How to record audiobook at home

[lyonsden10]

The studio I used to go to is no longer here. I need to record books and booklets. I have good editing software, however, I don't know what equipment I need to create a studio-quality sound. I don't think going through the computer will do it. But I am on a budget. I can edit some intro music on afterwards, I just need to read the book. Thanks for suggestions.

[steve]

I've recently bought a Zoom H2 and the sound quality is very good. You can either record onto the H2 then download via USB to your PC for editing, or use it as a USB microphone - very handy, very portable.

[alatham]

If you're looking to make a studio-quality recording, then the easiest way to do that is to go to a studio.

It takes good equipment (which is expensive), a good quiet environment (which is probably expensive), and good audio engineering skills (which only come with practice).

If you're not afraid of taking out a second mortgage, there's a lengthy thread here detailing microphone basics that you will probably find useful:
http://audacityteam.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=554

And here's a link that Prost mentioned in that same thread that you might miss, it's quite useful as well:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

[lyonsden10]

Thanks. Right now, I'm thinking of the Samson C01 mic and the Firepod firewire with Cubase. I think the Firepod could be overkill, but I'm just not sure which other.

[alatham]

Actually, the Samson C01 comes in a USB version, the C01U. That would completely remove the need for the FirePod, since your audio will all be going through the USB port.

But make sure you check the return policy on mics like that. I used the C01U once and it sounded nice, but the noise floor on that thing was much higher than I wanted it to be. I also would avoid buying one online for that purpose. If you buy from a brick and mortar store, you'll get to test it out, and you'll get to return / exchange it much more quickly. They'll also be able to answer your questions better than any online store.

[lyonsden10]

I totally agree about the store and will just pay a bit more to go to Sam Ash. I'm concerned about the noise from the computer, so won't I need a card at least, even if I use the USB?

Boy, if I don't need a preamp, that would be great, but it seems like it will enhance the quality. I read that going into a closet to record will help with any external noise. I'm more concerned with noise inside the computer. Is the "noise floor" meaning external noise?

I do want the best quality possible. A Sam Ash rep is the one who told me about these items.

[alatham]

I'm concerned about the noise from the computer, so won't I need a card at least, even if I use the USB?

Not if you're using a USB mic. If you use a USB mic, the existence of another sound card or mic pre-amp won't make a bit of difference since the mic won't ever be plugged into either of them. It might well be that USB mics don't offer the quality you need though, I'm not certain.

I read that going into a closet to record will help with any external noise. I'm more concerned with noise inside the computer. Is the "noise floor" meaning external noise?

Recording in a closet is a good idea, as long as it's actually quieter in there than outside (beware of A/C vents, or appliances that might be in the closet).

I'm not quite sure what you mean by noise inside the computer. But I think you're talking about electrical noise that is inherent in all electronic devices. In audio circuitry, this often becomes audible and will add what is called a "noise floor" to your audio. It usually sounds like a static hiss, but not always. Most lay persons would call it the background noise. That link is to the wikipedia article, it's a pretty good read.

The general idea is that the noise floor is the lowest practical level that you can still hear a sound in a signal. Anything lower than the noise floor will be lost. Ideally, the signal you want will be louder than the noise floor by as much as possible. This is known as having a "high SNR" and is the hallmark of a professional sounding recording. Thankfully, Audacity 1.3.x has a nice Noise Removal function that can serve to really lower the noise floor of a signal to make it sound "cleaner" and more professional.

The overriding factor that you will most likely run into is a microphone's self-noise. That is the amount of noise floor the microphone generates by itself. This was my biggest complaint about the Samson C01U, but I may have just had a bad mic, most people don't complain about it (though I might not have been in the target market for that mic). If you want the quietest mic on the affordable market, the Rode NT1-A has an incredibly low amount of self-noise. It also gets rave reviews as a vocal mic. But you will need a pre-amp and sound card to use that mic, it doesn't come in a USB version. Note that some audio devices (like the FirePod) will act as both pre-amp and sound card. Those are nice because it's one less thing to worry about.

Also, unless your son can actually make use of all the inputs on the FirePod, I'd look at something with fewer inputs (like the PreSonus Inspire or FireBox, or the Edirol FA66), it'll be quite a bit cheaper. If all your son will ever use is 4 inputs at once, there's no point in paying for the other 4.

[lyonsden10]

YES! That is exactly the noise I was trying to describe and do not want in my recordings! This has all given me a much better idea of what to look for. I just wish the Rode NT1-A was as cheap as the Samsun. Thanks

[steve]

The noise floor on the Zoom H2 is very low. It can operate as a USB microphone, or as a stand-alone recorder. It can also record in mono, stereo or 4 channel surround. At around £125 GBP I'd highly recommend it - don't drop it though, it's only made of plastic (I've dropped mine once from a height of about 1.5m onto a carpet floor and it has thankfully survived).

I've also heard good reports of this mic http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_sc440_usb.htm
(and it's even cheaper than the C01U)
In fact, all the T-Bone mics are fantastic value for money - I have several models and not surprisingly the more expensive ones are better, but for recording speech, anything from the 440 upwards give very good results (I've not used the 440 USB myself, but I have used the standard 440)

[lyonsden10]

Yes. I read a lot of good stuff about the H2 and actually listened to a 15 minute review using it and the H4 and mics with it, etc. Then I heard a woman on it, but the "sssss" were very strong. So what would I need to buy to help that?

Actually, the sound on the first male podcast was far better without a microphone.

I went to Brad Linder's site and he reviewed the H4. That also sounded better without a mike, except for the AKG Perception 100 studio condenser mic. That was beautiful.

So do you suggest a mic with it?

Thanks for all your help.