by Jack Landau, Product Information and Training Manager, Anritsu Company
I recently asked people in the industry for advice about a microphone to use with my laptop PC for making good quality audio narrations for Adobe Captivate training sessions. I received a few short replies, but I quickly realized this subject was so complex that no one was going to take the time to explain it to me. So, I did all the research myself and I am happy to share a short summary of the results.
Note: US prices mentioned here include tax and shipping.
The PC Connection Although your PC has a "mic" input, you shouldn't use it because the PC's sound card is usually poor. Wireless connections are expensive, so you need to use the PC's USB port. And that means the mic's analog signal must be converted to the USB's digital signal with an A-to-D converter plus a USB interface. Vendors such as BlueMic and Samson sell reasonable USB microphones that incorporate everything in one unit for around $100. After much studying, I decided against these solutions because most reviews said their audio quality was not great. Also, they can never be used with other audio equipment because they don't have standard mic connectors.
Microphone It quickly becomes apparent that the choice is between dynamic and condenser mics. The dynamic type is generally less expensive and more rugged, and the prices of well regarded ones such as the Shure SM57 start at around $100. I finally decided to use a condenser mic, however, since the industry seems to agree that they provide the best audio quality. Condenser mics require +48 Volt DC power, known as "phantom power," sent through the mic cable and typically provided by the mixer/preamp. Condenser mic prices usually start around $150 and go way up, but I selected Behringer, a well-regarded audio supplier whose $50-60 C-1 and C-3 condenser mics had very good reviews. In any case, for narration you'll want a cardioid mic. It's so named because its directionality pattern is heart-shaped and emphasizes sound arriving from directly in front of it, rejecting echoes and other room noises from the sides.
Mixer/Preamp These units mix and amplify signals from several mics or other audio sources, and may perform various kinds of useful filtering. Also, they supply the DC phantom power condenser mics need. You'll need at least a small one even if your plan is to use only a single mic. For connecting to a PC it's convenient to use a unit that provides the USB connection. M-Audio's MobilePre USB mixer and preamp for around $130 seemed like a reasonable choice. It derives all its power from the PC's USB connection, using a PC USB cable that is included.
Mic Cable Mics don't generally come with cables because there are so many different kinds and lengths. The mic has a male XLR connector, and the mixer/preamp has a female XLR connector. So, you'll need a low-impedance (Lo-Z) XLR(F)-XLR(M) cable. Just search on Google for "XLR cable." Better ones have superior noise shielding and are more rugged and flexible. Expect to spend at least $15.
Mic Stand Mics don't usually come with stands because users' needs are so different. For training narration, an adjustable desk stand is appropriate. Just search on Google for "mic desk stand." Expect to spend around $25.
Pop Filter A pop filter is used in professional recording to reduce the popping noises from "p" and "b" sounds that can overload the mic, and to protect the mic from the corrosive salts in saliva. It's usually a woven nylon material mounted on a circular frame in front of the mic and attached to the mic stand via a gooseneck and clamp. Middle Atlantic's Split Screen Pop Filter seems to be quite nice, or search on Google for "pop filter." Expect to spend around $30.
Acoustic Isolation I stopped at this point because of the expense, but I'll include this subject here for completeness. To minimize unwanted room noise, you can place winged foam acoustic isolation panels around the mic. For example, search on Google for "mic thing," a popular industry name evidently ascribed by SM Pro Audio. In addition, you can consider a mic shock mount that helps isolate the mic from vibrations transferred via the mic stand - search on Google for "mic shock mount."
I recently asked people in the industry for advice about a microphone to use with my laptop PC for making good quality audio narrations for Adobe Captivate training sessions. I received a few short replies, but I quickly realized this subject was so complex that no one was going to take the time to explain it to me. So, I did all the research myself and I am happy to share a short summary of the results.
Note: US prices mentioned here include tax and shipping.
The PC Connection Although your PC has a "mic" input, you shouldn't use it because the PC's sound card is usually poor. Wireless connections are expensive, so you need to use the PC's USB port. And that means the mic's analog signal must be converted to the USB's digital signal with an A-to-D converter plus a USB interface. Vendors such as BlueMic and Samson sell reasonable USB microphones that incorporate everything in one unit for around $100. After much studying, I decided against these solutions because most reviews said their audio quality was not great. Also, they can never be used with other audio equipment because they don't have standard mic connectors.
Microphone It quickly becomes apparent that the choice is between dynamic and condenser mics. The dynamic type is generally less expensive and more rugged, and the prices of well regarded ones such as the Shure SM57 start at around $100. I finally decided to use a condenser mic, however, since the industry seems to agree that they provide the best audio quality. Condenser mics require +48 Volt DC power, known as "phantom power," sent through the mic cable and typically provided by the mixer/preamp. Condenser mic prices usually start around $150 and go way up, but I selected Behringer, a well-regarded audio supplier whose $50-60 C-1 and C-3 condenser mics had very good reviews. In any case, for narration you'll want a cardioid mic. It's so named because its directionality pattern is heart-shaped and emphasizes sound arriving from directly in front of it, rejecting echoes and other room noises from the sides.
Mixer/Preamp These units mix and amplify signals from several mics or other audio sources, and may perform various kinds of useful filtering. Also, they supply the DC phantom power condenser mics need. You'll need at least a small one even if your plan is to use only a single mic. For connecting to a PC it's convenient to use a unit that provides the USB connection. M-Audio's MobilePre USB mixer and preamp for around $130 seemed like a reasonable choice. It derives all its power from the PC's USB connection, using a PC USB cable that is included.
Mic Cable Mics don't generally come with cables because there are so many different kinds and lengths. The mic has a male XLR connector, and the mixer/preamp has a female XLR connector. So, you'll need a low-impedance (Lo-Z) XLR(F)-XLR(M) cable. Just search on Google for "XLR cable." Better ones have superior noise shielding and are more rugged and flexible. Expect to spend at least $15.
Mic Stand Mics don't usually come with stands because users' needs are so different. For training narration, an adjustable desk stand is appropriate. Just search on Google for "mic desk stand." Expect to spend around $25.
Pop Filter A pop filter is used in professional recording to reduce the popping noises from "p" and "b" sounds that can overload the mic, and to protect the mic from the corrosive salts in saliva. It's usually a woven nylon material mounted on a circular frame in front of the mic and attached to the mic stand via a gooseneck and clamp. Middle Atlantic's Split Screen Pop Filter seems to be quite nice, or search on Google for "pop filter." Expect to spend around $30.
Acoustic Isolation I stopped at this point because of the expense, but I'll include this subject here for completeness. To minimize unwanted room noise, you can place winged foam acoustic isolation panels around the mic. For example, search on Google for "mic thing," a popular industry name evidently ascribed by SM Pro Audio. In addition, you can consider a mic shock mount that helps isolate the mic from vibrations transferred via the mic stand - search on Google for "mic shock mount."
***
Note: We first ran this article in mid-2008. We've received so many emails about microphones recently, I thought it would be a good idea to post it again now. One final comment to add to Jack's information above. I have long recommended the Sennheiser PC 166 USB Stereo Multimedia Gaming Headset. Given the fact that it has a built-in sound chip, we've had great luck here at IconLogic with the 166.
Do you have a Captivate production problem that's making you pull your hair out? Email your problem and let others learn solutions from your experience.
I recently investigated the same topic and ended up purchasing the Blue Snowball microphone, which has it's own stand. I find the audio quality to be excellent for my purposes (recording voice for use in articulate, captivate and codebaby) and the USB Plug and Play capability is too easy; I don't need to consider using other equipment. I am also using the Harland Hogan method for sound proofing, having created my own 'portabooth' out of a collapsible storage cube and some acoustic foam for about $40 AUD. The snowball now has a sibling which is smaller and more portable - the snowflake.
Posted by: retrogrrl | August 08, 2008 at 11:20 PM