Tech: Computer microphone

Subject: Tech: Computer microphone
From: Arkie
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 11:37 AM

I am in the market for a microphone to add narration to music tracks for radio broadcast. One mic that I have turned up is the Logitech 980186-0403. The price is right, but at that price I do wonder about the quality. Open to suggestions and guidance. I would be using Audacity.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer microphone
From: Stringsinger
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 07:13 PM

My experience with these mics that plug into the computer patch is that they are noisy, and a quieter one would require a clean pre-amp that goes to the computer.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer microphone
From: treewind
Date: 04 Jun 12 - 05:03 AM

The computer's built in sound system's mic input is indeed usually noisy and low quality.
This one, though is a USB mic, which means it has its own preamp and A-D converter built in, and it might sound a lot better. It might be worth the risk.

People are getting good results with other USB mics by Samson, Behringer etc. at a slightly higher price.

Note that with a USB cable you can't get far away from the computer, so that had better not have loud fans or other noise sources in it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer microphone
From: GUEST,Trevor Island
Date: 04 Jun 12 - 09:32 AM

Seriously, how many folk singers have loud fans..???

in yer dreams Johnny No-Mates....






oh, btw check out "icicle" under accesories..

http://www.bluemic.com/desktop/

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer microphone
From: GUEST,Trevor Island
Date: 04 Jun 12 - 10:16 AM

or perhaps more expensive possibly better quality

http://www.mxlmics.com/microphones/usb/MicMate-Pro/

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer microphone
From: Bernard
Date: 04 Jun 12 - 11:39 AM

If you already have a vocal mic that you use for PA, Behringer's dinky Xenyx 302USB mini-mixer would do the job - I've got a couple...

The mic input has a combined XLR/6.3mm jack input (with phantom!), which is paralleled with a 3.5mm jack next to the headphone socket - so you can use a headset with it. It has a peak (clip) LED, low and high EQ and a pan pot.

The device is USB bus-powered, but comes with a USB wall wart (really a USB charger plug) so it can be used as an analogue standalone mixer - handy on stage if you're short of tie lines, as you can send both a microphone and line-level source up one line - particularly useful for keyboard players.

It's comparable in price to a basic active DI, but will do a lot more including EQ - just remember the stereo RCA/Phono output is unbalanced line level, not balanced mic level.

The stereo line input can be switched between RCA/Phono line in and the computer output when it it plugged into the USB port - it replaces the sound card. Better still, it can also be switched between headphones and main output, making it useful for just the overdubbing you wish to do.

There's also a '2 track' input with no gain controls - this, too, is switchable between headphones and main output.

Somebody really though this thing through - though someone will always find something they wished it did, or wished it didn't... you can't please everybody!

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer microphone
From: Arkie
Date: 04 Jun 12 - 02:06 PM

Thanks to all for these comments. I do have a better understanding of what the choices are and why. While this is not a major project, it may as well be done sensibly and with suitable equipment.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer microphone
From: Bernard
Date: 05 Jun 12 - 12:43 PM

Quite often, doing a bit of research for one project opens up all sorts of different avenues for other stuff, too!!