Help With Voice Recording

[scott05mi]

Hi all.

I am in the preliminary stages of starting my own podcast. I have purchased an Altec Lansing USB microphone headset for use on my Toshiba laptop running Windows XP.

The problem I am having is that I wish to be able to monitor my own voice through the headset will recording, but I am unable to do so. The recording is ok, I just do not hear myself through the headset while speaking.

I am not sure if the soundcard on my computer is full-duplex.

Anyway, do you all know of any hardware/software solutions to this problem?

Thanks,
Scott

[saintmoz]

You can not monitor your voice with a standard usb headset because of the delay. The only usb mic that you can monitor with is the rode podcaster as it has a built in headphone amp.

[WildeGeek]

The problem I am having is that I wish to be able to monitor my own voice through the headset will recording, but I am unable to do so. The recording is ok, I just do not hear myself through the headset while speaking.

I am not sure if the soundcard on my computer is full-duplex.

If it is, it still probably wouldn't do it without a disturbing amount of delay. If the sound to your ears is delayed by more that a few milliseconds, it will adversely affect your ability to conentrate on what your saying, and will affect your timing.

Anyway, do you all know of any hardware/software solutions to this problem?

In my own experience, you might be better-off NOT hearing your voice while you record. That is, unless you're trying to mix-in other elements while you're recording your voice. If so, that's better done with an outboard mixer.

So if you're just recording your voice by itself, your results will probably sound more natural if you can't hear it while you're recording.

[James.Underground]

In windows, the microphone is automatically muted. You can either double click on the speaker icon on the right side of the start bar next to the clock, and then go to options, properties. In the bottom area, make sure that microphone has a check next to it. Then you should be able to unmute the microphone as it will appear as one of the sound levels. If your sound icon is not by the clock in the process area, you can get there by going to the control panel, sounds and audio devices and click the advaced tab under device volumne.

However, like they said above, it probably is not worth doing all that since there may be a delay and it will probably affect your concentration and your voice.

[scott05mi]

Thanks everyone for the help. I went ahead and took the outboard mixer route, and I am up and running.

[BridgeHands]

Hi Scott,

I'm of another view than the other posters here, preferring to have the ability to monitor what I'm recording. Yes, with a slow processor latency can be a problem but some software allows you to adjust the recording buffers to mitigate the delay. Also, higher-end software like Sound Forge and Audition allows you to enable monitor recording. And if you have a slight echo, you can wrap the headphones around your neck so you only get a reduced audio signal that you're hearing. For me, it's really worth the insurance to KNOW I'm recording an important interview - even pros like Doug Kaye admit forgetting to hit the record button which is why he strongly recommends monitoring your recording. But then, we all live in the fast lane from time to time - reminds me of the hilarious bumper sticker I saw some years ago:

Backups are for sissies!

Glad to hear you've gone the external mixer route - good choice. When I'm on the road using my laptop as a backup (Marantz 660 primary), I use a Tapco USB.Link (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LinkUSB/) external mixer w/2 XLR inputs and USB-powered; I have some extras I'll sell for $100 if anyone needs one.

Regards, Michael