Tech: Computer Microphones?

Subject: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: GUEST,Redxl7
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 12:44 AM

I'm not the most technologically savvy person but I would like to record some songs on my computer. I have a microphone but I believe it's intended more for video chatting etc. It can pick up the sound of my guitar well but only if it's right against the soundhole, same thing with my vocals and I'd rather not to have to record them separately and mix them as I'm not very experienced with that sort of thing. So does anyone have any suggestions? Experience with a computer microphone that serves you well?

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 02:40 AM

Hi, Redx -
Think about getting a Zoom Handy recorder. They can be used as USB computer microphones, but they are terrific little recorders. A digital recorder will give you far better results than you'd get with a computer.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 04:51 AM

I'll go along with Joe ! Zoom do a range of prices for their recorders , and all are very satisfactory , though perhaps not QUITE studio standard without a bit of tweaking .

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: GUEST,Rev Bayes
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 06:46 AM

http://www.basic-home-recording-studio.com/

Useful place to get answers to silly questions. Overkill for you at the moment but a good starter.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: Tootler
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 07:19 AM

A USB mic is another way to go. There are several affordable ones available from the likes of Behringer, Samson, Blue and others. Just search for "USB microphone" on Google.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: treewind
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 04:13 PM

Another Vote for Zoom or similar recorder. And don't just use it as a USB microphone - one of the best things about it is that you can take it to the place where your music sounds best (and in the same rooms as a computer with whining fans is unlikely to be that place) Also you can record live events away from home with it, in good quality stereo.

Edirol, Olympus, Tascam, Sony and others all make portable recorders too. Shop around. They are all pretty good.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: Gurney
Date: 18 Apr 13 - 12:57 AM

When I had a program that turned my computer into a full chromatic tuning device, I just plugged the mike directly into the soundcard.
With an adaptor plug. But it was a recording-quality cardioid condenser mike, self-powered. The self-powered bit might make the difference.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Apr 13 - 09:24 AM

the problem I have with PC's is hum & hiss, audible & electrical. They are not normally designed for quality audio recording. Edirol (Roland), Zooms, Alesis, Olympus all make quality recorders. The advantage being you can choose your room & deaden the acoustics without the hiss of the PC's fan, and being portable you can use it as a composers aid, pocket memo if you like. And editing can be done at your leisure.

Don't consider the Alesis Videotrak - it is a toy, and the video lens is fairly delicate. Trust me. And the sampling rate is only 32 KHz. You need 44.1 at least (CD), or 48 if you add it to Video. Record in WAV until you get enough experience to know what you need.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: GUEST,Redxl7
Date: 19 Apr 13 - 01:58 PM

Hey thanks so much for all the awesome feedback! So with the USB microphones, like the Zoom, would I just record onto it, and then export it to my computer to post online or burn to a cd?

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: GUEST,Rev Bayes
Date: 19 Apr 13 - 02:27 PM

No, USB microphones actually plug in and your computer treats it just like a microphone plugged into a microphone port.

The Zooms do seem to be the most commonly recommended recorder for your kind of needs.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Microphones?
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 19 Apr 13 - 05:34 PM

Get the Blue Snowball microphone. You can find it for $60 or so, and it plugs directly into your computer. Sooner or later, you're likely to want a palm recording device, like the Zoom or Edirol, but that is something different than what you asked for.