Voice recording


Hertz

 

Posted

So in reviewing my video, I know that my microphone set up was really poor, there's a buzz and such to what I recorded.

It was using a USB headphone mic, recorded in my closet with the doors/windows closed, fan off, etc etc. I also didn't do anything in the way of post-processing.

What are some tips to improve how my recorded sound is like, as I can tell that a lot of you have higher quality audio than I did...and I want to make it better. Faster. Stronger.


Arc #345863 - When The Bough Breaks
"Curse you Perry the Plata...wait, is that Love Handel?" - Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, Phineas and Ferb

 

Posted

First rule, never use a USB mic. I've had nothing but rubbish from them.

Second rule, use a good preamp. Some sound cards have this built in, others not so much.

Thirdly, practice. Learn your setup, what you can do with it, what you can't do with it.


 

Posted

Depending on what you mean by "buzz" it could be one of several things.

1. A steady low hum. Probably interference from other electronic gear. Possible to remove with a noise-reduction filter; see what a free program like Audacity can do along those lines.

2. Periodic crackling when you speak too loudly. Probably the microphone input is too high, or the "Mic Boost" is turned on.

3. Low droning noise that goes up and down in pitch. Probably being attacked by giant bees stinging holes in your eyes and laying eggs in your mouth, aieeeee, etc.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
It was using a USB headphone mic, recorded in my closet with the doors/windows closed, fan off, etc etc. I also didn't do anything in the way of post-processing.


[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know what your closet looks like, but I'm guessing it's not the best place for recording. You might be better off looking for a larger space. I don't do videos for CoH, but I do voiceover recording for computer based training. I do it in an office, so I look for a room in further inside the building with no windows and no one meeting in the adjacent conference rooms. I generally used a small room - let's say larger than your closet, but smaller than an average master bedroom.

I do several microphone sound checks. I speak at the same speed and level I plan to for the actual recording and make several recordings with different levels set. Also important is the placement of the microphone. Too close to your mouth or too far away and you're not going to get good results. I don't know about your microphone quality, but different microphones will produce different results, too. Hopefully some people here will have some good recommendations about microphones. I don't use a USB type and the one I have isn't sold anymore.

Keep in mind that different microphones also have differnt properties, as well. I've worked with a hand-held microphone that was terrible and required you to speak exactly into the front top of the microphone at all times. If you turned your head at all or shifted the microphone to even a slight angle, it wouldn't pick anything up or would only gets bits and pieces. My headset microphone is on a flexible piece that I can bend around to make sure it's in the best possible place. Experiment with different angles and see what placement picks up the best sound.

Make sure anything that can provide feedback or interference are out of the way (cell phones!) When you adjust the volume and recording levels, make sure you're hitting the right range. I don't know what software you are using, but some will show you a "safe zone." If you set it up so you're hitting the safe zone when you test, then speak more loudly or quietly when you record, you'll run into quality issues.

Sometimes if I start and stop or pick up and edit later, there will be a difference in volume levels. It pays to recheck everything if you've paused for more than a few minutes.


~Missi

http://tinyurl.com/yhy333s

Miss Informed in 2016! She can't be worse than all those other guys!

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
3. Low droning noise that goes up and down in pitch. Probably being attacked by giant bees stinging holes in your eyes and laying eggs in your mouth, aieeeee, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, I think you're on to something...


Arc #345863 - When The Bough Breaks
"Curse you Perry the Plata...wait, is that Love Handel?" - Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, Phineas and Ferb