Computer microphones - clearly the $10 variety you find at Radio Shack does not offer a good way to record your voice with professional results. The results leave much to be desired.

So what to use? I've tried searching Google but there are soooooo many types of microphones out there, it's difficult to know which is the right one for the job.

I just want to be able to speak into a microphone and record some clear noise-free wav files on my computer.

Any suggestions?

Vito

buy a mixer, and one of those $10 microphones. You should get a good product with each of those.

A mixer? Could you explain please?

Vito

Originally posted by vito
A mixer? Could you explain please?

Vito

Vito, if you have a good quality sound card you should be able to use any type of microphone (good quality). You can buy an adapter to allow you to plug into your sound card.

Originally posted by vito
A mixer? Could you explain please?

Vito

a mixer can be used to control the quality of sound you are recording. You can fiddle with such attributes as treble, bass, fade, and an asortment of other thingies. But blue27 is right, you could probably get a good quality of sound with only a good video card.

Thanks, guys. I guess I need to try it with a better quality mic, because I tried with the a cheapo and the results were horrible. I'm not sure how to check the quality of my sound card. Any specs I can find in my Control Panel?

Vito

check best buy, they always have the best expensive stuff.

OK, thanks. Although I'm not sure if I should be shopping just a mic, or another sound card as well...

Vito

Originally posted by vito
Thanks, guys. I guess I need to try it with a better quality mic, because I tried with the a cheapo and the results were horrible. I'm not sure how to check the quality of my sound card. Any specs I can find in my Control Panel?

Vito

If it came with the machine it's probably a standard Sound Blaster or SB compatible 16 bit card. This should be enough for reaonable quality. If you are really concerned about high quality you may want to go with a 32 bit card from Sound Blaster or Turtle Beach. (Voyetra)

The environment you record in is more important than the mic or card.

Dont get too close to the mic and use a small room.

Originally posted by UH-Matt
...and use a small room.

[*...Vito scurries off to find a closet to set up his recording studio ... :D *]

Vito

I use a shure 58 pro mic. Love perfect sound! Even the cheepest shure mic for $40 will have a crystal sound for you.

Check out your local music store - but find one that has recording or pro audio gear, not just guitars. Most have a good selection of affordable mics and they should be able to point you in the right direction as digital recording is a very big thing at all experience levels. And don't laugh, professionals will record in mic chambers that aren't much bigger than closets, ok, big closets, but I think I'm getting off topic...
Anyway, I don't know who's in your area, but some of the big ones in the states are GuitarCenter, SamAsh, or Musiciansfriend.com - in fact, you could try calling them and they may be able to give you good advice.

Originally posted by vito
A mixer? Could you explain please?

Vito

I have my microphone connected to my mixer, and the mixer connected to the line-in on my sound card, and it is a lot better than using just the mic-in. I also have more control over my sound before it gets recorded. I have attached a pic of my mixer. :)

Anyways, A good microphone is a good start. Shure microphones are some of the best ones for the price.

Also, the room plays an important role because you dont want a bunch of ambient noise including an echo. I also find that recording with headphones cuts down on feedback especially if you get an omni-directional mic. I also find that being between 6" to 12" away from the mic is good, but your setup may vary depending on the sensitivity.

Just my 2 cents basedf on my years of doing sound recording with and without a computer.

Originally posted by ub3r
*snip*, you could probably get a good quality of sound with only a good video card.

Ohh... ub3r, what does a video card have to do with sound :stickout: :D

Originally posted by BCRob
Check out your local music store - but find one that has recording or pro audio gear, not just guitars. Most have a good selection of affordable mics and they should be able to point you in the right direction as digital recording is a very big thing at all experience levels. And don't laugh, professionals will record in mic chambers that aren't much bigger than closets, ok, big closets, but I think I'm getting off topic...
Anyway, I don't know who's in your area, but some of the big ones in the states are GuitarCenter, SamAsh, or Musiciansfriend.com - in fact, you could try calling them and they may be able to give you good advice.
Funny you mention that. I just got off the phone with Long & McQuade. They're a pretty big musical instrument chain here in Canada. They seem to have a good selection of mics. I'll be paying them a visit tomorrow.

Vito

Thanks for the great info, Jerry.

Oh, and nice mixer. Although I'm not quite sure I need that much technology...

Vito

FYI, microphone:

from the greek "micros" (little/small) and "phone" (phoni - voice)

So it's that little voice that does it all :D

Originally posted by timechange
...it's that little voice that does it all :D
Wow. No wonder my head hurts so much.
I must have several microphones running around in my head... :crap: :nuts:

Vito

You need to have your ears syringed :D BTW, I really liked the Dreawmweaver Tutorials (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=100194) you listed the other day.

Originally posted by timechange
You need to have your ears syringed :D BTW, I really liked the Dreawmweaver Tutorials (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=100194) you listed the other day.
Thanks, TC.

Hey! Don't spell my Dreamweaver wrong!...or I'm gonna have to post the next time you start a thread to sell some domians... :D

Vito

Dominus dei domini domaini anno domine

Suddenly I have an urge to sing Ave Maria...

Vito

Haha, that'll teach me to be lazy. I had to go to my sales thread to edit one of my posts and instead of going down to the Sales Forum to find it, I just clicked on the link in your post above...

Doh! :emlaugh: Well done, TC. Got me...

Vito

Domine Domine Domine! :D

What language is that, TC?

I was debated once to buy the shure or another top make pro mic. I bought the other one and returned it in a few weeks for the shure! I am sure I did the right thing and so will you be shure. There is a really cool mixer just for sounds which is awesome, if you have the money... you could sound like anything you want.

I want to buy a microphone too(for a rap audio thingy).but dont want to spend more than $50 for .Any Recommendations?

Originally posted by sanjiv
What language is that, TC?

pig-Latin :D