves me money.

I already have a Realisitic mono mic I bought at Radio Shack....probably 14 years ago. I also have an old stereo mixer which I used in conjunction with the mic for recording vocals and music from CDs and the keyboard, before I got all "high tech" and hooked everything up to the computer.

All I'm trying to do now is to add vocals to the MC 3 files I created using my keyboards. Maybe I have the mic connected to the wrong sound card port, or maybe I need to incorporate that stereo mixer into the setup somehow.

So what's the best way to do this?

BTW my soundcard is a Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit if that's relevant

Confused as usual,
-Brian

This is the mic my budget is allowing me to pick up - I'd like to know what everyones thoughts are on this as I've never bought a mic before (at least none worth mentioning)

mic link, I think this is a good first mic??

Agree with beagle, never had one, but other posts on other forums mention it often, and with the pre you mentioned from the other post, you should be totally set up
Later
Albert