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Recording: Microphone Problem
https://mail.karaokescene.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7656		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  planet_bill [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Recording: Microphone Problem
Sorry to bug you techies with my other Microphone thread out there, but this is another question / problem.  I'm trying to hook up my mic directly to the computer to record using Audacity. However when I plug my mic in and listen through the headphones I only hear myself on the left channel. Does that mean I have a mono mic and if so is that normal; or is this just a setting issue? What do I need.

Thanks - I'll be puzzling through this as you come up with an answer trying to figure it out.

Bill
Author:  Jian [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Mic is always mono; unless it is a stereo mic which is 2 mics built into one. The track recorded onto your recording progrm may be double, ie  L & R but it is still mono.
If you are hearing on only one side of the mon then try checking the plug input. Make sure its all in and not half wayin . Use the 'mic in' rather than the 'line in'.

Hope that help.
Author:  planet_bill [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Ok Jian, thanks man. I messed with all that. When I record I will only hear the mic playback in the left headphone speaker, but Audacity mono audio will play back the vocal through both the L & R channel. So, that is cool. I was able to rip a cdg and load it in too.

Big problem right now is I don't know how to sink the two tracks. Without a visual marker showing when each start it is hard to tell where to align in order to align the voice with the music at the right spot. How do the rest of you do this? Or do you?

Other issue for me is when I turn on my mic hooked to the computer and enable the mic I get a bit of feedback humming. I think part of that comes from have microphone boost selected for the mic, but if I turn that off the mic level really drops. Also the sound I hear from the mic seems muffled. Bass seems a bit high and not much treble.

I'll worry about the mic later. Can anyone give me some tips on aligning these tracks?

Thank you very much,

Bill
Author:  Jian [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Its been a long time that I use that program so I am not real sure. But in most its done about the same way. First zoom into the track at about the start. This way you will have more detail. Then click (and hold down) the vox track and drag it to sync with the backing track. For better sync zoom in more until you get it right.
like I said I have not use the program, and the way I discribe it here is the way its done in most recording program.

Try that first.
Author:  Jian [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Quote:
Other issue for me is when I turn on my mic hooked to the computer and enable the mic I get a bit of feedback humming. I think part of that comes from have microphone boost selected for the mic, but if I turn that off the mic level really drops. Also the sound I hear from the mic seems muffled. Bass seems a bit high and not much treble.



I hope you do not use the pc speaker to mon your recording; you will get feedback.
When using the boost make sure that the level is as low as possible. The wav form in your track should not clip, and your recording meter should not go beyond the yellow mark. Clipping is not good, if you sound too soft as compare to the backing tracks then you can boost the vox vol when you are mixing.

When I use a cheapo chinese mic to do a quick recording and use the boost I set the mic vol to only 10 %. But this rely depend on your sing style and the your natural vox vol. So just keep doing it until you get it right. BUT NEVER CLIP THE WAV FORM
Author:  planet_bill [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Ok Jian, I'll give it a shot. You're the greatest!

Bill
Author:  MorganLeFey [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
I find if you plug a professional mic straight into the puter without a pre-amp the quality sucks. You would be best to purchase a cheap little mixer and use that to plug mic into it will give you a lot better quality and more control
Author:  Sinnamon [ Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Hi everyone...

Bill, I have the same problem on my pc...I use a cheap little headset mic I have had for years.  How I sound on it always depends on whether or not I can get it in EXACTLY the right place...so that is really frustrating to me...especially since I tend to boogie in my seat while I'm singing...which a lot of times causes the mic to move LOL

Anyhow I get the same thing as you are describing when I try to plug in my regular mic from my karaoke machine.   :(  

I have also heard that I need to get a small mixer...so anyone have ideas on what would be best for me to get?  I don't want to spend much...I really just do this for fun...I just want something that sounds decent and will let me enjoy myself without the frustration... :D
Author:  Lonman [ Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630166

Alesis mixer, will do fine for hobbyist recording on computer.
Author:  Sinnamon [ Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Lonman @ Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:30 pm wrote:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-MultiMix-8USB-Mixer-with-USB-and-DSP?sku=630166

Alesis mixer, will do fine for hobbyist recording on computer.


And it plugs into the USB port?  Yeeehhaaaww :dancin:  I think even I can handle hooking that up..  LOL

Thanks Lonman!   :hi5:
Author:  Keith02 [ Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Sinnamon @ Fri Aug 18, 2006 4:40 pm wrote:
Lonman @ Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:30 pm wrote:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-MultiMix-8USB-Mixer-with-USB-and-DSP?sku=630166

Alesis mixer, will do fine for hobbyist recording on computer.


And it plugs into the USB port?  Yeeehhaaaww :dancin:  I think even I can handle hooking that up..  LOL

Thanks Lonman!   :hi5:
Yep...AND it means you can install many, many really neat and free plugins on your PC to use in your mix....Plus you can connect a really decent mic and solve the mic problems!.....PLUS the mixer can be used outside the PC if you decide to add an amp and speakers for a kickin home KJ setup!...Plus you can plug in real CDG players to the mixer!
Author:  planet_bill [ Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recording: Microphone Problem
Keith02 @ Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:26 pm wrote:
Yep...AND it means you can install many, many really neat and free plugins on your PC to use in your mix....Plus you can connect a really decent mic and solve the mic problems!.....PLUS the mixer can be used outside the PC if you decide to add an amp and speakers for a kickin home KJ setup!...Plus you can plug in real CDG players to the mixer!


Keith02 @ Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:24 am wrote:
MorganLeFey @ Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:24 am wrote:
Ok I have a brand new puter (picked it up thursday) its nice and grunty, back to AMD chip after a year of celeron rubbish (take my advice and never EVER purchase a celeron). Well the thing is the tech thought the onboard sound specs were good enuff to suit my requirements for music...errrrrr how wrong he is. Tonite is the first chance I have had to sit down and listen and I feel like projectile vomiting. The sound is tinny in the extreme.
So before I blow even more money on a soundcard could I ask for recommendations from the Tech gods please.
If you are interfacing the PC with a pro level mixer, then you must use pro level card. I suggest as a minimum the M-Audio Delta 44 PCI interface. It uses 1/4" jacks just like your mixer and is balanced...It comes with all required software and is no more expensive than typical gammers soundcard.

When I say pro level, I don't mean expensive, I mean electronically...Pro mixers require pro level inputs.....Standard PC soundcards output comsumer level electronically. They don't interface well with mixers, even tho you can purchase cable adapters that allow you to connect them.

Your computer is capable of producing very high quality playback into a full stage type PA if only you interface it properly.

Make sure you discover how to disable onboard sound before you install drivers for whatever sound card you select or you might have conflicts...Sometimes it is in BIOS, sometimes you must reconfigure jumper on motherboard, or sometimes it will happen automatically when you actually install card....Motherboard manual may not say, but an email to motherboard maker tech guys will usually get you that info.

I use the Delta 44 and I am very happy with it. It will allow me to both playback and record in very high quality. M-Audio makes more expensive cards, but you are not buying higher quality sound, just more features you may not need, so be realistic when comparing.

The Delta 44 can be had from many etailers for about 149 bucks....There are other options out there, but I know of none as reliable or as easy to configure, and offer just what you need and not a bunch of stuff you will pay for but never use.


I'm following both of these threads Keith, but am a bit confused as to what I need if I want to hook up high end pro type gear to the computer. Do I need the sound card and this mixer panel?

If only one or the other, which is the better choice?

Not sure about my pc. Right now I hear hum over the headphones connected to the onboard sound. Also I have a ton of fans in this computer for cooling, even though I know I over did it. I'm thinking I somehow need to kill this fan noise if I want a good quality recording off this machine - right?

Thanks, - all of you guys have been providing some great info in these various threads. I really appreciate it.

Bill
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