Newbie noise issue - bad sound card, PC, mic - help!

[Luke15_7]

I just started doing to test podcasts, picked up a starter mic (RadioShack Uni-Directional #33-3021 with 1/8" adapter), and downloaded Audacity.

Long story short, I've disconnected all the fans in my PC that I can and I still have a noise level, almost a white noise, that I can't get out of my signal. I'm pretty sure it's cuz I'm using the on-board (C-Media)sound card... right? Or do I just have the levels messed up?

What would correct this? An external USB mixer? A SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS sound card? Or is this a completely a lost cause and I just need to get an iRiver instead?

Thanks,

Luke

[jimk]

It's likely on-board sound that is causing it.

[TINKOFF RADIO]

The iRiver is great for recording remotely - amazing sound if you pair it up with the right microphone, but if you want to improve your sound recording on your PC, replace your sound card for a start. You can get a good one for well under $100 and the improvement will be enormous.

Tiger Direct has awesome prices as you can see from the link below.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=10&Nav=|c:107|&Sort=2

Adam

[Hittman]

Also check out newegg.com. I buy most of my hardware there.

[Luke15_7]

It's likely on-board sound that is causing it.

Ok, that's what I'd been thinking. I tested by recording a sample of the mic both plugged in and unplugged, then did a frequency analysis in Audacity. There was a hum in the -79db range with what appeared to be 60-cycle spikes up to -59db. I just didn't want to shell out the cash for a new soundcard if:

1. The problem wasn't the on-board sound card and
2. The problem was actually the microphone.

Thanks for the suggestions. :) I'll take this to heart

Luke

[cswdc]

adapters really suck.

I do not know if the mic has the xlr three pronged connector or a 1/4" conntector. And or if that 1/4" connector is balanced or unbalanced. The impedence of the mic and how the adapters are might be an issue.

If it is an XLR connector it is balanced. If it is a TRS connector, that is tip ring sleave, ie the cable has two rings to seperate the tip the ring and the sleave it is balanced. If it is just a tTS or tip sleave with one ring it is unbalanced.

The unbalanced type should work with the adapter because the input on the sound card is unbalanced. However the balanced type will have impedence issues and the hiss is likely to be because of that.

l8
beng

[Luke15_7]

adapters really suck.

I do not know if the mic has the xlr three pronged connector or a 1/4" conntector. And or if that 1/4" connector is balanced or unbalanced. The impedence of the mic and how the adapters are might be an issue.

I'll give a try to my daughter's PC and see if the noise issue remains, but I'm pretty well sold that it's the adapter/impedence issue. That leaves me with 2 choices. Get a soundcard (external, probably) that takes 1/4" plugs, or hope I can return my mic to RadioShack (fat chance now) and get a USB or 1/8" mic. Either that or give Volvo a call and see if they want to support another podcast and get all-new equipment. :wink:

[kickasspodcast]

I just started doing to test podcasts, picked up a starter mic (RadioShack Uni-Directional #33-3021 with 1/8" adapter), and downloaded Audacity.

This is the easiest solution I can offer to you friend.

Take your mic back to the store.
and buy a set of these from Radioshack-

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F007%5F003%5F005%5F000&product%5Fid=33%2D1187

Everyone laughs when they see them, but wait until you hear them. We used them with splitters on a crappy dell stock soundcard and they blow away any of the mics we were able to connect to the same card. BUT if you get an iriver this is perhaps the easiest way to do it. The mic on this headphone/mic set sounds 1000% better than anyone would ever imagine.
And for $20 bucks its worth a shot, plus you can hear yourself talk which is clutch, especially if you have more than 1 person and your not using a mixer or Audigy
See how we got it set up then listen to the 1st and 2nd halves of our last show show 9. Its amazing how great the difference is between that and a mic that actually sounded pretty **** good until we 'upgraded' to the 20 dolla combo

hey luke- here is a iriver799 + all radio shack setup pic that we use
http://kickasspodcast.com/799setup.jpg

There are lotsa ways to set up your system but they are as different as the people who set them up and there is no one solution or perfect setup.

jack

[cswdc]

kickasspodcast

that seems like a cool little setup.

Note that the two headset/mics are exactly the same

this allows the split to not have impedence problems as well. You would get different volume levels if you were to try and use different mics and heaphones.

do you then download and mutitrack music beds or do you do that on the fly while your recording?

More than one way to skin a cat folks.

---------
beng

[Luke15_7]

Take your mic back to the store.
and buy a set of these from Radioshack-

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F007%5F003%5F005%5F000&product%5Fid=33%2D1187


Thanks Jack, I hadn't realized the frequency response on that setup. I mean, I'm not expecting it to sound like a Shure, but it's GOT to be better than the buzz I get now...

It's worth the $20 for me, better than buying an Audigy money-wise.

[tdkyo]

Use a USB Powered Mic. I believe those won't be affected by the sound card's poor performance.

[kickasspodcast]

Usually I use my own finesse in Soundforge to make it real nice' but lately I am playing with cool edit pro and its multi tracking that I can relate to.. I just like the system we have because it sounds good and its easy to deal with and only around 200 bucks.

Best of luck~

jack

[Art a GoGo]

You might want to try the omnidirectional mic from Giant Squid with the iRiver.

http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-stereo1.htm

Craig has mentioned this mic a number of times on the forum. I bought one and have done some test recordings...the sound is crystal clear. IMHO, the sound that you're getting from the Radio Shack mic is a little scratchy.