GridStream Productions

I write as some of you are aware and have read a few things on the radio as well as being a frequent guest to talk about social issues and art shows and other stuff like that. Because of this I've been thinking for a good while now about buying a microphone. Not a dollar store computer mic but a quality mic. So one of my planned purchases for tomorrow is a $120.00 USB mic.

As Mics go this is in the medium quality range for professional recordings. It's a upright boom style mic. I can set it on my desk for now till I get a mic stand.

Strangely enough I can't remember the brand name just at this moment.

In any case kinda excited.

w00t! awesomeness

Not a fan of USB mics, but I hope the one you get works well for you

I think it's typical that the moment you even contemplate a change to your computer set up something fails. In my case it's the sound. I can still hear it barily but the volume is so low it's like people whispering in the next room. I've played with volume control and all the sliders I have for this sort of thing to no effect. Next is updating the drivers. Will also be checking the cables for faults if drivers doesn't fix it.

JUst kinda creepy that I want to buy a mic so my sound fails.

I'm sure you have already done this but got to say it anyway check the plugs at the back of your computer. I've had it a couple of times where there half plugged in and it messes up the sound quite nicely.

First thing I checked was are the cables plugged in properly...

It's a case of the GSP curse. Every time theres a new DJ or someone starts to record things that even so much as listens to GSP their sound will suddenly fail or their internet connection dies or they job requires them to transfer to a location where local internet is two guys clapping rocks together

I bought the microphone anyways because I'm stubborn and I really want to do this and if it turns out to be something nasty like my sound card dying I'll have a reason to buy a really good replacement card next month. (But I do so hope it's not anything like the sound card.) I got a slightly less expensive model than I had originally planed on. It's a Behringer C-1U USB microphone. Which makes it a high end of the low cost microphones. Cost me $80.00 Canadian so probably goes for $49.00 US bucks. Cause monetary Exchange rates in Canada always suck monkey balls. After tax it was $102.00 Bleah! Boo taxes. But I'm including the cost of the nylon foam wind cover in that. It was $3.00 Can.

So now once I get sound working. (My project for today.) I have a new mic to play with.
I'll need to get a mic stand for it as the USB cable connects underneath. But for now I'll live with holding it in my hand. Which bring to mind that as a "real mic" even though it's a computer mic it's not a desk friendly model. I may get a clamp on stand and hang it upside down to the side of the screen on the side away from the computer noises.

Ok so heres a link so you can see the mic I bought

http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?ca ... _campaign=

And go figure I found the source of my sound problems my speakers somehow got unplugged. Which brings us to Murphy's rules of computing.

The reason you call Tech support to complain will always be the most embarrassing sort of User error humanly possible.

Thank goodness my family has embarrassed me so many times that I just don't embarrass anymore.

Wait.. That is a good thing isn't it?

Fishi3 wrote:First thing I checked was are the cables plugged in properly...

*smirks*

So how's the mic working for ya?

Having done only the most rudimentary tests as yet I am so far happy with my purchase. I had to add bass my voice to get a decent volume but this is likely because I'm a rather soft spoken tenor. Those few people who have heard me sing have asked me to be tenor twelve miles away. So just as well my planned use isn't musical.

Now I have to fight off the urge to buy a sound effects cd and redo all the Classic Star Treks scripts in the original Klingon.