Cheap Microphone? Free audio editing?

[Jagosaurus]

Hey guys,

Any recommendations on cheaper, but good quality microphones?

Any recommendations on cheap (maybe free) editing software? I'm looking for the ability to tweak volumes, cut out sections, & essentially overlay a photo to the audio (for uploads to YouTube).

Nothing crazy. Looking to upload some single user audio & possibly do a podcast at some point.

Thanks.

[TSTR]

Look into MXR mikes, some decent stuff can be had cheaply, especially if you're just doing voiceover-type audio. Shure also has some budget stuff as well that's still quality.

Audacity is the way to go for free audio editors. You can easily make videos with just simple images and audio in the Movie Maker program that comes with Windows.

[Ziggy]

Any recommendations on cheaper, but good quality microphones?

Nothing crazy. Looking to upload some single user audio & possibly do a podcast at some point.

So I guess that means you're looking to record mainly speech with the mic?

Check out the Samson R11, it's basically a poor man's SM58. The R11 you can get new for $30, while the SM58 is about $100. For a $30 microphone, it performs GREAT. I've only used it in live settings, never recorded with it, but I'd imagine it'd be a lot better than any PC mic you could buy.

I found some reviews of the R11 here: http://www.zzounds.com/productreview--SAMR11

Another cheap mic I would recommend is a Nady condenser mic. I bought one some years back and put it in the "cheap mic pile" that rarely gets touched. I don't recall the exact model of mine, but I'm almost certain it's this one. If you want, I will find out exactly which model I have. Anyways, I took it out more recently and found out it's actually a pretty darn good mic for recording vocals with. Better than the R11, and possibly better than the SM58 (though I haven't done any tests). The only down side, for you, is that it requires phantom power which you probably don't have. I have a phantom power supply, as well as mixers and audio interfaces that supply phantom power, so it's no problem for me. But I can understand that this mic plus the cost of a power supply would make the R11 a better choice for you from a money perspective.

Which also raises the question, what are you gonna be plugging the mic into? I assume the mic input on the PC. The two mics I suggested above, you would need an adapter to use them (which should be cheap) unless you're using some sort of USB interface.

No matter what mic you end up using, buy or make yourself a screen to help take out all those sharp S's and plosives and whatnot. They're cheap enough if you look around online. If you're not using a stand you can get a "boot" that slips over the mic for like $5 or less. Or stretch pantyhose over a metal coat hanger (which apparently is the most common homemade screen).

Audacity is the way to go for free audio editors. You can easily make videos with just simple images and audio in the Movie Maker program that comes with Windows.

Yes, Audacity seems to be the best free audio editing software. And also, Windows Movie Maker is easy and good enough for simple stuff like that.


I made a thread about such things not too long ago, if you wanna give it a read: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=36463

[KDub]

Depends on how much you want to spend on a microphone/mean by cheap. Some desktop mics (usb or standard) can be pretty good if you're really looking for a bargain. You can try a more standard vocal mic made for a PA system since they don't need phantom power but by time you buy one and an adapter you might not find it so thrifty for the quality you'll get. USB recording mics or ones requiring a mixer and phantom power are gonna cost a bit but you'll get the best quality.

Audacity is the way to go for audio mixing when you want free, it is open source as well so there are lots of plug ins.

You won't find a way to edit audio easily/effectively as well as output it to a video of any sort especially not for free. You'll need to do one, import the edited audio track and then make the video.

[dsheinem]

I use this:

and highly reccomend it, ESPECIALLY if you want the option of recording from time to time without being chained to a hard drive. It fits in your pocket and is excellent for interviews as well as solo audio. The best sound, features, and flexibility for the price, I think.

[Jagosaurus]

Awesome replies. I knew I was starting @ square one. After reading up, let me be a tad more specific.

- would like to avoid using other power sources unless it's a cheap adapter
- would like to plug into my PC via USB or 3.5
- would be recording Skype or other internet calls in the future
- my PC does have Windows Movie Maker

Some questions:
- will be recording more than one voice possibly, both near mic, really need 2 mics for this?
- what do you use other than Skype for podcast?

Appreciate the help!

[Ziggy]

would like to plug into my PC via USB or 3.5

Well if you go with a mic like one of the two I posted about, you can just get an XLR to 3.5mm adapter. They even make cables with XLR female on one end and 3.5mm male on the other, such as...



Of course, hunt around for the best price, you can probably find it cheaper than that. Also consider, if you find that cable for really really cheap but it's only 1 foot long, you can just use any length standard XLR male to female cable to extend it. Such as...

would like to avoid using other power sources unless it's a cheap adapter

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Behringer-PS400 ... 58a540d1dc

You can probably find one even cheaper, but it'd be a no-name brand. $17 including shipping is very cheap considering that unit retails for $20 I believe.

But yeah, you'd pretty much only be using phantom power with a more expensive mic, so if you're looking to keep cost down as much as possible, then a mic requiring phantom power is probably not the way for you to go. It would also require an additional XLR patch cable.

For doing what you're doing, you'd probably be best of with this or something similar...

Handheld dynamic microphone with USB digital output and XLR analog output
USB output connects to your computer for digital recording, while the XLR output connects with your sound system’s conventional microphone input for use in live performance
Smooth, extended frequency response ideally suited for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, voiceover, and on-stage use
Built-in headphone jack allows you to directly monitor from your microphone
High-quality AD convertor with 16 Bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate
Compatible with Windows and Mac
Low-mass diaphragm provides excellent frequency response
Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of unwanted sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
Tripod desk stand with folding legs for secure and easily portable tabletop use
Threaded stand clamp attaches securely to the supplied tripod or to a conventional microphone stand
USB and XLR cables included
Durable metal construction for long-lasting performance
On/off switch functions for both USB and analog operation

And the first review says...

This microphone is quickly becoming a standard for podcasters.

It comes with a little table top stand and cables, can't beat that for the price! Seriously, a USB cable is gonna be at least a few bucks and the cheapest table top mic stand is gonna be $5-10, probably $10 and up.

You really wanna be using a mic stand. If you're holding the mic while recording, you're most likely gonna end up with a lot of unwanted noise.

Just be sure to get a windscreen, like this one:

[SpoonyBard]

I use this:

and highly reccomend it, ESPECIALLY if you want the option of recording from time to time without being chained to a hard drive. It fits in your pocket and is excellent for interviews as well as solo audio. The best sound, features, and flexibility for the price, I think.

I've got an H4N and it really is an amazing unit. Great sound quality and plenty of features. The older models aren't as user friendly, so stick with a new one (or current revision if you're going used).

Another great Samson product that should fit your idea a bit better is the Samson Q1U. It's a standalone USB mic that comes with mixing software (I believe it's coming with Cakewalk at the moment). Should run you about $50. Not the best if you're trying to record multiple people with one mic, but it could get the job done.