Hardware questions for reading for audiobooks.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech,rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Hi everyone. I am looking to record professional-quality audiobooks at
home. All my knowledge of audio has been gleaned from the last three
weeks of Google searches and musiciansfriend.com browsing. I could
really use some advice from the people with the know-how.

I'm a techie (programmer, computer geek, etc.), but I am completely new
to digital audio recording.

I have ordered an MXL 909 microphone and an M-Audio MobilePre. I have
read a lot about voice processors, and am looking, at the extreme end,
at getting both the Symetrix 528e and the Aphex 204 (Aural Exciter and
Optical Big Bottom).

There are a couple of cheaper devices on musiciansfriend.com, most
notably the Behringer MDX2600 ($109) and the DBX 286a ($199). I am
looking at those because they have XLR inputs and a de-esser.

My questions:

What's the difference between these sub-$200 devices and the ~ $600
Symetrix 528e?

Is the de-esser the same on the cheaper devices as the 528e? I
downloaded and looked over the manuals, and they don't mention
silibance, as the manual for the 528e does. Is the term "de-esser" used
for another kind of processing, which is solely to remove recording
hiss noise, and not suitable for speech cleansing?

Am I going overboard with equipment for recordings which will be voice
only, no music or instruments? I've gone to the nearest Sam Ash (an
hour drive) and talked to a couple of people there, but they didn't
have much along the lines of what I was looking for, and their
experience tended toward the recording of bands, not speech.

Is there software that I should be using instead? I will definitely
want a de-esser and the compressor/expander capabilities. I've looked
at software from the $30 - $500 range, but I'd really want to spend
less than $300, preferably under $200, on software. I'm using a Mac,
although I have Windows and Linux, too. But only my Mac is portable,
and able to be moved to a more quiet area than my server area.

Will software processing really produce as good of a result as
hardware?

Is it better to tweak the sound as much as possible with hardware, and
then record it, or record more or less directly from the mic, then
process with software, or re-run through hardware, so that you always
have a copy of the most "raw" audio?

I would really appreciate your knowledgeable responses. I have had a
lot of trouble wading through the results from Google searches, but I'd
be happy to RTFM if you can send me links. As I mentioned, I'm reading
reviews and manuals for the items I'm looking at -- I'm not asking for
anyone to do the work for me. If possible, be detailed in your
explanations, or add links to sites with the details. In fact, even
book recommendations on the elements of digital recording would be
welcome. I've looked around Amazon, but most of what I was able to dig
up were titles all about microphones and soundproofing. Maybe I didn't
know what keywords to search for...

I've also looked at a bunch of podaster's sites, and checked out their
setups. I'm also going to use my rig for podcasting. I've gotten some
good info, particularly from mwgblog.com, but I'd really like to have a
better understanding of it all before I jump in and spend my only spare
bucks on this stuff.

If anyone with this equipment would be so kind as to record an mp3 with
an explanation and demonstration of the effects of this equipment, that
would be fantastic. Please sent to Shawn.Milo at gmail.

Thanks,
Shawn

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

<shawn.milo@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1108397591.554892.274300@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Hi everyone. I am looking to record professional-quality audiobooks at
> home. All my knowledge of audio has been gleaned from the last three
> weeks of Google searches and musiciansfriend.com browsing. I could
> really use some advice from the people with the know-how.
>
> I'm a techie (programmer, computer geek, etc.), but I am completely new
> to digital audio recording.
>
> I have ordered an MXL 909 microphone and an M-Audio MobilePre. I have
> read a lot about voice processors, and am looking, at the extreme end,
> at getting both the Symetrix 528e and the Aphex 204 (Aural Exciter and
> Optical Big Bottom).
>
> There are a couple of cheaper devices on musiciansfriend.com, most
> notably the Behringer MDX2600 ($109) and the DBX 286a ($199). I am
> looking at those because they have XLR inputs and a de-esser.
>
> My questions:
>
> What's the difference between these sub-$200 devices and the ~ $600
> Symetrix 528e?

Unlike the Symmetrix, the Behringer does not have compression/limiting of
the volume, which in your situation, would help to keep levels from
exceeding the maximum digital level that can be recorded before clipping and
the unlistenable distortion that accompanies it. The B does not have
equalization, tone controls, as does the 528E. This would be useful as you
compensate for the building rumble you will almost certainly have present in
any non-accoustically treated/sound proofed recording space. Some voices
might benefit from some EQ, but I prefer to leave most of that kind of
treatment to the later stages of the process doing it in software. The B
does not have de-essing, which does not remove hiss; it helps to reduce the
unpleasant splatty sound of harsh 's' sounds in the voice. Some voices
benefit from de-essing; other do not. It is more convenient to de-ess in
hardware, but it can be done also in most NLE audio editing software.

Of course, even if you had a Symetrix 528E, you would still need a sound
card to get the analogue audio output into your computer.

You may wish to consider the Edirol UA25 USB audio interface. It is only a
little more expensive than the Behringer and it incorporates a limiter
function. It does not do de-essing. Best of both worlds, consider a
Symetrix 528E into a UA25.

I am unfamiliar with the microphone you've chosen. It is bottom of the line
Chinese technology. It may be fine for what you are doing. It also may be
noisey---higher levels of hiss than real professional mics. It may be okay
on some voices and not so good on others, but that can be said of almost any
mic. Based on Ty Ford's review of the AT2020 ($99) I go with that mic
instead. Ty's been listening, using in a professional environment, and
writing about microphones for a long time.

>
> Is the de-esser the same on the cheaper devices as the 528e?

NO!

I
> downloaded and looked over the manuals, and they don't mention
> silibance, as the manual for the 528e does. Is the term "de-esser" used
> for another kind of processing, which is solely to remove recording
> hiss noise, and not suitable for speech cleansing?
>
> Am I going overboard with equipment for recordings which will be voice
> only, no music or instruments? I've gone to the nearest Sam Ash (an
> hour drive) and talked to a couple of people there, but they didn't
> have much along the lines of what I was looking for, and their
> experience tended toward the recording of bands, not speech.
>
> Is there software that I should be using instead? I will definitely
> want a de-esser and the compressor/expander capabilities. I've looked
> at software from the $30 - $500 range, but I'd really want to spend
> less than $300, preferably under $200, on software. I'm using a Mac,
> although I have Windows and Linux, too. But only my Mac is portable,
> and able to be moved to a more quiet area than my server area.

I am unfamiliar with Mac audio software. Others will chime in.

> Will software processing really produce as good of a result as
> hardware?
>

Yes. Nowadays, you can do almost anything in software that your can do in
hardware --- in terms of your intended use.

> Is it better to tweak the sound as much as possible with hardware, and
> then record it, or record more or less directly from the mic, then
> process with software, or re-run through hardware, so that you always
> have a copy of the most "raw" audio?

I believe that some level control (limiting/compression/de-essing) is a good
idea in hardware. Save the rest for software.

Good luck,

Steve King

> I would really appreciate your knowledgeable responses. I have had a
> lot of trouble wading through the results from Google searches, but I'd
> be happy to RTFM if you can send me links. As I mentioned, I'm reading
> reviews and manuals for the items I'm looking at -- I'm not asking for
> anyone to do the work for me. If possible, be detailed in your
> explanations, or add links to sites with the details. In fact, even
> book recommendations on the elements of digital recording would be
> welcome. I've looked around Amazon, but most of what I was able to dig
> up were titles all about microphones and soundproofing. Maybe I didn't
> know what keywords to search for...
>
> I've also looked at a bunch of podaster's sites, and checked out their
> setups. I'm also going to use my rig for podcasting. I've gotten some
> good info, particularly from mwgblog.com, but I'd really like to have a
> better understanding of it all before I jump in and spend my only spare
> bucks on this stuff.
>
> If anyone with this equipment would be so kind as to record an mp3 with
> an explanation and demonstration of the effects of this equipment, that
> would be fantastic. Please sent to Shawn.Milo at gmail.
>
> Thanks,
> Shawn
>

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Actually, I was going to do public domain books for free (short
stories) and try to get paid for doing full-length public domain books.
When I have a couple of full-length books out, or several short
stories, those will be my resumé to go to one of the big audio
publishers.

Shawn

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Trying to guess what processing equipment you will need
in advance seems unnecessarily speculative. Have you tried
any recordings yet? Esperimented with location/acoustics?
Tried various mic placements, windscreens, etc. etc?

I wouldn't go out and buy any processing equipment (or even
software) untill I was convinced that I really needed it and
that the cost/benefit ratio was positive.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

On 14 Feb 2005 08:13:11 -0800, "shawn.milo@gmail.com"
<shawn.milo@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi everyone. I am looking to record professional-quality audiobooks at
>home. All my knowledge of audio has been gleaned from the last three
>weeks of Google searches and musiciansfriend.com browsing. I could
>really use some advice from the people with the know-how.
>
>I'm a techie (programmer, computer geek, etc.), but I am completely new
>to digital audio recording.
>
>I have ordered an MXL 909 microphone and an M-Audio MobilePre. I have
>read a lot about voice processors, and am looking, at the extreme end,
>at getting both the Symetrix 528e and the Aphex 204 (Aural Exciter and
>Optical Big Bottom).


Forget the expensive processing boxes. Particularly as you're
cost-cutting on the basic stuff :-) You need (in order of importance)

A great voice and audio "personality". Without this, the whole
project is pointless.

A good-sounding room, an adequate mic and preamp/mixer. The mic you
mention is an el-cheapo Chinese model, retailing, I see, at $69.99.
It may be OK. Give it a try. Don't forget to make a "coathanger
and nylon tights" pop-shield, and to use it. If you get excessive
sibilance look to your technique, mic positioning, or try a different
mic.

The MobilePre suggests that you're using a laptop computer? Some
have power supplies that are so electrically noisy quality recording
is impossible. If you get problems, try running on battery.

But the biggest issue is the talent. While you're doing this at a
community level, for free, you'll get plenty of praise however bad you
are ;-) If you want to do it for real, you'll have to be GOOD.
And very likely, if you do get some work, it will be in their studio
anyway.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

On 15 Feb 2005 07:37:03 -0800, "shawn.milo@gmail.com"
<shawn.milo@gmail.com> wrote:

>Yes, I'm using a laptop -- a Mac G4 iBook. So far, the recordings I've
>done with my USB mic have come out pretty okay, except I'm sure they
>lack depth and I still haven't found a way in Audio Hijack Pro or
>Audacity to set the threshhold so that the "air" noise gets cut off. I
>think that's what the expansion or compression plug-in is supposed to
>do, but no luck messing with it yet.

What's this "air" noise? If you're recording in a quiet room,
through a reasonable-quality mic and audio interface, you should have
no problems getting a professional-quality voice recording without any
need for processing. Speech doesn't need compression, unless your
mic. technique is bad. If it is, correct it.

A main factor in audio quality is getting your levels right.
Normally this means using a mixer, where you can set optimum input
level for the mic, send optimum level to the computer. How are you
approaching this issue?



>
>As for splurging on this equipment, you're probably right that I should
>go slow, and get what I'm sure I need, but I'm also an
>obsessive-compulsive hobbyist: I jump into everything with both feet
>and most of my disposable income. Pretty self-destructive, I know, but
>at least I'm doing a lot of research on the topic this time. Digital
>audio is something I think I could really get into.

OK. But splurge on a good mic and preamp, not the cheapest possible,
then lots of expensive equipment to correct its faults :-)

Honestly, recording audiobooks is not a gearfest! It needs basic
adequate equipment but mostly depends on quality of the talent.