USB Headset microphone conclusion

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rebcult
Posts: 52
Joined: April 17th, 2012, 3:40 am

Post by rebcult »

I have waded through some of the forum looking for a conclusion on what recording equipment in the mid-price range is best suited for Librivox work. Is there anything like a summary?
My main questions are:
1. Any qualitative difference between USB vs 3.mm stereo jack connections?
2. Headsets with mics would seem to provide a good deal more flexibility. Are the mics as good as stand alone?
3. Condenser vs other mic design?
4. Are there any stand out systems that people recommend?
I am about to return a desktop mic but don't want to unless I have a good alternative.
annise
LibriVox Admin Team
Posts: 38670
Joined: April 3rd, 2008, 3:55 am
Location: Melbourne,Australia

Post by annise »

People have much the same differences of opinion about microphones as about cars, phones etc.
If the only reason you are buying a microphone is for LibriVox my suggestion would be to buy something reasonably cheap - if you really like it you may decide to buy a more expensive one and then you will know what will suit your voice.
USB versus Jack - the USB port bypasses the sound card - if you have a great soundcard it doesn't matter but most computers don't so USB will give you better sound in general
Some like headsets , some don't. The microphone says in the same place , which is good in some ways but means you can not work the microphone and for example move back a bit if you want to shout. The only real problem I have heard with them is that sometimes a wire can come loose and you get clicks when you move.

Many people start with a Logitek desk microphone which gives good results for most people and is fairly simple to use.
So - there is no real , easy answer. Everyone is different, has different computers , has different depth pockets, has different ambitions
But hope some of this helps

Anne
Starlite
Posts: 16548
Joined: April 30th, 2006, 2:17 pm
Location: Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada

Post by Starlite »

Many people have commented on how nice the samson gomic is...

http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/microphones/usb-microphones/gomic/

Here are some samples of different mics:

http://librivox.org/microphone-showdown-i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud-by-william-wordsworth/

Esther :)
"Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable
people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress,
therefore, depends on unreasonable people." George Bernard Shaw
RuthieG
Posts: 21957
Joined: April 17th, 2008, 8:41 am
Location: Kent, England
Contact:

Post by RuthieG »

I certainly wouldn't wade through the forums for this information. :) Why not try:

Wiki: http://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/User-Recommended_Equipment

Microphone showdown: http://librivox.org/microphone-showdown-i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud-by-william-wordsworth/ A comparison of audio recordings using many different types of recording devices.

Re USB vs. analog (round jack) - a USB will almost certainly be better unless you have a very good soundcard.

Headset vs. standalone: matter of personal taste. I can't get along with headsets for love nor money. This woman and her Yeti will not be parted.

Ruth
My LV catalogue page | RuthieG's CataBlog of recordings | Tweet: @RuthGolding
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