Pimp My TASCAM

[Max Roswell]

Okay, so here's the thing...I've been recording comedians and spoken word stuff for a few years, using my TASCAM 424 MkII, whatever sound card I had at the time, whatever the house microphone was, and whatever spare mics I could find for the audience response. It's worked out okay, and my recordings sound pretty decent, but I'm pretty much constantly just flying by the seat of my pants.

I've got a little dough to upgrade my stuff, and I'm looking for suggestions. I plan on keeping the MkII, unless someone can make a real case for changing. I have no plans to do any music whatsoever. All my stuff is one person speaking (sometimes yelling) and audience response (sometimes laughter and loud applause).

Given those caveats, what would you recommend for:

1. A microphone for the speaker;
2. Microphone(s) for the audience; and
3. Sound card for my PC.

Right now, I use Sound Forge 5.0, because it suits me, but if I'd benefit from a software upgrade (again, for spoken word stuff only), let me know, too.

Thanks in advance if anyone feels like answering.

 

[ssscientist]

1. A microphone for the speaker;
2. Microphone(s) for the audience; and
3. Sound card for my PC.

You can't go wrong with one of these. I've had mine for more years than I care to count and it still sounds great. As far as an audience mic goes, one of these omni-directional mics plugged into the second channel, then mixed to taste would probably be just the thing. And for a sound card, this will be a big step up from the stock sound card on your PC.

Sound Forge is a professional-level program - no need to buy anything to replace it.

 

[Max Roswell]

Wow...that Behringer ECM8000 is a really intriguing idea. Would you dangle that from a ceiling, or just put it on a stand and point it towards the crowd?

How does that sound card compare to the M-AUDIO US41500C? They cost the same...is it either/or?

And the Shure...well, yours is about the millionth positive thing I've heard about that mic, so I think maybe I'll start listening to people.

 

[mshilarious]

If you have some bucks, then the Shure Beta 58 wireless will be well received by the talent

 

[Jeff_D]

Wow...that Behringer ECM8000 is a really intriguing idea. Would you dangle that from a ceiling, or just put it on a stand and point it towards the crowd?...

That mic requires phantom power which your recorder probably doesnt have. It would be a good choice though. You could get an external phantom power supply which usually is only 1 channel for around $40--- or a small mixer (i.e. the Yamaha MG line) that might give you four channels for $80 - $100. Id look at something stereo for the audience- for instance- 2 small diaphram condensors in a x-y config somewhere near the stage OR one condensor on a stand on each side of the stage pointed at the audience.


And yeah- you could stick that mic on a stand preferably in front of the audience (facing the source of laughter). Its not too crucial which way you point it (if its omni).

 

[Jeff_D]

If you have some bucks, then the Shure Beta 58 wireless will be well received by the talent

.....also, i'd avoid the 57 for an on stage speaking mic- it doesnt take up close plosives to well- and lets face it- not everyone knows how to speak into a mic. Check out the SM58 because it has the windscreen (ball) or check out some of the Sennheiser stuff.