Certainly. Four. That’s not clear in the documentation for the mics. Koz
good, sorry, I’m not sure what is common knowledge and what isn’t. I got the mics because they are supposed to be a good starting point with the usb connection but can move into the xlr equiptment as one advances. here is a review. http://provideocoalition.com/atepper/story/1st_handheld_dynamic_microphones_with_hybrid_xlr_usb_ipad_connectivity2/ I was also listening to one review were I listen to 5 audiofiles without knowing the mic he used and liked this one second best.
OIC.
I never said it was a terrible microphone. I am being careful to keep compatible equipment in the same shoot. USB microphones have some interesting shortcomings I would never seriously recommend field recording with one.
I see they also have local headphone monitoring similar to this…
http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/samsonGTrackConnections.jpg
…in USB mode. That means you can do perfect overdubbing with this microphone. You can produce a five piece rock band by playing and overlaying each instrument one at a time. Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar, Organ/Keyboard, and Drums.
I know you’ll be wanting to do that before dinner.
Koz
I’m working on it. just as soon as I learn guitar, piano and drums…
I feel you keep leading me away from where my inclination wants me to go. (not that I know why i want to go there.) and I’m sure you are right, but I thought going the xlr rout produced better sound? so I thought i’d have a reasonable product with these mics via xlr to peavey pv-6 to macbook via analog cable for audacity to convert to digital. of course I don’t know where to plug in the headphones? the mic, the mixer, the computer or mr. potato head’s ear.
I feel you keep leading me away from where my inclination wants me to go.
Not necessarily. You can intelligently use this microphone perfectly well in an interview situation – sorry, I forgot you have two.
But they are interesting to manage. Are you going to hold both yours and the one for the guest all the time during the interview? Can we assume anybody 102 years old isn’t going to be up to it? If you have a table, then yes, you can use the Walter Concrete microphone technique, although as I said, that standard desk mic stand makes my teeth hurt, it does work as decades of news broadcasts can attest.
See illustration. That thing in the lower right is an RCA BK5. It’s intensely directional and doesn’t suffer from desk proximity. I have two including the desk stand. That’s the mic I used for some of my sound tests.
When I do these, I listen to the mixer. The Headphone out of the Mac is going to be late. That’s going to sound like a bad-bad satellite-lite phone-phone call-all. Check it before the interview to make sure it’s recording OK and then make sure the meters look good out the corner of your eye.
You didn’t ask about the level setting. I go OOOOOOOO into the mic so the 0 green mixer lights come on solid and set Audacity for -12dB. That’s usually enough headroom not to overload assuming the speaker isn’t an expressive rabble-rowser.
Remember, you also have to set the other volume controls. Usually the little gain at the top runs about 3 o’clock and the level control on the bottom does, too. Master so the top green light (0) flashes repeatedly and Audacity looks high without overload. Jockey levels as needed. Your mileage may vary, void where prohibited. Consult your local listings.
The Peavey has a tiny red overload light on each channel. That means something is coming in the XLR that is causing clipping and overload distortion inside the mixer. Reduce the little Gain control and also the Level if you need to. Dynamic microphones do not have a natural overload point like other microphone types. If you perform louder it will simply get louder until it destroys the quality of the mixer unless you’re paying attention.
Did you notice that a simple interview recording is now on forum chapter three?
It’s harder than it looks.
Koz
You’re in good company. I think the longest posting on the Audacity Forum is still the guy who wanted to record his acoustic guitar.
Koz
again, thanks for the help and sticking with me. I suppose I could get flor stands for the mics and eliminate the table. of course than the people will probably hit the mics with their hands. ah , than wee back to the lav mics see I finally caught up.
I think I’ll see how I do with what I have, than adapt accordingly.
Booms. It doesn’t look like a boom stand in the picture, but it is. Also, that’s a home-made vibration mount for a microphone similar to yours.
http://www.kozco.com/pictures/boothFinished/laptop-mic.jpg
http://www.kozco.com/tech/pvcShockMount/final.jpg
This is the one I like. It’s light – it doesn’t have a weighted base and it comes with all the adjustments and clips for the cable
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MicStdFBoomL/
This one has the boom sitting on the table and the vibration mount came with the microphone. If you start getting popping P sounds, then you also need the blast filter, that little silk covered tennis racket between the mic and the performer. Note in the illustration, both mics have one.
http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/JMASoundShoot.jpg
Lavalier microphones sit in the blast shadow of your chin and don’t have these problems, but they do have shirt motion noise problems on occasion.
http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/lavalier2.jpg
Koz
Got the Pv-6, nice looking solid little unit. I was going to hook everything up and play with it, but I realized, I need the larger connectors (3.5 ?) I also realized another issue, the mixer has the main outs for rt & left, while the analog input on the computer is singular. how do I set this up?
http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/MacLineIn.jpg
The Mac connector is stereo. It’s the reverse of the headphone socket. You will need to go into…
Audacity > Preferences > Devices > Recording > Device > Built-In Input.
Control-Click on the red recording meters > Start Monitoring. They will wake up and sense the mixer signal. Play or sing something. Play the guitar you’ve been rehearsing.
You did make the Audacity meters really big by dragging, right?
Koz
Sorry. Wrong picture.
http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/RCAMiniStereo.jpg
Koz
can you show me the mixer end? do I need a y-adaptor to for the l/r out or do I just pick one? any other suggestions on lines, I have a date with fry’s this evening.
I haven’t played it in audacity yet, but I think I can know where all that is.
was this here before?? I must be loosing it.
so, I do need a y-type connector.
Not to mention losing it, loose though it may be.
It’s not unusual for the forum to have dueling posts. Particularly if multiple elves are helping you.
The top of the mixer will have three wires: Mic-1, Mic-2 and Headphones. The rear of the mixer has two wires: Power Supply and Tape-Out (left and right combined into one cable). Tape-Out goes to the Mac.
Technically, that’s not a “splitter.” It’s two different ways of speaking stereo. It’s the top illustration:
http://www.kozco.com/tech/audioconnectors/audioconnectors.html
Koz
You need both left and right from the mixer to the Mac because you’re planning on putting the guest on one and presenter on the other. I know once you pass three forum chapters it’s a little rough to remember it all.
Koz
I’m was showing by noobishness. I was using splinter instead of left and right combined into one cable cable. I also would have tried to use the main out instead of tape out. the tape out will be easier because they look to be smaller rca plugs (which I have plenty of) vs the larger stereo jacks, which I don’t.
I didn’t destroy your trip to Frys, did I?
Koz
I’ve been play with the set up today. seems pretty good. I’m getting good wave forms and good sound.
the only issue is both mics are on the same track. I’ve pan one all the way to the left/the other to the right on both the PV6 and in audacity, no change. I’ve “Split Stereo Track” and “Split Stereo to Mono”, neither worked.
for tomorrows project it is not very important, but for other one it would be nice to work with each mic individually.
Audacity > Preferences > Devices > Recording > Device.
What is Audacity recording from? I bet it’s not built-in Input.
Do you know where the built-in microphone is physically on your Mac?
Koz
from built-in mic. should it be built -in input? i have either option.