How should I improve voice recordings? - Hardware & Software

When I try to record my voice with "Audacity" I all ways seem to hear the sound of my computer towers fan fuzzzz in the background. I was wondering what could I do to fix the problem other then beating my tower to death. Should I get a better mic? (current one is a 20$ logitech headset + mic one) Or should I fix settings on the sound recording it self...all so what would be the best setting to use sense I am using Audacity. If any of you guys/gals could help me out on it Id would like it!

New microphone. If you're serious about recording get a nice little audio mixer (Mackie), 3.5mm to Stereo RCA cord, XLR male to XLR female cable and a XLR microphone. If you're not serious just get some cheap USB microphone. I've used a Samson C01U and it was pretty solid for what the price is.

[QUOTE=peterson;34613470]New microphone. If you're serious about recording get a nice little audio mixer (Mackie), 3.5mm to Stereo RCA cord, XLR male to XLR female cable and a XLR microphone. If you're not serious just get some cheap USB microphone. I've used a Samson C01U and it was pretty solid for what the price is.[/QUOTE] any cheaper/descent stuff I could use that under say 40$? or I am I just shooting fish in a barrel with this?

A better mic can only help with noise so much. If you don't want to quiet your computer, try going for a cardioid mic and hanging blankets on the walls to reduce reflections.

[QUOTE=tinak;34613756]any cheaper/descent stuff I could use that under say 40$? or I am I just shooting fish in a barrel with this?[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Compact-USB-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328759042&sr=8-1[/url] [editline]9th February 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Brt5470;34613809]A better mic can only help with noise so much. If you don't want to quiet your computer, try going for a cardioid mic and hanging blankets on the walls to reduce reflections.[/QUOTE]I'm pretty sure every mic I'm showing him have Cardioid polar patterns.

Ok what if I wanna do it with 0$ what would I do then? XD *just for sh**s*

[QUOTE=tinak;34613911]Ok what if I wanna do it with 0$ what would I do then? XD *just for sh**s*[/QUOTE] Well, seeing as how your microphone is omni directional most likely. You would need to set up some furniture or blankets near your PC to either absorb the sound waves or refract it. Other then that, you're not really getting any ideal recording with your current situation. If you don't mind, could you record your situation?

Use the Noise Removal filter.

talk louder and turn your mic down

I've heard that recording yourself under a bedsheet works really well as a background noise filter.

If you want to edit the background noise out of a recording, just select portion of the audio that doesn't have any talking in it (the more, the better). Then under "Effect" go to Noise Removal, and select Get Noise Profile. And then go to the same thing again, except this time, select OK (with the defaults). Only bad thing about this is that it degrades the audio slightly and that you can't do it on the fly. But as long as you voice is very prominent over the background noise, it usually achieves acceptable results.

[QUOTE=peterson;34613964]Well, seeing as how your microphone is omni directional most likely. You would need to set up some furniture or blankets near your PC to either absorb the sound waves or refract it. Other then that, you're not really getting any ideal recording with your current situation. If you don't mind, could you record your situation?[/QUOTE] [URL=http://file4sharing.com/1q5x5nsnaq9d/my_computer_noise.wav.html]my_computer_noise.wav - 519 KB[/URL] that if u dont mind downloading it XD

[QUOTE=tinak;34615215]XD[/QUOTE] Its in your best interest to not to do that here. Just saying. And for the love of god I have no idea if the file is downloading or the page is just infinitely loading.

[QUOTE=Demache;34615325]Its in your best interest to not to do that here. Just saying. And for the love of god I have no idea if the file is downloading or the page is just infinitely loading.[/QUOTE] well if u gotta better way i should upload stuff id like to know XD

[QUOTE=tinak;34615410]well if u gotta better way i should upload stuff id like to know XD[/QUOTE] Use megau...wait. How about Soundcloud? Then you can embed the player onto Facepunch.

[QUOTE=tinak;34615410]well if u gotta better way i should upload stuff id like to know XD[/QUOTE] Seriously, stop doing that. It's pretty much the fastest way to get hated on facepunch. And if you act in person, as you act on here, I doubt improving your voice will help much. Anyhow, get a cheap, solid microphone, and put up some blankets to decrease the noise from your computer.

[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;34618542]Seriously, stop doing that. It's pretty much the fastest way to get hated on facepunch. And if you act in person, as you act on here, I doubt improving your voice will help much. Anyhow, get a cheap, solid microphone, and put up some blankets to decrease the noise from your computer.[/QUOTE] Hes used it on 60% of his posts in this thread so far, I don't even understand why either since the emote doesn't even make sense, it's just like saying "lol" after every sentence, lol.

XD

[QUOTE=Brt5470;34622578]XD[/QUOTE] your icon just wants me to make this face :D [editline]9th February 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=GoDong-DK;34618542]Seriously, stop doing that. It's pretty much the fastest way to get hated on facepunch. And if you act in person, as you act on here, I doubt improving your voice will help much. Anyhow, get a cheap, solid microphone, and put up some blankets to decrease the noise from your computer.[/QUOTE] Its called freedom of expression and speech

[QUOTE=tinak;34622580]your icon just wants me to make this face Its called freedom of expression and speech[/QUOTE] You're not expressing anything if you use it [B]all[/B] the time, even if used lightly it's stupid, it just makes you look obnoxious.

[QUOTE=David Tennant;34622675]You're not expressing anything if you use it [B]all[/B] the time, even if used lightly it's stupid, it just makes you look obnoxious and illiterate.[/QUOTE] your no fun :C [editline]9th February 2012[/editline] But any ways guys thanks for the tips and sh** I think I'll all this thread done

[QUOTE=Shadaez;34614394]talk louder and turn your mic down[/QUOTE] Also this^ You're changing the ratio of voice to noise this way. You reduce noise while keeping your voice heard. ALSO, when speaking louder, even if the you account for volume, you are understood easier, which is infinitely more important than noise I would say. It's much nicer listening to someone who is energetic/awake and sounds like they are putting effort into their speech. You could have a sound studio and no noise with a great mic, but if you mumble, no one will give a shit. I do this for a semi-living. Kind of. Sort of.

[QUOTE=tinak;34622709]your no fun :C [editline]9th February 2012[/editline] But any ways guys thanks for the tips and sh** I think I'll all this thread done[/QUOTE] You're allowed to say shit and, well, other shit here, you know.

[QUOTE=tinak;34622580]your icon just wants me to make this face :D [editline]9th February 2012[/editline] Its called freedom of expression and speech[/QUOTE]Freedom of speech is null and void on websites. If anything, we are pretty relaxed. It still doesn't change the fact that ending every post with emoticons is annoying.