Will a normal USB microphone work?

[tomseeley]

I haven't started using Audacity yet, but I'm considering it. I need some basic help with making sound files. I have no experience at all with sound files on computers.

My wife is a professional storyteller. She wants to record her own stories and burn the recordings to CDs. She will want to listen to her own stories on conventional CD players, and to allow others to do so as well.

We're running a Dell dimension with a plain vanilla Dell sound card. Windows XP Pro SP2.

I know I'll need to buy a microphone, as well as download and install a software program like Audacity. But I have no experience at all with microphones. Yesterday, I shopped at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc., and found a simple-looking Logitech USB microphone that appears, from its packaging and advertisements, that it'd do the job.

Am I right? Can I use that kind of mic? Or do I need one that would plug into the little socket on the back of the computer, and go directly into the sound card instead?

[steve]

Logitech USB microphone

If you are looking at either of these models, I thing you will be disappointed:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... ps-sellers
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... ps-sellers
(fine for voip, but not really good enough for recording).

Quite a few people have reported good results with the Samson CO1U (new model CO3U), and I've also heard good things about this microphone: http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_sc450popkiller.htm (I have a non-USB version of it and it is great value for money)

You will also need a microphone stand (hand held or resting on a cushion do not really cut it) and a "pop-shield" (one of these http://www.thomann.de/gb/t-bone_ms180.htm )

The main advantage of using a USB microphone is that it completely bypasses your sound card (most standard PC microphone inputs are rubbish).

[tomseeley]

Thanks for the feedback.

Since I'm technically challenged when it comes to sound files, recording, etc., all but listening, I have to ask: why would I be disappointed in either of the Logitech models you cited? One of them happens to be the only one I could find, retail, in my neighborhood...the one you suggested is out of my price range, I'm afraid!

[steve]

I have to ask: why would I be disappointed in either of the Logitech models you cited?

"all but listening" - when it comes round to listening I would expect the sound quality to be not particularly good - the voice will probably sound rather "thin".
Looking at the descriptions:
"and a noise-canceling technology to filter out unwanted background noise and deliver better voice recognition, better voice command, ..." This one is clearly designed for voip, speech recognition programs, and similar. The capsule (the bit that actually picks up the sound) is basically the same as the one in a telephone. It will probably sound better than a telephone because it is not having to be transmitted down miles of telephone cable, but it won't be a great deal better.
"enhances your favorite Xbox karaoke games" - this one is basically a toy.

I've had a look to see if I can find something that costs a bit less, but will still have reasonable sound quality, and have come up with this: http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_sc440_usb.htm
It's still more expensive than what you were originally looking for, and unless you live in Germany it is mail order, but it will sound vastly better than the cheaper ones. Also, because it includes a shock mount (the springy cradle thing) you could probably knock up some kind of table top stand to hold the shock mount. If you shop around you may be able to find a CO1U at a similar price, but without the shock mount.

Regarding a pop shield - you can make one of these out of a wire coat hanger by opening it out and stretching nylon fabric from an old pair of ladies tights (stockings) over it.

I can't really recommend anything cheaper for recording, but out of the two logitech microphones the hand held one is likely to be worse. Using a pop shield would still be worthwhile (even a home made one, which can actually be just as effective as commercial ones) as it allows you to speak more closely to the microphone without getting loud pops and booms from accidentally blowing on the microphone.

[steve]

OK, this is the lowest budget recording microphone that I can find:
Microphone: http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_sc300.htm
USB converter: http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_usb1x.htm
(note - it will not be as good as the more expensive models, and I have not actually used either of these products, but I have used many of the other T-Bone microphones and they are generally excellent value for money).

[kozikowski]

You can do really well with a relatively cheap microphone as long as the "studio" is in good shape. Say a nice carpeted bedroom with drapes and a thick duvet (quilt) on the bed away from main highways.

Unfortunately, a low-end microphone is usually associated with a ratty recording room with echoes, computer noise, and able to hear all the lorries (trucks) on the M1 (expressway). You can't do both.

We noticed three problems with USB microphones. You can't get very far away from the computer, If the microphone amplifier is noisy, you're stuck with it, if the microphone amplifier delivers low level, you're stuck with it. We have had complaints about all three of those. And no, none of them is Audacity's fault.

Koz

[tomseeley]

Hey guys,

Thx for the continuing feedback. Esp the specific objections Koz mentioned. Nice to know in that much detail what to be forewarned about, if I decide to take a chance on a cheap mic first, before deciding if the sound quality my wife needs can't be provided that way.

Moreover, the Thomann products you mentioned seem not to be available easily in the US, so I may take a flier on the cheap Logitech, for starters, but I do appreciate being reminded caveat emptor!

[kozikowski]

I bought one of these...

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webca ... 1&cl=us,en

...possibly at Radio Shack in Los Angeles. I bought it just to see if I could get one to work, so it couldn't have been over $30. It has good sound level and adequate quality. If I were to use it for a good sound track, I would sit it on a couple of layers of towel and place a blast shield in front of it. It will pop if you get close enough.

I'm on a Mac, but the stickers say it's supported on Windows 2000 up through Vista.

Koz

[steve]

That looks like a good recommendation from Koz.

It's absolutely true that you can do a lot with inexpensive equipment - heck, I started out with a carbon microphone and a "portable" reel to reel tape recorder - but often we get questions like:
"I'm using a $10 headset mic with the on-board sound card in my computer, I'm recording in the kitchen (read strip lights, refrigerator, extractor fan, lots of hard echoey surfaces), how do I make it sound like a professional studio recording."

A Pop shield (so that you can get close to the microphone without exaggerated "plosives"), plenty of soft furnishings (to keep down the reverberation) a quiet room to record in, and a bit of experimentation will all help to get the best out of the equipment. Inexpensive equipment used well can give better results than expensive equipment used badly.

[stearman65]

A guy at our AV club showed a last PTE AV show with a voice over using the Logitech USB mike. The sound was so good I got him to email the model. I located one on Amazon UK at £13 inc delivery and am awaiting delivery.
Stearman65