Subject:Looking for a high-quality microphone for ...

Posted by: favbhs

Date:8/4/2005 5:00:34 PM

I have Sound Forge 8. I'm attempting to create books on CD. So I'm recording my voice, reading a book, and creating the best quality WAVE file that I can.

I have a few questions and I can't seem to find anyone with answers. I'm hopeful that some on this forum can help.

1. I am presently using a Radio Shack condensor mic that plugs directly into the sound card. It's okay, but I'm looking for a higher quality mic. --made for the computer--. I've tried good quality mics, even broadcast mics, but if they go into the soundcard directly, they pick up virtually nothing. I've also tried using a mixer and then putting the mic in it. But that wasn't good either. Lost of white noise that I couldn't get rid of.

So I'm looking for a good quality mic made for the computer. Any suggestions?

2. Is there any way to --automatically-- remove clipping without buying the Noise Reduction plug in, which costs something like $270.00. I know how to manually do it and it's quite a task.

3. How do I get my voice recording sounding fuller and deeper without distorting it and without slowing it down?

4. Is anyone recording voice onto CD using SoundForge as I am? If so, perhaps we can talk off line and I can get ahead of the ball game. I'm very new at this.

Thanks. Answer one or all and I'll be happy! ;-)

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for ...

Reply by: jumbuk

Date:8/4/2005 11:17:15 PM

What sound card are you using?

Something like a AKG C1000S or one of the multitude of large diaphragm mics now available will do the trick. The advantage of the C1000S is that you can use optional battery power, if you don't have phantom power.

It sounds like your sound card input is the weak link - you might want to upgrade to a soundcard with better input facilities. If you don't like opening up your PC, a USB interface would be good, like one of the M-Audio or Tascam units. Some of these have balanced mic inputs with pre-amps, and should be able to work well with a quality mic.

Re 2 - the best way to remove clipping is to not allow it to happen! Get your levels right when you record. There is a clipping repairer in SF 8, but I don't know how well it works.

Re 3 - a good large diaphragm condensor will capture all the frequencies. Use a bit of EQ, reverb and compression in SF to tailor the sound.

I have done a lot of work with a poet friend, recording his readings and adding music. Happy to talk offline if you want.

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for ...

Reply by: favbhs

Date:8/5/2005 4:29:05 AM

I'd like to talk off line. What is your email address?

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for ...

Reply by: JJKizak

Date:8/5/2005 6:55:27 AM

I use the Radio Shack Pro 3010 directly into the Audigy sound card and it works extremely well, no re-inforcement needed in the voice.

JJK

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for

Reply by: rraud

Date:8/5/2005 3:46:00 PM

You need, basically: A quality mic, quality mic pre-amp, quality soundcard, (A/D converter) a very quiet room with good acoustics, and gain stage instructions, ie; settting levels correctly, to even approach something that's going to sound pro.
Stay away from Sound Blaster and Radio Shack gear if possable.

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for

Reply by: garrigus

Date:9/25/2005 8:10:57 AM

You might want to check out the Shure KSM27. It's a great vocal mic and doesn't cost too much. We were just talking about this over on the DigiFreq Discussion board:

Samson, AKG, or Rode. Which mic?

Best regards,
Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of Cakewalk, Sound Forge and Sound Forge 6, SONAR, SONAR 2, SONAR 3 and Sonar 4 Power! books. ** Sound Forge 8 Power - The Official Guide is here! ** Books up to 37% off at:
http://www.garrigus.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq. Win a free copy of Cakewalk's Sonar Home Studio 4 and learn cool music technology tips and techniques by getting a FREE subscription to DigiFreq... over 17,000 readers can't be wrong! Go to:
http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for

Reply by: Phil Sayer

Date:10/6/2005 2:19:47 PM

Hmmm - agree with rraud on most things (as usual - he knows his stuff) but I've found Creative's stuff to be OK.

We're a pro studio (speech recording) and the Audigy 2 card has worked night and day with never a hitch and no quality issues.

The spec. is good - and it works out of the box, is well-supported, and has no conflict issues with any s/ware that I know of.

The "cybervoices" group here in the UK reports many, many problems with M Audio gear, which is excellent when and if it works... andf that isn't often enough.

If the mike budget will run to it, the industry minimum standard is the Neumann TLM 103 but it needs phantom power.

Electro Voice RE 20 is good, and robust, and doesn't need power.

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for

Reply by: hat3k

Date:10/6/2005 10:11:28 PM

Shure SM58 is very famous mic. Very good and not expensive. Just try, many artists use it. When i see TV i see every mic is SHURE SM58 in every TV-Show. Not a joke , i live in Russia. Also i have to say, that it's a mic, it was done not by choolguys, and since that time it is still on almost top (almost i said).

Subject:RE: Looking for a high-quality microphone for

Reply by: PumiceT

Date:11/9/2005 6:22:09 AM

Shure SM58 http://www.zzounds.com/item--SHUSM58 - 99.95
Pop Filter http://www.zzounds.com/item--RAXPOMT - 24.95
Desktop Mic Stand http://www.zzounds.com/item--MUPDS7200 - 14.95
Behringer Mic Preamp / Mixer http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHUB502 - 34.95

Something like that would work. The mic, stand, filter and mixer would all come to around $175. Add $30 or so for cables, too, most of this stuff doesn't come with any cables. Overall, not "cheap" but if this is something you are doing a lot of, I'd say spend the money and get it "right." Your sound card is probably fine with this setup. Then, set up an area in your room with some drapes or extra cushions or pillows to absorb sound behind the mic and on the sides (behind you, below you and above you, too, if you have the need). The idea is to deaden the whole room as much as possible.

Also, speak overly clearly. Smile, keep your mouth open wide. (Smiles are noticeable in voiceovers, believe it or not.)