Mics/digital recorders [Archive]

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FashtheStampede

09-23-2006, 07:45 PM

So what kinda mics does everyone use? I need one soon. I would like to get a digital recorder thing that I can record voices straight into wherever I want, then later upload into the comp. Anyone know anything bout these? Would it sound like ass? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

dlpwillywonka

09-23-2006, 07:49 PM

I use a Sony Minidisc recorder for all my foley recordings. I keep it in my camera bag just in case. And yes I bring my camera bag everywhere :)

As for mics? I want to get a Sennheiser e840 but right now I'm dealing with a 50 dollar best buy Audio Technica microphone.

My model of the minidisc recorder is MZ N707. It's blue and it's got great quality in my opinion. Then I hook it up with a miniplug and record again onto the computer. I don't like the USB transfer on it. So maybe that's one thing that sucks.

hope that helps. I'd do alot of researching on microphones before buying them. Get exactly what you want for what you plan to do with it. Because a sound effects microphone(shotgun) isn't the same as a vocal one.(cardoid)

Either way good luck

folville

09-29-2006, 05:10 PM

Yeah, look into it very closely before buying any kind of mic. I took a good couple of weeks to decide on one, but in the end I picked up an MXL condenser mic with an M-Audio Delta 1010lt; I couldn't be happier.

here (http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2480/micsmallsp9.jpg) is a little pic of it. p.s., that's not meant to be a good photo, so don't judge my photography based solely upon that. ;)

dlpwillywonka

09-29-2006, 05:15 PM

That's a beautiful mic man. I've been wanting one like that for all my at home recordings. Still need a portable one for foley though.

Terro

09-29-2006, 05:22 PM

Damn , how much does one of those mics go for Folville?

folville

09-29-2006, 09:16 PM

Thanks, guys; the mic is pretty good for vocals, but the sound card is what really put me back a little. :Xead: You could probably pick that mic up for $75 dollars or so, but if you're lucky, i may sell one of my two in the future.

Biteycastle (http://z7.invisionfree.com/Brackenwood/index.php?showtopic=4856) has a great article on foley sound recording. I can't really help you with the mobile recording much, but good luck!

:D

andy

10-01-2006, 01:30 PM

i've got a sure beta 87c microphone, which is plugged into a mobile pre USB preamp. and i use audacity to record. pretty simple stuff but serves me well. i had to save up a bit for the mic and preamp but saw it as an investment. :)

vicjperry

10-02-2006, 11:36 AM

Cool! Can you give us a little more info on the preamp and maybe a little lo-down on what purpose it serves in changing the sound quality?

andy

10-02-2006, 05:04 PM

Cool! Can you give us a little more info on the preamp and maybe a little lo-down on what purpose it serves in changing the sound quality?

well the preamps main purpose is to power the microphone, as it needs phantom power.

apart from that, the setup isn't incredible to be honest. there's a hum/hiss unless the preamp volume is on low, but i only ever set it low if i'm being really loud.

i don't really know what i'm doing, i just like making silly voices.

folville

10-03-2006, 08:43 PM

I would imagine that andy answered your question, vicjperry, but if you're wondering what other types of setups exist I can show you mine...

Here's a picture of the shockmount and the mics (just disregard that lens; i fogot to take it out of the picture)
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/5374/picture002smallss0.th.jpg (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture002smallss0.jpg)

Here's the preamp/phantom power that I plug the mic into
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/125/picture003smallil4.th.jpg (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003smallil4.jpg)

This is the back of my computer where the preamp is plugged in (you can only see about half of the cable, so it's really much messier than that!)
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/6950/picture004smallri4.th.jpg (http://img376.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture004smallri4.jpg)

This is the mic in my hand hovering about five or so inches above my 6x8 tablet, so you can use that for a size reference (for some reason it does look a little large in the picture, though, so maybe it's not really a very meaningful picture)
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/7633/picture007smalljr0.th.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture007smalljr0.jpg)

That's all, so hopefully it gives you an idea or two on what to purchase!

vicjperry

10-05-2006, 07:13 AM

Okay, I plug my mic directly into my laptop and it seems to sound pretty good. What difference does the preamp make?

folville

10-05-2006, 10:37 PM

Okay, I plug my mic directly into my laptop and it seems to sound pretty good. What difference does the preamp make?

hmm... I don't know to be honest. The user's manual said that the mic required phantom power, and that the sound card had a preamp, just not phantom power, so I would need the little black unit I have there. If there is a difference, I wouldn't be able to point it out for you! :p

andy

10-06-2006, 07:27 AM

Okay, I plug my mic directly into my laptop and it seems to sound pretty good. What difference does the preamp make?

if you're plugging your mic into the laptop and it works straight away, then you don't need a phantom source. the only reason you might want a preamp is so that you can externally play with volume, and other levels (bass, treble etc depending on preamp's features)... and my preamp has two mic slots and two intrument lead slots, so i can plug an electric instrument straight into the preamp and record that, too.

andy

10-06-2006, 07:32 AM

vicjperry

10-07-2006, 01:11 PM

if you're plugging your mic into the laptop and it works straight away, then you don't need a phantom source. the only reason you might want a preamp is so that you can externally play with volume, and other levels (bass, treble etc depending on preamp's features)... and my preamp has two mic slots and two intrument lead slots, so i can plug an electric instrument straight into the preamp and record that, too.

My mic comes with a line transformer built into the cord as opposed to just a mic with a straight cord. It has a switch on the transformer that I can set to high or low IMP. Maybe that has something to do with the phantom power source.

It's not top of the line, but I bought new in the box at a pawn shop for $60. It's a V-Tech VT1080. Sounds a thousand times better than my old Radio Shack two dollar mic with built in hum.:rolleyes:

folville

10-08-2006, 12:51 PM

I've only a poor rcording that i'm willing ot post now, but i'll be honest, the quality is very good; the mic itself produces no noise (i just have a bad environment), and it has crisp, warm vocals.

All in all i'm pretty pleased. ;)

p.s., i have no hosting, but i'll put it up on yousendit when i return from lunch.

*edit

Linkage (http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=9092EB780CCB020C)

Here's the file!

vicjperry

10-13-2006, 05:53 AM

andy

10-14-2006, 08:07 AM

Can I get some advice? Here's a sample of a recording I did using Audacity. (I didn't clean it up so there are pops and clicks inbetween voices) There seems to be a constant "hiss" in all my recordings. I tried using the remove noise function but it ends up sounding really tinny. Any suggestions as to how I can get rid of it?

Sample (http://quick.dropfiles.net/581829)

i'm not entirely sure... it's a weird hiss.. the mic might just not be very good at picking up on the sound coming directly into it.. instead it's picking up on the sund around it. the smaller the room the less background noise, and if your room is padded that helps too. try recording with a big blanket over you and the mic.

the other thing it could be is your preamp.. make sure the volume isn't on too high. it's like when you have a speaker on too loud, you hear a hiss.

if you're using audacity, i found the remove background noise feature to be pointless. it removes the noise but it warps the quality of your voice and sounds tinny and robotic at times. best thing to do is use the equalise function. i haven't played with it too much but just even loading the 'acoustic' setting seems to remove background noise and keep the quality rich.