Computer based recording

Hello,
I am primarily a TV producer, working on the visual side of things. However, I am working on a few training series and need to determine how to improve my audio quality, whether it be investment in audio-hardware or tweaking in Adobe Audition.

I have posted a short sample of my voice and would appreciate any advice:
http://asvideoproductions.com/stuff/AudioSample.wav

Thanks!

- Aanarav

Definitely too much room ambience. Is this a video in a class room setting? You may want to use a lavaleir or mic a little closer.

Welcome Aanarav. Often it's the room you record in, or the mic, and other noises that spoil a recording. I would agree that there is a slight echo or reverb, maybe from the room itself or off the desk, and second there is noise coming from what sounds like your PC hard drive fan, and was that a bit of hiss in the recording too?

Thanks for your responses. To answer your questions:

a) No, this is not in a class room setting. It is in a non-studio room. Any idea on how to reduce this ambiance. Also, would you recommend any specific microphone?

b) Yes, it appears that there is a slight hiss. How would I go about improving the recording? And, how can I "future-proof" myself? (in terms of mics, setting etc.)

Thanks,
Aanarav

Steve is the accoustics expert around here but I don't think you need anything more than a few simple ideas. If a room is echoey it's because it's empty so the sounds are not being absorbed by any objects but bouncing around the walls (sounding again and again - re-verberating). Use a smaller room, or some people hang drapes on the walls to absorb the sound as a short-term measure.

As for mics, you should be using a condenser for a professional quality speech recording.

Thanks! Is there any specific microphone that you recommend?

- Aanarav

Hanging duvets behind the speaker and possibly using a SE Electronics REFLEXION FILTER may help in poor acoustics.

http://www.seelectronics.com/rf.html

And a reasonable cardioid mic (lots to chose from like the Rodes NT-1 or some from the above company) and mic preamp/small mixer. What are you using at present?

ryclark,

I am using the Samson R11, which goes into the pre-amp via XLR and then into the computer via an 1/8" cable. I know that the Samson R11 isn't the best (perhaps the worst, actually), but I am certainly looking for recommendations.

Thanks,
Aanarav

Aanarav your Samson is a "dynamic" type of microphone, for broadcast/commercial quality recordings you need to use a "condenser" type, here's a few to get you up to speed:

http://www.dv247.com/icat/Condenser%20Microphones/2930/

Ask a stockist about all the kit you need, to use a condenser with a computer to price it all up properly. You will most certainly need a "phantom power" unit and these come built-into small mic mixer-pre-amps, and some sound cards; you will need a pro sound card, I recommend Echo Layla/Gina and E-Mu. All in all including the mic your budget should be around $600 - $800, quite affordable to get set-up at home to record professionally I think.
Bernie.

The North American radio standard practice is to use dynamic mics such as the EV RE20 and RE27.  I won't argue that they sound better than an average condenser mic, just that a dynamic is what most people use.  It's good that you are using a stand alone mic preamp, but you should be using a more professional soundcard that doesn't use 1/8" connectors.  Basically, if you are goin to upgrade you mic, you should look at upgrading everything from the mic right until it hits the hard drive ... this would include cables, the pre amp, and the sound card.  On-board or Creative Labs soundcards will record audio.  However just like a better condenser mic will sound better than your Sampson, a better sound card will make all of your audio better as well.

Careful wlith the condenser mics. They have a tendency to pic up more room noise.
Before we make many more recommendations, tell us exactly what you are working with now....what is the final use....where the sound file will end up (as a sound track on a non-linear video file?) and what exactly you are trying to accomplish.

Primarily, I will end up using the audio track for my podcast: http://creativecow.net/appodcast/

However, if you watch a few of the podcasts, the audio quality is not what I want it to be.

Also, I am about to start working on a similar project, where I will be recording over 8 hours worth of content for an interactive distribution via DVDs.

Here is my workflow:
a) Record the script in Audition
b) Edit/tweak the recorded file in Audition
c) Export for use in Premiere Pro.
d) (from Premiere Pro) export edited video as FLV.

Hope that gives more of a scenario.

Craig,
Thanks for the recommendation about the sound-card. Because I travel quite a bit, I have to use my laptop for most things. Is there a specific audio card that you recommend?

Also, any other microphone recommendations, other than the ones that have been mentioned above?

Thanks,
Aanarav

While I'm sure that microphone is no prize, getting a better mic isn't going to fix your acoustic environment.  I'd focus on the space and your technique before spending money on hardware.  Better mics and electronics will only enhance the flaws.  There may be some tricks with how you are processing the audio as well.  The right EQ, compression, and reverb (if any) can go a long way.

Aanarav,
After listening to your vidcast, You are not that far off. I could tell you to just add a dynamic mic with more range, like a Heil PR-20 or PR-40 (the PR-40 will make a big difference) to what you are doing.
On the other hand, if you want to expand your capabilities at all, you may consider acquiring a firewire or USB digital interface and record directly into Audition (I recommend it). The interface you choose depends on Platform(PC or Mac), and whether you will need additional mics and inputs for interviews.
Audition will enable you to adjust the final sound after you record. By the way, there are things you should be able to do now in Audition that will tweak what you currently have.

Thanks everyone!

Karl,
Thanks for your recommendations about possible improvements in the recording environment. I will try to look around and see if I can improve something.

Jowillie,
Would you happen to know how Audition can improve the above linked file? I tried playing around with the reverb filter, with not much luck.

Thanks again!
- Aanarav