USB Microphone

I state that the aim is simplicity of use for users is not too demanding.

To USB Or Not To USB?
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb07/articles/usbmics.htm


There are also some advantages in having a product designed as a whole as a unit and in the case of the SE Electronics USB2200a there is also the traditional XLR connector.

SE Electronics USB2200a
http://www.seelectronics.com/USB2200a.html


Is there someone who has used with success either of these mics in a large space (church)?

I'm going to use this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-USB-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275750077&sr=8-2
It's not the best quality you can get, but it works fine.

USB microphones work fine. The only problem that someone might have with them is there is some latency. So if you were to record a band one instrument at a time, it would be hard for them to keep tempo because of the latency. But if you would just be sampling pipe organs with this microphone, then you don't need to worry about that.

I haven't read much about this microphone, but it should be fine. It's probably better than mine

Another way is to use a Lexicon Omega [url]
http://www.amazon.com/Lexicon-Omega-Des ... B0002E4Z9G[/url] approx $180 USD. This unit has USB output, 2 mic (XLR) (w/ phantom pwr available) 4 line level ins and even MIDI in and out. Lots of other neat stuff (meters, headphone out, etc). Very cool unit.

Rgds,
Ed

PS, I rec'd a couple emails since posting the above from 2 disgruntile users of Omega. Q/C problems. Seems the vintage of these units is very near to when they first came on the market. I bought mine later and have had zero probs. So the jury might be out. Apparently if you get a more recent unit and it works, you are good to go.

That is probably the smartest way to go

I think it's better to have the ability to control the sound optimally.
USB microphones are certainly convenient, but only to do basic work. Much more than a simple XLR to USB adapter, the Centrance MicPort Pro is the only portable mic preamp with a built-in, 24bit/96kHz, broadcast-quality A/D converter - a Centrance exclusive : http://centrance.com/products/mp/ . ...A bit expensive...

An interesting product is Liquid Focusrite preamp. It is not too expensive and offers great control in emulation of classic preamplifiers for use with conventional microphone (XLR). Incredible value of firewire audio interface!

Focusrite Saffire 56 Liquid
http://www.focusrite.com/products/liquid/liquid_saffire_56
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may09/articles/liquidsaffire56.htm

Elia

If your aim is to do recording, you should consider either the Zoom H4 or the deluxe version H4n (n standing for next). Palm sized, self contained recording studio (literally) with built in microphones. The H4n can record 4 tracks (or 2), the recording media being SD memory cards. (I just bought another 8GB card for $12 USD, including shipping. Lots of recording time on these guys.

You can edit with the recorders themselves or transfer the finished files to your computer. My laptop has a built in slot for SD cards and looks at them as another hard drive. The H4 and the H4n can supply phantom power as well. With the H4n, you can choose the pick up angle of the built in condenser mics, either 90 or 120 degrees. They can record either mp3 or wav files. Quite a few of them on eBay, either new or used. I mount mine on a photo light stand which gets the unit up almost 12 feet. You can get a handy remote control for the H4n which is very useful.

Rgds,
Ed