Adding audio to timeline track in real time

wvg wrote on 3/13/2002, 7:33 PM
I started a similar thread sometime back, got zero response. Anyhow I answered my own quesiton and just passing this along. I tried several low rent microphones and results were disappointing picking up lots of background noise and in general poor sensitivity.

The other day I tried one of those newer USB mikes that bypasses the sound card input, with the supposed improvement in quality and claimed reduction of background noise and the sounds generated by the sound card. I'll never know, it refused to work under Windows XP.

So today, I picked up a Telex M-60. Wow, what a huge improvement! This is one of those BIG microphones marketed to people using speech recognition software, that kind of thing where the quality is so critical. Been there, done that. This works super good for voice overs too. It is BIG, like the boom is 11 inches, but so what.

I'm blown away over how sensitive this mike is (powered, takes 2 AAA batteries) and yields almost 100% reduction of all background noise... including the rather noisy PC only a couple feet away. The result is crystal, almost studio quality audio I can now record directly into VV3 as I watch the video. I strongly recommend this type of microphone for anyone wanting really good and affordable audio input. It isn't cheap, about $35, but oh what a difference compared to the typical Radio Shack nickle and dime microphone.

Comments

SHTUNOT wrote on 3/13/2002, 8:47 PM
You won't believe the milage you can get out of those. I use a audio technica mb 4000c that goes through to channel 1 of my mackie 1604vlz mixer, audio bussed out to my echo layla soundcard 20 bit. Echo has a great soundcard called the "MONA". It has 4 inputs [universal quarter inch/XLR]+ 6 outputs. Highend mic preamps built in that get actuated when a mic is present. Great if you want to keep your input signal chain to a minimum...less chance of noise/hum/whatever.

www.echoaudio.com

The gina is more your price I think. But you would have to route from a mixer to and fro. To tell you the truth I've gotten amazing results from just a shure sm57 and some really great acoustical treatment. Not even the expensive kind either. I had a overdub session here recently and I was able to put up a few things around the person doing his parts over to stop some of the reflection[bedspread]. With everything positioned right and the right amount of tweaking from the board to the daw you can't go wrong. Even drop some of the highs a bit to take away from the air/openess/reflection of the room. That last one I can visualize but I'm not sure if I explained it right...just listen and see if the input signal needs a bit off the top without taking away from the persons timbre. And ofcourse have total control over your enviroment because if you forgot to turn off the fan or something creaks in the room...you understand.

You really can go far nowadays on a limited budget and a good pair of ears. Later.