recommend me a pro recording setup

ropesnake · October 30, 2010 11:19 PM

i need a new microphone and probably a pre amp or something. i used to use this samson co1u but it is quite horrible and im afraid to get any other USB mics because that was is supposed to be the best one but its not it stinks It Stinks!!!

id like to keep this under $200 if i can.

shura · October 30, 2010 11:27 PM

i dont have much knowledge on preamps/mics but i found one that normally runs for $120 on sale for $53 on amazon
if you buy together with the mic and cable it totals to $113
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Audio-Budget...p/dp/B000CZ0RZG
http://www.amazon.com/MXL-990-Condenser-Mi...d_bxgy_e_text_c
http://www.amazon.com/XLR-male-female-Micr...d_bxgy_e_text_b

Hnilmik · October 30, 2010 11:29 PM

...What the hell did you do with the Samson CO1U?! <--- still uses it

It's not a bad starter mic. You just need to tweak it to work with your computer/recording program.

Hnilmik · October 31, 2010 12:18 AM

What are you using to remove the noise and how?

Hnilmik · October 31, 2010 01:37 AM

I'm confused... Why is it bad to have very silent background noise?

As for tinny-ness, there's a chance that you may've selected a little bit of noise, like something faint through your headphones.

Sapphire · October 31, 2010 02:18 AM

Don't use Cool Edit for noise removal purposes. I would either get Goldwave or RX Izotope. Cool Edit/Adobe Audition suck for cleaning up noise. I use Izotope more often for noise removal, and it's amazing.. It's not free though, but you can make it so.

Though, if you REALLY want to upgrade to a condenser microphone and preamp, I would go for these:

Microphone:AKG: Perception 120
Preamp: Art TubeMP

They should be under $200.00. You can probably find them for cheaper on Amazon or Musician's Friend. You'll also need to get an XLR cable and a microphone stand (if you use one). Get a gold-plated XLR cable--it gets better signals.

The AKG Perception is an amazing mic and great brand for a great price, and I own the Art Tube MP Series preamp, and it does the job for my microphone; giving it the warm and natural sound I desire. You'll still get noise (but less than your usb microphone), but that always depends on where you record. If you record in an open space, you'll receive a lot of noise in your recordings, if you record in a small space like a closet or a porta-booth you'll get little to no noise.

M-Audio is okay... but I wouldn't get anything from Digi unless you're using ProTools.

Hope this helps. :V

GRINACE · October 31, 2010 03:59 AM

My Friend normally uses Mxl 990, Fairly clear condencer. I can agree with Sap that cool edit is not the best for noise reduction. Never did it with Audtion but imma assume its the same thing basically.

Any recommendations on programs similar to cool edit pro/audition that have better noise reduction?

Sapphire · October 31, 2010 04:31 AM

Mm, not really. I would suggest installing plug-ins that have restoration capabilities, like Izotope RX or Waves. I'm not sure if Cool Edit Pro has VST/DirectX plug-in support though. I know Audition does.

Sapphire · October 31, 2010 03:27 PM

It really is good! And if you need help on how to use it, here's a tutorial on it's DeNoiser (the tool you'll probably be using the most in this program):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH6wLKR77wM

The guy doesn't fully remove the noise in the first half of the video (I don't know why), but the noise can be removed as well as any tinny feedback you get after doing the noise removal. It may not always do a perfect job depending on how serious the noise level is, but 9 times out of 10 it gets the job done.

Just remember that it's a restoration program, so you should probably keep Cool Edit (or upgrade to Adobe Audition 2.0/3.0).

emanhattan · November 1, 2010 09:19 PM

this topic makes me want to try voice acting again

Sapphire · November 3, 2010 03:50 PM

Quote from: ropesnakewell im probably going to buy that mic and preamp you suggested after all. i assume the mic comes with a cable to plug to the pre amp but as far as going to the computer goes do i need a XLR Male to 1/4inch?

do you know if the mic is too heavy for a tabletop stand?

No, don't get an XLR Male/1/4 in. Get an XLR male - XLR female cable. If you're getting that USB preamp, then you just need a regular USB cable to connect your preamp to your computer. Just so we're clear, here is how it goes:

MICROPHONE connects to PREAMP via female/male XLR cable while the PREAMP connects to COMPUTER via normal usb cord.

Also, stay away from anything by Monster (brand).

Oh, and the mic should be fine for a tabletop mic stand.