Reddit reviews Auralex Acoustics MudGuard Microphone Isolation Shield for Vocals and Voiceover
We found 4 Reddit comments about Auralex Acoustics MudGuard Microphone Isolation Shield for Vocals and Voiceover. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Reduces excessive room ambience and off-axis sound during vocal recording.Standard impaling clips for flush wall mounting included.Isolates directional microphones from off axis coloration.Limits external bleed from unintended sound sources.Provides vocal booth style recordings with minimal footprint.
The AT2020 is definitely a solid choice for Vox. The 2050 is more versatile with switchable modes, but if you are only recording vox, the 2020 should serve you very well at that price range.
A pre-amp is what takes the very quiet, low-level signal from your microphone and boosts it to an acceptable level. Most interfaces have a preamp, and then convert the signal to digital, transferring it over USB or Firewire. You won't be able to use your mic properly without one. (you can get by with a mixer and a soundcard, aka a preamp and a soundcard Analogue-to-Digital converter, but an interface is absolutely the way to go).
However, you can forgo the interface if you don't see yourself going beyond one mic in the forseeable future, and get the AT2020 USB, which is the same thing, but has all of the necessary preamp/digital conversion you need already in the package. Please do note, though, that an interface will allow you to connect any mic, or a guitar, or a keyboard, even MIDI, which, if you have any plans to expand, even a little, is a must.
As far as interfaces go, I recommend focusrite, such as this
What you are describing is commonly known as acoustic treatment. Its partially to reduce reverb, but even more so to "balance" the sound of your room out. Carpeting will help particularly in small rooms with low ceilings. If you are only doing vocals and other smaller projects, something like this will help with that. Either way, you will likely want a pop filter, which helps remove plosives (p,b,s,t).
You should check /r/audioengineering to get the best advice!
Kill reverb. Get at least a microphone dampener if no other acoustification/isolation will be feasable. Electric guitars are easy if you're only recording audio in, percussion especially can be tricky with microphones in a non-treated room.
Read up on TweakHeadz, here are two good articles to read.
Check out some of the stuff from Auralex -- like this reasonably-priced setup: http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-MudGuard-Isolator-Dampening-Charcoal/dp/B004VM5R7Y/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1412014187&sr=8-6&keywords=auralex
That could be enough to reduce the ambient sound that gets recorded in your mic. If that's not enough, a few well-placed Studiofoam panels on stands would help too. And it would all be portable if you decide to go record somewhere else.
Please be very careful if you decide to go with lower-cost wall treatment options. The Station Fire wasn't that long ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Auralex-MudGuard-Isolator-Dampening-Charcoal/dp/B004VM5R7Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1411506338&sr=8-3&keywords=mudguard
the video review under "most helpful reviews"
this is the type of thing that makes me wary of cheaping out or buying a product with mixed reviews