Line In Recording with a normal PC Microphone

sha121 · 03-31-2012, 07:50

Hi!
I own a Cowon S9 (16GB, which is going to die soon, I think) and a PC internet microphone that stands for home-internet-studio quality (3.5mm standard, sounds like low quality studio recording).
Now, I need to record sounds for personal matters, and these needs high quality sound.
And I have about 20$ to spend on this matter.
Should I buy the Cowon S9 Line-In converter with a F-F 3.5mm Stereo Barrel?
PS. I need to record in nature, not inside a building with power, if you thought of recording normally or with some devices..
Will it work for me? OR should I buy something else? (What should I buy?)

Enzyme · 03-31-2012, 16:49

you may need a pre-amp of somesort for the mic, i'm guessing the line in is built to accept active input rather than passive, may be wrong.

sha121 · 04-01-2012, 02:09

You mean I'll need a power source in the nature? Such a pity..

Adoby · 04-01-2012, 04:16

The easiest would be a laptop with a good microphone. You could borrow the laptop and buy a mic. Or use the one you got. Get a long cable so you don't record the laptop too much.

Edit: Or perhaps a digital camcorder with external mic? Ignore the video, just use the highest settings for sound.

To record nature sounds a condenser microphone is best. Very sensitive and wide frequency range. But need power to work. Some portable recording devices provide that power, some mics have batteries or even amps in them. Usually not cheap... Be prepared for problems with unwanted environment, wind and handling noice. And that you may have to filter away low frequencies from vibrations. Nature sounds are often very low level so even nearby breathing can be a problem. A big furry windscreen is often needed, as well as walking away some distance.

I used to use a Sony mini disc Walkman with a video camera stereo condenser microphone, Sony ECM-DS70P, on a long cable to reduce noice from the recorder. The Sony provided power to the mic. Worked great. Still does. Now I mostly use a Zoom H1 with builtin hq mics with an enormous furry windscreen. Only solid state so absolutely quiet. Very nice and portable, and very long recording times. But still vibrations and handling noice unless a good mount with rubber bands is used.

sha121 · 04-01-2012, 05:52

WOW, thanks for all the info, but I can only dedicate 25$ for the recordings, I'm kinda' broke tight now..
And I said "nature" because I didn't find the way to express this.
I need to record various sound effects (crunching, stepping, walking on leaves, etc.) for some projects and the S9 is the only device that can really record something in my house. (besides my 10 KG design PC)
I thought that I can take my S9 and my standard mic and connect both with the line-in cable and a F-F 3.5mm barrel and then just record...
Is there any good recording device as cheap as 25$ ? I need those recordings..

Adoby · 04-01-2012, 07:00

No, not to my knowledge. Your best option is most likely to borrow or rent some device that has a good external mic, or that can use the one you already got. Or involve someone that has the right equipment. Do you know any amateur musicians? They are very likely to have recording equipment that would be suitable. Or just borrow a laptop.

Or fake it all indoors using your computer and mic. Google "cheap home studio". The main trick is to have a silent room and the computer on the other side of the wall, as far away from the mic as the cables allow.
Recording sound effects outdoors is very difficult. Much easier to fake it in a studio.

Also there are plenty of sound effects available online, even free. Google "sound fx" or "soundfx".

sha121 · 04-01-2012, 07:16

Thanks for the help

I'll Try the FAKING... I do not have the time or the will to learn sound effects professionally...

Thanks!

Adoby · 04-01-2012, 07:47

Faking sound fx can be very fun. One good trick is to use equaliser to simulate distance. As someone walk away you lower the sound level, but also reduce bass below 250 Hz or so, as well as the highest frequencies.

sha121 · 04-01-2012, 08:47

I'm still in the stuff-buying stage, I didn't even begin to record (aside from my weird throat sounds that I recorded with the S9, I sounded like a monster worm XD I don't seem to find the file but it was funny)

Mazdakam · 09-16-2012, 09:45

Sorry would you please answer my question in this topic as well?

http://iaudiophile.net/forums/showth...nal+microphone

03-31-2012, 07:50	#1
sha121 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 28	Line In Recording with a normal PC Microphone Hi! I own a Cowon S9 (16GB, which is going to die soon, I think) and a PC internet microphone that stands for home-internet-studio quality (3.5mm standard, sounds like low quality studio recording). Now, I need to record sounds for personal matters, and these needs high quality sound. And I have about 20$ to spend on this matter. Should I buy the Cowon S9 Line-In converter with a F-F 3.5mm Stereo Barrel? PS. I need to record in nature, not inside a building with power, if you thought of recording normally or with some devices.. Will it work for me? OR should I buy something else? (What should I buy?)

04-01-2012, 04:16	#4
Adoby 96GB J3 UE700 KPP Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sweden, in the southern woods. Posts: 186	The easiest would be a laptop with a good microphone. You could borrow the laptop and buy a mic. Or use the one you got. Get a long cable so you don't record the laptop too much. Edit: Or perhaps a digital camcorder with external mic? Ignore the video, just use the highest settings for sound. To record nature sounds a condenser microphone is best. Very sensitive and wide frequency range. But need power to work. Some portable recording devices provide that power, some mics have batteries or even amps in them. Usually not cheap... Be prepared for problems with unwanted environment, wind and handling noice. And that you may have to filter away low frequencies from vibrations. Nature sounds are often very low level so even nearby breathing can be a problem. A big furry windscreen is often needed, as well as walking away some distance. I used to use a Sony mini disc Walkman with a video camera stereo condenser microphone, Sony ECM-DS70P, on a long cable to reduce noice from the recorder. The Sony provided power to the mic. Worked great. Still does. Now I mostly use a Zoom H1 with builtin hq mics with an enormous furry windscreen. Only solid state so absolutely quiet. Very nice and portable, and very long recording times. But still vibrations and handling noice unless a good mount with rubber bands is used. __________________ $if($or($in(%genre%,Classical),$in(%genre%,Baroque )),/Classical/,/Artists/)$firstalphachar($upper($if2(%albumartist%,%artist %)),#)/$if2(%albumartist%,%artist%)/$if(%date%,$left(%date%,4) ~ )%album%$if($gt(%totaldiscs%,1), %discnumber%)$if(%discsubtitle%, \(%discsubtitle%\))$if($eq(%_extension%,flac), FLAC,)/$num(%tracknumber%,2) ~ %artist% ~ %title% Last edited by Adoby; 04-01-2012 at 04:57..

04-01-2012, 07:00	#6
Adoby 96GB J3 UE700 KPP Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sweden, in the southern woods. Posts: 186	No, not to my knowledge. Your best option is most likely to borrow or rent some device that has a good external mic, or that can use the one you already got. Or involve someone that has the right equipment. Do you know any amateur musicians? They are very likely to have recording equipment that would be suitable. Or just borrow a laptop. Or fake it all indoors using your computer and mic. Google "cheap home studio". The main trick is to have a silent room and the computer on the other side of the wall, as far away from the mic as the cables allow. Recording sound effects outdoors is very difficult. Much easier to fake it in a studio. Also there are plenty of sound effects available online, even free. Google "sound fx" or "soundfx". __________________ $if($or($in(%genre%,Classical),$in(%genre%,Baroque )),/Classical/,/Artists/)$firstalphachar($upper($if2(%albumartist%,%artist %)),#)/$if2(%albumartist%,%artist%)/$if(%date%,$left(%date%,4) ~ )%album%$if($gt(%totaldiscs%,1), %discnumber%)$if(%discsubtitle%, \(%discsubtitle%\))$if($eq(%_extension%,flac), FLAC,)/$num(%tracknumber%,2) ~ %artist% ~ %title%

04-01-2012, 07:47	#8
Adoby 96GB J3 UE700 KPP Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sweden, in the southern woods. Posts: 186	Faking sound fx can be very fun. One good trick is to use equaliser to simulate distance. As someone walk away you lower the sound level, but also reduce bass below 250 Hz or so, as well as the highest frequencies. __________________ $if($or($in(%genre%,Classical),$in(%genre%,Baroque )),/Classical/,/Artists/)$firstalphachar($upper($if2(%albumartist%,%artist %)),#)/$if2(%albumartist%,%artist%)/$if(%date%,$left(%date%,4) ~ )%album%$if($gt(%totaldiscs%,1), %discnumber%)$if(%discsubtitle%, \(%discsubtitle%\))$if($eq(%_extension%,flac), FLAC,)/$num(%tracknumber%,2) ~ %artist% ~ %title% Last edited by Adoby; 04-01-2012 at 07:51..

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03-31-2012, 16:49	#2
Enzyme (A)rrogance (B)reeds (I)gnorance Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 975	you may need a pre-amp of somesort for the mic, i'm guessing the line in is built to accept active input rather than passive, may be wrong.

04-01-2012, 02:09	#3
sha121 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 28	You mean I'll need a power source in the nature? Such a pity..

04-01-2012, 05:52	#5
sha121 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 28	WOW, thanks for all the info, but I can only dedicate 25$ for the recordings, I'm kinda' broke tight now.. And I said "nature" because I didn't find the way to express this. I need to record various sound effects (crunching, stepping, walking on leaves, etc.) for some projects and the S9 is the only device that can really record something in my house. (besides my 10 KG design PC) I thought that I can take my S9 and my standard mic and connect both with the line-in cable and a F-F 3.5mm barrel and then just record... Is there any good recording device as cheap as 25$ ? I need those recordings..

04-01-2012, 07:16	#7
sha121 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 28	Thanks for the help I'll Try the FAKING... I do not have the time or the will to learn sound effects professionally... Thanks!

04-01-2012, 08:47	#9
sha121 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 28	I'm still in the stuff-buying stage, I didn't even begin to record (aside from my weird throat sounds that I recorded with the S9, I sounded like a monster worm XD I don't seem to find the file but it was funny)

09-16-2012, 09:45	#10
Mazdakam Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 6	Sorry would you please answer my question in this topic as well? http://iaudiophile.net/forums/showth...nal+microphone