Microphone testing and adjustments using Audacity ?

[sworsley]

Hi

Thanks for any help in advance.

I need to set-up various microphones + eq combinations.

So, simply Microphone plugged into EQ - EQ into pre-amp - pre-amp into line in on soundcard on PC. Sounds straight forward so-far. Headphones on the PC so I can listen to the audio from MIC and EQ.

However, what I want to do is to record on the PC from the mic - and play it back (automatically) through the headphones but here is the question. It needs to be played back automatically so I dont need to adjust anything on the PC - and playback with a delay - say 2 or 3 second delay.

In other words, I want to be able to speak into the Microphone '123' as example, and it to automatically play back the recording to the headphones but with a delay after I have spoken it.

Is this functionality in the Audacity software ? I couldnt find it anywhere. Or mayeb a plugin I need ? Or something else ?

Reason I want to do this is so I can make adjustments to the EQ whilst listening to the delayed playback (delayed simply so I dont hear my voice at the time of speaking) as it is an 18band EQ and lots of setting up is needed - and I find it impossible to listen to my voice at the same time as speaking)

Hope that makes sense - and wonder how I could get it to work ?

Many thanks - Simon

[phantasm777]

make sure no effects are on in your pc sound program, take off any surround or anything, might lessen the overall delay

[kozikowski]

I think in this case the operator wants delay, and is not trying to eliminate it.

But the answer is the same. No. You can't tune the "live" delay in Audacity. It's a function of the computer running the program.

So, simply Microphone plugged into EQ - EQ into pre-amp - pre-amp into line in on soundcard on PC.

I don't know that I would have done it that way. MicPres are married to the microphone to get the best performance and lowest noise. That connection is serious magic. If you put anything between the two, you ruin the performance and increase noise and distortion.

You may not care depending on what the test is supposed to tell you.

Assuming your computer has a real, live, actual Stereo Line-In, (usually blue) then you will immediately run into the sound card issue. Most sound cards suck. They have crosstalk, distortion, and noise and are usually far worse than the system they're trying to test.

If you're on a Windows Laptop, chances are really good you have no Stereo Line-In at all.

Random thoughts.

Koz