I need to buy a Microphone
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
I have been using a microphone from sony (EC-MF8 I think) to record with my digital voice recorder (interviewing relatives for my genealogy hobby) and have been very happy with it. ref: EBAY Listing[^] IT has picked up clear with out too much far away noise. Definitily will pickup anyone talking close to the table it is on. And you do not want any finger tapping going on. :)
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
For an excellent workhorse studio mic that has a good overall response, consider the Shure SM 57, around $100. However, if you don't mind spending the bucks, you'll get better vocal quality with a large diaphram mic. I use the Rode NT-1 in my studio, around $200 and an excellent bang for the buck as it compares favorably with much, much more expensive vocal mics. In either case, you also need to spend 20 bucks on a "pop filter", a screen that prevents a lot of the plosive noise. You'll find all of this at your local music store. Also, note that these mics are low impedence, which means you'll need a "low z to high z" transformer, and then a step down adapter from 1/4" to 1/8", both available at Radio Shack. And nobody likes the sound of their recorded voice at first, trust me.
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
Johnny, Feel free to email me if you need any more info on the the recording technology stuff. I've been a pro musician and working with recording studios for three decades. Alternatively, I also have a state of the art recording studio here in Atlanta, and we've done radio shows, music on hold systems and other voiceover work for clients. If your company would like to farm this out, we can deliver whatever voiceovers & music you need per your spec. Either way, I'm happy to help.
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
JohnnyG wrote:
Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words.
There are several issues to be involved with in recording on a PC: 1) External Noise 2) Internal Noise 3) Sound quality (depth, cutoff, range, etc) 4) Volume (peak, range) 5) Vibration of mic elements I finally had to go off PC to get good quality sound. Before now I had the best Logitech mic I could afford for the PC, good range, low noise. The PC soundboard even had low internal noise, the best that a PC can do on its own. http://www.zianet.com/jjustinb/KiowaSunset.mp3[^] But the Volume peak is dismal, I overpowered the poor mic on the high notes... the vibration of the mic elements on the low and high notes are noticeable, the range is just not enough. I am recording one a year to show my progress learning to play the native american flute. This year I have a Shur studio Mic and a Tascam DP-01FX for recording http://www.tascam.com/Products/dp01fx.html[^] That may be overkill for you, you aren't needing to record music, only voice?? But you might invest in at least a USB adapter for the mic elements: http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-122.html[^] or something similar. This takes the sound elements away from the 60hz AC signal of the computer and onto DC power, even if the DC is provided by USB it is has less signal noise than running inside the PC itself. Just my humble opinion... I am not a recording artist, only learning myself.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
JohnnyG wrote:
Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words.
I don't know what's it's called, but mics with the fuzzy mesh stuff on top of it helps cut out some of the extra sound like that. So, don't get a bare mic.
Jeremy Falcon
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JohnnyG wrote:
Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words.
I don't know what's it's called, but mics with the fuzzy mesh stuff on top of it helps cut out some of the extra sound like that. So, don't get a bare mic.
Jeremy Falcon
Jeremy Falcon wrote:
I don't know what's it's called, but mics with the fuzzy mesh stuff on top of it helps cut out some of the extra sound like that.
Windscreens[^] They remove the inner stalker from everyone. :-D
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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JohnnyG wrote:
Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words.
I don't know what's it's called, but mics with the fuzzy mesh stuff on top of it helps cut out some of the extra sound like that. So, don't get a bare mic.
Jeremy Falcon
Jeremy Falcon wrote:
mics with the fuzzy mesh stuff on top
That only happens when you leave your mics out overnight (especially if you've been recording a rock singer with them). Didn't you read the label on your mic that says, "Refrigerate after using"? :-D
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
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Jeremy Falcon wrote:
mics with the fuzzy mesh stuff on top
That only happens when you leave your mics out overnight (especially if you've been recording a rock singer with them). Didn't you read the label on your mic that says, "Refrigerate after using"? :-D
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
Christopher Duncan wrote:
Didn't you read the label on your mic that says, "Refrigerate after using"?
Damn, and here I thought that label meant I should hop in the fridge.
Jeremy Falcon
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Jeremy Falcon wrote:
I don't know what's it's called, but mics with the fuzzy mesh stuff on top of it helps cut out some of the extra sound like that.
Windscreens[^] They remove the inner stalker from everyone. :-D
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
They remove the inner stalker from everyone.
:laugh: Makes for a great sales pitch I say.
Jeremy Falcon
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
Didn't you read the label on your mic that says, "Refrigerate after using"?
Damn, and here I thought that label meant I should hop in the fridge.
Jeremy Falcon
Jeremy Falcon wrote:
Damn, and here I thought that label I should hop in the fridge.
Does the light really turn off when the door is closed? :rolleyes:
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Jeremy Falcon wrote:
Damn, and here I thought that label I should hop in the fridge.
Does the light really turn off when the door is closed? :rolleyes:
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
Does the light really turn off when the door is closed?
The first rule of the Fridge Club is, we don't talk about the Fridge Club. :suss: ;)
Jeremy Falcon
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Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
Does the light really turn off when the door is closed?
The first rule of the Fridge Club is, we don't talk about the Fridge Club. :suss: ;)
Jeremy Falcon
Jeremy Falcon wrote:
The first rule of the Fridge Club is, we don't talk about the Fridge Club.
Damn... I don't have to beat up ham sandwich to join do I? ;)
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Jeremy Falcon wrote:
The first rule of the Fridge Club is, we don't talk about the Fridge Club.
Damn... I don't have to beat up ham sandwich to join do I? ;)
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
I don't have to beat up ham sandwich to join do I?
Just slip it a little "lettuce", if you know what I mean. :-D
Jeremy Falcon
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
Get a headset microphone and when using it make sure the microphone is to the side of the mouth, this will reduce the popping. Make a few recordings and see how position affects the sound quality. Elaine :rose:
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
JohnnyG wrote:
I sound like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
If you've got a few bucks, you might try employing a professional reader. Local radio DJ's often moonlight doing audio voiceovers, and can be fairly cheap. You might also be able to hire students from the communications or theater departments from a local university. Having someone trained in using their voice can make quite a difference in the perceived quality of the final product. That said, if you don't have the money for a 'professional', here are some tips: 1. Have a script written out ahead of time, with cues (screen captures, or text descriptions) to the visual material. 2. Have a quiet place to do the recording in. A conference room with no windows, no phone, and a sign on the door that asks people to be quiet. This is as much for the reader's sake as it is avoiding extraneous noise in the recording. 3. When you're reading, read a phrase or two ahead in the text of where you are speaking. It takes some practice, but this goes a long way toward putting punctuation pauses and breathing breaks in the right place. 4. Break the recording into sections of fairly short duration. Let the reader rehearse each section a couple of times before they record it in order to get the timing right. 5. Realize that you will probably want to edit the script as you go. Written text and spoken text have different styles, and once you hear the written script spoken aloud, you may want changes. Have a thesaurus handy for words that are difficult to pronounce. 6. With a three hour program, it's going to take a while to record the audio for this. If you've got someone in your office doing it, it's going to take longer. Doing voiceovers can be tiring. 30 minutes of audio with rehearsals and 'do-overs' could take a couple of hours or more. Take breaks, and don't try to do it all at once.
Software Zen:
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I'm planning on taking a 3 hour course that we developed in-house and re-do it for CD/DVD-ROM distribution and maybe even stream it over the web. It will have a powerpoint presentation, interwoven with digital video, along with PC screen and mouse recordings of my program, all narrated with audio. Anyways, Camtasia recommends you make PCM (WAV files) audio recording at 16Khz mono. I've tried some tests with my cheap computer mike and you can sure hear the breathing (stalker training?) and other pops, plus it seems to clip at the end of some words. Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive (under $100 USD) microphone from somewhere in the US like at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc? I guess it would need to have a 1/8 inch plug or I could get by with a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adapter. Oh, yeah, BTW (an aside) I sould like a 80-year old man going through puberty. Yucchh. I'm definitely getting someone else to do this at my office.
The microphone that TechSmith sells is a really good microphone. I have one friend who did one version in a studio and another version using the TechSmith microphone and people thought the Techsmith mic version sounded better. [Lapel Mic] I'd give it a serious consideration! Dan