microphones

[mentil69]

I have two questions. I am starting a home studio that has a limited amount of space. I want to know if a sound proof booth is really needed when using a condenser. I also have another random quesiton. If i want to record songs from my computer onto a tape in a tape deck (cassete), how would i go about doing that? Thanks

[sjjohnston]

Originally posted by mentil69
I have two questions. I am starting a home studio that has a limited amount of space. I want to know if a sound proof booth is really needed when using a condenser.

No.

Unless the room is really noisy or something. If it's a machine shop or a train station, I think I'd go for the soundproof booth. Or maybe just wait until it's closed.

I also have another random quesiton. If i want to record songs from my computer onto a tape in a tape deck (cassete), how would i go about doing that? Thanks

Take an analog line out from your soundcard and connect it to the appropriate input of the tape deck. Hit record.

[mentil69]

ya that sounds good but my soundcard is the standard one that came with the computer, so if there is only a mic in and an output how do i go about recording onto a tape deck?

[Track Rat]

Where you would normally plug your computer speakers in, take a patch cable with a stereo mini plug on one end that fans out into two RCA type plugs and go to the left/right line input.

[mikeh]

Although you don't need a sound proof room, you can and should take some noise reduction steps. Consider keeping your computer (fan noise) as far away from the mic as possible - you could even consider building a box around the computer (allow for proper venting and cooling - as well as access to the drives, etc.).

You may need a sound dead environment for mic'ing vocals, etc. (not to keep noise out but to control room reflections). This can be done by hanging drapes (or packing blankets around the mic/vocal area - in essence this is like "building a vocal booth".

[mentil69]

Thanks a lot i also have a question about the measurments of microphones and what they mean. For example, what does it mean to boost a signal to 400 hz and what does it do?

[stonepiano]

boosting a signal at 400Hz refers to enhancing a recorded track with an Eq at the 400Hz range. Unless I'm not understanding the way you worded it, it's not a mic issue.

the range of human hearing, practically speaking, is 20Hz to 20kHz so it's in the middle part of the audible spectrum.

and kick ass, skokie! I used to play hockey there.

[stonepiano]

Also, if you want to get a lot of responses, I'd start a new thread just because you kind of jumped tangentially here.


miles

[Lee M.]

My den is an acoustical nightmare. It measures 10'x10' with a
10' ceiling. To deaden the room, I hang heavy quilted moving
blankets from plant hooks in the ceiling. When I'm not using the
room for recording, I simply take down the blankets - fold them
up and throw them in a closet.

Lee

P.S. you can get the blankets for about $20 bucks a piece
from Markertek.