low volume and hum using mic

[Xerlome]

Thanks for the replies.

To DVDdoug: The adapter they sold me was Hosa Technology, TrackLink Microphone to USB Interface, XLR3F to USB Type A

To Koz: Is using the small mic plug as desirable as the USB? Is it really advisable to use an adapter at all, rather than an actual USB mic?

To Steve: It does sound like the Shure is problematical for my use. What about the Rode Podcaster? If I wanted to use a USB mic farther from the computer, would an extension cord work okay?

To all: Although I'm willing to learn as I go along, I am non-tech oriented and need things simple for now. I want to be able to record my voice with reasonable quality at low cost. I can edit with Audacity. That is all I need right now. Mixer may come later.

Also, they sold me Yamaha RH3C Professional Stereo Headphones. It has a large jack, no such outlet on my computer. Will an adapter cord work for this? If so, is USB or other outlet best?

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I've tried twice to post this, won't submit. Trying once more.

[Xerlome]

To Koz:

Yes, the sample you offered is not what I want. But this room is far from bare, darn full! My walls are still uncovered rock wool insulation.

Considering the point about USB mic audio issues, does this mean I may be better off keeping the Shure and getting a preamp?

[kozikowski]

I found my Shure X2U pix.



That's misleading because all I did was jam the SM58 into the X2U. You can put a nice XLR cable between the two and that cable can be very long.


http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XLR50

Short cables are still better. Use the longest cable required for the job.

The only thing I have against that Microphone Preamplifier is volume. I'm used to using a full-on sound mixer with all the controls and adjustments.



It's probably fine for what you're doing.

You might want a windscreen and shock mount.

The windscreen is the round thing between her and the microphone.



And this is a shockmount I made from parts around the house.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/pvcShockMount/shockmount.html

Yes, those are US Mail rubber bands and that is my SM58.

Koz

[kozikowski]

But this room is far from bare, darn full!

I found by accident that my overly stuffed garage is not dreadful for recording sound. There are no plain bare walls, irregular boxes everywhere and I can put furniture moving pads on the floor.

I know you fell instantly in love with fancy equipment, but you don't have to do that.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/H2N

I have an H4 and would have no trouble recording sound tracks with that. It's missing all the problems of connecting to a computer, it makes no noise, it's completely portable and it will create very high quality WAV files suitable for dropping directly into Audacity for cutting.

That's an older H2 on the rock there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcVec_RPwuc

Also:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1D17lLyn_I

It says so in the notes.

Koz

[steve]

One of the most common technical mistakes when making a podcast is to "talk into the microphone". What you should do is ignore the microphone and talk to your imaginary friend sat on the other side of the table. When talking to a microphone, people tend to either whisper or shout, both of which sound bad on the poscast - you need to talk normally.

How loud is your normal talking voice?

[kozikowski]

And one other quick note. Your first experiences with the microphone cable were completely bogus. I'm betting you were recording your laptop built-in microphone rather than your SM58. You do have a laptop, right? We never established that.

Koz

[Xerlome]

How loud is your normal talking voice?

Varies, normal. Your point is a good one, I will try that.

To Koz: All great info. The Zoom H2 looks interesting, may consider in future. Right now I do want to try a mic on USB, simple as possible. The rest will take time. I don't expect perfection, and the radio station is not a fancy outfit. What do you think: get a USB mic, or keep the Shure and get a preamp? What about the headset?

[Xerlome]

And one other quick note. Your first experiences with the microphone cable were completely bogus. I'm betting you were recording your laptop built-in microphone rather than your SM58. You do have a laptop, right? We never established that.
Koz

No, I have a standing computer, under two years old, quite good. No mic on it, I was definitely using the Shure. Also no outlet for the headset, wondering whether an adapter will be suitable with that.

[steve]

Right now I do want to try a mic on USB, simple as possible. The rest will take time. I don't expect perfection, and the radio station is not a fancy outfit. What do you think: get a USB mic, or keep the Shure and get a preamp? What about the headset?

As you already have the Shure, I'd stick with that for now and get a USB mic preamp. If you find that you really get into this podcast stuff, you can always upgrade the SM58. Other mics (for example the "Rode NT1") are better for low level sound than the SM58, but they still need a preamp. I would expect a Rode NT1 + a reasonable USB preamp to work much better than any USB mic. Even if you upgrade your mic, the SM58 is a great mic to have as a spare.

[kozikowski]

He has one.

The adapter they sold me was Hosa Technology, TrackLink Microphone to USB Interface, XLR3F to USB Type A

That can work. Let me go back and figure out why your original configuration failed.

Why do you already have a Shure SM58? That's a very rock band microphone, not a casual purchase.

You know the scratch trick? Scratch the windscreen of the microphone with your fingernail. Tapping also works. The scratching sound should be explosively loud in the recording. I'm betting yours isn't going to do that.

Koz