Im looking for a bit of advice on recording audio to pc in the best quality possible.
Currently i am using a usb webcam to record audio but as you can probably guese the quality is awful. What i need is a microphone (hopefully cheap) of some type that will plug into my soundcard or usb port. Its so i can make decent quality recordings of the man next door who will not stop making noise at night
and waking up the kids.
Does anyone use a particular brand or type that they can recommend?
Thanks

you can buy em cheap
less than a fiver, but for ones to pick up sound from further away and through walls you may need a more powerful, expensive one

Cheers Mel, do you know of a particular model or brand? Ive looked online but the adds dont say what they are really like so i wouldnt know if i was buying a dud or not:)


Just seen these (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?menuno=55769&MenuName=DESKTOP&FromMenu=y&worldid=-3&doy=2m2)
at maplins. Do you think they are the kind of thing i should be looking for?
Thanks:thumbsup:

tbh i dont think those ones will pick up anything apart from right in front of it

Cheers Mel, do you know of a particular model or brand? Ive looked online but the adds dont say what they are really like so i wouldnt know if i was buying a dud or not:)


Just seen these (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?menuno=55769&MenuName=DESKTOP&FromMenu=y&worldid=-3&doy=2m2)
at maplins. Do you think they are the kind of thing i should be looking for?
Thanks:thumbsup:

Those are unidirectional microphones which are only usually good when being placed directly in front of the sound. It all really depends on how loud your neighbour is. This (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48796&TabID=1&C=SEO&U=strat15&doy=search) sort of mic may be more useful, it's omnidirectional which means it is designed to pick up sounds from all around. What I like about mine is I can walk whilst having VOIP. Hope it helps.

As the noise is coming from only one direction would i be better with the
unidirectional microphone. The noise he makes is sometimes loud enough to wake up my lad but always from the same place which is in his rooms right next to our livingroom and my sons bedroom. I really know nothing about this sort of stuff so youll have to forgive my ignorance:blush: .
Mod Man, do you get much background noise like hissing and crackling with your microphone, also whats the sensitivity like?

really better off hiring a quality mic for a week from a decent music shop than buying a cheap horrible mic designed for your computer.

As the noise is coming from only one direction would i be better with the
unidirectional microphone. The noise he makes is sometimes loud enough to wake up my lad but always from the same place which is in his rooms right next to our livingroom and my sons bedroom. I really know nothing about this sort of stuff so youll have to forgive my ignorance:blush: .
Mod Man, do you get much background noise like hissing and crackling with your microphone, also whats the sensitivity like?

no you need he omnidirectional because the wall will defuse the sound and remove top frequencies. ie the sound source is effectivly *the whole wall* .
you'll probably need the "ambient" sound of the room also to be able to level the DB difference from when he' making a noise to when he isnt.

you will get hissing with all but the most expensive mics which is why ithink you might be best just hiring one. more for your mulah

no you need he omnidirectional because the wall will defuse the sound and remove top frequencies. ie the sound source is effectivly *the whole wall* .
you'll probably need the "ambient" sound of the room also to be able to level the DB difference from when he' making a noise to when he isnt.

you will get hissing with all but the most expensive mics which is why ithink you might be best just hiring one. more for your mulah

Hi Sugarcube, is this (http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=FAQ&ModuleNo=12188&doy=3m2#faq) the kind of thing?
It says its omnidiretional and it requires a battery to power it. The lad a Maplins says its a decent bit of kit and should easily do what i need. Im hoping you tell me the same.:)

Hi Sugarcube, is this (http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=FAQ&ModuleNo=12188&doy=3m2#faq) the kind of thing?
It says its omnidiretional and it requires a battery to power it. The lad a Maplins says its a decent bit of kit and should easily do what i need. Im hoping you tell me the same.:)

i do believe that could fit the bill, i did come across a few mics with similar specs for half the price (of the pro mics btw) when looking at camera mics and have read a few quick articles while looking around for you that said to use something similar when looking for a low cost ambient mic solutions.
hth and hope you can sort the dispute without too much fuss.
i love making loud music noises, but never after 8pm at least not without prior warning (party etc), i use head cans for later on, basic courtesy.

Thanks Sugarcube, i got the wife to pick one up while she was in town and its supprisingly good. Definatly worth £20 and rater cool looking, makes me feel like i work for Sky news or something:D
Although the missus just suggested a new place for it so im gonna stop annoying her with it now:blush:
With any luck i wont need it for too long as ive been intouch with Rosmerry Telfer and shes going to speak with the antisocial behaviour team so fingers crossed.
Thanks again :thumbsup:

One other note The DADDY, try to keep a written diary of all the noise that comes from your neighbour's house. I had problems with a neighbour and a diary proved very helpful when involving council services.

One other note The DADDY, try to keep a written diary of all the noise that comes from your neighbour's house. I had problems with a neighbour and a diary proved very helpful when involving council services.

Cheers Mod_Man, weve been making a diary with the anti social team for a year now and it just seems a never ending cycle of us filling in the diary, them collecting it and then nothing happens
We just get another diary to fill out:confused:
Weve decided to make our own recordings to show as many people as possible what we have to live next door to. I realise it may not be admissible as evidence but at least people will hear,,,,,hopefully:hihi:
Cheers again Mod_Man:thumbsup: