Inspiring

Question

Microphone - suggestions?

Forum|Forum|18 years ago
December 11, 2007
8 replies
3060 views

Speaks for itself, doesn't it? Seriously, have any of you any thoughts on this? All I've found is a USB mike is recommended but nothing beyond that. Money not really a problem but I don't want to spend far more than I need to. Any other thoughts? Headset? Mike place in padded box?

Thanx.

Recording

This topic has been closed for replies.

A

Anonymous

Hello, I studied audio recording engineering a couple of dozen moons ago so I am a bit of a mic snob and balanced cable snob. Having said that, I am pleasantly surprised and pleased with the reasonable pick up and good sound quality of the Logitech USB microphone (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/microphones/devices/221&cl=us,en). It is only $29.00.... and used mics worth more than $500 in the past. It is certainly no Shure or Sennheiser but it is pretty good in a quiet, sound dampened environment.

Contrary to what an esteemed member of our group stated, I would actually recommend a USB microphone over a analog one because you will (or should) greatly reduce noise (professional microphones exempted). As long as the mic is recognized by Windows, Captivate theoretically should not care what type of mic is being used. I haven't experienced any issues but perhaps others have for some odd reasons.

I attached a list of best practices... a document I have been working on for a little while. It is based on my past experiences... although many entries were shamelessly ripped from other Internet pages. I hope this helps you archive the best possible recordings.

Voice_recordings_best_practices-share.doc

A

alight9010

Inspiring

I had that one as well but found that it captured too much white noise if

you don't have a "dead" room in which to record. I recently got the Plantronics

.Audio 750 DSP USB PC headset which has great noise-cancellation. Because of

the headset form, you can get consistent distance from the mic each time

too.

A

Anonymous

Samsom CO1U, $90. Decent quality with built-in pre.

L

LabOwner

Participant

I use the Logitech USB Desktop microphone. It's terrific!

A

Anonymous

Logitech headsets work well, the ones in the 50 USD range have passable results.

The setup I've come to prefer is a Shure PG58 with a tascam US-144 preamp. Produces flawless results using the xlr interface to usb.

E

eholz1

Known Participant

Here is another proviso on the microphone issue.
I have a Rode Podcaster USB mic. I have not tried it with Captivate, but use either Adobe Sound booth or Audacity to do the audio recording for a Captivate application. This is a broadcast quality mic, and provides exellent results. ( http://www.rodepodcaster.com/ )

Check it out. Captivate does not quite have enough features for tweeking audio tracks as SoundBooth and Audacity.

Cheers,

eholz1

CatBandit

Inspiring

Hi folks!

I use a laptop as my main, or "production" PC. And with that in mind, I bought a Logitech mobile headset with boom microphone. Sorry, I can't give you the model number - can't find it right now. But it comes in a solid rounded-rectangular snap-case that is form fitted to the headset / boom mic and accessories (see below).

The unit has both connections, the standard 3.5 mm plugs for audio output and microphone in, as well as an adapter connection that allows you to convert the "plug" connectors to a regular USB. Each connection type works just fine, and the case also holds the short converter in it's own form-fitting slot in the case, so you really can't leave it at home or lose it (as easily - lol).

It provides excellent audio in / out, and is ideal for travel or office.

.

A

Anonymous

I was also debating between Sony vs Logitech but I wasnt sure whether Sony would work with Captivate since its a 3.5 mm plug input, but as Catbandit mentioned, it has an USB adapter. Cat, what are your thoughts on Sony, if your using it.
Here are the links for both of them I was looking at
Logitech
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5431927&st=usb+microphone&lp=3&type=product&cp=1&id=1055388008858
Sony
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665097139&tab=Features

Cheers!

CatBandit

Inspiring

Hi mixtapez and All,
The mics you pointed to are both desktop microphones. I use only the headset type containing a "boom mic". Two quick reasons:

One, the desktop mic is generally omni-directional, and I want a uni-directional microphone. Omni directional mics will pick up sound from a 360 degree radius, while a uni-directional mic will filter out the "side" noises, making for a better recording for voice-over purposes.

Two, with a boom mic, which by definition is attached to my head, I can get the microphone in pretty much the same place every time (relative to my mouth). A desktop mic isn't attached to anything, so the distance between your mouth and the microphone is going to vary more, from recording session to recording session. The distance between your chair and the desk, the position of the mic on the desk itself, even the existence of other objects on the desk will change the relative position of the microphone from the audio-in source (my mouth).

Hope this helps. Have a good weekend!!
.

W

workbench7178384

Inspiring

Shure M58
http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_SM58-CN_content

You'll need a preamp

the mic into the preamp the preamp into the line in, turn the gain way down on the PC mixer for the line in

Captiv8r

Legend

Hi ploughman1

While it isn't intended for Captivate, Adobe does have information on choosing a microphone at this link.

Personally, I would avoid a USB microphone for the following reasons.

I've seen folks report one of a couple of things here with USB microphones. They either post to claim the microphone has NEVER from day one been recognized by Captivate. Yet most or all of their other audio capable applications uses it fine. Or they report that it initially worked fine, then stopped after a day or a week or another time increment. And again, the puzzling bit is that while Captivate no longer is able to use it, other apps are.

I don't believe I have ever seen a report of a headset microphone that didn't work where it connected to the PC by plugging the shaft connectors into the computer's sound card.

Food for thought... Rick

A

Anonymous

Hello Rick,

I hope all is well.

Great link you provided! (re: https://admin.adobe.acrobat.com/_a295153/microphones). I hadn't seen this one before.

Thank you.

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