Vocal Equipment Required....Please help me choose!

Posted on

Member Since: Aug 16, 2005

Hi,

I have recorded several children's stories onto CDs, and up until now i've been using a standard sound card, crappy micrphone, and cool edit pro 2.1, to edit them.

I've just bought a brand new Dell PC. It has come without a sound card, mainly because i haven't been able to decide which one to get.

I now want to make the sound much more professional. A lot of what i've read on recording studios is based upon musicians, but since i only record talking, then there is a lot i don't require.

I need some help and advice (which is why i joined this splendid forum) on what equipment i should buy for a professional (or as close to) sound.

What I need is: A decent micrphone, a decent soundcard, and whether Cool Edit Pro (now called Adobe Audtion) is what i should be using?

I am not on a tight budget, and am willing to spend the necessary cash. However i'm not rich, so i would like to keep it within $1k region, or possibly cheaper.

I thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Regards,

Bob

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 16, 2005 03:24 pm

Welcome to HRC...I love the username :-)

Cool Edit Pro should be fine for your needs for sure. There is better, there is worse, but your needs are very meager.

I guess my personal suggestion for such simple needs would be a simple sound card. The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 would be great, then, you need a vocal processor, something with a preamp and compression built in (or individual preamp and compressor)...I can't think of anything off the top of my head that is a single unit...however, beyond that you need a good microphone, which I will leave to others to comment on, since mics are not my strong point.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Aug 16, 2005 04:31 pm

Yeah, I thinks cool edit should be fine. But after that, first thing you need is a good soundcard. The one db mentioned is a good choice. After that, you need a good condensor mic. There are lots of options here. Best thing is to read reviews. I have a Neumanmm TLM-103 which is beautiful, but may be higher end than you want or need. I have heard good things about many other mics such as the Rhodes NT1 or NT2 (I think). Also people seem to like the Studio projects B1 or even the Behringer B1 or is it B2. If you can go to a local music store and test a couple mics side by side and see what you like best. You will also need a preamp. This can come as part of a small mixer (probably your cheapest option). You can get a stand alone preamp that will probably sound better, but the difference in sound may not be extremely noticeable. An outboard compressor will also be useful, but you can get by doing compression in the software realm. I personally don't find the compressor that comes with Cool Edit very useful, so you may want to explore some other options there... You may also want to investigate channel strips which if I remember right come with a preamp, basic eq, and compressor(?) all in one unit. I've heard joe meek mentioned in regard to these.

So, I guess that could be a lot to digest, but if you have more questions, feel free to ask.

Member
Since: Aug 16, 2005


Aug 16, 2005 04:54 pm

Thanks for the replies.

I'm glad you think Cool Edit Pro is fine. I've found it pretty easy to use, even if i haven't a clue about some of the features that come with it.

I will check out the micrphones and read some reviews. Thanks for the tips.

However I am a bit confused with the pre-amps. My knowledge on this subject is limited. I presume that a pre-amp boosts the volume of the mic? But what makes a good pre-amp, and does it come as a box which i plug into the sound card? Please excuse my ignorance on this.

Could you also be kind enough to explain a little about outboard compressors. What exactly does this bit of kit do?

I'll have a look at the sound card you mentioned. Is it better than SoundBlast Audigy? I keep seeing this card, and was wondering whether it is good enough for what i require.

Once again thanks for the info. I certainly have a lot to learn. I'm just glad i found this very helpful site.

Cheers,

Bob




Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 16, 2005 05:16 pm

compression: www.homerecordingconnecti...story&id=13

A preamp is necessary to take a signal from a mic and boost it to line level so it records well. A good preamp should be as transparent as possible, meaning it does the signal boost, buit does not color the sound. You are using it for very basic needs, most any preamp would do well, generally, like with most things, the more you spend the better it is...amd yes, it's a box that the microphone would plug in to, may have a compressor or even some reverb on iti f you by a full vocal processor, if not, it may have an effects loop in which to run a compressor and other effects.

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Aug 16, 2005 06:38 pm

my old car was called bob. and the new one is called 'new bob'.


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 16, 2005 06:49 pm

clever.

I bet it's not BobTastic.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Aug 16, 2005 07:18 pm

Edited post! lol

haha...... flame, shocker

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Aug 18, 2005 09:51 am

I read somewhere that a big difference in speaking parts is the room it's recorded in. An isolation booth, with absorbing walls, ceiling, floor, will take any reflections and leave only your voice. That may be an idea as well, if you don't already have one.

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