Guys, I’m so frustrated!!! I am an audiobook narrator. I recently got all new equipment because my other stuff was kinda old. Here’s what I have:
Dell Inspiron 15 laptop
Shure SM4 with shock mount and plosive screen
OneOdio Wired over-ear headphones
Here are the issues:
The mic didn’t come with an XLR cord. So, I used the one I had for my old mic (an Audio Technica). However, the new laptop doesn’t have a port for USB type C. I ordered an adapter. Nothing. No sound.
I can’t EVER hear my voice through the headphones while recording (audacity) but now, there’s not any sound recording at ALL!!
Back-up:
the reason for all new stuff was because, my recordings started never producing regular WAVs, my audio was always off, and, after running the mp3 file through freac, with the correct settings, the upload on ACX would say 98 bit or 100 bit instead of the 192 I set it to. It would say VBR instead of the CBR I set it to. I thought, I must have really old equipment.
NOTHING WORKS and I’m freaking out because I have deadlines!!!
Please help (and please speak to me as if I’m an illiterate 3rd grader who knows nothing about electronics).
tia
SHURE wrote:
“Connect the microphone to an audio interface with an XLR cable and activate phantom power on your audio interface or mixer … Important: This microphone needs a +48 V DC phantom power supply. Most mixers or interfaces have a switch or button to activate phantom power”. SM4 User Guide - Shure
i.e. this mic only works if it is supplied with phantom power.
Another option is a “USB podcast mic” which often has a headphone output.
You can enable Audible Input Monitoring, BUT there is always SOME latency (delay) through the computer. Many interfaces have zero-latency direct monitoring where the monitoring doesn’t go through the computer, and IMO that’s a good feature to have. (Of course you can do the same thing with a mixer.)
In Audacity you can select MP3, Constant bit rate mode, and 192kHz (or higher).
Or you shouldn’t need them with Audacity but there are other audio converters. I use TAudioConverter or Kabuu Audio Converter. (I use these when I just want to convert without any editing.)
Thanks, y’all! Since I dropped almost a thousand dollars on this new equipment, I don’t see buying an interface. I guess I should just go with a new mic. But here’s the thing… it doesn’t work with my Audio Technica either. I recorded 8 audiobooks on the AT mic. So, I’m just not sure what to do.
For the condenser mic to work there must be some electronics in the cable between the XLR connector and the USB socket , e.g. this oversize USB plug with the green LED …
Sorry, guys! When i got it, i jumped right back into work! Okay, this is pretty embarrassing but I’m too relieved to care. I was saving in mp3 in audacity and converting to WAV in freac. Instead of the other way around. Yes. Moron. I am ecstatic this was the issue because i hate all the new equipment and am returning it!
Yes, the Shure SM4 is too big for its britches. Going back to my razor. Would love recs for a good mic that doesn’t require an interface.
One prob that didn’t get fixed… i still hear no sound through my headphones while recording.
Seriously, get an interface. It’s so worth it. The pre-amps that come built in generally give you a more professional sound, you can actually use the nicer microphones (and you will hear how much nicer they sound), they all have real-time headphone jacks, and if they accept the XLR jacks, they will have phantom power. If you use your computer’s 1/8" mic input or USB input, you will always be limited by your computer’s onboard sound interface and very cheap pre-amp (if you don’t have an external interface, you still have to go through a cheap internal interface, which is the weak link in your signal chain), and your voice will never sound full, even with a high-end microphone. I’ve got two Presonus interfaces and a couple mixers, one of which has built-in compression, which you have to hear to appreciate. (I teach studio recording to middle schoolers, so nice gear is part of my job, and yeah, I bought it all out of pocket.) The look on my students’ faces when they hear their voices through pro or semi-pro recording gear is what makes that job so awesome, and I think you’re selling yourself short if you, as an audiobook reader (even if as a volunteer with LibreVox) use equipment that doesn’t take advantage of your equipment or show your vocal skills. Yeah, it’s easy for me to tell you what I think you should do with your money. I get that - none of this is cheap! But this seems to be your passion, maybe your career, I don’t know. If you could at least hear what you sound like, maybe using someone else’s equipment? I’ll shut up now. You know what’s best for you. I just wanted to give my opinion for your consideration. I’m glad you got your problem solved! (BTW, this is my first comment in this forum. I actually created an account so I could share my thoughts with you.)
Thank you so much!!! You really made a great case for a professional interface. I will work towards it. I had initially started with nothing (my first audiobook audition was done with my sons’ wii microphone ). I’ve worked up to a pretty nice mic with a built-in interface. Not as nice as the real thing, but definitely a step up for me. I may be reaching out to you when I’m financially ready to get the interface!!! Thank you!
). I’ve worked up to a pretty nice mic with a built-in interface. Not as nice as the real thing, but definitely a step up for me. I may be reaching out to you when I’m financially ready to get the interface!!! Thank you!