High Quality Usb Microphone?

[Crushdepth]

Can anyone suggest a nice semi-pro USB microphone? I would like to make audio recordings of presentations at an upcoming conference we're organising, to serve as podcasts for people who couldn't make it. It has to be a freestanding mike as I can't strap headsets onto the dignitaries

I would have liked to have bought another Samson CO3U but the Thai distributor went up in the World Trade Centre fire. Suggestions appreciated.

[tpthai2]

I would go here: <www.proplugin.com> When I see a post like yours I ofter recommend this company. Have been using them for years and they deliver. Check the site (in English and Thai) Then do a Google on the reviews of your short list.

One more suggestion: <www.iZotope.com> a small program for removing background noise. I use the RX version but it is hundreds of dollars. The small "Music And Speech Cleaner" program will truly make a world of difference in the quality of a presentation made under live room conditions. About $35 US.

Looks like this: attachment. I specialize in audio restoration Best of luck, TP

[Crushdepth]

Thanks, unfortunately their website is down, for you know if they have a shop I could drop into?

I'm also wondering if it would be possible to plug my laptop into the conference sound system via a line in to the microphone jack or something. Does that sound feasible?

[tpthai2]

Thanks, unfortunately their website is down, for you know if they have a shop I could drop into?

I'm also wondering if it would be possible to plug my laptop into the conference sound system via a line in to the microphone jack or something. Does that sound feasible?

[/quote

Yes, I just checked that myself and sent the owner an email. Looks like he got hacked. He has been in business for years and quite reputable.

The house system may or may not have an extra line- level output if they have one at all. Not recommended unless you have a line-level adjustable input on the laptop.

(Never do a line-out from any source into a Mic input) I could explain in tec. but it's a no-go) Trust me on this, I am an audio engineer and have been recording for 20 years.

Even then, the output stage of the house system would need some ability to pad and or control and the quality of the output which in it self may be marginal at best.

You would need to look at the house system well beforehand to determine just what options are available. If your name is going to be associated with this recording, well, U-know.

Here is a direct company number: 02-511-2681

Try to speak directly with "Joe" Wait until he is "in" usually late afternoon if you can.

PS..I assume you are going to place the USB Mic. on the speakers platform next to the primary speakers Mic? Or: Directly in front of the primary sound system speaker?

[Crushdepth]

Thanks. I'm planning to put the USB microphone on the presenter's podium next to the house mike, plugged into a netbook recording with Audacity. Hopefully we will be able to place a staff member on a table nearby to monitor the levels.

Do you think putting the mike in front of a speaker would work ok?

[tpthai2]

Thanks. I'm planning to put the USB microphone on the presenter's podium next to the house mike, plugged into a netbook recording with Audacity. Hopefully we will be able to place a staff member on a table nearby to monitor the levels.

Do you think putting the mike in front of a speaker would work ok?

Yes, it can work both ways. Ideally, next to the primary Mic. on the podium but often placing it right

on the speaker at a slight angle can work depending on room acoustics. Important to get those level peaks in the -6 to -12 range. The Mic. will probably be a cardioid which is best for this application. Get the Mic. in the sweet spot. If the Mic. has an Omni patter option, don't use it. If the Mic. has a bass roll off switch (usually at 70 or 80 Htz. use it.

A clean signal in this range will give you the "headroom" to work with the wave file in post. Compressing, normalizing tweaking the eq, etc.

If you record to hot you have no "headroom" left to work with the file. The finished file is best peaking at about -3 db.

Audacity gives you a few useful plug-ins to work with the file.

For digital "yellow is the new red." LOL Digital clipping is hard to correct and sounds truly awful. There is also a limit to the length of the USB cable you can use effectively. The Mic. data sheets will touch on this.

When you mix it down remember the primary medium it will he heard on. If your audio is heard on small computer speakers with the ability to only produce a limited frequency range, mix for that range. Roll off the low-end at 300 to 500 Htz and the top at 8K. Check the mix on the primary system it will be heard on. Best of luck ...

[Crushdepth]

Thanks for your help much appreciated.

[tpthai2]

You're most welcome. Let me know if you run into any problems ...

[Crushdepth]

Proplugin actually has another Samson C03U in stock, so I've gone with that

[tpthai2]

Proplugin actually has another Samson C03U in stock, so I've gone with that

Kool ... they are straight up. I have even returned things I did not like after buying. Rare in the Kingdom to be able to do that.