Amplifying the sound of a recorder
93jeffhardy
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Kalyman -
Kalyman -
Hello,
For a music creation project, I need to amplify the sound of a recorder. I don't have any equipment, and I have a very tight budget. Therefore, I only have a computer on which I can install the software you recommend.
In your opinion, should I use a microphone with an XLR output, then an XLR/jack adapter, and an amplifier (or even combined with a preamp)? I would like a low-cost solution; the quality doesn't need to be exceptional, but still decent enough to avoid distorted sound and noise. I would appreciate your opinions, experiences, or even advice and your reasoning.
Thank you in advance
Max
Configuration: Sony VAIO FW-5
Windows Seven Home Premium 64-bit
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T6600 2.20GHz
RAM: 4.00 Go
For a music creation project, I need to amplify the sound of a recorder. I don't have any equipment, and I have a very tight budget. Therefore, I only have a computer on which I can install the software you recommend.
In your opinion, should I use a microphone with an XLR output, then an XLR/jack adapter, and an amplifier (or even combined with a preamp)? I would like a low-cost solution; the quality doesn't need to be exceptional, but still decent enough to avoid distorted sound and noise. I would appreciate your opinions, experiences, or even advice and your reasoning.
Thank you in advance
Max
Configuration: Sony VAIO FW-5
Windows Seven Home Premium 64-bit
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T6600 2.20GHz
RAM: 4.00 Go
5 answers
It depends on your budget...?
But also, and especially, on the importance you give to sound quality...
But if it's just for an amateur job... (so, if the sound quality doesn't need to be top-notch)... For around a hundred euros, you can get a sound card (audio interface) USB2, and a good little microphone that will be adequate...
On sites like THOMANN... which are very reliable regarding delivery and customer service, even though it's a German supplier.
My selection for amateur use:
1/ USB microphone: 88 euros + shipping costs
With this, you don't need a sound card... but I can't guarantee good recording quality, however, Maudio is always decent in terms of results...
Plus, you'll get a nice little studio software... that will allow you to record your sound...
www.thomann.de/fr/m_audio_essential_vocal_studio.htm
2/ Sound card + independent microphone... best choice, in my opinion...
This choice allows you to record your sound... but you can also connect other instruments... this can be useful in the future... (guitar, bass, another microphone, stereo chain...) and it’s always better to separate functions...
USB2 sound card: 68 euros (comes with recording software)
www.thomann.de/fr/maudio_essential_recording_studio.htm
Microphone: 32 euros
www.thomann.de/fr/shure_pg48xlr.htm
Cable for microphone: 4.90 euros
www.thomann.de/fr/the_sssnake_sk233-6_mikrokabel.htm
So the total is: 104.9 euros + shipping costs
3/ My selection for a decent sound, much better, even very good...:
Sound card + microphone + cable: 195 euros
www.thomann.de/fr/m_audio_fast_track_prosc600.htm
Problem... not delivered with recording software... in this specific case... you'll need to find one... on the Thomann site, you can find them...
Conclusion... If it’s for amateur use... the second solution seems best to me, although the microphone may not be of amazing quality... because you can always buy a better microphone in the future... without changing the rest... and for 100 euros, you can get very good microphones...
However, check your Windows compatibility with the USB hardware...
Keep me updated if you have any questions...
a++
But also, and especially, on the importance you give to sound quality...
But if it's just for an amateur job... (so, if the sound quality doesn't need to be top-notch)... For around a hundred euros, you can get a sound card (audio interface) USB2, and a good little microphone that will be adequate...
On sites like THOMANN... which are very reliable regarding delivery and customer service, even though it's a German supplier.
My selection for amateur use:
1/ USB microphone: 88 euros + shipping costs
With this, you don't need a sound card... but I can't guarantee good recording quality, however, Maudio is always decent in terms of results...
Plus, you'll get a nice little studio software... that will allow you to record your sound...
www.thomann.de/fr/m_audio_essential_vocal_studio.htm
2/ Sound card + independent microphone... best choice, in my opinion...
This choice allows you to record your sound... but you can also connect other instruments... this can be useful in the future... (guitar, bass, another microphone, stereo chain...) and it’s always better to separate functions...
USB2 sound card: 68 euros (comes with recording software)
www.thomann.de/fr/maudio_essential_recording_studio.htm
Microphone: 32 euros
www.thomann.de/fr/shure_pg48xlr.htm
Cable for microphone: 4.90 euros
www.thomann.de/fr/the_sssnake_sk233-6_mikrokabel.htm
So the total is: 104.9 euros + shipping costs
3/ My selection for a decent sound, much better, even very good...:
Sound card + microphone + cable: 195 euros
www.thomann.de/fr/m_audio_fast_track_prosc600.htm
Problem... not delivered with recording software... in this specific case... you'll need to find one... on the Thomann site, you can find them...
Conclusion... If it’s for amateur use... the second solution seems best to me, although the microphone may not be of amazing quality... because you can always buy a better microphone in the future... without changing the rest... and for 100 euros, you can get very good microphones...
However, check your Windows compatibility with the USB hardware...
Keep me updated if you have any questions...
a++
Hi, do you think a mix of what you proposed and the few searches I did is good?
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nedvTmQlAD1aSVT1VlNtSLv_2S9IOUdblPPVuzmmPkA/edit#gid=0
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nedvTmQlAD1aSVT1VlNtSLv_2S9IOUdblPPVuzmmPkA/edit#gid=0
The microphones you give me are... either for percussion... or for transverse flute...
and of very, very good quality for some...
but very expensive...
Besides, there's no point in putting a Porsche engine in a 2CV... I don't know if you understand the metaphor....:-)
in other words...
there's no point in having an insane microphone if you don't have a quality audio interface to fully enjoy the qualities of your microphone...
and that's where it really hurts...
you need to go for converters like APOGEE,... or other market leaders in audio converters...
unless you're willing to spend over 400 euros on the interface... you shouldn't go there...
and you need a shielded cable.... again... for less than 30 euros.... there’s nothing...
for the microphone... you need a dedicated preamp... between 300 and 400 euros....
and then, you can use your microphone...:-)
what budget do you have....
because I'm a bit lost... for amateur studio recording... you really don't need that.... too expensive for the utility you have... or maybe I misunderstood the purpose of your project...
in conclusion...
for amateur recording...
stick to my initial advice... you can, at a pinch, switch to a Shure SM57 instead of the PG48...... if you want a good, versatile microphone... it's the best on the market for me... in terms of quality/price ratio... and its reputation is well established.
in studio and live... and your sound card will be sufficient for this microphone.
for professional recording...
let me know...
I’ll think about it... but for me... it's all or nothing...
half measures in "SOUND" only serve to spend money for not much better than the best of the entry-level...
at my place... for just one saxophone... it's:
200 euros for the SHURE WB 98HC microphone.
100 euros for the preamp and "mini XLR" to "XLR" reducer, Shure RPM 626
800 euros for the (tube) preamp
about 2000 euros for the audio interface, APOGEE converter, complete on PC tower... internal card plus external...
as you can see... sound processing costs much more than the microphone equipment... and that's only normal...:-),...
see you++
and of very, very good quality for some...
but very expensive...
Besides, there's no point in putting a Porsche engine in a 2CV... I don't know if you understand the metaphor....:-)
in other words...
there's no point in having an insane microphone if you don't have a quality audio interface to fully enjoy the qualities of your microphone...
and that's where it really hurts...
you need to go for converters like APOGEE,... or other market leaders in audio converters...
unless you're willing to spend over 400 euros on the interface... you shouldn't go there...
and you need a shielded cable.... again... for less than 30 euros.... there’s nothing...
for the microphone... you need a dedicated preamp... between 300 and 400 euros....
and then, you can use your microphone...:-)
what budget do you have....
because I'm a bit lost... for amateur studio recording... you really don't need that.... too expensive for the utility you have... or maybe I misunderstood the purpose of your project...
in conclusion...
for amateur recording...
stick to my initial advice... you can, at a pinch, switch to a Shure SM57 instead of the PG48...... if you want a good, versatile microphone... it's the best on the market for me... in terms of quality/price ratio... and its reputation is well established.
in studio and live... and your sound card will be sufficient for this microphone.
for professional recording...
let me know...
I’ll think about it... but for me... it's all or nothing...
half measures in "SOUND" only serve to spend money for not much better than the best of the entry-level...
at my place... for just one saxophone... it's:
200 euros for the SHURE WB 98HC microphone.
100 euros for the preamp and "mini XLR" to "XLR" reducer, Shure RPM 626
800 euros for the (tube) preamp
about 2000 euros for the audio interface, APOGEE converter, complete on PC tower... internal card plus external...
as you can see... sound processing costs much more than the microphone equipment... and that's only normal...:-),...
see you++
First of all, thank you for this long message. As a car enthusiast, I completely understand your metaphor.
Let me quickly explain: at the end of the school year, a group must present a musical and theatrical creation, and our group has been chosen to present the creation. So we are starting our creation with a recorder intro, and therefore, in front of 150-200 people, we would like to increase the sound while maintaining the mobility that is necessary for theater.
I should mention that the school has microphones for voices (they are huge but wireless), and on this point, I am not sure, but I think they must have an amplifier to connect the microphones.
So in the end, would buying just a microphone be enough??
Let me quickly explain: at the end of the school year, a group must present a musical and theatrical creation, and our group has been chosen to present the creation. So we are starting our creation with a recorder intro, and therefore, in front of 150-200 people, we would like to increase the sound while maintaining the mobility that is necessary for theater.
I should mention that the school has microphones for voices (they are huge but wireless), and on this point, I am not sure, but I think they must have an amplifier to connect the microphones.
So in the end, would buying just a microphone be enough??
It's clearer indeed...
So...
Yes, I think that if they have microphones, they must have the rest of the equipment...
And for your flute... I understand that it’s for playing live...
So indeed... the sound card is useless...
You need a microphone with a wireless system...
The problem is that unless it's over 400 euros, I haven't seen anything compatible..., and that can work on a standard theater stage...
(It needs to pick up at least 30 meters, according to the manufacturer's data, to ensure there won’t be a connection drop at 10 meters...)
You also need a microphone with a clip that’s large enough to fit on the body of your flute...
Speaking of that...:
Make sure to check the compatibility of the "microphone clip" with your type of flute...
There’s not at all the same diameter between a concert flute, a recorder, or a bass flute,... etc...
Above all... check the frequency range compatibility for France of the wireless system you choose...
Some frequency ranges are allowed in Germany but are reserved for the army or aviation in France...!!
So take the time to call the store before buying and make sure you get all the information... to sum up:
1/ compatibility of the microphone clip with your type of flute
2/ compatibility of the microphone connector with that of the wireless mobile unit.
(mini XLR, 3.2mm Jack (commonly called mini jack), 6.35mm jack,... etc.)
3/ compatibility of the frequency ranges...
Everything, you know what I mean...
This is what I've found.... compatible in terms of connectors... (mini XLR...)
Microphone:
www.thomann.de/fr/audix_adx10_flp.htm
Wireless system:
www.thomann.de/fr/shure_pg14e_t10_guitar.htm
(!!!call for compatible frequency ranges!!!)
And remember to buy an "XLR" male/female cable (note; not mini XLR),
or a 6.35mm jack (note; not mini jack),
to choose according to the available inputs on your school's sound system...
This is to connect the fixed unit of the wireless system to the sound system...
Talk to you later, keep me posted.
So...
Yes, I think that if they have microphones, they must have the rest of the equipment...
And for your flute... I understand that it’s for playing live...
So indeed... the sound card is useless...
You need a microphone with a wireless system...
The problem is that unless it's over 400 euros, I haven't seen anything compatible..., and that can work on a standard theater stage...
(It needs to pick up at least 30 meters, according to the manufacturer's data, to ensure there won’t be a connection drop at 10 meters...)
You also need a microphone with a clip that’s large enough to fit on the body of your flute...
Speaking of that...:
Make sure to check the compatibility of the "microphone clip" with your type of flute...
There’s not at all the same diameter between a concert flute, a recorder, or a bass flute,... etc...
Above all... check the frequency range compatibility for France of the wireless system you choose...
Some frequency ranges are allowed in Germany but are reserved for the army or aviation in France...!!
So take the time to call the store before buying and make sure you get all the information... to sum up:
1/ compatibility of the microphone clip with your type of flute
2/ compatibility of the microphone connector with that of the wireless mobile unit.
(mini XLR, 3.2mm Jack (commonly called mini jack), 6.35mm jack,... etc.)
3/ compatibility of the frequency ranges...
Everything, you know what I mean...
This is what I've found.... compatible in terms of connectors... (mini XLR...)
Microphone:
www.thomann.de/fr/audix_adx10_flp.htm
Wireless system:
www.thomann.de/fr/shure_pg14e_t10_guitar.htm
(!!!call for compatible frequency ranges!!!)
And remember to buy an "XLR" male/female cable (note; not mini XLR),
or a 6.35mm jack (note; not mini jack),
to choose according to the available inputs on your school's sound system...
This is to connect the fixed unit of the wireless system to the sound system...
Talk to you later, keep me posted.
Regarding compatibility, I am on Windows Seven x64.
But the best would be mics like this although they are much more expensive:
https://www.woodbrass.com/akg+c518ml+micro+hypercardioide+pour+percussions%2C+mini+xlr+%28necessite+le+boitier+b29l%29
http://www.thomann.de/fr/yamaha_mc7.htm
or
https://www.thomann.de/fr/audix_adx10_flp.htm