January 30, 2010
Samson USB Microphones
Are you wavering between the Samson C01U or the C03U?
One of my readers referenced a review that stated the CO3U is best for multi-instrument recording and that the C01U is great just for the voice.
Would buying the earlier model (C01U) ensure that they would not lose out as a voice artist and happily move ahead without fear of missing later technological improvements?
Find out in today's Audio Daily!
January 22, 2010
USB Mixers
As a new member of the Voices.com community, I spent an hour or so this evening drifting through various blog pages until I came upon your contributions. Are you an old radio-head? I haven't heard anyone mention OPTIMOD in years, and frankly, I almost quit my radio career when I began seeing computers creeping into the various studios.
However, that was then, this is now...after 34 years on the air and six more years trying to squeeze out some extra income doing voiceovers out of my home studio, I think I've created a modest but well-balanced home studio. I have a custom-configured computer with an Athelon dual-core processor, an M-Audio Delta Series DI, a Shure SM-7 studio mike running through a Mackie Micro Series mixer and recording into Adobe Audition. Everything seems to work just fine, but I do have one question...because the Mackie mixer is a few years old and was previously used by me on many a remote broadcast, I'm thinking of replacing it before it up and croaks on me suddenly. What would you recommend?
Is there a decent, reliable mixer for not too much money that connects via USB, or should I pick up another Mackie? The reason I use an analog unit in the first place is that I have several other sources feeding into the computer which have no way to be fed otherwise (turntable, VHS tape player, audio cassette player...you get the picture). Remember...for me, verstility and cost are two biggies. Thanks for your input...and I've really enjoyed reading your comments to other questions!
January 17, 2010
A Trouble Shooting Exchange
I'm constantly astounded with the e-mails I get from home studio consultation clients. Most are pretty simple and involve a misplaced mouse click in a preference menu. "My mic won't work," "My levels are too low," "Why does my sound, sound distorted?"
I learned the art of troubleshooting from my, yes, 9th grade Power Mechanics teacher, Mr. Sohmann. A classic, brush cut and bow tie kind of a guy who was a true "teacher" in every sense of the word. He must have caught my 15 year old self's usually lacking attention. Those lessons learned in process checklists on how a lawn mower works and can malfunction apply across several technical disciplines. I see his face every time I'm faced with a troubleshooting question.
January 4, 2010
What's That Hissing Noise?
QUESTION
I'm not an engineer, but I could portray one in a radio play!My question is about home recording. I'm using a RE20 mic through a Mackie Mixer (MicroSeries 1202-VLZ) and Audacity to put it all together. This set-up does what I need for flat voice reads, and some editing (check out my demo: (http://www.voices.com/people/DanD) but leaves an ambient hiss over the vocal--I've read through the Mackie manual, but have yet to find a way to take down the noise.
I've also tried the noise removal effect in Audacity--it does take out the noise, but leaves a "signature" and a slight bit of distortion on the voice...this leads me to think that my problem is back to the mic, or the room I am recording in (a small room in my home.)
Would a soundproof set-up built around the mic take out the ambient noise, or do you think it is signal-related? I have a feeling I may not be the only one experiencing this kind of "technical difficulty." Eagerly awaiting your reply!
