Big Difference in Audio Quality (Microphone)

[emotionalstone]

Hi,
I tried using the online help but came up short.
I currently record my vocals on an old laptop, which is unfortunately on its last legs. The background noise using this laptop is acceptable, especially when layered with music. On my new PC however, with Audacity 1.3 Beta (Unicode), the quality of recorded vocals is really terrible by comparison (basically unusable). I was directed to 'Edit-Preferences' on online help, but every time I click on this I get a 'Audacity has stopped working' notice and the program closes.
Help! Could it be a software installation problem?
All info much appreciated

Thanks,
Anthony

[kozikowski]

<<<On my new PC however, with Audacity 1.3 Beta (Unicode), the quality of recorded vocals is really terrible by comparison (basically unusable).>>>

Lots of holes there. What kind of microphone? How is it connected? Small mixer or not? What kind of computer and by who? Model numbers, specifics. You can't give us too much information.

Koz

[steve]

The background noise using this laptop is acceptable, especially when layered with music. On my new PC however, with Audacity 1.3 Beta (Unicode), the quality of recorded vocals is really terrible by comparison (basically unusable).

That does not surprise me. I've got an old computer with an AC97 sound chip on board and it sounds pretty good. Every other (more modern) computer that I've heard that uses the same chip has sounded dreadful. Computer prices are extremely competitive these days, and one place that manufacturers invariably cut corners is with the sound system (as long as it goes "beep" it's good enough).

I was directed to 'Edit-Preferences' on online help, but every time I click on this I get a 'Audacity has stopped working' notice and the program closes.

Do you mean that Audacity hangs/crashes as soon as you select "Preferences" from the Edit menu?
Exactly which version of Audacity are you using? (look in Audacity "Help > About Audacity").

[emotionalstone]

Hi,
Yes I mean the program crashes when I click on edit-preferences in Audacity. The version is Audacity 1.3.9 Unicode.

With regards to the type of computer and microphone, I'm afraid I don't know much. Its a Packard Bell 64 bit tower, Intel (R) Core (TM)2 Quad CPU Q8300 at 2.5 GHz. I'm using a cheap Philips Microphone (SBCMD110) and the front mic jack.

[steve]

The version is Audacity 1.3.9 Unicode.

I seem to remember a similar problem a while back. Updating to the current 1.3 version (1.3.11) should sort out the crashing problem.
We may not be able to do much about the poor sound quality as it is largely dependent on the microphone and the microphone input.

[emotionalstone]

Thanks. And what can be done about it, where do I go for info about mics/inputs?

[steve]

The choice of microphone/pre-amp largely depends on your budget and what you are wanting to record. The price range is roughly $20 to $20,000.
If you can give an idea of both budget and what you want to record I'll try and give some pointers as to what to look for.

A couple of other specifics are required - will you need to use more than one microphone at a time? Are you using a laptop or a full size computer?

[emotionalstone]

Hi,
I have no money for equipment at the moment. I'm using audacity to rap over beats. Only one microphone at a time. I'm using the laptop for recording vocals, as the quality is notably better.

Thanks
Anthony

[steve]

Rappers often prefer "dynamic microphones" to "condenser microphones". With a dynamic microphone you can get right onto the mic (like rappers do on stage) whereas condenser types are usually used several inches away from the mouth. The "Shure SM58" is one of the most popular as they are extremely robust and are designed for close up vocals, however they do cost money and they require a suitable pre-amp. If you're looking at the under $40 end, there probably are no "good" microphones but that should not stop you from having fun or from producing good music. Having thousands of dollars worth of equipment does not make a person more talented, whereas learning to squeeze the very best from limited equipment can teach you a huge amount about recording that will serve you well when you can afford to upgrade the equipment.

[whomper]

chinese knockoffs of the sm58 (or 57) for about half their cost from a company in california - company name had speaker in their title
mikes are just something else they sell but speakers are their main focus

these Chinese mikes got good reviews. certainly worth the money.