Vocal (Mike audio) weak

Mics typically need a preamp - are you using a preamp (could be a stand alone or a mixer)? What kind of mic do you have?

Hiya, Rick! Got anything for us to hear yet?

Unidyne III, I believe are all dynamic mics, so if I'm right about that, then you don't need phantom power YET - but if vocals are important to you and you're not doing Rap or Metal, then you'll eventually want to get a condensor mic (which DOES require phantom power). I don't think you need to shell out for a condensor mic right now, just a consideration for later down the road.

Anyway - if you don't have a mixer and you don't have a preamp, my suggestion would be that you start out with a small mixer like the Behringer Xenyx 802. you can pick these up for about $50-60.

A mixer like this will not only give you preamp for your dynamic mic, but it will also allow you to monitor from the mixer instead of from the outputs of the computer - that way you by-pass the latency issue!

I don't know. Probably, but a quick google didn't show any results - just people looking for manuals. Does it have a preamp on the mixer for microphones? If it has an XLR input with a gain for that channel, then probably - but I don't know for sure.

Well, i tried to run my mic through the Vestax MR66 but I get no response from MC.
I also tried to send my Finale Notepad song through cakewalk but it said it was incompatible. I'm o for 2.

Looks like i'll need to aquire a condenser mic. I'll need it for vocs and guitar. Suggestion? Recommendations? Warnings?
Thanks a bunch!

Budget? Whatever i find around the downtown parking meters.
Low end for this guy.

I tried opening a Finale Notepad file with MC (right click the song and ask to open in MC format.) I tried to copy the actual manuscript into MC also but no go. I do think I've opened a MC file in Finale though

I'll have to play around a bit to know what you are describing.
Thank you.

Well, your budget is on the very lowest end, but that's ok (that's what I use!!!). First of all, for a condensor mic you need phantom power. My suggestion would be to get something like the Studio Projects' B1, AGK Perception 100, or maybe an M-audio NOVA. All of these can be had for $100 +/- $20.

Then for phantom power - it would be best to get a small mixer that has phantom power. I have a Behringher UB 1604 (discontinued) that I bough off ebay for $60. A small mixer is the best way to go since it gives you much more flexibility for inputs and for monitoring outside the computer environment. Someone else mentinoed that Yamaha makes a small mixer with phantom power onit.

if you can't get a mixer with phantom power, you'll need a small preamp like the M-audio Audio Buddy. Two mic or instrument inputs with phantom power for ~$80.

There are a lot of options - do your research and consider future upgrade possibilities!

Probably a pretty good choice!