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Off-topic forums => Completely Unrelated => Topic started by: LeonhartGR on 2014-12-15 02:42:57

Title: Mic broke! Need help with locating the right equipment!
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2014-12-15 02:42:57
I was using this mic:
Konig CMP-MIC10 microphone
(http://img.ebw.gr/62886/400/Konig-CMP-MIC10-microphone.jpg) (http://www.ebw.gr/el/product/62886/Konig-CMP-MIC10-microphone)

There was something wrong with the internal cable connections so it broke. It was using a usb connection.

I bought this one:
Turbo-X PLM-100
(http://www.plaisio.gr/ProductImages/1000x1000/1189131.jpg) (http://www.plaisio.gr/periferiaka-othones/periferiaka/akoustika/Turbo-X-Microphne-PLM-100.htm)

which is better than my previous one but it uses a jack in cable connection.

The issue is that it sounds awful... too deep like I'm in a cave! I think it's my on board sound card. which is a realtek high definition audio. I tried connecting it to my 24bit external sound blaster sb0270 (I know it's an old one but I'm really satisfied with the sound) and it sound a little better but still deep.

So I was thinking of either buying my previous mic again which I was not satisfied so much with but it sounded a lot better than my new one. Or buying a new external or on board card and then trying connecting my new mic and customizing the sound with it's software.

Support for the external sound card by creative sound blaster has been seized a long time ago and I'm using the latest modified drivers. There are some options that are well known as being locked for this card which I haven't found any info on how to unlock (Bass boost, CMSS, EAX, EQ).

Also was looking through the sound blaster website (http://www.soundblaster.com/).

And ASUS Xonar Echelon U7 7.1 USB sound card external - Echelon Edition:
(http://img.ebw.gr/img2/383256/ASUS-Xonar-U7-Echelon-Edition.jpg) (http://www.ebw.gr/el/product/383256/ASUS-Xonar-Echelon-U7-7-1-USB-sound-card-external-Echelon-Edition)

Please help me decide what to purchase for crystal clear sound recording. My previous mic or a new sound card? And what you think is the best option! Thanks!
Title: Re: Mic broke! Need help with locating the right equipment!
Post by: Covarr on 2014-12-15 03:56:35
While it is true that Realtek chips have snozberry input, your Turbo-X PLM-100 isn't going to sound great on much of anything.

However, I cannot recommend buying another of your old microphone either. The Blue Snowball (http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Microphone-Gloss/dp/B002OO18NS/) USB microphone runs for approximately the same price as your old mic (both around $50 USD; I don't know what the prices are like in Greece) and the Snowball is much better.
Title: Re: Mic broke! Need help with locating the right equipment!
Post by: KnifeTheSky77 on 2014-12-15 04:44:24
You could definitely correct/change the sound of the mic in software, although those types of mic's aren't the greatest to begin with. I've heard the blue yeti usb mic is very rad, although a little more expensive. I absolutely loved my sound blaster SB0490!
Title: Re: Mic broke! Need help with locating the right equipment!
Post by: Covarr on 2014-12-15 05:00:40
I've heard the blue yeti usb mic is very rad, although a little more expensive.
I have this one, and it's definitely fantastic, better than the snowball. However, I recommended the snowball since it was in the same price range as the old one he was looking at rebuying, and still an improvement vs most of the competition in that range.
Title: Re: Mic broke! Need help with locating the right equipment!
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2014-12-15 13:04:18
Thank you both so much for your immediate and kind responses! You've been quite helpful on getting me informed about what going on with the microphone market!

Those are the yeti right?
Blue Microphones Yeti
(http://b.scdn.gr/images/sku_main_images/003221/3221599/large_sC_b002va464s-usbpr01lg.jpg) (http://www.skroutz.gr/s/3221599/Blue-Microphones-Yeti.html)

Blue Microphones Yeti Pro
(http://d.scdn.gr/images/sku_main_images/004747/4747628/large_blue-yeti-pro-microphone-600x433.jpg) (http://www.skroutz.gr/s/4747628/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-Pro.html)

They look pretty professional with a nice price for what they are providing.

Price difference is not much than the blue snowballs either...
Blue Microphones Snowball
(http://c.scdn.gr/images/sku_main_images/005052/5052770/large_snowball_w.jpg) (http://www.skroutz.gr/s/5052770/Blue-Microphones-Snowball.html?keyphrase=Snowball+USB+Microphone)

Which one provides the better software?

I just need it for recording commentary on YT. So what would you choose in my case? I'll be going with your final response.

Note: 1 Euro = 1.24187 U.S. dollars
Title: Re: Mic broke! Need help with locating the right equipment!
Post by: Covarr on 2014-12-15 16:10:18
I highly recommend the Yeti if you're okay with the price. The sound is crystal clear; you will not find better without spending much more. The built-in headphone jack allows for real time monitoring without the lag that you'd get if you were to use Windows' own mic listen feature.

The quality difference with the Yeti Pro isn't really noticeable unless you're heavily editing your audio. The higher sample rate allows for much grater editing without quality loss. If you are just using it for commentary, you really don't need this, and I would not advise spending more for it.

As far as software, the Yeti neither needs nor comes with any software. It's plug and play, works with Windows right out of the box. Audacity picks it up quite nicely. The only thing to be careful of is that you might have to turn down both the gain on the mic AND the input volume on Windows if you get clipping, as this mic is a bit on the sensitive side. This isn't really a flaw, just something to be aware of.

Happy recording!