Recording audio / laptop
- Thread starter ROCKMORE
- Start date
JordanBlock
Well-known member
In general, you want to avoid a computer's build-in sound card at all costs, so you'll need a good usb or firewire interface. You'll need an interface that can provide phantom power, and you may need an adapter for the lav. Really depends on the lav and what kind of connection and power it needs.
ROCKMORE
Veteran
It's an older analog Sony Lav but a high end unit. It does have an AA battrery for power and records well on my 550D except for the AGC.
I was able to download a variety of computer audio recorders, but they only seem to work with the cheapo desk mic. ($3) I guess the trick will be to get the adapters so the computer will read the anilog mic.
I was able to download a variety of computer audio recorders, but they only seem to work with the cheapo desk mic. ($3) I guess the trick will be to get the adapters so the computer will read the anilog mic.
JordanBlock
Well-known member
The inputs on most computers will supply plug-in power (completely different from phantom power) which can and often does screw with proper sound gear. If the Lav has battery power, then you don't need the phantom (though it's still a good feature to have for future use with other mics). There are a ton of options out there, from little usb-XLR adapters in the $50 range to multi-channel interfaces for much much more. Do you have a budget in mind?
As an alternative, you might want to look at an external recorder such as the Zoom H4n which can function as a USB interface as well as giving you a recorder so you don't have to record into the 550D in the future.
As for software, audacity is an okay free recording app, Reaper is a great bargain and has a full-feature, not-expiring demo, or just record into whatever editing program you're using if you don't need a bunch of features.
As an alternative, you might want to look at an external recorder such as the Zoom H4n which can function as a USB interface as well as giving you a recorder so you don't have to record into the 550D in the future.
As for software, audacity is an okay free recording app, Reaper is a great bargain and has a full-feature, not-expiring demo, or just record into whatever editing program you're using if you don't need a bunch of features.
ROCKMORE
Veteran
I did a test with the 550D between the $365 Sony wired Lav and the $3 cheapo computer desk mic and was surprised how good the desk mic sounded. The camera seems to have a lot less trouble with AGC when running an external mic. I don't have a clue why but the in camera mic was a disaster with AGC but these plug in mics don't seem to creap up with the background hiss the same.
I also downloaded some sample audio record software and both mics worked but the result has far more noise that the 550D audio.
I loaded up 2 test files on my gmail to send to a few audio people (very quick test) If you want to hear put your email address in my message box and I will forward them
I also downloaded some sample audio record software and both mics worked but the result has far more noise that the 550D audio.
I loaded up 2 test files on my gmail to send to a few audio people (very quick test) If you want to hear put your email address in my message box and I will forward them
Last edited:
Michael Carter
Veteran
Chances are the difference is the cheaper mics have lower output, so the AGC - which is just a compressor/limiter - isn't changing levels as much for your main audio vs. room noise/background.
To record to your laptop - properly - check out Sweetwater or Musician's friend and look into a USB or firewire interface. For well under $300 - even under $200 - you should be able to find the following features:
2 XLR inputs;
Phantom power;
Good clean preamps and good digital conversion;
Some sort of metering - at least a signal light and an "over" light;
Maybe even RCA or 1/4" audio outs for monitoring.
Many of these come with multitrack software, some with things like the LE version of Cubase - which means you can get plugins - even free ones - for things like compression, EQ, reverb, etc (if they don't come with the software).
The first four are pretty vital to have and make a laptop a viable location recorder. There's a lot of products geared towards musicians, and that means they're made to be very simple to setup and use.