Hardware

In order to put audio on the Net, all you really need is an audio file and an Internet connection, but additional hardware will give you more flexibility and sound quality. You will not have great quality by simply dragging a WMA file from your recorder, converting it to MP3, and uploading it. For a more polished sound, you want to use higher quality microphones, a pop filter, a compressor, and a USB or FireWire audio interface on your computer. I realize not all of you are able to or want to attain these items so do the best you can with what you have. I will list hardware in this section. Try your own combinations to find the setup that suits you! Feel free to contact me if you have any problems setting them up.

Portable Recorders

"Being portable suggests that the devices are battery-operated so system power consumption is a key concern. Portable audio devices may include integrated audio codecs or audio ADCs and DACs for conversion between analog signals and digital data, headphone or speaker drivers for earpieces, headphones or built-in speakers, programmable DSPs for encoding/decoding compressed data in formats such as MP3, WMA or AAC, microcontrollers for handling system-level control and user interface functions, and wireless transceivers for transmission/reception of data over RF (radio frequency)."
Given that technical description of portable, let me give you some examples of units I know work well or have had good reviews.

  • M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 - a mobile 2-channel digital recorder that records WAV and MP3 files to CompactFlash. It has balanced line inputs and microphone preamps. There is phantom power for studio-quality microphones. You just connect it to either a PC or Mac with a USB connector.  It has a lithium-ion battery that charges via the computer’s USB connection or USB power adapter. I am a bit concerned about not being able to change the battery if it ever dies but I am hearing that M-Audio handles replacement well. If you know about inputs at all, it offers 1/4", XLR, and S/PDIF inputs which is nice. You can get one of these for around $350 if you shop around.
  • Edirol R1- I have heard good things about this recorder as well. Scott from the podcast "Tokyo Calling" uses an Edirol and has much luck with its performance and durability. It has built in mics that do well. Another version which is more expensive but is the newest news with Edirol is the R-9
  • Edirol R9- This is the newest version. I had one comment saying it was also a great unit.
  • Zoom H4 - also a 24/96 recorder, this one has a better price and I think it looks great. I would like to try it out if I buy another one for my CompTech8 class new media projects. It is $299 on the website so I know you can get it for much less! The cool part is you can record 4 track whereas the others are only 2 track. It has 2 combination XLR-1/4-inch input jacks with phantom power so you can use it with any microphone. It has studio effects like compression, limiting and mic modeling in the unit.
  • Belkin Voice Recorder for iPod - plugs right into your iPod for voice recording. It provides a quality similar to USB microphones. A little bit muffled but not bad. This is due to limited frequency response -  it does not capture the higher and lower ends of our voice's audio spectrum. At $50, it is a great way to have an instant mobile recorder if you already own an iPod!
  • iRiver

Microphones, Headphones, Interfaces, and PopScreens

You can use a variety of hardware to produce your audio for the internet. See the list below for some gear I use or know works well. I am also including other hardware of interest.
  • Internal and USB Microphones - It is possible to just use your internal microphone, but it is not recommended. I have been know to use it when I am on the road and need to produce a screencast tutorial for my students and have no mics with me. There are a variety of USB microphones that work well.
    • SnowBall - this mic is made by Blue which manufactures very good quality pro-audio products. It can be uni-directional for a bit of a round table style recording or switched to directional (also called polar patterns). Blue suggests using it for instrument and voice for music production / pre-production / demos, DV-looping / dialog, podcasting, sound effects, audio sampling, interactive programming, video sweetening / post, internet telephony, internet conferencing, recording lectures, poetry slams, spoken word performances and speeches.
    • LogiTech - USB desktop microphone. It is plug and play like the other USB mics but not as good quality. There is a power button which at times has been a bit noisy if you are recording a live telephony call or webcast. There are other ways to mute a mic than to use the power switch so don't let it deter you if you want an inexpensive USB mic. It boasts noise-canceling technology to filter out unwanted background noise for better voice recognition. Just remember that you only get so good for $30! For all LogiTech mic options, click here.
    • Here is the result of a general search for USB desktop mics at buy.com
    • Chat 50 - allows users to simultaneously speak and listen without audio causing echo or cutting in and out. Provides high-quality audio playback.
    • NEC Booom Mic - around $75
  • HeadSets - Headsets can connect with a USB plug or if they do not have a USB connector, there must be two plugs to use them on your computer for the mic in and a headphone out. This type of headset would have two 1/8th" plugs. We advise you use a USB adaptor for this type and it often comes with the headset.
    •  LogiTech is one name that offers a variety of headsets.
    • Plantronics is another - be sure to choose the USB versions if possible or get a USB connector to use with headsets with seperate mic and headphone plugs as mentioned above.
    • Best Buys - You can always shop around for best buys. The LogiTech 250 is a good USB headset and a good buy here. I bought a set of 25 for my school's computer lab and they held up well and had good quality recording. One good thing about this set is you can wipe the pads to keep them nice and clean!
    • Any headsets you buy especially from brand names you have heard before should work if you follow the guidelines mentioned above.
  • Headphones - Any set of headphones will work for audio. Using headphones with an 1/8th" stereo plug or 1/4" stereo plug will work but you need to use an adaptor for any 1/4" plug to fit into your headphone jack on the computer. Just ask at a RadioShack or any electronic department or store for a 1/4" to 1/8th" stereo adaptor. Please look over the options listed below. Good headphones are worth every penny. I have a pair of professional quality headphones I bought in 1986 and they still make my work on audio a pleasure!
  • Standard Microphones - I like to use a regular microphone used for music production. One of the better workhorse mics is a Shure SM 57, SM 58, or SM 59. They require an XLR mic cord. I plug my mic into a preamp then into my USB input on my comptuer. M-Audio and others offer nice low priced preamps. There are also a variety of FireWire pre's you can purchase but they tend to get more pricey.
  • Computer Interface - when recording with a standard microphone, guitar, bass, keyboard, or other input, you need to "power" it so there is a good strong signal when it ends up in your audio recording software. Though iMic and other converters offer a connection adaption for 1/8th" plugs into USB, they do not provide preamplification (or power).You do not need to use an interface for USB microphones. Here are a few of my favorites.
    • M-Audio FastTrack - Just connect Fast Track USB to the USB port of your computer. You can plug in an XLR from a standard mic cable, two RCA connectors (remember it is useful for analog inputs like phonos), and 1/4" input. There is a headphone out. It costs around $129.
  • Computer Speakers - any speakers will do but powered are better than not powered and the "you get what you pay for" saying applies here.
  • FlashMic by HHB - a portable recorder that include 1 GB of flash RAM and a Sennheiser mic capsule. No cords since it records to the flash memory.
  • Recording Telephone Interviews - a JK Audio QuicTap is a tiny device that connects between teh phone's headset and base. It provides an output jack to a recorder.
  • Pop screens - a pop screen is nothing more than a peice of panty hose over an emboidery hoop and placed about a foot from your mouth. It prevents the pops and sssss's from becoming a highlight in your audio. You can also buy this tool but it is very simple to make. Click here for a great site for more specific instructions.
  • Other
    1. Zing

Recording Analog Audio

Here are some tips to record analog audio to your computer

  1. Stereo receiver
    1. a Y cable with two RCA plugs (for your left and right channel outputs on the back of your receiver) to a single 1/8th" stereo mini plug for your computer input (sometimes labeled mic)
    2. for those with no RCA outputs on your stereo receiver, a 1/4" stereo plug for your headphone jack to a single 1/8th mini plug for your computer input works just as well
  2. Record player - first connect your record player to a stereo receiver or a phono preamplifier unit, and then connect the receiver or preamplifier unit to your computer using the instructions for stereo receiver above
  3. Cassette or reel-to-reel player - use the instructions for stereo receiver
  4. You can use a variety of USB or FireWire Audio Interfaces to transfer analog to computer.

For more information, go to This Link. Please overlook the product references and look at the information listed on this site.

Setup Examples

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  • smart phones with integrated audio capability
  • handheld GPS systems
  • internal mic and a pair of headphones
  • a regular external mic and a USB audio interface (like an M-Audio Fastrack)
  • any sound equipment like a mixer or powered interface, a mic, headphones -- run a cord from powered mixer or interface to line in (1/8th")