Voice Over Recording Dilemma

JG123 wrote on 1/13/2008, 4:22 PM

I've just finished shooting a (self-financed) documentary on a Sony HDR-HC7 camera with a Sony ECM-HST 1 stereo mic plugged in to the hotshoe. Overall, I was mostly pleased with both the sound and picture quality.

I'm now wanting to record voice over (on the cheap because shooting drained me financially), and I'm wondering if I can get a thick, rich, sound from the above listed tandem.

I've converted a small closet into a sound booth and although the recording sounds very clean and noise-free, the mic seems to be squishing the wave and making it sound like I am stuffed up and have a cold.

I've been reading various articles about buying an inexpensive condenser mic and a pre-amp so I can record at 'line level' which (I don't really understand and) makes me wonder what I've been recording at with the camera?

I'd like to try and enter my film in to a decent festival, so quality is important, but I'm not sure where to draw the line and how much is just plain overkill.

All suggestions and opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

John

Comments

abelenky wrote on 1/14/2008, 1:35 PM

I've found that even a low-priced PC microphone works fine in an environment where that you can control.

Higher-priced mics are really about directionality, sensitivity to soft-sounds, wind-resistance, etc. If you're recording in your closet, record straight to disc, (preferably in a lossless or really-high-quality format)

Because many PC's have noisy fans and power-supplies, I'd suggest keeping the computer outside the recording booth, and using the full length of your microphone cable.

JG123 wrote on 1/15/2008, 6:10 AM

I think that's exactly what I've been finding. Thanks for the confirmation!

LongBoarder wrote on 1/15/2008, 9:37 AM

This link may help.

JG123 wrote on 1/16/2008, 7:40 AM

Thanks LongBoarder..

I appreciate it. That was interesting.

JG

studioLord wrote on 1/23/2008, 6:33 PM

Recording can be disasterous if you don't know what to do in the invironment you find yourself working in. If you are too 'dead' the sound is too flat and if the room is too 'live' then you have to deal with the ambient noises that 'get into the recording'. A helpful tip for those that can't spend a lot on a mic, but want good sound is to have some hard surfaces around you that help 'bounce ' a little of the sound b ut not to the point that it 'rings' like a bathroom enclosure. stay fairly close to the mic, but not 'dead on' so as to protect from the "p" sounds and the "K" sounds that flatten the diaphram and cause editing problems. Practicing over and over with the same script in different locations in the room often serves well to "find" the "sweet spot" in your room to record vocals. It's all about the bounce. Where is the sound going when it leaves your mouth and finally ends up on the computer. Be encourged. Believe in yourself and don't give up. You'll eventually win out over those early problems and get better and better.
John

JG123 wrote on 1/25/2008, 11:00 PM

Thanks John! I appreciate both the advice and the encouragement!

JG

JG123 wrote on 1/25/2008, 11:00 PM

Thanks John! I appreciate both the advice and the encouragement!

JG