Microphone/Sound Recorder

[Jim]

I'd like to use an old microphone and Sound Recorder to do some voice
overs on videos made in Movie Maker. I haven't used the microphone
since Win95 days, and I find that I can barely hear what's been input
when playing back. I tried using the Troubleshooter, but when I go to
Control Panel > Speech, I have a single panel without any tabs instead
of the tabbed panel that's referred to in Troubleshooter. Anyone have
any ideas I can try, or do I just need a new microphone?

Jim

 

[Sharon F]

I'd like to use an old microphone and Sound Recorder to do some voice
overs on videos made in Movie Maker. I haven't used the microphone
since Win95 days, and I find that I can barely hear what's been input
when playing back. I tried using the Troubleshooter, but when I go to
Control Panel > Speech, I have a single panel without any tabs instead
of the tabbed panel that's referred to in Troubleshooter. Anyone have
any ideas I can try, or do I just need a new microphone?

Jim

Open Volume Controls
Open Sound Recorder.

In Volume Controls, add the "mic"
Using sound recorder, record a few words and play them back. Not loud
enough? Move the slider in Volume Controls up a bit and try again.
Eventually, you'll get a usable level of sound.

 

[Jim]

Open Volume Controls
Open Sound Recorder.

In Volume Controls, add the "mic"
Using sound recorder, record a few words and play them back. Not loud
enough? Move the slider in Volume Controls up a bit and try again.
Eventually, you'll get a usable level of sound.

Been playing as you suggest. Having mic and playback set at max, I can
get better volume after clicking the "Effects" button to increase volume
25% several times. I suspect that the mic has seen better days.

Jim

 

[Sharon F]

Been playing as you suggest. Having mic and playback set at max, I can
get better volume after clicking the "Effects" button to increase volume
25% several times. I suspect that the mic has seen better days.

Jim

I guess it's possible that the mic has seen better days. Sound Recorder is
a no frills app and a bit of kludge to use - especially in conjunction with
volume controls. I'm glad that you have the extra "Effects" panel to
increase volume - it's not available for all sound cards.

Suggestion: If possible, borrow a different microphone before laying out $.

 

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Jim,

I may not have the answer yet, but what *kind*, not brand is the microphone?
Dynamic, ceramic, electret, (and God help us ) crystal?

--
Curt BD-MVBT

http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi
http://www.aumha.org/

 

[Jim]

Hi Jim,

I may not have the answer yet, but what *kind*, not brand is the microphone?
Dynamic, ceramic, electret, (and God help us ) crystal?

Good question, but darned if I know. No marking what-so-ever on it. It
dates back MANY years, (anyone remember the Panasonic Sr. Partner?) when
I was playing around with voice recognition. I'm going to pick up a new
one at the local 'puter shop next time I venture out of the woods and
into town. Probably should have done that in the first place instead of
taking up space here. I appreciate the responses I've gotten.

Jim

 

[Phil Weldon]

'Jim' wrote:
| Good question, but darned if I know. No marking what-so-ever on it. It
| dates back MANY years, (anyone remember the Panasonic Sr. Partner?) when
| I was playing around with voice recognition. I'm going to pick up a new
| one at the local 'puter shop next time I venture out of the woods and
| into town. Probably should have done that in the first place instead of
| taking up space here. I appreciate the responses I've gotten.
_____

If you are serious about doing voice-overs, don't buy your microphone at a
computer store. Try a music store. Ask for a voice microphone with a flat
response. Pick a price point and look for an electret condenser microphone
that takes a AA battery or a dynamic microphone. (Or you might be able to
rent a very good microphone for a reasonable price.)

The problem with your present microphone may be that it has a high impedance
output. A low impedance output microphone will put a larger signal into
your sound card.

Phil Weldon

| Curt Christianson wrote:
| > Hi Jim,
| >
| > I may not have the answer yet, but what *kind*, not brand is the
microphone?
| > Dynamic, ceramic, electret, (and God help us ) crystal?
| >
| Good question, but darned if I know. No marking what-so-ever on it. It
| dates back MANY years, (anyone remember the Panasonic Sr. Partner?) when
| I was playing around with voice recognition. I'm going to pick up a new
| one at the local 'puter shop next time I venture out of the woods and
| into town. Probably should have done that in the first place instead of
| taking up space here. I appreciate the responses I've gotten.
|
| Jim

 

[Jim]

'Jim' wrote:
| Good question, but darned if I know. No marking what-so-ever on it. It
| dates back MANY years, (anyone remember the Panasonic Sr. Partner?) when
| I was playing around with voice recognition. I'm going to pick up a new
| one at the local 'puter shop next time I venture out of the woods and
| into town. Probably should have done that in the first place instead of
| taking up space here. I appreciate the responses I've gotten.
_____

If you are serious about doing voice-overs, don't buy your microphone at a
computer store. Try a music store. Ask for a voice microphone with a flat
response. Pick a price point and look for an electret condenser microphone
that takes a AA battery or a dynamic microphone. (Or you might be able to
rent a very good microphone for a reasonable price.)

The problem with your present microphone may be that it has a high impedance
output. A low impedance output microphone will put a larger signal into
your sound card.

Phil Weldon

| Curt Christianson wrote:
| > Hi Jim,
| >
| > I may not have the answer yet, but what *kind*, not brand is the
microphone?
| > Dynamic, ceramic, electret, (and God help us ) crystal?
| >
| Good question, but darned if I know. No marking what-so-ever on it. It
| dates back MANY years, (anyone remember the Panasonic Sr. Partner?) when
| I was playing around with voice recognition. I'm going to pick up a new
| one at the local 'puter shop next time I venture out of the woods and
| into town. Probably should have done that in the first place instead of
| taking up space here. I appreciate the responses I've gotten.
|
| Jim

Filed away for future reference..................Thanks

Jim