VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[BBeen]

Ok I finally purchased a little bit of a setup so that I can at least do auditions from home. The problem is I have no clue what I am doing as far as gain, eq, acoustics that type of thing. (although I do know those words).

I plugged my mic in and recorded the mp3 that is posted at the link on the bottom. It just doesn't sound "right". What changes should I make "audio engineering " wise to get the right sound.

Here are the basics

1. the mic is the new samson c01u
2. I use windows xp
3. at the time the mike was setup on my desk....but I could get a better sound with a plain computer mic
4. I recorded into Adobe Audition

I could use some links to sites that have tutorials on recording stuff.

Thanks

http://www.vo-bb.com/demos/radionarr.mp3


take a listen and help me be a studio guy please!!!!!

[Doc]

Bud,

Forget about becoming a recording engineer, unless, of course, you have several years and thousands to spend. Instead, familiarize yourself with the basics. I, too, use Audition to record. None of these new multi-media software production software titles are a cakewalk because of all the features available. In fact, there's stuff about Audition that you will never need to know... but, it's there. :wink:

The way I learned was, of course, being a radio personality over the last 4 decades. I did my share of audio production. If you know your way around the computer, that's a BIG step forward. So, when I setup this home studio, I was curious to learn exactly what I could do with Audition. Every day, I'd pick a particular tool to learn (some days, when I had the time, a couple or more) and played with it, used it, over and over until, at the very least, I would remember that this was an effect or a tool that was available to me, even if I had to search the "Help" file again. Believe it or not, I'm still doing that. In fact, I just recently learned how the volume envelope in Audition works... because I was looking for "ducking" and that term apparently doesn't show up in digital recording.

I've never used the mic you indicate you purchased, nor have I looked up its specs, but you must keep the mic away from vibration, power cords and even mic cords. I chose to route my mic through an analog mixer, then into my sound card. Works like a charm. Also, depending upon your sound card, noise can be generated there. Cleaning this noise up is often a matter of trial and error.

Here's the best advice I can share for someone beginning to learn the digital home studio process. And, I got this particular tip right here on this board. Get yourself a copy of this book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/193114043X/harlanhoganvo-20/104-6559257-2467152. This book explains the basics to a tee in easy-to-understand language. I received it 2 weeks ago. I finished reading it last week. I keep it right on my desk because it's a wonderful reference tool.

Also, be sure to peruse this entire board and check-in with it regularly. There's tons of great info and help here that is shared, openly, by professionals and newbies alike.

Best of luck with your new DAW!

[Philip Banks]

The Samson mic will do the job and listening to your clip the audio sounds fine for audition purposes.

[Drew]

I agree with, Phil. Sounds pretty good for auditions. I'm catching some room bounce, but you can fix that with some well placed blankets or furniture moving pads hung behind the mic and at various angles to bend the slight "echo" away from the mic.
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[BBeen]

I being the rookie that I am can hear something not right...maybe it is the room bounce...I moved the mic onto a tripod floor stand and put it in my walk-in closet with a blanket on the door. After much trial and error I may have found the sound I want.

Doc, I like your idea of new features everyday will have to try that for those that don't know the mic is a usb mic so it is not running into a mixer...gotta play with Audition

Thanks guyss(sibilance)

isn't there a site like tweadheadz or somethin that gives tips?

[BBeen]

OH, and just to clarify...this is not a real demo...just a test of the recording system....

[Doc]

Bud,

All right - I, too, listened to the track... actually sounds fine to me, too. It's flat, no dynamic processing and such - sounds okay to my ear.

You may also be interested in the DVD tutorials on Audition. I have them and while they're hours and hours of technical stuff delivered shotgun style, the instructor is quite personable and I have learned a lot from them.

Happy producing!