Hey my name is Christian. I am new to this site but I get a LOT of important info from the forums. I am lookin for a mic under the $200 price range and the M-Audio Luna sempt to catch my eye. I had seen other well rated mics such as the NT1 and MXL 990 but this one seems to really catch my attention. I record vocals in genres like hiphop, r&b, and mostly rap. I like to hear audio clips from others work so if you have had any experiences/work done with this mic please let me know.

Any one of those are decent budget mikes, just be careful as what is true of all budget condensors, they clip easily.

Amy bad for not knowing i think ive heard it before but what does clipping mean?

I'm going to say no with the clipping.

My best definition of clipping without using a diagram: when the amplitude of the input is larger than the mic pre's input capabilities, the pre "clips" the top of the sound wave off creating a flat top on the sound wave and creating distortion within the signal. Clipping can occur with any type of input, from the pre to the power amplifier.

If you turn down your pre, you won't clip on the budget mic. Even the budget mic is rated for 130dB SPL into the mic. I don't know many people that normally sing at 130dB, let alone that close to the mic.

So that means the real issue is not with the mic, but is with the budget pre. High end pre's a lot of times will have a soft knee compressor, whether it be from a tube or other solid state components which prevent clipping from occuring, or at least being less noticable.

ok. do soundcards get the job done?
I am deciding to buy the MXL 990 and i heard it has built in phantom power...
can i just use a soundcard or will a cheap preamp like ART tube amps get it done?

MrMusicMan wrote:

I'm going to say no with the clipping. My best definition of clipping without using a diagram: when the amplitude of the input is larger than the mic pre's input capabilities, the pre "clips" the top of the sound wave off creating a flat top on the sound wave and creating distortion within the signal. Clipping can occur with any type of input, from the pre to the power amplifier. If you turn down your pre, you won't clip on the budget mic. Even the budget mic is rated for 130dB SPL into the mic. I don't know many people that normally sing at 130dB, let alone that close to the mic. So that means the real issue is not with the mic, but is with the budget pre. High end pre's a lot of times will have a soft knee compressor, whether it be from a tube or other solid state components which prevent clipping from occuring, or at least being less noticable.

What I mean, is that the input can be too loud for the diaphragm. This is not something that can be controlled with a preamp. The real issue is with a budged microphone.

I see what you're talking about. But I'm also saying that it's rated basically the same as any mic. The diaphragm can handle 130dB. Click here, then click here.

When it comes to sound quality at those levels, I'd give a neumann the job, but again, I'd never record anything beyond 100dB anyway. At that I go to a dynamic mic, and/or a tougher condenser like a Shure KSM 32, AKG C-414, even a Neumann KM184.

The only point I bring up here is that he won't have to worry about clipping his 990 with just a vocalist.


ANSWERING CQ: The 990 does not have built in phantom power. You'll need to get a mixer, or a small phantom pre before you can input to the soundcard. As a recommendation, I'd look into some sort of USB Mic Pre, such as an M-Audio Fast Track USB or similar.

All that together would put you into the $250 range, if you shop around a bit.