USB microphones

terrypin wrote on 9/20/2011, 2:55 PM

I'm not very happy with the sound quality I get from the cheapish microphones I've been using on my PC for recording DVD narrative. So I'm thinking of moving up to a 'USB microphone'. Does anyone here use one please?

For example I'm looking at an ebay 'Samson CO1U USB Condenser Mic', which "...works perfectly on any computer, Mac or PC, and with any DAW software program. It immediately solves a huge problem for users of many laptops, many of which have no other input method for audio devices."

In practice, does the drop-down box in MEP's recording dialog window get a new 'USB' entry, or what?

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Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Comments

cpc000cpc wrote on 9/21/2011, 5:34 PM

Terry,

Sorry no experience with these devices. I'll try a get over to the local musician shop this arvo and see if they carry any USB microphones -- take along my laptop for a try with MEP. I did find (and lost) a web reference to someone who was using a USB mic with Magix Audio Studio Deluxe so things look promising.

Thanks for the heads up on the company. Their little Zoom Q3HD stereo cam-recorder look very interesting.

Regards,

Carl

terrypin wrote on 9/22/2011, 1:39 AM

Thanks Carl. But don't go to any trouble. After much googling I have a reasonable understanding now. Enough anyway to order a low cost version (a Logitech).

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Terry, East Grinstead, UK

johnebaker wrote on 9/22/2011, 1:39 PM

Hi Terry

I have used USB microphones regularly with other software and they just appear as another sound device in which is selectable in the Audio Settings control panel. Therefore MEP should pick them up as they are standard sound devices.

If you are looking for something to record commentaries with, I personally think the Samson is overkill as it is a studio mike.

I had one of these (until I sat on it!!!) Sennheiser PC 136 USB Microphone Headset. I just have Sennheiser headphones now as I donot like recording my own voice LOL.

John

cpc000cpc wrote on 9/23/2011, 12:32 AM

Thanks Carl. But don't go to any trouble. After much googling I have a reasonable understanding now. Enough anyway to order a low cost version (a Logitech).

My day overtook me so I didn't get a chance other than to find that the local electronic gadget shop had a cheapie for way less so would have suggested trying such before lashing out for, as John says, studio quality for voice only.

terrypin wrote on 10/9/2011, 5:54 AM

Thanks both. (Sorry I didn't see your replies sooner. I have e-mail notification set on this site, but it doesn't appear to work. Do others confirm that please?)

I'm quite pleased with the £17.99 Logitech USB, which as you say, John, simply appears as a new device.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam-communications/microphones/devices/221

However, it's designed to sit on the desktop. Using it as close as possible (just behind my keyboard) with mic vol set to max and Normalise enabled in MEP I do get reasonable quality. But for narratives for family DVDs I prefer a softer, more intimate sound, and to achieve that I have to hold the mic. That then produces a few distortions, which I gather are called pops or 'plosives.

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Terry, East Grinstead, UK

johnebaker wrote on 10/9/2011, 6:02 AM

Hi Terry

I have one of these mikes (for listening to my didgeridoo practice - but that is another story)

The 'pops' are coming from when you say certain words, the mouth makes a small explosion LOL and it is these that are being picked up. You need a foam windshield to fit over the mike to absorb some of the 'pop'

John

terrypin wrote on 10/9/2011, 8:13 AM

Hi Terry

I have one of these mikes (for listening to my didgeridoo practice - but that is another story)

The 'pops' are coming from when you say certain words, the mouth makes a small explosion LOL and it is these that are being picked up. You need a foam windshield to fit over the mike to absorb some of the 'pop'

John

John: Is that something you bought for the Logitech? Or can I improvise from any piece of foam, such as that used for seat cushioning?

Is e-mail notification working for you?

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Terry, East Grinstead, UK

chrisjw37 wrote on 11/8/2011, 10:46 AM

I use a logitec headset with mic

I find the convenience and quality to be outstanding, plus theres a mic mute to prevent accidents!

Just make sure you use it with the mic at your chin level - otherwise all you hear on playback is your nose breathing!

(I can confirm this to be true!)

Chris

johnebaker wrote on 11/8/2011, 2:49 PM

John: Is that something you bought for the Logitech? Or can I improvise from any piece of foam, such as that used for seat cushioning?

Is e-mail notification working for you?

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Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Hi Terry

No cushion foam tends to be a closed cell type foam and will muffle the sound considerably - you need a piece of proper open cell microphone windshield foam

John