This weekend, I've been playing around with my new Samson USB microphone which arrived on Thursday. As you can see from the picture, I bought a pair of headphones and a pop filter too as well as a shock mount and boom stand to stop vibrations from the floor affecting the audio quality.
The condensor microphone is USB plug and play which means it doesn't need any extra software to be installed to get it to work although you can download the Softpre software to allow you to check your recording levels which is useful. It has a three setting switch on the side which allows you to choose whether to record unidirectionally (single speaker), bi-directionally (two speakers) or omnidirectionally (a room of speakers). Check out this detailed guide about installation of the Samson CO3U for more information.
See this link for more explanation about different types of microphone.
For using the Samson in Audacity, click on the Edit menu, select Preferences and click on the drop down menu next to Recording Device and select Samson USB Mic. Click OK.
Have a listen to the demo of what the mike sounds like when recorded in Audacity and passed through The Levelator. Enjoy.
This evening, I also talked about the new mike on the EdTechRoundup Flashmeeting. Here is the audio of my bit.
As you can hear the quality is a far cry of what can be achieved as above, but this is because of the processing done by Flashmeeting during the recording not the microphone!
Show Notes
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones (these are closed headphones which means sound cannot 'leak out' from them and create feedback)
Tutorials
The Right Microphone for Podcasting
Podcast - Microphone Techniques
Blue SnowBall side by side Comparison and Review - microphone
You look like Christmas has come twice for you this year Joe :D I like the BBC style "there are other mics available" too. Very pro.
In all seriousness tho, it really is a great sound quality... amazing! Totally professional sounding, could almost be in a studio. Did you record in a small room, or are you just lucky with the acoustics?
Seth.
Posted by: Seth Dickens | 11/01/2009 at 16:55
Hi Seth,
Thanks for the comment. I recorded the demo in my study as you can see in the picture. As the room has a lot of things in it, this probably helps the acoustics by deadening the sound somewhat.
Posted by: Joe Dale | 11/01/2009 at 17:14
Hi Joe
A good summary of all the various options there. I couldn't have done it better myself!
Paul
Posted by: Paul Parkinson | 11/01/2009 at 21:39
Cheers Paul,
A lot of this is down to your kind explanations in our interview and your session at PodCampUK.
http://joedale.typepad.com/integrating_ict_into_the_/2008/09/paul-parkinson.html
http://www.slideshare.net/joedale/audio-101
Thanks again. You flatter me!
Posted by: Joe Dale | 11/01/2009 at 22:35
Hi Joe,
Thanks for that. I have a dictaphone but sound quality isn't the best so I was looking for an external mic. I will also be recording away from pc so need the dictaphone.
Problem is that the dictaphone has a normal audio jack, any ideas what sort of mic I could/should use?
'ppreciate it,
Noel
Posted by: Noel Cunnigham | 12/01/2009 at 12:37
Hi Noel,
It sounds like you'd be best off buying a Logitech USB mike for about €15 for your PC and getting a lapel microphone for your dictaphone or buying an iRiver such as the E100 which has an internal mike although you can attach an external one too. They can cost around €80.
Hope that helps
Posted by: Joe Dale | 12/01/2009 at 14:06
Super, thanks for the help Joe.
Posted by: Noel Cunningham | 13/01/2009 at 09:55