Subject:Microphone for Audio recording

Posted by: mwebster

Date:10/1/2007 10:57:18 PM

Can anyone suggest a microphone I can purchase/use to record voice recordings (using my Sound Forge). I am using one of those cheap types you can buy at the office supply stores for computers and the quality if really not very good.
Thanks
Mark

Subject:RE: Microphone for Audio recording

Reply by: Kennymusicman

Date:10/2/2007 1:55:30 AM

Without over complicating - are you in a small or big room, lots of noise or little noise, and more importantly, do you have a source of phantom power?

There are a few that spring to mind. - what is your budget?

Ken

Subject:RE: Microphone for Audio recording

Reply by: mwebster

Date:10/2/2007 8:40:01 PM

Hi Ken
I am recording audio flash cards for myself in a bedroom with moderate household type noise. I am just tired of hearing this weak tinny sounding voice resulting from my inexpensive microphone. I am ripping professionally recorded sentences in different language from a CD and inserting my own recorded voice in English. I don't know what phantom power is. Price? is under $100 a reasonable number. Do these mics connect using usb or does one have to use some sort of adapter.
Thanks
Mark

Subject:RE: Microphone for Audio recording

Reply by: rraud

Date:10/3/2007 9:01:16 AM

Phantom Power © is an external power source, typically 9-52V needed to activate condenser/capacitor type mics, opposed to dynamic mics like venerable the SM57& 58s which require no external power or battery for bias power. (lets not get into that.)
There are many mics in the $100 price range that would work for you. If you go with a USB mic, this would eliminate some mic preamp, Phantom Power and soundcard issues. Unfortunately I have no experience with these type microphones but I'm sure Kenny or someone else on this forum could recommend some.
Cheers

Subject:RE: Microphone for Audio recording

Reply by: Kennymusicman

Date:10/3/2007 10:34:04 AM

I do a lot of audio recording for tutorials here on a headset mic. I have gone through several models and formats, inc basic jack and USB configs. At the end of the day, I'm actually using the cheapest one out of them all - a basic jack plug (made by "Yoga") - and it's sounding great. (in UK, maplin, for less than £10)
I also have a logitech USB one, that was recommended by lots of people, and it's fine. It does what you want also, and does negate need to preamp/soundcard issues. Most modern motherboards and soundcards have a dual line in/mic in that take care of the preamp stage anyways.

USB will also remove other issues such as DC offset. Look for something with a bit of noise cancellation - it helps cut down unnecessary background noise without any intervention/treatment by you after recording. Having said that, Noise reduction 2 in SF9 will get rid of 'anything' else anyway.

You don't need to even think about the phantom power route, now we have an idea of what you are doing.

Headset mic also has advantage in that you can turn you head, sit back etc without changing volume due to distance changes from mic-on-a-stand.

So I can't say, "don't go for the cheapest" since in my case that is exactly what I have reverted to, but USB could be a nice solution for you, and probably a headset version too.

HTH

Ask anything further if you want to

Ken

Subject:RE: Microphone for Audio recording

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:10/3/2007 10:48:49 PM

Samson make a USB mic that would be an improvement. RODE make one which would be an even bigger improvement, and I'm sure there are others now too (M-Audio ?).

geoff

Subject:RE: Microphone for Audio recording

Reply by: mwebster

Date:10/3/2007 11:36:08 PM

Thanks everyone for the input I'll start checking around.
Mark