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Henry
User

Joined: 26 Feb 2004
Location: Kentucky, USA

Posted: Fri Mar 05 2004 19:46
Funny thing... I use a Behringer Eurorack 6-channel (2 mono, 2 stereo) mixer for annoncing gigs at equestrian events. It works absolutely wonderfully for when I need to have multiple inputs (mic, music, sounder A, sounder B) to route to two outputs (Stonleigh ring, Claibourne ring). The mic I use for this is an el-cheapo Radio Shack computer headset, with rated frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, using a little bias box with footswitch interface I built for the purpose. In any case, I was diddling around with my computer, using the el cheapo headset to record some voice samples. As it turns out, it seems that the quality of the voice samples I recorded straight from this cheap mic (it cost $4.99 on clearance) is quite good. Of course, there is the issue of noise pickup, but I'm sure a good sound editor would be able to alleviate that. In any case, if money crunch is a big issue with you, I'd investigate the plethora of cheap computer headsets available at local computer outlets. Check the frequency response data, play with them, and see if they'll work for you. Since you still have the Mackie, you could use the EQ to round out some of the flaws. I can speak not on the matter of compressors, as that is beyond my knowledge and capability. Good luck, Henry
In mine, in time, in real, in false, In tame, in maim, in brink, in pause, Bring the effort of truth and light, Bring the facts of mirth and delight.

Blaster
Registered User

Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Netherlands/Germany

Posted: Fri Mar 05 2004 22:36
I should say that noise is mostly caused by environment sounds. I'm pretty sure that the noise I get is coming from my computer (disadvantage of being a bedroom musician). And about the quality of the recording: it's just in the eye (or ear) of the beholder. It's kind of like the difference between using computer speakers or buying expensive studio monitors. I'm sure you'll be able to tell the difference, but is it worth the investment (especially when you don't have much money to spend)?
united trackers

Henry
User

Joined: 26 Feb 2004
Location: Kentucky, USA

Posted: Sat Mar 06 2004 17:17
Blaster--- The noise in my samples from my headset are, in fact, mostly environmental. The mic is (unfortunately) quite omnidirectional and has no built-in noise cancelling. As for monitors, I find that a decent pair of headphones can do the trick quite nicely. Although the headphones that came with a CD player I purchased lack some oomph in the bass, they still sound quite good when pressed against the ear. I figure a good pair for amateur work could be purchased, in the US, for less than $40. I am personally a fan of headgear. I find it to be a comfortable alternative to high-end monitor speakers, where the quality of the sound you get from them is dependant not only upon the speaker design and manufacture, but also upon the acoustic qualities of the room in which they are used. Headphones, on the other hand, allow you to listen to spectra which may be hidden by the nature of the speakers and/or studio environment, letting you pick out nuances you otherwise would not have discerned. Also, headphones can allow you to hear the dynamic range and full spectrum of audio without having to crank the monitors to eardrum-piercing levels. Other concerns, however, with microphones and audio capture come into play if you are sampling anything other than a human voice. A close mic on a boom headset can work very well for an individual vocal performance, however if you are sampling such instruments as drum sets, brass instruments, or even pianos and woodwinds, you must take into account not only the studio environment but also the microphone response and sampling hardware response. IMHO, a minimalist outlay for creating a small studio for such sampling would be the following, assuming you already have a computer capable of running the necessary software and with a mic input (all estimates in US dollars at US prices): Ridged foam padding, enough to cover all walls, ceilings, and doors: about $20 Cardoid radio shack mic, 1/4" unbalanced: $25 Headphones with ear cups: $30 1/4" mono to 1/8" stereo adapter: $3 1/4" stereo to 1/8" stereo adapter (for headphones): $3 Computer headset with boom mic: $30 (tops) Various and sundry software: Free (Check the MadTracker pages for links!) Total outlay: about $120 Of course, you don't have to spend even that much money if you're not interested in sampling instruments. Note that also I haven't listed prices for instruments---you could probably find people who would be willing to let you borrow theirs, or play them for you, if you wished.
In mine, in time, in real, in false, In tame, in maim, in brink, in pause, Bring the effort of truth and light, Bring the facts of mirth and delight.

Walter Vos
Registered User

Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Groningen, The Netherlands

Posted: Sat Mar 06 2004 19:59
Some thoughts... Headphones can be a deceiving device you know... They often add some kind of warmth to the sound, so you what YOU hear is not what everybody hears. That's the whole purpose of monitors, to allow you to hear what's actually happening in your mix. Ofcourse, if you're an amateur and don't have that much money to spend, monitors are quite an investment. But be careful with the kind of headphones you buy, Sennheiser is said to be quite true sounding. And as far as the microphone goes, it depends on what you wanna do yeah, but I don't think cheap ass pc mics are gonna give you great results. You have to be @ close range for the sound to be picked up well, and then you have the plosive problem (say plosive with your hand in front of your mouth, feel that?). So buy a pantyhose and a clothing hanger as well, to make a pop filter .
what is hip? www.waltervos.nl

Senate
User

Joined: 25 Nov 2003

Posted: Mon Mar 08 2004 16:43
money is not THAT much of an issue.. i probably have rougly 400-450$ to spend.

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