We primarily use a Shure 58, because we are low on funds. We have some other cheap mics (don't have much info on them, but one is a Shure 58 knock off). They are plugged into a PA head, and then from the cabinet out to the PC (with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter). I think some of the noise is caused...
I have a rock band who is recording their own demos. I also do some personal music on the side. I have found that recording directly into my soundcard with Cool Edit Pro has quite a bit of noise. Though I think that buying new cables could improve the sound quality (and lower the noise), I...