Muffled/low recording for a NEWBIE

[Trebor]

Ok....got the 48V Phantom boost and..........NO CHANGE.
The paper work on the NEEWER NW-100 says the boost does NOT increase mike volume.

"Excelvan BM-800 Condenser" does need some voltage to work, not all computers will supply it ... https://youtu.be/GX_nfjeOf9g?t=45s
Apparently, in some cases, phantom-power can help the BM-800 ... https://youtu.be/-U7czr1gR_s?t=1m47s

Any other suggestions ya'll??

In Windows recording devices, the microphone properties may include "Microphone Boost" which increases volume, see ...

[kozikowski]

even though you made fun of my mike choice

Actually, we haven't done that yet. We're just reading the info. If it seems like farce/fiction, it's only because... it is.
Koz

[steve]

Although the "Excelvan BM-800 Condenser" is often advertised as a "studio condenser microphone", it isn't. Even at wholesale prices from China, the cost of just the diaphragm of a real studio condenser microphone has a starting price that is double the price of this microphone. That does not mean that the microphone will be terrible, there are quite a few budget microphones available at very low prices that are remarkably good for the price. On the other hand, it will be nowhere near the quality of a mic costing $100+, either is sound quality, build quality or reliability.

When I first started recording I was using very cheap and basic kit, because that was all that I had access to. Over the years as my experience has increased, so has the quality (and cost) of my kit. With practice and attention to detail it is possible to make pretty reasonable recordings with basic kit, even if it's not possible to make really professional recordings. On the other hand I've heard plenty of terrible recordings made with very expensive kit. Two clichés that come to mind: (1) You get what you pay for. (2) It's not just what you've got, but what you do with it.

[DVDdoug]

Ok....got the 48V Phantom boost and..........NO CHANGE.

You got a what? Model number?... Link?

...A regular phantom power supply doesn't convert a studio mic into a computer mic. (A USB mixer or USB audio interface with XLR mic inputs and phantom power does make a studio condenser compatible with a computer.)

A phantom power supply would normally be used with a mixer or PA system that does not have phantom power. Dynamic mics (like the famous Shure SM58) don't need phantom power so your typical PA system only needs phantom power if you want to use a studio condenser mic. There are also electret condenser stage mics that use a battery so they can be used with a PA system without phantom power. But again, stage mics are not compatible with a soundcard/laptop.

(even though you made fun of my mike choice )

We are struggling with the incomplete/conflicting specs/instructions. And, you're struggling to make it work.

I told you that you probably bought the "wrong mic". And, it is a "cheap mic" and it's not a name-brand. Maybe it's defective??? It seems to be a "phantom-powered studio mic", and you don't have the equipment for a studio mic... You don't have XLR inputs and you don't (didn't) have phantom power... Maybe you can make it work with the right "adapters"... I don't know... I feel like you're digging yourself into a hole...

If you have a limited budget, a regular analog or USB computer is probably a better choice. You can get a computer mic from a computer store, an office supply store, or any place that sells computer accessories.

If you can spend more, a USB "podcast mic" (starting at about $100) is a better choice.* Or, a studio condenser (from a "known" manufacturer, starting at about $100) along with a proper USB interface (starting at about $100). You can get this better equipment from places that sell musical instruments, PA systems, and equipment for audio recording.


* Podcast mics have their limitations too... They are not perfect for every situation, and sometimes the audio quality is not as good as a separate mic and interface. But in general, a $100+ podcast mic is way-better than a computer mic, or the mic built-into a laptop.


P.S.

Although the "Excelvan BM-800 Condenser" is often advertised as a "studio condenser microphone", it isn't.

True!!! But, it's supposed to hook-up to a balanced XLR connection like a studio condenser and it's supposed to operate from 48V phantom power like a studio condenser.

It's unclear if it works, or if it only works poorly, with a soundcard/laptop connection. So far, it seems to work poorly with a computer and we don't know how well it would work with a proper interface or mixer.

And, it's pretty obvious that there's more money in the cosmetics & accessories than in the internal functional components.

[kozikowski]

"We had to postpone the a cappella rehearsal. The drummer didn't show up."

Which cellphone do you have?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7dzFbnzl30

Jeff Turner recently published a song he shot on his iPhone (not that song). He did it with Voice Memo. I recommend Music Memo (free download) as it doesn't have voice processing and other environment filters.

Koz

[Dawacs]

Koz

Really appreciate your quick response. This is the phantom power unit recommended on the Amazon site to match my mike.

Cheap mike or not, I've seen numerous positive reviews on the mike, with demonstrations. I'm sure there are better, but audacity seems to work with no problems with MUCH lower quality mikes.....

Is the something to double check on my setup??

I've read "low/muffled" comments elsewhere on this forum but cannot find them now.

Still looking for help. I'm off for the weekend but can try any recommendations Sunday evening.

Thanks again

Dawacs

[Trebor]

Is the something to double check on my setup??

See if you have "Microphone Boost" in microphone properties ....


Mine says up to "40dB" of boost is available, which is a huge amount of gain.

[kozikowski]

We are struggling with the incomplete/conflicting specs/instructions.

And so are the reviewers.

WARNING: I no longer recommend using a USB soundcard to connect a microphone to your computer.

I think what's flummoxing us is the product suite that's designed to work from any soundcard and microphone connection anywhere, ever. That's really rough to do and still make everything sound good. If something doesn't work right, you never know what failed because so many tricks have been played.

Further, product names are slippery at this level. I don't think the reviewer is condemning all USB soundcards. This one, for example, would probably work just fine.

Screen Shot 2017-07-14 at 17.11.33.png (174.97 KiB) Viewed 887 times

I think what he was having trouble with is the ones the size of a throat lozenge.

Screen Shot 2017-07-14 at 17.13.23.png (69.29 KiB) Viewed 887 times

Please note the microphone connection to these two products is completely different.

The Scarlett connects the microphone with an XLR cable.



and the Sabrent connects with a Tip, Ring, Sleeve cable.



In fact, that would normally call for two entirely different microphones, yet your one microphone claims to work with both. I don't know how they did that.


One quick note. Always look for down reviews and pay attention when they all complain about the same thing. It's a danger sign when all the reviews are positive and they all claim the product is a gift from the angels.

Koz

[Dawacs]

Koz

Thank you so much for the quick responses.

The phantom boost is what amazon recommended for the mike. It also said it was not really needed for a desktop, but other reviews said it was. I know I got a "cheap" mike, but it did have excellent reviews and I'm FAR from a professional. It is frustrating that many audacity tutorials use much cheaper and basic mikes with no problems

I remember " low/muffled recordings " threads on this forum but cannot find them now. Does ANYONE have some suggestions on the Audacity side of this equation of what I could be doing wrong. ASSUMING my hardware is all plugged in right, anything else on the setup that I may be missing???

I can't reattempt until tomorrow but would greatly appreciate any new inputs.

Thank you

Dawacs

[kozikowski]

I remember the messages. That's very common when somebody slips a cog and starts recording their laptop microphone instead of their high quality one by accident.

That's not what's happening to you. You have a unique microphone system which nobody here can diagnose. That in addition to doing it across multiple time zones.

Koz