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Subject:VO recording on Laptop
Posted by: mshappell
Date:9/30/2002 11:27:06 AM

I am interested to hear comments on the best setup for recording voiceover material to my a laptop runing WinXP. The vo material will be recored with a Shure Beta57 dynamic microphone either directly into SoundForge 6.0 or Vegas Video 3LE (which ever is recommended). Once it is edited it will be exported as an MP3 for inserting into educational software.

My need is to eliminate as much hiss or system noise introduced by the onboard mic input. Are there firewire or usb solutions that might help? Thanks in advance for any input you have.

Subject:RE: VO recording on Laptop
Reply by: Rednroll
Date:9/30/2002 12:20:37 PM

There are USB Mic/pre-amps that are available, and will elliminate the hiss associated with lesser quality laptop mic/pre-amps and noise associated with having the soundcard within the laptop. They are higher quality preamps also, which will improve your sound drastically. They run about $500. Also, I would recommend a high quality condenser microphone instead of the SM-57. The SM-57 is a good microphone, but not best suited for Voice over type of work, but will probably get you by if your budget does not permit it. EQ magazine just did an article and reviewed 12 high quality condenser microphones for voice over type of applications and gave recommendations and prices of each. Go to your local newstand and pick up a copy to read for yourself. Note though...they're all "Condenser" microphones, because that is what is needed for high quality Voice over work. The SM-57 is a dynamic mic.

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