Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

I concur with Christian , the H4n (and most other budget recorders) are notorious for sub-grade noisy preamps/converters ect.. While all those mics can sound very good, (w/ VO talent), dynamic mics inherently have low output, so high quantity pre-amplification and A/D converters would be wanted.... along with a quiet, acoustically dead recording environment.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Hi,
Please I would like to ask for something to make it a little bit clear for me.
What are the differences between the AUX and the INSERT in the mixer?
For example, the mixer I've now is the Behringer QX1204USB 12-Channel Mixer, which does not includes any INSERT wholes.
The next Behringer model that has INSERT is the BEHRINGER XENYX X1222USB.
So please may someone tell me the main differences?
Also do I need to upgrade the mixer to this XENYX X1222USB because of this INSERT whole or not needed or there is any work around?
I am only on podcasting and audio book.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

The "AUX" connectors on the QX1204 are separate INPUTs (RETURNs) and OUPUTs. (SENDs)
Note that the INSERT connectors on the XENYX X1222USB is also labeled "I/O" because it is BOTH an INPUT, AND an OUTPUT.

An AUX input is used where you need to send some LINE-LEVEL signal (from some other piece of gear) into the mixer.
An AUX output is used where you need to send a LINE-LEVEL signal from the mixer to some other piece of gear.

An INSERT is used where you need to INTERRUPT or DIVERT the signal OUT of the mixer, through some external piece of gear (perhaps a limiter or compressor, etc.) and then RETURN the signal back IN to the mixer.

You can also do that with the AUX SEND and RETURN connectors but it is somewhat more complex.

If you anticipate needing some external processing gear, then an INSERT connector is more useful than an AUX connector. But if you are doing simple audio production, then it doesn't really make any difference.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

As our friend Richard stated, for instance:
You have individual microphones on a drum set; Kick, snare, three tom-toms, two overheads and a hi-hat... and you wish to equalize (EQ) only the kick drum. In that case, an external graphic equalizer could be inserted on the kick drum channel's insert. In the same scenario, you wish to add reverb to just the snare drum, whilst leaving the other drums 'dry'.. the (Alt.) alternate send would be brought up on just that channel.
Typically the Alt send would be patched to the reverb's input, the reverb's output(s) would be connected to the mixer's return.. (or... an unused channel's line input could be used as a return if so desired). Alternately, another Alt. send could be used the feed the drummer's headphone amp (monitor) with just the drums or other instruments he/she wants to hear. For instance the drummer says: "I want to hear just myself, the guitar and vocals, with no bass and keys"

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Hi,
Please I would like to know your feedback for which sound quality you are recommending.
These samples are recorded directly from microphone to zoom H4N (default settings).
Please tell everything in order to make it better as possible.
What are your recommendations for which microphone that fits my sound more?
EV-RE20_000
Shure-SM7B_001
Heil-PR-40_002
Shure-SM57_003
AT-ATR2100_004
Sennhieser-E835s_005

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

The SM57 sounds "best" to me, because it is the only one that does NOT sound "boomy".

The better frequency response of the other, more expensive, mics seems like a disadvantage in your examples because of your voice and/or the resonance of the room.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Thanks for your feed back.
Please may you clear this point more?

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

All of the samples (except the SM57) sound "BOOMY" to me.
They sound like they were recorded inside a barrel with a strong resonance in the low range.
That resonance reduces the intelligibility of the speech.

You could use equalization to filter out the "boom", but that seems silly.
Why use an expensive microphone and then filter everything when you get a better signal without filtering from an inexpensive microphone?

Or you could modify the acoustics of your room so that it does not resonate like that (perhaps with absorbing materials and/or bass traps).

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

I was talking while I was about 2 inches away from the microphone in each sample, do I need to be in a far position ?

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Most cardioid mic's have a proximity effect that increases the bass response the closer you get, 2 inches is fine to get the best signal to noise ratio but I would suggest a high pass filter 80-100hz to cut down the proximity lift.

Personally I would be using a condenser mic to do voice over work and they would allow more control and a mic such as the SE X1 would allow you to add a -10db pad at the mic end and an 80hz high pass filter.

Have you considered a package like this as it would also allow some room isolation: sE Electronics X1 Condenser Microphone + Shock Mount + Pop Filter + Reflexion Filter + 3m XLR Cable at Juno Records

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

I've tried several condenser microphones (but not the model you listed) and it was picking a lot of background because I am recording in my bed room so any small sound in the other rooms or in the street it capture (sometimes I found it capture the voices that I do not hear my self with my own ears but I can hear it after recording in the background of the recorded clip).
This is why I've choosed dynamics path in the early beginning instead of condenser.
This is why I am a bit confused.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Condensor mic's are generally more sensitive than dynamics so that is why they tend to have a -10db pad, if it is 2 inches away then you should be able to get reasonable results as the voice will be way louder than any background ambience but that isolation arc pictured will also help.

I have done many voice overs and on-location narratives and if you choose the best room you have you should be able to get reasonable results with a mic very close but you need to get your gain structure right and avoid proximity effect.

A dynamic mic 2 inches away with a good amount of foam windshield will be OK too but you will also still need to filter the proximity effect to reduce the bass lift. I would personally also add some high frequency sparkle but if you are still having problems then maybe your bedroom is the ultimate problem.

I would personally put on a 80-100hz high pass filter and look into getting a pop screen and isolation arc so you can get even closer to the mic therefore reducing the gain required on your recorder which will in turn make any noises in the background quieter.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

So you think that I should buy this package from sE Electronics? and give up dynamics microphones I have.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

No but like Richard I think the SM57 sounds best and if you add the isolation arc and a good pop filter so you can get closer and then a 80-100hz high pass filter it will improve things further.

I think other people have already said that choosing the zoom recorder may not have been the best option in the first place.

If I was setting up to do such a recording project I would have bought a USB interface with better mic amps and record straight to my computer, the Tascam I have also has it's own in-build basic software mixer and comes free with some audio editing software from Steinberg

So for me a Tascam US-366 interface and the SE X1 mic package I linked to would have been a better starting point than an external recorder as it would allow better control and monitoring with your recordings going straight to your computer ready for editing and uploading for on-line use. You would also be able to add basic equalisation before recording and afterwards.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

If you are in close proximity to a 57/58.. a different mic/preamp will definitely not make a night/day difference. You have other issues my friend. (recording space and/or skills on both sides of the mic)

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Mr. GadAllah,

Looking over this very long thread, I feel as if you have asked the same question numerous times: "What new equipment should I buy that magically will solve all my problems?"

And I see that numerous people have given you answers that are all over the universe.

It's as if you are in the middle of the ocean, trying to learn how to swim. You are surrounded by strangers who keep saying, "Swim this way," "No, swim over toward me." "No, try a backstroke." "You will drown unless you try a breaststroke." "You are going in the wrong direction." Eventually you will get exhausted, you will quit swimming without getting anywhere, and you will drown.

I'm sure that the advice has been given in good faith, but this whole thread seems to be heading toward floundering and frustration.

I listened to a few of your mic tests. I hear the resonance of the room. It is probably rather small, with hard surfaces. And I hear children yelling somewhere (outside?). And I hear some hiss from the preamp in the recorder.

The hiss can be reduced electronically, although that might cause a slight reduction in the quality of the voice. If the recording is for a few friends and family, that is probably acceptable. If you plan to sell (or give) the recording to hundreds or thousands of people, then maybe a better preamp would be appropriate. Thus, again, we need to know the ultimate plan for this recording.

The room resonance, and especially the children yelling, bother me. They are distracting. In my opinion, rather than spend thousands of dollars buying lots of electronic equipment that you do not need (and probably will never use), you should think about a better studio. It needs to be isolated from outside noise. And the interior needs to be treated to reduce the resonance. Can you invest in building -- or in renting -- a better studio space?

One problem with using this forum is that you will always be offered numerous ideas, which will pull you in different directions. They are mostly good ideas, but they are different options. You don't have the experience to choose which option is best for you. And each person here has his own idea of what is best. This will always be confusing to you.

It's too bad that you cannot find one professional, close to you, whom you can trust. Life would be much less confusing if you could get just one person leading you in one direction. It's too bad you are not nearby, where we might be able to evaluate your studio and to show you -- in person -- how to connect and use your equipment. Even if it is a paid consultant, I think you would be less confused, and would reach your goal much sooner.

For now, please let us know whether you have any other options for your studio ... either making changes to the present room, or renting a different room. Knowing these things will help me, at least, formulate some further suggestions.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

You successfully expressed my exact situation and you can imagine course the money I've paid so far in such gear ... but I am convinced now completely that I was mistaken to buy gear in my own.

I embarrassed to tell so so thanks once again for give me the chance to say and confirm so.

Recorded audio book will be sent to some websites to be downloaded by visitors and I want audio quality to be s good as possible.
Yes the room is 4x5 meters and it is full with furniture (bed, table, desk, clothes closet) and wall is not covered with anything, so I think I will cover the wall with something to have any kind of treatment.
They are my kids in the next room.
I think I will work when they are a sleep.
Does the preamp I've (Behringer MIC2200 Ultra Gain Pro) considered enough? or you think having a mixer like Allen & Heath Zed FX12 or Behringer Zynex UFX1204USB may be a good preamp and sell H4N and get H6 to get a better preamp.

Actually I did get some paid consultant but there were not professionals to give me a solution. How can I let you be in my situation as possible?
shall I film my place? or covering the wall with Acoustic Panels in the front of me and will use small booth like a portable one during recording.

But once again you expressed me correctly when you said that I do not know the final solution.
Yes and I am still thinking about the hardware if I need to sell it and get other thing or go ahead with what I've.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

With all respect, those words, "as good as possible," are part of the confusion. If you want the audio quality to be as good as possible, find a professional recording studio with an announce booth with proper soundproofing and acoustics, a knowledgeable engineer, and the correct equipment (as chosen by the knowledgeable engineer).

Oh... you don't want to do that? So then you do not really mean "as good as possible."

When different people answer your question, each person has his own idea what is "as good as possible" within some limits. And since you have not explained your limits, each person imagines a different set of limits ... what HE would think is good enough for a free audio book.

One person might think, "this is a hobby project, so a little hiss from the preamp, and a little reverberation from the room, is quite adequate." Another person might think, "the recording should sound as good as a commercially recorded audiobook that is sold for profit."

So, let us make more clear the idea "as good as possible." Let's go one step at a time.

You said you will record when your children are asleep. So the first question is this: should we ignore the children's voices that we hear in your test recordings? If your answer is "yes, ignore them" then for now we can ignore making the room soundproof. If your answer is "no, don't ignore the voices," then we need to talk about soundproofing. That gets complicated. We would need to know about construction practices where you live, how the room is built, what changes can be made, how much this would cost, how much you are willing to spend.

So let's all agree on this one question. What is your decision, Mohammed? Should we ignore the children's voices that we hear?

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Finally someone really feel my situation and how much frustration and disappointed I am.
No sir, do not ignore the kids voices and I will not rent a studio because it is very expensive as I am working in my own as a volunteer and will not sell the audio and yes I want it to be as good as the commercial audio so I will have to work on my place and treat it to be able to do the job.
I will have some pictures to my place where I set to record so you can have a better idea.
Once again thanks a lot :)

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

I fear that you started out with the wrong question. "Gear" may be the lesser of your problems with recording in your bed room. A much bigger issue for you (and most other people who want to do this) is creating an acoustic space suitable for recording. You will be far better off creating a suitable space vs. buying big piles of gear which you don't need.

Many people in similar situations find that they must do their recording in the middle of the night or early morning when their house (and their neighborhood) is quietest. It may even be the case that getting decent quality recordings is simply not possible in your bed room.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

You mean to have something like this



Does something like this may solve the problem?

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Another option is to drive to a remote location, hang blankets inside the windows, and to record inside of the car. That said, I don't know that I'd want to be in a car with the windows rolled up while surrounded by blankets in the Cairo noonday sun! #heatstroke

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

An acoustic enclosure like that is the solution to the room resonance and reflections. For example it will probably greatly reduce that resonance that we heard in all the samples of the better microphones.

But it will do NOTHING for the ambient noise in your bedroom. The traffic noise from your street, your neighbors having a party, your kids running around the house, etc To block ambient noise you will need HEAVY material to block the sound. Generally that means double walls with double-thickness plasterboard, and other heavy building construction materials, etc. And that is why people record in the middle of the night, because the alternative is so very expensive and disruptive to your room.

The vocal booth video was interesting, but not necessarily something to blindly copy. In particular, inserting those pieces of wood back inside the booth practically reverses the whole benefit of the curtains. It was a poor choice for hanging those pieces of diamond foam. Furthermore, she wouldn't have needed the foam at all if she had hung the padded blankets in deep folds (like curtains). The folds duplicate that effect of the diamond pattern, and are effective to lower frequencies than those rather thin foam pieces.

But down in the basement there, she seemed to have no problem with reducing ambient noise.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

I agree with everything Mr. Crowley says about acoustic theory and soundproofing.

Be that as it may, a lot of people record audiobooks (e.g. for Librivox) in rooms that are not very well soundproofed. They just stop when there's noise, and re-do the part of the text where the noise began (probably going back to the beginning of a paragraph). And a lot of the results are surprisingly good. There is a lot of discussion about this situation on the LIbrivox forums, which I used to follow for a while before becoming frustrated. I found I was reading the same questions every week from a new set of posters, with the same numerous conflicting and confusing answers. There was no clarity, just a tower of babel. (To an extent the same thing is happening with the present thread, except that the advice here is on a much higher level with much excellent technical information ... but still probably quite confusing to the OP.)

Is that "the best" way to record? No. Is it "the most professional" way? No. But Mr. GadAllah's original question was how to get the best results recording in his bedroom. If he wants to deal with the inconvenience of re-recording sections to eliminate street noises, house noises, noisy children, etc. ... well, that's his choice. (Better him than me!)

So, since I don't know anything about building codes, materials, and labor in Egypt, I think we can either beat ourselves to death talking about soundproofing, or we can move on to another facet of the original question. And if Mr. GadAllah eventually concludes that his original guess was wrong, and he does need better soundproofing, we can return to the topic then. Just my 2¢ worth.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

What about recording inside one of the pyramids?

Actually, back in 1977 Paul Horn recorded an album of flute music inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. It's really stunning to hear; the reverberation is spectacular. But while the mass of the pyramid provides good isolation from outside noise, I fear the reverberation would not be appropriate for Mr. GadAllah's audio book project.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Its not just a case of making a 'sound proof' space to record in it needs to sound natural and uncoloured.
I have a friend that occasionally records in a closet with clothes in it and often sound quite wrong, the reason is they are talking in a very low level when they actually need to be projecting, just like dressing an audience of 50-100 people.
Doing a recording in a home at night with children sleeping will make you talk in a very low level, you need to find a space that you can project your voice if needed......

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

I assume you mean addressing.

Audiobooks I've heard are read in a much more intimate, conversational tone, as if the reader is sitting at arm's length from the listener. I think listening to an audiobook that was projected as strongly as you suggest would be rather disconcerting. I would subconsciously wonder, "Why is this guy yelling at me in my living room?"

As we've heard, Mr. GadAllah's tone is rather quiet and peaceful. I think that's his choice, since he knows the material he's reading and presumably has some idea of his intended audience.

At any rate, I don't think I would ever want to record in a closet full of clothes. In the first place, it would be cramped and stuffy. Then, consider the difficulties with lighting and holding the copy. And a typical closet has a hollow-core door at best, so it still won't be soundproofed.

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Just as a side note when we do sport on TV in the UK we use lip ribbons for the best background isolation but for sports like snooker when the voice has to be quite low we use an SM58 with a large foam wind gag as a hand held commentary mic, the SM57 sounds best and it may be that the addition of a larger wind shield and som EQ to filter the proximity effect and to add some sparkle may yield decent results?

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

I've read about lip ribbons for years, but I have never heard one (as far as I know). How is the audio quality? Compared, for example, to the ubiquitous SM57/58? (Not that I really like those Shure models, but at least everybody knows how they sound.)

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

Gentlemen,

WOW, what a strange thread, for many reasons. First, I have a self imposed rule I place on myself in regards to this forum. I NEVER make a post unless I have read every post. So I just reread and read this entire seven headed monster. Interesting.

Mr. Gadallah, you would not have any way of knowing who you are communicating with here. I know a little bit about the background of some of the main contributors trying to help you. Some of these guys are true audio professionals with many years of experience in the industry. They work in it and charge for what they do, it is their living. Here on this forum they choose to dispense their advice and share their experience for free. Just one of the things that surprised me about this thread is that they are STILL hanging in there with you. I’ll put it this way….When someone repeatedly throws a life preserver to a drowning man and he continually swims away from the rescue attempt the rescuer eventually quits throwing the life preserver. A couple of these guys, Richard in particular has made a heroic effort in time and patients to try and help you. You say he understands how you feel. I am not so sure you understand how he feels. Anyway…bla, bla, bla….

Now to everyone, Richard, you made an attempt a little while back to focus this thing and bring it back to the basics. One of the MAJOR basics is still missing, MONITORING. We all know the three major components of basic recording: input device (mic), recording devise (H4n), and monitoring (speakers). As far as I can tell he has ignored all suggestions to replace his bad Samson cans with the Sen HD280s everyone is suggesting (an excellent choice). And he needs a decent pair of near field monitors for playback. Audio 101, record it, monitor it while you record, and then listen to what you TRULY recorded. He owns a rack of useless processing gear he can’t use and there are few mentions of monitoring!
There is much more I would have liked to say but I exercised restraint in the name of good judgment.
Lastly, I think pictures of your gear set up and the entire room would be very beneficial in helping us, provide further advice.
Kind Regards,
Steve

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

The Coles 4104B-XLR Commentator'a ribbon mic is highly regarded and has been around for as long as I can remember.. I've never had the opportunity to use one either. The Coles lip mic can be prominently seen in the sportscaster scenes in the Ron Howard film "Rush". I don't know if it was a prop or an actually working prop. FWIW. I have on occasion used SM57s for courtroom scenes along with the boom and/or body mics

Re: what is the best audio gear i can use to record audio book in my bed room?
 

To Mr. Digges I say, "Amen to that."

You make a very good point: we seem to have overlooked monitoring except for one brief mention early on. Certainly a set of Sennheiser HD-280 Pros would be the absolute minimum, and some reasonable speakers really should be on the list as well. Much more important than all the toys in the effects rack. I urge Mr. GadAllah to buy a set of these headphones (my personal favorite) at once, so he can clearly hear what he is recording.

I often get the impression that Mr. GadAllah, rather than asking us what he should do, tells us what he has done or what he wants to do, and then everyone else explains why it's not a good idea. The concept of "as good as possible," without defining any limits, just adds to the confusion. We really need a ringmaster for this circus.