I want to put some bodhran sample sounds up on a new website and have been told to use "Audacity" and a mic. plugged into my computer. Do I need a good quality mic. and if so how do I plug it in? Does anybody know about the audacity program?
I don't know about Audacity; I use CoolEdit and Reason. And I don't record much with a mic, as my fiddling and electronica playing are separate (you may now sigh in relief).
Yes, a good mic is important for good sound quality. I can't recommend a good one for instument recording as I only use one for voice.
OK, now for something I actually do know. The mic needs to be plugged in to the mic jack on your computer's sound card. Most audio gear uses the standard audio plug, while sound cards usually require a mini-plug. You can get an adapter just about anywhere, like your local Radio Shack. It's the same as the adapter that usually comes with studio-type headphones.
Hey....I downloaded Audacity and am having trouble with the volume aspect of the recording. I turn the volume up on all the controls (computer, program, mic) and I still get this semi-muted result. Could this soundcard versus standard audio plug thing be a factor????
For a mic to be used with a computer it needs power, through batteries, a pre-amp, or from the computer. If your mic plug has only one ring it can't draw power from the computer. If your mic isn't getting power in some way that could explain why the volume is so low when you record.
I'm in a bit over my head here as I hardly ever use a mic and don't know that much about them; I'm usually plugging in a synthesizer. Hope this helps.
Ack, forget what I said about the headphone adapters, they are backwards from what I was thinking. I hope I'm not just adding confusion to frustration...my intentions are good
mcknowall, get a mic that says that it's made for use with a computer, so you can just plug it into the soundcard and use it without complications.
A friend who does a reasonable amount of recording strongly recommends Audacity - he has Cubase (as do I) but doesn't use it. Audacity is apparently a lot simpler to use, and it's free...it does all the basic functions you'll need.
It is possible to record direct into your sound card with a cheap PC microphone, but the sound quality is unlikely to be good. It depends on what you want your sound clips for - just for demonstration purposes, or for serious (repeated) listening? The problem is possibly the impedance of the device - is the mic you're using designed for PC input? I actually bought a two dollar mic and found that all my recordings had the Beach Boys in the background (!?!). It took me a couple of minutes to realise that the microphone cable was unshielded, and just the right length to pick up the local readio station. Wrapping silver foil round the cable and plugging it into the lip of the mic input socket of the PC got over that one, but the quality was never there.
'Serious' microphones would require both external power and a pre-amplifier; both can be supplied by one of the mini studios now cheaply available. Mine runs from the USB port and takes all it's power direct from the PC, which makes it very portable. I get about an hour and a half running the whole setup from the laptop's battery. It's worth noting that I have to turn the inputs up to almost maximum to get a reasonable signal - apparently it's not uncommon for the pre-amps on mini studios to be underpowered, but for a shade over two hundred bucks I'm not complaining. One big benefit is that the studio outputs what it is 'hearing' to a headphone socket in real time, so you can check what's being recorded as it happens - very useful for adjusting mic positions and avoiding distortion.
Audacity is free from soundforge.com. Its amazing, download the optional extras if you can they let you use mp3 format. I still use cool edit pro for some things, but theres nothing that you cant do in audacity. Just don't get the beta version, it crashes.
Audacity
Audacity
I want to put some bodhran sample sounds up on a new website and have been told to use "Audacity" and a mic. plugged into my computer. Do I need a good quality mic. and if so how do I plug it in? Does anybody know about the audacity program?
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by mcknowall
Re: Audacity
I don't know about Audacity; I use CoolEdit and Reason. And I don't record much with a mic, as my fiddling and electronica playing are separate (you may now sigh in relief).
Yes, a good mic is important for good sound quality. I can't recommend a good one for instument recording as I only use one for voice.
OK, now for something I actually do know. The mic needs to be plugged in to the mic jack on your computer's sound card. Most audio gear uses the standard audio plug, while sound cards usually require a mini-plug. You can get an adapter just about anywhere, like your local Radio Shack. It's the same as the adapter that usually comes with studio-type headphones.
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Audacity
Hey....I downloaded Audacity and am having trouble with the volume aspect of the recording. I turn the volume up on all the controls (computer, program, mic) and I still get this semi-muted result. Could this soundcard versus standard audio plug thing be a factor????
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by ceolgaelach
Re: Audacity
One thing I forgot: good mics may have XLR connectors. You can get an XLR-to-mini plug adapter if you have that type.
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Audacity
ceolgaelach: assuming that you use Windows, do you have Line In/Mic turned up in your audio settings? It's different than the volume control.
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Audacity
I've seen a mic (Shure 57?) taped to the inside of a bodhran for use in a ceili band.
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: Audacity
Another thing I thought of: is your mic powered? Does it have batteries?
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Audacity
ceolgaelach: How many rings are on the jack on your mic plug? Is it only one?
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Audacity
Mic is powered and I have it turned on.
Rings...# unknown. I'll check and get back to you.
Line in turned up....I'm almost certain that it is but I'll check.
You guys ROCK!!! Thanks!!!
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by ceolgaelach
Re: Audacity
For a mic to be used with a computer it needs power, through batteries, a pre-amp, or from the computer. If your mic plug has only one ring it can't draw power from the computer. If your mic isn't getting power in some way that could explain why the volume is so low when you record.
I'm in a bit over my head here as I hardly ever use a mic and don't know that much about them; I'm usually plugging in a synthesizer. Hope this helps.
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Audacity
Ack, forget what I said about the headphone adapters, they are backwards from what I was thinking. I hope I'm not just adding confusion to frustration...my intentions are good
mcknowall, get a mic that says that it's made for use with a computer, so you can just plug it into the soundcard and use it without complications.
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Marklar
Re: Audacity
There's some stuff here which might be useful http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/12509
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Backer
Re: Audacity
If you want to " put some bodhran sample sounds up on a new website" then what you need is
SHEER audacity......
# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Audacity
Thanks kids, I'll battle on.
# Posted on February 11th 2007 by mcknowall
Re: Audacity
A friend who does a reasonable amount of recording strongly recommends Audacity - he has Cubase (as do I) but doesn't use it. Audacity is apparently a lot simpler to use, and it's free...it does all the basic functions you'll need.
It is possible to record direct into your sound card with a cheap PC microphone, but the sound quality is unlikely to be good. It depends on what you want your sound clips for - just for demonstration purposes, or for serious (repeated) listening? The problem is possibly the impedance of the device - is the mic you're using designed for PC input? I actually bought a two dollar mic and found that all my recordings had the Beach Boys in the background (!?!). It took me a couple of minutes to realise that the microphone cable was unshielded, and just the right length to pick up the local readio station.
Wrapping silver foil round the cable and plugging it into the lip of the mic input socket of the PC got over that one, but the quality was never there.
'Serious' microphones would require both external power and a pre-amplifier; both can be supplied by one of the mini studios now cheaply available. Mine runs from the USB port and takes all it's power direct from the PC, which makes it very portable. I get about an hour and a half running the whole setup from the laptop's battery. It's worth noting that I have to turn the inputs up to almost maximum to get a reasonable signal - apparently it's not uncommon for the pre-amps on mini studios to be underpowered, but for a shade over two hundred bucks I'm not complaining. One big benefit is that the studio outputs what it is 'hearing' to a headphone socket in real time, so you can check what's being recorded as it happens - very useful for adjusting mic positions and avoiding distortion.
Eno
# Posted on February 11th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: Audacity
I record onto minidisc player using sony stereo mike and then upload from minidisc direct into audacity. Works well for me.
# Posted on February 11th 2007 by cariad
Re: Audacity
Audacity is free from soundforge.com. Its amazing, download the optional extras if you can they let you use mp3 format. I still use cool edit pro for some things, but theres nothing that you cant do in audacity. Just don't get the beta version, it crashes.
# Posted on February 11th 2007 by thesceptic
Re: Audacity
Thanks again, getting warmer now, How would my old Tandy pressure zone mic work, it has a battery thingy? Then I would need a xlr to usb fitting?
# Posted on February 11th 2007 by mcknowall
Re: Audacity
you don't need a good quality mic because it's only a bodhran.
# Posted on February 12th 2007 by Fiddlebabe
Re: Audacity
Hope you've got your tin hat, lol.
# Posted on February 12th 2007 by Tigermoth
Re: Audacity
I use a $10 mic from Staples... works fine for what I'm doing (i.e. NOT mass producing cd's for sale)
# Posted on February 12th 2007 by pastrings