Newbie-Questions about laptop recoding, mic & mp3 files

[hobbsca]

Until recently, I have been recording my husband's band with a cassette recorder. We moved to using my laptop due to the poor sound quality we experienced halfway though the longer 90 minute tapes we had been using to record a 45-60 minute set. The recordings are strictly a tool for practice, i.e., timing, missed lyrics, etc.

I have read quite a few posts regarding laptops, sound cards, and microphones, but I admit, a lot went over my head. So some may cringe as you read my questions.

First, the equipment & software:
Dell Latitude CPx PIII, 512 meg memory, w/stock ESS sound card.
Running XP Home with Goldwave 5.14
Speco MHL-1 Uni-Directional Dynamic Mic, dual high/low impedance (using the mic jack (not the in-line jack)).

Area recording in:
Not the greatest, but usually a bar (that's were most gigs are here in Houston)

Okay, now for the questions:

1. The recording I made last weekend wasn't bad, it picked up the vocals, lead guitar, and after finding the right place to set the microphone, the base guitar and bass drum. I wasn't able to capture the sounds of the cymbols or the high hats. Could this be due to the microphone I am using? Should I be using a different mic? I currently only use one mic to record the band and would like to capture high, mid and low ranges.

2. Each set was saved as a PCM signed, 16 bit stereo WAV file from Goldwave. The files sounded good the night we recorded. When I cut the sets into individual songs and saved them as Layer-3, 44100 Hz, 320 kbps, stereo the sounds became more mutted, not as crisp or clear. Is this typical for these file conversions?

Thank you.
Cecilia
Houston TX

 

[rayc]

1. DON'T USE THE MIC IN jack.
2. Use a preamp of some sort & run the mics into that & then the pre into the LINE IN of the card.
3. Don't convert to midi unless you REALLY need to - it really takes the guts out of a good wave file.
4. If you really MUST convert do it at the highest rate possible (CD Quality) but it will gut the wave sound.
4. If the wave file sounded good that's why you should keep it in that format.
5. Try a variety of mics - anything you can get your hands on. 2 mics are better thatn the one stereo mic as well.
Give the rig you have at present a test at rehearsal using the LINE IN - it'll allow a lot better quality sound into the system. IF the sound level isn't high enough (-3 is a good peak) you'll need a preamp or 2. Consider an external soundcard or even one of the cheap things on ebay that allow you to plug in with a little more claity.

These are the really cheap but cheerfrul type:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/USB-AUDIO-IN...ryZ23784QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LINE-IN-micr...0QQihZ015QQcategoryZ15198QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/STEREO-PREAM...10QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3278QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

God luck.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

1. Can you just not take a feed from the desk into the line in of your laptop?

2. 320kbps is supposed to be equivalent to CD quality so i don't know what's going on with your conversion there. Uncompressed is better of course but the vast majority of people couldn't tell the difference between a WAV file and a 320kbps mp3 anyway, or probably even 192kbps. After all vast numbers of people are quite happy wandering around with their ipods playing 128kbps files.

Sorry I can't really help solve the problem, but it's not normal to experience a noticeable degradation in the sound when converting to a relatively high bit rate mp3, something's not right there (either that or you have the most amazing ears ).

 

[ssscientist]

Another alternative would be one of the relatively new-on-the-market USB microphones --- LINK --- like this.

It should pick up cymbals and the high end in general much better.


.

 

[rayc]

The condensor mic is a good compromise. You won't have to swap cards, plug into externals etc. Though you'll probably want 2 so you can have stereo.
A line out might be a good option too. Experiment with that.
iPods are extremely popular as are many MP3 devices so too is Maccas. The lowest common denominator is not a standard to aim for.
Play an MP3 on a good stereo without the EQ enhancements etc that are now ubiquitous (ultra bass etc) & you will easily hear the difference.

 

[MichaelM]

2. Each set was saved as a PCM signed, 16 bit stereo WAV file from Goldwave. The files sounded good the night we recorded. When I cut the sets into individual songs and saved them as Layer-3, 44100 Hz, 320 kbps, stereo the sounds became more mutted, not as crisp or clear. Is this typical for these file conversions?

While technically yes, converting music from uncompressed wave files to mp3 will reduce quality, I doubt that you would notice much (if any) difference with a 320kbps mp3. If it really is a problem then I suggest you try a different mp3 encoder. Cut up all the files but still save them as .wav, then try an mp3 encoder such as winLAME (http://winlame.sourceforge.net), using the best settings and see if that gives you better results.

 

[rayc]

I doubt that you wouldn't notice much if you play an MP3 as I described. Think about it, a piece of music reduced by 90%. Can it possibly sound as good? I know all about the sampling rate, bit rate, byte rate, compression ratios, CD quality, near CD quality ( & remember there are thsoe who aren't entirely happy with the freq range of a CD), the hearing range arguments, but the reality is that played on proper equipment it doesn't sound as good.
If, however, your experience and normal usage has been MP3 oriented you'll feel that MP3s sound right - just like the old crapped out computer speakers etc. you're used to.

 

[Dani Pace]

You might want to get an adapter jack and use the line out (from the PA mixer board) to the line in (aux) input on your laptop. This can work quite well in live situations, especialy if the band mics everything through the PA.