Newbie question

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cjaeger

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Hey everyone, great board!

After reading here I figure I'm on the low end of what everyone else is doing. Here's my question/situation:

I sell an informational CD as part of my business and I'd like to record my CD, or at least practice, on my PC. I have a good PC, lots of memory, big hard drive, sound card... and I've tested the Windows 2000 recording (Accessories/Entertainment...) and it works OK (my mic was through a logitech CAM, no kidding).

So I don't think I need any "mixing" equipment or even a sound board or anything like that. Tracks ?? Yea, I've seen them when I take the train... (??).. I don't think I'll even venture into multitrack requirements (maybe with a music intro or segway??).

Question?

Should I buy something like Cool Edit? It looks like I need a good mic? Can I get one at Radio Shack for what I need - I think it plugs in to my sound card?

Anyway, you see where I'm going. Your 2cents is appreciated.

Chris Jaeger
http://www.sellmoreweddings.com
 
Are you working with any background music? What quality are you looking for? Do you want it to sound like a professional radio broadcast or simply make it work? What is your budget?
 
If the main focus of your project is voice, then it probably would be a good investment (And idea) to buy a decent mic.

I haven't had much luck with Radio Shack mics so I would recommend buying a good AKG for around $100.00.

Also try and get a dynamic mic to kill the need for phantom power.

Lyon
 
I've got a few hundred bucks.

I'd probably like to use music as a lead in/out. Quality needs to be pretty good (I get $50 per CD!).

I got a radio shack mic yesterday for $30.00 and am playing with it and Cool Edit (demo) version. Wow, I'm surprised how simple this actually is.

But I think for short money I can really build a Cadillac, here. That's why I posted here, I figured you experts could help!

I was a RS yesterday. They have a lot of mics, but I think then I need a sound board of sorts? I'm thinking

MIC plugs into sound board, which uses connecting cables to connect to pc sound card, and I can use the sound board to tweak the mic... and I'm on my way.

I'd appreciate leads on places to research and then buy equipment online.

Anyone have experience with Cool Edit? Seems like it can do it all for $70 ?

Thanks

-chris




TexRoadkill said:
Are you working with any background music? What quality are you looking for? Do you want it to sound like a professional radio broadcast or simply make it work? What is your budget?
Click to expand...
 
cjaeger said:
I've got a few hundred bucks.

I'd probably like to use music as a lead in/out. Quality needs to be pretty good (I get $50 per CD!).

I got a radio shack mic yesterday for $30.00 and am playing with it and Cool Edit (demo) version. Wow, I'm surprised how simple this actually is.

But I think for short money I can really build a Cadillac, here. That's why I posted here, I figured you experts could help!

I was a RS yesterday. They have a lot of mics, but I think then I need a sound board of sorts? I'm thinking

MIC plugs into sound board, which uses connecting cables to connect to pc sound card, and I can use the sound board to tweak the mic... and I'm on my way.

I'd appreciate leads on places to research and then buy equipment online.

Anyone have experience with Cool Edit? Seems like it can do it all for $70 ?

Thanks

-chris
Click to expand...
If you want to do stuff you're going to sell, you'll want to do it right. If by a "sound board" you mean a mixer, you can get by without one for what you want to do. Starting around $100 rangeing upwards to in excess of $4000 you can get a microphone preamplifer. You definately want one of these. Then a mic like a Shure SM-57 into the pre. Your existing sound card should serve you well for a while, but definately something you would want to upgrade at some point. The mic and preamp could all be had under $200. A decent sound card, $200-$300 at least.
Cool Edit Pro is a decent multi tracker/editer for sure. Very powerful tool.
 
Thanks for a quick response. I'm starting to figure this all out. I'm going to download the Cool Edit full registered version. Sounds good enough for what I need... and I'll have it in 10 minutes!

Ain't the Internet great!

Thanks again.

-chris
 
Please stop shopping at radio shack. Unless you really know what you are looking for your chances of getting anything good there are slim to none. I can assure you that no mixer you get there will be worth the money.

The M-audio delta cards are pretty much the best cheap sound cards you can get. Their Audiophile is $180. If you are only doing voice you might be able to get away with a Soundblaster but the difference is noticable.

If you want to save money than just get a preamp instead of a mixer. You will plug the mic into that then into the sound card. The DMP3 is probably the cheapest clean preamp you can get.

The MXL v67 is a good condensor mic for under $100. Condensor mics sound more airy and loud but they can also pick up a lot of background noise. If you are concerned with background noise (very important for speech only) then get a dynamic mic. I wouldn't get a SM57 for VO stuff. An EV RE20 or Sennheiser 441 would be good choices but a little more expensive.

Learn about compression. It is an effect you can do in CEP to help even out the volume level of you recordings so that it is easy to listen to without straining to hear quieter parts. It will be very handy for an audience that is probably listening to your CD's in the car.

Plan on spending about $100 per component. $2-300 per would give you better results but it's for you to decide how much of an investment you can pay off quickly enough. If you are planning on doing this for the next 10 years than you might as well get some gear that could very easily last you that long if you take care of it.
 
TexRoadkill said:
Please stop shopping at radio shack. Unless you really know what you are looking for your chances of getting anything good there are slim to none. I can assure you that no mixer you get there will be worth the money.
Click to expand...

Aaaahahahahahaha..... No wonder people don't come in as much anymore. :-P I'll agree with you on the mixers... they're not the best... However, in my high school a few years ago, we were using a small four-channel RS mixer for PA purposes, crossfading between CD decks and the mic, and it sounded nice, also used them for school recordings, etc etc etc... Nothing compared to a Mackie, but not bad. They're clean.

Unfortunately, most of the RS mixers do NOT have XLR inputs, but instead have 1/4" jacks. Then again, most of the RS mics have 1/4" plugs and not XLR. We used to carry a Highball mic that was made by Shure, it ran for like $59.99, but unfortunately was discontinued about half a year ago, and I forgot the SKU on it. Most of the mixers also don't have pres on them. Bummer.

Bottom-line. For spoken text, the mics aren't bad... For simple mic/line mixing/fading, the mixers are adequate. However, yes, if you want an exceptional product, you'll have to look elsewhere.

I'm still trying to find those LX7s. -_-'
 
Thanks. I bought a $30 mic there and it works pretty good. When I say words starting with P - it sort of PUNCTUATES itself on the recording, but I think I can work around that...

I'd guess a better mic would help with that. I'm looking around and am getting some good advice from a guy at Portland Sound.

Thanks again.
 
cjaeger said:
Thanks. I bought a $30 mic there and it works pretty good. When I say words starting with P - it sort of PUNCTUATES itself on the recording, but I think I can work around that...

I'd guess a better mic would help with that. I'm looking around and am getting some good advice from a guy at Portland Sound.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

The mics aren't bad for spoken word. I think they're fine. But yes, they are a bit POPPY sometimes... Do you have a muff on it? If not, go back to the shack and for like 3 or 4 bucks get a windscreen. the light grey one is the better of the two (the other is near brown/black).

Either that, or don't speak directly into the mic, yet speak almost across the mic. That P sound is from a large amount of sound pressure hitting the mic element. Whenever you say "poppy", notice how loud the "p"s are... say "sloppy" and then "poppy"... You're sending out a much louder sound than you would with another consenant. So just don't speak directly into the mic, and you should eliminate that. Try pointing the mic either at your nose or chin instead of your lips, and stay several inchess off of the mic at least...

That should help you out with eliminating excessive pops.
 
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