I currently use a Blue Snowball Mic because I've heard really good things about it. I was really impressed with some mic quality tests so I decided to get it. Let's just say that it's not "up to par." It sounds strange.
My setup:
- My Blue Snowball is about 1 foot away from me.
- I record using Adobe Audition, using noise reduction and the "Radio Announcer" effect preset.
- I have my Blue Snowball on the "1" setting
- No pop filter
I'd like to make mine sound somewhat like this video (I just searched Blue Snowball Mic Test and found one with good audio):
However, mine sounds like this:
What could I do to improve it?
Edit: Or if no one will help me here, where's a place I can get help from?
Edit 2: Or could someone tell me what this thing is?
I think it may be my voice bouncing off of my monitor and this *should* eliminate that.
Edit 3: It's called a Porta Booth. Really bulky and expensive. Never mind. Any chance of making a tiny one around my Blue Snowball?
The Meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything.
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It is indeed echo, among other things (Pop filters help too) - some things you can do: Hang blankets on the walls, or even better, egg crates to break up the sound waves, you can also make a cheap 'porta-booth' (it's a mini soundbooth basically) by using egg crates inside a box, just like the foam spikes. While not as good as the foam, it can work.
Pretty much "sound dampening" is what you're looking for. I should note that 'live commentary' will be hard to do with any mini/portable booth, as it will block your ability to see the screen unless you put it at a horrible angle for audio recording (the booths are better for voice acting/singing)
Personally, I go with solution B - I have the mic on a boom stand, and record with it extremely close to me, so my voice is dominant. (I use a snowball, classic not ice, btw)
If you have bookshelves and such, position them on the wall behind your computer, it works excellent at killing echo (something I miss having since I moved last, but should be resolved when I eventually switch my recording room). You will get some also from nearby side-walls, which is where you need to use blankets/foam.
(As an aside, dunno what your rendering settings or software are, but it looks like you have resampling active, it will help the visuals a great deal if you disable that - it'll keep the frames from blurring into each other)
Ah alright thanks for the tips. This is my computer desk (probably should have posted this in the OP)
(Wow that's a big picture) but I don't know if blankets would be the best for this. I feel like my voice is bouncing off my monitor the most, which I can't cover. Currently I position it in front of me, but would a boom stand be a lot better? I'm typically a loud person so I probably shouldn't have the mic too close to me without me having to do some serious sound lowering in Audacity/Audition.
It is indeed echo, among other things (Pop filters help too) - some things you can do: Hang blankets on the walls, or even better, egg crates to break up the sound waves, you can also make a cheap 'porta-booth' (it's a mini soundbooth basically) by using egg crates inside a box, just like the foam spikes. While not as good as the foam, it can work.
Pretty much "sound dampening" is what you're looking for. I should note that 'live commentary' will be hard to do with any mini/portable booth, as it will block your ability to see the screen unless you put it at a horrible angle for audio recording (the booths are better for voice acting/singing)
Personally, I go with solution B - I have the mic on a boom stand, and record with it extremely close to me, so my voice is dominant. (I use a snowball, classic not ice, btw)
If you have bookshelves and such, position them on the wall behind your computer, it works excellent at killing echo (something I miss having since I moved last, but should be resolved when I eventually switch my recording room). You will get some also from nearby side-walls, which is where you need to use blankets/foam.
(As an aside, dunno what your rendering settings or software are, but it looks like you have resampling active, it will help the visuals a great deal if you disable that - it'll keep the frames from blurring into each other)
Alright so I tried acting like I had a boom stand and just held my Snowball up to my face where I would have it and recorded for a few seconds. I think it sounds a TON better. Also, I disabled resampling. I hope it looks better!
The Meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything.
Join Date:
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definitely sounds better - I should note, that you're not going to get much noticeable audio-echo from the monitor wall (the sound hits it and bounces back way too fast for the human ear to notice) - the echo is coming off the wall to your right, the wall that we can see just past the tv, and the wall directly behind you (can't see it, but assuming it's a flat wall?)
I keep the mic close just for the anti-echo reason, when I have some sound dampening, I can move it away again and switch the setting to the +10db setting. (generally speaking, for the least external noise, regardless of the mic, you want that mic up close and personal with a pop filter for 'best quality', it's safe to sacrifice that quality a little bit for youtube for the sake of enjoyment though - just not too much.)
Alright and yeah it's a flat wall with a counter top and cabinets. But thanks a lot. I wouldn't have ever tried it right up on my face if it wasn't for you saying that it was what you do. I'm definitely going to look into a boom stand and possibly setting up blankets on the walls, although I'm content with that audio quality and may not have to do that. Since my floor is carpeted, I should probably go with a clip on desk stand or something, shouldn't I? Also, do you use the shock mount thing? I already plan on getting a pop filter but I'm not sure if I should use a shock mount or not.
The Meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything.
Join Date:
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Posts:
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Member Details
Shock mount is only necessary if there's a lot of vibrations (such as large trucks passing by or people bumping into the stand) - I personally use [this] - works fine on carpeted floors... in fact, I'd be more hesitant to use it on a hardwood floor or something because it would scuff the floor.
Alright yeah I was only thinking of the rounded bottoms, not the tripod ones. A little derp on my part. I was actually looking at that stand and was considering getting it, so I probably will now. I just want to make sure I can get one that will be strong enough to hold the Blue Snowball, since it's a little bit heavy.
For me, I have to record in my basement because it has the best acoustics in my house... But it it still terrible. I end up leaning into my Blue Snowball and talking very quietly but still in my normal voice. Not whispering. I then just adjust the audio in audactity and finish up.
I currently use a Blue Snowball Mic because I've heard really good things about it. I was really impressed with some mic quality tests so I decided to get it. Let's just say that it's not "up to par." It sounds strange.
My setup:
- My Blue Snowball is about 1 foot away from me.
- I record using Adobe Audition, using noise reduction and the "Radio Announcer" effect preset.
- I have my Blue Snowball on the "1" setting
- No pop filter
I'd like to make mine sound somewhat like this video (I just searched Blue Snowball Mic Test and found one with good audio):
However, mine sounds like this:
What could I do to improve it?
Edit: Or if no one will help me here, where's a place I can get help from?
Edit 2: Or could someone tell me what this thing is?
I think it may be my voice bouncing off of my monitor and this *should* eliminate that.
Edit 3: It's called a Porta Booth. Really bulky and expensive. Never mind. Any chance of making a tiny one around my Blue Snowball?
Feel free to check out my channel!
My current setup:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q7wqf7
Pretty much "sound dampening" is what you're looking for. I should note that 'live commentary' will be hard to do with any mini/portable booth, as it will block your ability to see the screen unless you put it at a horrible angle for audio recording (the booths are better for voice acting/singing)
Personally, I go with solution B - I have the mic on a boom stand, and record with it extremely close to me, so my voice is dominant. (I use a snowball, classic not ice, btw)
If you have bookshelves and such, position them on the wall behind your computer, it works excellent at killing echo (something I miss having since I moved last, but should be resolved when I eventually switch my recording room). You will get some also from nearby side-walls, which is where you need to use blankets/foam.
(As an aside, dunno what your rendering settings or software are, but it looks like you have resampling active, it will help the visuals a great deal if you disable that - it'll keep the frames from blurring into each other)
(Wow that's a big picture) but I don't know if blankets would be the best for this. I feel like my voice is bouncing off my monitor the most, which I can't cover. Currently I position it in front of me, but would a boom stand be a lot better? I'm typically a loud person so I probably shouldn't have the mic too close to me without me having to do some serious sound lowering in Audacity/Audition.
Feel free to check out my channel!
My current setup:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q7wqf7
Alright so I tried acting like I had a boom stand and just held my Snowball up to my face where I would have it and recorded for a few seconds. I think it sounds a TON better. Also, I disabled resampling. I hope it looks better!
Feel free to check out my channel!
My current setup:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q7wqf7
I keep the mic close just for the anti-echo reason, when I have some sound dampening, I can move it away again and switch the setting to the +10db setting. (generally speaking, for the least external noise, regardless of the mic, you want that mic up close and personal with a pop filter for 'best quality', it's safe to sacrifice that quality a little bit for youtube for the sake of enjoyment though - just not too much.)
Feel free to check out my channel!
My current setup:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q7wqf7
Feel free to check out my channel!
My current setup:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q7wqf7