Microphones - Share your demos here

[David Anderson]

One of the most common questions designers ask is around recording hardware and microphones.

While recommendations are one way to go, sometimes just posting samples with short descriptions of hardware used is more beneficial.

I invite you to share your audio recording set up in this thread and include some examples if you like.

[GerryWaz]

Here is a demo of the Yeti from Blue Microphones, David: http://gerrywaz.articulate-online.com/1969542003

Thanks for the encouragement and for spurring on this comparison. Should be fun and instructive for folks.

BTW, I did nothing special for the recording. Left my portable studio enclosure (inspired by Spectre) at work so I just did this from my den "in the open."

[Jenise_RidgeViewMedia.com]

Hey David and Gerry:

Here is my contribution to the hardware thread. It doesn't have audio narration because I started it late at night, and DH needed to go to sleep. However, you will hear two of my voice-over demo reels:

Hardware for Narration - Jenise Cook | Ridge&#8

Hardware for Narration
I feel it's an individual preference. "Dear Reader," it's important for you to do your research, take a realistic look at your budget, and then decide what hardware will work for you. In a way, it's almost like buying clothes.

For my freelance colleagues...
This demo took me about 3 to 3.5 hours to pull together. I had to find appropriate images, and then go to my voice-over demo site and download my audio files. (I had backed them up to my off-site backup system to make room on my hard drive.) I had already downloaded Mozealous' iMac template a few days earlier.

[Rob47]

When I am traveling I use the Snowball from Blue Microphones. At home, I just upgraded to a AudioBox USB from PreSonis and the ElectroVoice RE20 with a VAC-RE20 filter. Probably overkill, but the audio thus far has been consistently excellent with very little editing required.

Rob

[gfriese]

Nothing fancy for me. I use a Microsoft Life Chat 3000 headset with a USB plugin.

Occasionally I will record to Audacity but most often I record audio files with:

• screenr.com - an example Screenr - @gfriese: Educators and Presenters proportionally resize images in #PowerPoint. Easy to do and looks better.
• Talkshoe.com
• Google Voice
• Skype with Callburner addon
• Blog Talk Radio

[Phil Weber]

I use the Samson C03U USB mic plugged into my laptop. I typically record after hours at my desk; the cubicle walls do a nice job of absorbing reflections. Here's a sample produced in Camtasia without any equalization or post-processing:

http://corillianonline.com/training/...ming_intro.wmv

For my Articulate courses, I record into Audacity, then apply a noise gate and boost the high and low frequencies slightly so that it will sound better on small laptop speakers.

[Spectre]

I echo Jenise's comment about hardware...it is a subjective thing. IMO (generally speaking), it's more important where you record than what you use to record. When others ask me what to buy, I usually encourage them to work out their recording environment first before splurging on mics and other hardware.

With that said, this what I use when recording (which is done with a laptop in my walk-in closet):

• Rode NT1-A condenser mic
• Shure X2U XLR-to-USB adapter

This setup can work very well in a recording space free of background noise and excess reverb. However, if you're looking for a mic that isolates background noise, the Rode NT1-A would definitely not be my choice.

I don't have a dedicated audio sample, but for this Articulate recording, I used the aforementioned equipment. I believe the Articulate publish audio quality was set to 48Kbps.

[@robkennedy3]

Hi all,

Wanted to contribute before I forgot. I don't have an audio sample immediately but will upload when I get to a place that I am able to do so. I use a few different mics. However, for audio narration, I keep it to my favorite mic which is normally plugged into my setup, a Rode NTK. It's a condenser mic and can pick up background noise so I have set it up inside my own version of a porta-booth. If you have not heard of one, google Porta Booth or Harlan Hogan. For quick, non-studio recording, I use a M-Audio USB Producer mic. It plugs right up and gives decent quality. I also have an MXL 9001 that I use because its a bit warmer and less bright than the Rode. But, again, for narration, I try to keep it fairly simple. I rarely use the built-in record option in presenter as I like to have a bit more control over what I am doing with the audio. So, I use Sound Forge if on Windows and Sound Studio if on Mac for my editing purposes. If I need to layer things, I do it right in Sound Studio or hop over to Garageband.

I will link a couple of samples later.

Robert

[Reilly]

Hi everyone, here is a short review of the Audio Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone. I've only had this mic for a few days but I absolutely love it! The audio quality is great and sounds like a mic that costs 3 times as much. Listen for yourself, here is a link to my Screenr review:

Screenr - @RyanReilly: A quick review of the AT2020 USB mic for those looking for audio samples.

I welcome any feedback. Enjoy!

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Reilly

Hi everyone, here is a short review of the Audio Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone. I've only had this mic for a few days but I absolutely love it! The audio quality is great and sounds like a mic that costs 3 times as much. Listen for yourself, here is a link to my Screenr review:

Screenr - @RyanReilly: A quick review of the AT2020 USB mic for those looking for audio samples.

I welcome any feedback. Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing!