microphone question

GateandGarden · #1 10-22-2005, 01:15 PM

I've successfully ruined what's probably my fifth or sixth RadioShack microphone in about three or four years and I have to wonder what I've done so wrong. Eventually, every single one I've had has lost its ability to convey sound because (my guess) something became disconnected in the cord. The one I have right now works but barely and the sound is very much distorted. I have a habit of wrapping the cord around the microphone, and though I do so slowly it's not always neatly. So, that is a very bad practice? What should I do instead?

Also, a related and unrelated question--how does one transfer something from a cassette tape to a CD? Do I need to buy something to be able to do that?

Thanks in advance for any answers/advice.

HomerMcvie · #2 10-22-2005, 02:18 PM

Firstly, no "real" mic has a cord attached. Cords do go bad, especially cheap ones. Cords just plug into the mic. If you know anyone who's any good at soldering, I'm sure they could fix it. It probably wouldn't be worth the shipping to send it to me, and back.
Microphones(good sounding ones) have come way down in price. A couple years ago, there were Chinese "knockoffs" on eBay, dirt cheap!!! For example, they'd copy a Shure SM58(the most popular mic of all time), down to the last sonic detail, and sell em for $15(best price on a Shure is about $100). And they DO sound as good as the original. Anyway, BIG patent lawsuits followed, and alot of that stuff is gone now.
But still, there are good sounding mics to be had for cheap. Superlux (chinese) makes really good sounding stuff. I was buying FIVE drum mics for about $80, that actually sound BETTER than Shure mics!! $80 would have been UNHEARD of, 10 years ago......more like $500! After the lawsuits, they forbid their dealers from eBaying anymore. My friend is a dealer, Hill, and I can give you his email/website, if you're interested. Probably $20-25 for a decent one, including shipping.
Did I babble on, or what?

GateandGarden · #3 10-22-2005, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Firstly, no "real" mic has a cord attached. Cords do go bad, especially cheap ones. Cords just plug into the mic. If you know anyone who's any good at soldering, I'm sure they could fix it. It probably wouldn't be worth the shipping to send it to me, and back.
Microphones(good sounding ones) have come way down in price. A couple years ago, there were Chinese "knockoffs" on eBay, dirt cheap!!! For example, they'd copy a Shure SM58(the most popular mic of all time), down to the last sonic detail, and sell em for $15(best price on a Shure is about $100). And they DO sound as good as the original. Anyway, BIG patent lawsuits followed, and alot of that stuff is gone now.
But still, there are good sounding mics to be had for cheap. Superlux (chinese) makes really good sounding stuff. I was buying FIVE drum mics for about $80, that actually sound BETTER than Shure mics!! $80 would have been UNHEARD of, 10 years ago......more like $500! After the lawsuits, they forbid their dealers from eBaying anymore. My friend is a dealer, Hill, and I can give you his email/website, if you're interested. Probably $20-25 for a decent one, including shipping.
Did I babble on, or what?

No, you didn't babble at all.

I'm sure you know so much more about this than I do so you could've gone on much longer. I'd love his e-mail/website. I really should invest in something better. PM me if you don't want to post it in this thread. And thank you!

HomerMcvie · #4 10-22-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

No, you didn't babble at all.

I'm sure you know so much more about this than I do so you could've gone on much longer. I'd love his e-mail/website. I really should invest in something better. PM me if you don't want to post it in this thread. And thank you!

What are you plugging this into? After reading below, will it accept a REAL, XLR connector?
What kind of plug is on the other end? XLR(has 3 pins inside a metal housing-the standard), or 1/4 inch(guitar cord plug)? If the cord was attached to the mic, I'm guessing it's probably 1/4" on the other end.

GateandGarden · #5 10-22-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

What are you plugging this into? After reading below, will it accept a REAL, XLR connector?
What kind of plug is on the other end? XLR(has 3 pins inside a metal housing-the standard), or 1/4 inch(guitar cord plug)? If the cord was attached to the mic, I'm guessing it's probably 1/4" on the other end.

Hell, I don't know.

You're talking to someone who just likes to sing for fun. I've been plugging into either my computer or this bulky Aiwa sound system thingy I have. I have an adapter on the end of it because the mic cord itself appears to be too thick to fit into anything I have.

HomerMcvie · #6 10-22-2005, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

Hell, I don't know.

You're talking to someone who just likes to sing for fun. I've been plugging into either my computer or this bulky Aiwa sound system thingy I have. I have an adapter on the end of it because the mic cord itself appears to be too thick to fit into anything I have.

Well, I know. I'm trying to make sure that if you get a REAL mic cable, that you have a way of plugging it in. It sounds like you have an adaptor.
HERE:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector
Does the end on the cable you already have, look like the first one, on the left, in this picture?

GateandGarden · #7 10-22-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Well, I know. I'm trying to make sure that if you get a REAL mic cable, that you have a way of plugging it in. It sounds like you have an adaptor.
HERE:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector
Does the end on the cable you already have, look like the first one, on the left, in this picture?

No, it's nothing like that.

I have no idea what it is instead. It has no pins.