To the OP, who wrote:
If this microphone cost more than say, $300, using a very cheap audio interface will noticeably degrade the sound. Remember, this stuff is no different from playback equipment in terms of the electronics. Would you expect a $10 DAC to sound good? A $10 preamp?
You may just want to hire a recording engineer as others have suggested. Most engineers have their own high quality equipment, and if not, they will make sure that you rent the right stuff.
It all depends on your goals for the project. You can certainly get the job done with the cheapest preamp/ADC available, but it won't sound "professional". (Nor will it sound professional without a good microphone, room, microphone placement, correct gain, and in all likelyhood compression, reverb, EQ, etc, tastefully applied - and lets not forget the quality of performance being captured!)
If you want a professional recording, hire a professional with professional equipment. You might learn more from observing a trained engineer than from trial and error at first.
If you want to learn more about recording and gain firsthand experience then by all means, get some basic recording gear and go for it! You will find more advice than you can possibly need on sites like Gearslutz and TapeOp Messageboard. (diyAudio is not a forum related to recording, but for people who build playback equipment).
If this microphone cost more than say, $300, using a very cheap audio interface will noticeably degrade the sound. Remember, this stuff is no different from playback equipment in terms of the electronics. Would you expect a $10 DAC to sound good? A $10 preamp?
You may just want to hire a recording engineer as others have suggested. Most engineers have their own high quality equipment, and if not, they will make sure that you rent the right stuff.
It all depends on your goals for the project. You can certainly get the job done with the cheapest preamp/ADC available, but it won't sound "professional". (Nor will it sound professional without a good microphone, room, microphone placement, correct gain, and in all likelyhood compression, reverb, EQ, etc, tastefully applied - and lets not forget the quality of performance being captured!)
If you want a professional recording, hire a professional with professional equipment. You might learn more from observing a trained engineer than from trial and error at first.
If you want to learn more about recording and gain firsthand experience then by all means, get some basic recording gear and go for it! You will find more advice than you can possibly need on sites like Gearslutz and TapeOp Messageboard. (diyAudio is not a forum related to recording, but for people who build playback equipment).
Get:
1. Microphone preamp/mixer - power the mic and convert the XLR to RCA line level signal
2. Behringer UCA202 - A-to-D and D-to-A capable USB audio interface at 16/48. No drivers needed.
3. Recording software to capture the input from the UCA202
Have fun.
PS. There are also devices that integrate (1) and (2) into the same device.
1. Microphone preamp/mixer - power the mic and convert the XLR to RCA line level signal
2. Behringer UCA202 - A-to-D and D-to-A capable USB audio interface at 16/48. No drivers needed.
3. Recording software to capture the input from the UCA202
Have fun.
PS. There are also devices that integrate (1) and (2) into the same device.
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