Record Your Voice So That It Sounds Awesome

If you record your voice for anything other than talking to friends and family, as part of your internet business perhaps, then you might very well be missing a cheap and easy opportunity to move from amateur to professional in the way you present yourself or your product.

It may just be something as simple as moving from a small headset type of mic (yes, I know they're convenient, but...) to something just as easy to use, like a large USB microphone.  And no, they are not expensive.  The difference between a typical $25 USB headset type mic and a $75 large diaphragm condenser USB mic that you can now pick up at most Best Buy stores, is only $50 (yeah I know, higher math).  But if 50 bucks can be the difference between presenting a professional image and an amateur one, it seems like one of those "no-brainers" to me.

Check out the full article for suggested mics and more info here: http://homebrewaudio.co/record-your-voice-and-sound-like-a-pro/

What Is A Microphone Preamp?

If you ever have wondered what a mic preamp (or microphone preamplifier for long) is - and who hasn't?:) - you can have your answer in the latest article at Home Brew Audio (the new site where the new articles are going) here: homebrewaudio.co/what-is-a-mic-preamp.

As with a lot of the scary sounding terms in the audio recording world, mic preamp is really not all that scary when you get right down to it.  And this term actually almost sounds like what it is!

Basically microphones need a bit of help in the signal-output department because they put out a very small signal, not enough for most things that have amplifiers in them to be able to send out to a speaker or whatever.  So yeah, they (microphones) need to be amplified before they are amplified. 

But why spoil all the fun?  See the full article at the link above.

Building Your Home Recording Studio - The Accessories

Part 5 (the last - whew!) in the series called "How To Build A Home Recording Studio" just went up at Home Brew Audio - www.homebrewaudio.com
In this article Ken discusses the bits and bobs that are needed in order to properly use the mics and interfaces that are the core pieces of gear in a computer based home recording studio.  These accessories include scissor swivel mount mic stands, desk top mic stands, boom mic stands, pop filters (sometimes called pop screens), shock mounts, headphones, monitor speakers, and cables.
In addition to explaining what all that stuff is for, there are recommendations for specific brands and models, mostly based on Ken's actual use, along with links to where you can see pics, details and specs about each item and purchase if you would like to.  Most of these items have free shipping, which is the usual complaint (the shipping cost, that is) about buying the sometimes heavy physical gear on-line.
The article also speaks to usage of each item in regard to whether you are a voice-over person or a music person.  There are times when an accessory may be very important to a musician, but not at all vital for someone doing mainly, or even exclusively, voice-overs or video narrations.
Check it out here: www.homebrewaudio.com/how-to-build-a-home-recording-studio-part-5-accessories

How to Build a Home Recording Studio - Part 3 - Microphones and Sound Cards

Part 3 of the "How to Build a Home Recording Studio" series was published today on the Home Brew Audio website.  This installment digs into the kinds of microphones you'll need for both kinds of home studios (configuration #1 and configuration #2) - in order to get into the realm of pro audio.
For configuation #1 (where it's just a mic going directly into a computer), the tiny mics like plastic PC mics that plug directly into a computer's built-in soundcard will probably not get you anywhere near pro quality audio.  You'll need a USB mic for this configuration, and not the small headset kind (or even most hand-held ones) either.  Look for a large diaphragm condenser type microhone.
It's also interesting that USB mics don't need a sound card, per se.  The analog-to-digital conversion that sound cards provide (including external "interfaces") happens right inside the USB mic.
But true pro quality comes from configuration #2 - a standard (non-USB) mic is plugged into an external sound card (interface), which then is plugged into the computer, usually via USB.  Again you'll be wanting large diaphragm condenser mics for vocals.  For music, things oepn up a lot more depending on what you want to record (small diaphragm mics for instruments, dynamic mics for drums and electric guitar amps, etc.).
See what mics and sound cards (interfaces) are recommended and how much they cost in the full article here: www.homebrewaudio.com/how-to-build-a-home-recording-studio-part-3-microphones-and-interface

My Sennheiser MKH 416 Review - The Movie and Voice-Over Mic

The Sennheiser MKH 416 is my new favorite mic.  I got to use one for a couple of weeks thanks to B&H Photo-Video-Audio, who sent it to me to review.  I'm actually a bit sad to have to send it back.  But as soon as the old budget allows, as Will Smith said in Independence Day - "I have got to get me one of these!"
The mic is well known in the Film, TV and voice-over industries.  I used it on a couple of actual voice-over gigs, plus I tested it as a video mic outdoors on a windy day.  For that last test I also reviewed the Rycote Softie Windshield, which looks like a cat pelt that you slip over the mic to reduce (which this thing does REALLY well) that rumbly wind noise.
There are audio samples (the MKH 416 vs my Rode NT2-A on voice-over stuff) as well as 4 video samples comparing the on-board camcorder mic to the sound of the 416 plugged into the camera both with and without the wind shield.
Check it out here: www.homebrewaudio.com/sennheiser-mkh-416-shotgun-microphone-review

Building A Home Recording Studio, Pt 2: Preventing Noise

The second article in the series How To Build a Home Recording Studio, Ken offers 4 tips for preventing noise - from keeping the leaf-blowers and trucks out to reducing room sound, the echo-y reverb-y thing that is the hallmark of amateur audio.Also there are some products recommended.  If an acoustically-treated isolation booth is not in your budget (or does not make logistical sense) at $1,200 or so, you can pick up an isolation shield that goes behind and around your microphone for MUCH less.
But the best solutions are almost always free and easy, and Ken gives you 4 tips that will cost you nothing and will allow you to record pro audio with the cheapest gear.
Check it out here: www.homebrewaudio.com/how-to-build-a-home-recording-studio-part-2-4-tips-for-preventing-noise 

Setting Up A Home Recording Studio With Your Computer

Here is a post that is the first in a series explaining not only how to build a home recording studio using your computer, but also how to get the best possible audio quality from it for the least cost.

These posts will explain two types of gear configurations and offer 4 tips for creating the clearest and cleanest audio possible.  You'll also learn how to step into the "professional quality audio" level by using the 4 tips and a microphone costing less than $100.

You'll also see how home recording studio configuration 2 is the foundation for even the highest-end professional computer-based studios, and how you can enter that world for as low as about $250.

See the part 1 of the series here: www.homebrewaudio.com/how-to-build-a-home-recording-studio-part-1