Can someone recommend a few good Microphones to use with Audacity? I dont want to spend of $75.00.
I can’t recommend a mic but look for a USB “podcast” mic.
And, it might depend on what you’re recording…
Most good mics are $100 or more and “pro” stage/studio mics need an audio interface as they are not compatible with the microphone input on a soundcard or laptop.
With a USB mic, the interface is built-into the mic and it’s essentially free.
The Blue Yeti is super popular and it’s got some good features but it’s over your budget. And some people report noise getting-in from the USB power (which also depends on how noisy your computer’s USB power is).
Even the best microphone cannot deliver good results, if the environment does not allow it. There may be surrounding noise, echoes, etc. So first think about the quality of the “recording room” before buying any expensive equipment.
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Let me give you some more info/context. I am creating a sound file (Probably as a MP3 file) for a mobile phone game. We want really good sound, however we don’t want to pay for a really expensive recording device when a less expensive model could create and equivalent sound file. Yet the game took over a year to create and write, so we want high quality sound. So based on what I just said, what do you guys think now? Don’t take price into consideration now, just tell me what would you would recommend if price were not an issue (For what I need).
MP3 format is an approximation and should be avoided.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lossy_compression#General
Game sounds may already exist …
Hi Trebor. My code compiler accesses files as either an MP3 format, or WAV file format. Same format used in games like Stardew Valley.
Also, everyone, I want a USB recording device I can hookup to my laptop. (Hand held portable device like ZOOM is NOT desired)
Trebor → I checked out the free sound files, and I don’t like them. We want to create our own. Thanks.
WAV is the better quality, but takes up more memory than MP3 for the same amount of audio.
You’ve been busy: there are over 700,000 of them. The quality is variable, some are good.
Audio‑Technica AT2020USB‑X Condenser microphone – Condenser mic that works instantly with USB (no audio interface needed), producing clear, detailed recordings — ideal if you record vocals or acoustic instruments.
I’ve tested some microphones around $20 with Audacity PC app. Not good of course, lots of background noise. Then I bought a small Electret mic capsule. It interfaces directly to the computer input and is totally free of the background noise the other mics had. It is also extremely sensitive and has a frequency range of 10-20 000 Hz. Price is ridiculously low as well.
From romontschun above, you can make a small sound studio for your “Kitchen Table “(read down this post).
Once you have a quiet, echo-free room, it almost doesn’t matter what microphone you use.
I created a voice test that passes ACX Audiobook Technical Submission Standards using Lossless Voice Memo on my iPhone.
If that doesn’t work for you, then you can go shopping for a fancy-pants microphone. The moving pad studio is valuable no matter what microphone you use.
Koz
Thanks Trebor, I’ll check out more of them. Have a great night /day!
Thanks Koz. It looks really innovative, and a cool concept. Since I am new to all of this, it’s still hard for me to visualize. Is there anything on YouTube that kind of demos what you are talking about?
Thanks, hey Johnny, do you know of any youtube videos that shows how to use the Electret mic capsule you are talking about? What you say makes sense. I’m just having trouble visualizing the specifics.
This is a demonstration of what a blanket in a live room can do.
I would have been really happy had he not gotten really close to the microphone during the demonstration. A lot of his tonal improvement is just microphone spacing and has nothing to do with the bathroom or the blanket.
However, that’s the idea. All that talking-into-a-milk-jug (or bathroom) effect vanishes. It also does a reasonable job of suppressing actual noisemakers such as street noises, although that’s harder.
While I was re-researching this, I found someone who apparently followed two of my other odd recommendations.
A performer published two audiobooks by announcing the work into their iPhone in their car. I have had several instances of someone using their car as a studio. One of our production assistants had a “live” house (dogs, kids) and did all his voice work in his car.
The iPhone performer posted in the forum because he gave up the car and decided to do his production inside “like everybody else.” It wasn’t going well. He instantly ran into all the noise, distortion, echoes, process, and reverberation problems typical of house, apartment, or flat recording. I tried to be helpful, but it wasn’t an emergency because I knew the performer had a known, good, working process.
Koz
I included a link in my reply to your original post. Please use it to find more info about those types of microphones.
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