[dead_mans_shoe]

Dear All,

I've always neglected audio when producing films. I do various types from home movies to little promotional videos for people's websites and a few DVDs for friends companies.

The sound always let's me down though. Previousley I've been doing voice overs/narration with either a 3.5mm jack microphone straight into the CPU or a USB microphone, both of which are really bad.

My question is thus...

Can anyone recommend a clear sounding voice recording set up?

Someone suggested to me an MP3 flash drive player/recorder, sounds plausible as a solution, but I can't imagine any built in microhone on something like that would be very good, and I've not seen many with the option for a external mic.

Any suggestions?

[Para]

Depends on what sort of current set up you are using.

I have done a few films for work and fortunately have managed with a decent mic plugged in to a pc, via a mixing desk. Then the audio can be eq'ed properly once its uploaded into premier or whatever software your using!

[senu]

THIS
with a decent microphone may be just what you need.
Many of the MP3 drives do have mic-in and many PC soundcards aren't bad, as such using a good microphone with them may suffice

Having said that, there are software titles or even plug-in within NLE software to enhance the audio once it is on the PC

Most currently available titles have decent audio enhancement.. some , like the Sony Vegas family even allow you to use an external audio editing program from within them

[mikim]

A very brief rundown:

As mentioned, a good mic is one of the most important aspects of good vocal reproduction. You also need to think about a stand for the Mic, as you don't want to be knocking it during the recording, plus it will allow you to position the mic at the best angle. Think about the room environment too, a large hard walled room will create unwanted reverb on a voice over, try to record in a small room, add duvets/pillows to nearby surfaces if possible to give you a nice 'dead' sound, this will sound much better, and if you want to add reverb you can in post production.
A 'pop-shield' will also help if the mic is going to be close to your mouth. This will rid you of wind pops from 'p's and deep breaths.

Regards to the hardware/software: you will probably need some kind of mic preamp if it's a decent mic, some of the good sound cards provide these built in now though.
Try Sony sound forge for the audio editor. There isn't much you can't do a sound track in this software. It also plugs in rather well to Sony Vegas
Cheers,

A sound engineer.

[dead_mans_shoe]

Great feedback - thanks a lot.

Years back I had a crappy CPU from work, running Win 98 and a cream coloured microphone "stick" with a hole in the end plugging into the jack socket in the back... I have to say using this and Creative Wave Studio I got some excellent results - which you'd think was surprising

I'm currently using 2 computers, one at work, one at home. At work it's a Dell Dimension 9150 with a Creative SB X-Fi sound card, at home... well can't remember but it's not bad by any means. But both are useless. I've not spent a huge amount of money on a mic, I wanted to check it worked half well before spending £60-£70 on something better. All I'm using here at the moment is the 3.5mm jack in the front of the machine next to the earphone socket.

On both machines, home and work, there's room for a whole host of other items to be plugged into slots on the back of the machine but not sure what to get to stick in them

Can anyone recommend specifically what

a) Hardware (microphone, mixing desk, pre-amp (if needed))
b) Software to mix

I do all my editing on Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5, I have bought Cubase 4 for the sound but I'm finding it pretty difficult to get a foothold on at the moment.

[mikim]

Hi,

This lot should sort you out... although I guess you wont need the cubase.

£58 - The Mic, this is very good for the money - HERE
£15 - Pop shield - HERE
£20 - Stand, will keep the mic in the right place - HERE
£65 - Lexicon USB mic input sound card. - This looks pretty good really, plus you get cubase LE that should cover the recording angle. There are loads to choose from as well as this. - HERE
£12 - 3m XLR balanced mic cable - HERE

£170. You will need to spend 'alot' more money to get a step up from this.

Alternatively for £99 you could just get one of these USB mics, but I can't imagine that the quality is all that good, although it might be better than what you are currently using...(you will still need the stand & popshield) - HERE

Software: Sony Sound Forge is really good. But if you already have Cubase 4, I'd take the time to try and master it, as you can do all the Video/Audio hand in hand, plus you can create a 5.1 track. Cubase will pretty much always be around in one form or another as it is industry standard now, and has been for many years. There are loads of books that will help you get going, and like Adobe software, don't be put off by the complexity.. as most functions are quite simple to get to grips with.

[dead_mans_shoe]

WOO!

Fantastic stuff, you're a solid gold star, what more could I ask for (well how to use Cubase, but I expect we don't have the time here)

Sincerely, thank you very much