Need help buying a mic or adjusting my computer?

Tesia Nicoli

I thought about posting this in the Geek section - but I'm far from a geek and "out-of-the-know" when it comes to equipment and computer wit. I have a Dell PC, XP, Adobe Audition and I think I need a new mic to get better sound. The mic I'm using now is pathetic (it came stock with my old computer) and barely picks up any sound. I imagine that it may be a reflection of the quality of the mic? I've messed with settings and I can't get it to pick up sound any better (and it used pick up sound MUCH better). I tried hooking up my friend's mic to my computer and his sounds just as bad even though its a much better quality mic... which leads me to believe that there is a setting in my computer that needs to be adjusted.

So - my questions are:

- What reasonably priced mics do you recommend?
- What settings on my computer could be interfering with the sound that my mic picks up?

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help me!!!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008, 22:10 (GMT) Post subject:

It all depends on what you want to do. Are you producing finished audio? Or are you just wanting to do rough auditions? Either way, don't try to use any mic that comes with any computer. Don't use the mic input either. At the very least, get a USB mic. I have one from Sam Ash music (it's a Samson C01 or something -- their brand) for a mere $80. It's okay for what it is. HOWEVER...I would never use anything like that for actual work....only auditions/rough demos. If you're looking to go start to finish at your desktop computer, I can't help, though many here can. Look around the "geek" forums and you'll find what you need, I bet. I have a digital studio offline and don't even get it to the computer until it's finished and ready to send off.

Tesia Nicoli · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008, 20:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Melba! I'm completely lost, so any advice is welcome... thank you!

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

You might have a look at the Samon Q1U which can be heard here:

http://www.miclisteningroom.org/ogg/samson_q1u.ogg

It is a dynamic USB mic with plenty of presence. If your Windows 'puter doesn't recognize the file type, install the free Winamp player from www.winamp.com.

Emmett Andrews · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008, 04:36 (GMT) Post subject:

What's your idea of "reasonably priced"? To me, reasonable would be anything under $1,000. For some, it would be anything under $200. Since factory mics go up to about $10,000, it's hard to determine "reasonable".

You probably don't want to use your factory soundcard at all. Check out the MicPort Pro. It can turn any mic into a USB mic. Very cool and sounds great!

Emmett

Allison Scussel · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008, 05:01 (GMT) Post subject:

I have a DELL too, and need to change my sound card in order to audtion from home. Look into a Sound Blaster and Rode Fantam Mic to get you started. Combined costs should be less than $500.

Dell's are great computers. They're very quiet. But their sound cards aren't the greatest to use with Adobe audition/ Cool Edit. I was wondering why I can audtion from work w/no problems and that's because our engineer installed an expensive sound card. The sound cards that come with DELL are ok for regular listening on the internet, but for audio production...they don't compare.

If you're going to invest in equipment for a home studio, do it right the first time. Good Luck and let us hear an audition of your work when your studio is finished.