Joe wrote back with thanks for the advice on the M-Audio MobilePre USB device and then had a question about his microphone, an Audio Technica AT-3035.
Not sure if I have the microphone set properly for the type of work I am doing. It has switches on the bottom of microphone itself. One for 0 dB and -10dB. The other is for Low cut, with a straight line and a line that branches upwards?
As usual, confused!
Joe
My reply:
Joe,
The 0dB and -10dB refer to the electrical level coming from the microphone. I leave mine in the -10 position. The Low Cut refers to whether or not the lowest pitches (below 80Hz is a common roll-off point) are diminished or flat. With the switch in the “straight line” position the microphone does NOT diminish the lowest pitches. With the bent line, the lowest pitches are rolled-off or diminished.To find the best settings for you, try all of the various combinations. Note that when you go between the 0dB and -10dB, you’ll notice a difference in the audio level if you don’t adjust the input level of the MobilePre. Try it without changing the input level to see what I mean. You shouldn’t damage anything.
Anyway, try changing one setting at a time, recording the same paragraph of copy. Pause Sound Forge as you change the switch. Then when you’ve recorded each variation, play them back one right after the other and see which one sounds best.
If you see something here that’s wildly wrong, leave a comment.