USB MICS VS. XLR

Basically, ive been struggling with alot of latency issues with my MXL USB mic. great sound, but always a little late. then when adjusted it sometimes comes a bit too early. i think it fools the computer's latency calculation and the computer doesnt really know how much to really delay anymore. I have a M-audio keyboard with a non usb xlr interphase in the back. still a bit of latency. should i go invest in a new interphase and some xlr mics? how has it worked for you guys?
cheers
ziad

You're welcome... Angel...
Are you saying your latency is not constant? With things like that you need to be exact. You talk about'sometimes' and 'a little'. How am I supposed to 'guess' what is going on with your system? I can't tell if you interface is crap or if it is pilot error. I don't even know if you're on Logic 7, 8 or 9, or what make of interface it is, nor what bitrate and samplefrequency you use with it.
Have you got Software Monitoring on? If so, why not monitor directly?
And why not simply delay the track till it fits again?
How much early or late is your Mic track?
What is your buffer setting?
I am only funny when there is +too little+ to go on. Still I've given you two links that should do it, and if they don't, I assume pilot error. If it were the interface at fault, there would have been many, many more complaints.
regards, Erik.

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USB mic recommendation?

I am simplifing my workstation and moving to a USB mic. What would you recommend?
Best.
Tom

I'd recommend foregoing the USB mic and get a USB audio interface... then you can use whatever mic you like. Really high quality mics? ... ain't gonna be USB. You really can't beat a Shure SM58 (you can... but it would be a matter of opinion.)
If you need to take your show "on the road", I would recommend one of the Zoom mics. I have the H1 and H2 (got the h2 first.) It can be configured as a USB audio interface/mic for your computer. It can be taken on location (without a computer) and used as a recorder. It can use other kinds of mics as the audio input... on location... which means if you have a fancy mic like the Shure, you can take it with you and use it on location just with the H1... awesome (you will need an XLR to 1/8in stereo adapter though.) It's great with lavalier mics. Zoom mics have an outstanding dynamic range (some might say it's too good — they can pick up *everything* – if you're not careful.)
Here are some examples [absolutely NO noise reduction used in any of them]:
This first clip is a recording of a folk guitar, outside, on a breezy day. I used a lavalier mic (with windscreen) clipped to the soundhole connected to the Zoom H1 and set the levels down low enough to cut the ambient noise.
http://sight-creations.com/audio/small_clip3.mov.mp3
... not very impressive by itself (compared to a Tascam PortaStudio 4-track cassette recorder I had in the early nineties... it's bloody amazing!)
and this is what it sounds like after post in Logic:
http://sight-creations.com/audio/small_clip4.mp3
You can really pull a lot of audio out of those lower levels because the recorder is exceptionally quiet (as far as I can tell – and i'm kind of old, so: some hearing loss — it's dead silent... but I can't find any data on the "floor" or the recorder [dead silent is at least -96dB]).
Here's what it can sound like. Again, I mic'd a steel string guitar out in my backyard with a lavalier mic clipped to the sound hole (mic inside the guitar -- you can't tell how windy it was.)
http://ftp.sight-creations.com/audio/improv_030612_03.mp3
If it weren't for my amateurish playing, it sounds as good as a professional studio recording.
If you don't need a fancy mic and all you *really* need is good noise reduction... invest in ScreenFlow. It has the BEST noise reduction of any software I have ever used (including Soundtrack Pro, Audicity, Logic, FCPX, you name it...) and you don't need to be editing video to use it. Just turn it on (default setting) and save! Listen to any of my later tutorials on youtube (channel: fxmah)... and realize I'm sitting 6 feet from a window air conditioner/heater that is ON all the time. You would never believe it. BTW - for those tutorials, I use a cheap GE headphone/boom mic combo (gaming headset?)... it's perfect for the job. Always in the right place and always out of the way. Headphone part is not all that great, but I like what I get from the mic.
HTH

Does anyone know how good the SAMPSON USB mic is compared to...

Does anyone know how good the SAMPSON USB mic is compared to having a dedicated audio interface with lets say a good condenser mic?
I am going to be doing some vocals and need a very good quality recording.
It just seems pretty simple right now to use a high quality USB.....
Rather than getting an interface (which I will be getting down the road)
but how "high" is the quality of the Sampson USB mic? Say even compared to
an AKG condenser?? Will I get 90% of the way there compared to an AKG mic and an dedicated audio interface (like the firepod or m-audio-410)
and also if anyone knows will the difference in audio interfaces affect the actual recording quality by a great difference?
thanks, technoreid

I have a Samson C01U USB Studio Condenser mic that I use most of the time.
PRO
To be honest it's really a lot of bang for the buck (about $90 at Sam Ash Music) and incredibly simple to use.
It's well-built (the screen is very rugged, and it has a good amount of heft to it.
Given that GB 3 has a lot of decent vocal presets (and software outboard equipment) in it now (with radio/podcast settings and voice over stuff) you can get it to sound pretty good. In that sense, I think it is an ideal podcast or voice over mic.
It's easy to use, just like GB itself. I am a BIG fan of using equipment that is intuitive and does not thwart the creative process, and the Samson fits the bill. Pull it out of its storage bag; plug in the USB cord into the mic and then into the USB port of your Mac and Voila! you're in business.
CON
You are limited by the length of a USB chord, whereas XLR cables into a firewire analog to digital piece of outboard gear will have XLR in, and XLR cables are the standard for long distances mic usage.
One track, mono at a time. There is no way (that I know of) to effectively do simultaneous stereo recording. But if you are using GB as a composition tool (as I do) you do most of your instruments in GB and only vocals (and maybe guitars) live and only one at a time.
You get what you pay for. Is the Samson C01U as good as a Neumann U87 into a tube-based Analog to digital preamp? Is it the way I would record vocals for a major record release? No. But the difference isn't like listening to a scratched 78 rpm shellack record versus a digital recording either. For most applications, the difference is minimal. How much? I don't have the testing instruments to quantify.
But then again, there's something to be said for spending $90 versus $3,800 (SRP) for a U87 and $2,300 (SRP) for a PreSonus ADL-600 Stereo Hi Volt Tube Mic Preamp......
iMac G5 PowerPC Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1.9 gHz, 1Gig of RAM

How to record a USB mic and a guitar at the same time?

I have an Audio-Technia AT-2020 USB mic and an Ovation acoustic/electric guitar. I wanted to record both of them at the same time, so i plugged the mic into the USB port (duh!) and the guitar into the 1/8" port on the computer (with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter and a male/male headphone cable). However, when i went to select the inputs for the diffrent tracks, it was either one or the other. My question is, do you need an audio interface to be able to do multitrack recording? If so, could I use a USB hub, 1/8" to USB adapter, and plug both the guitar and mic to fool the computer into thinking i have an audio interface? I would rather not spend money on an audio interface ($200) and a new mic ($120) when i already have something that could work!
Thanks to anyone who can help!

beberhard14 wrote:
do you need an audio interface to be able to do multitrack recording?
create an aggregate device from the mic and line-IN:
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Tutorials.html#allaboutaggregatedevices
(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

Using usb mic with logic output stops

using usb mic with logic output stops

Aggregate devices are setup in the Audio/Midi setup of OSX Utilities, (Not in Logic). It gives you a way of having for than one audio i/o device. Once you have set up your aggregated devices in Audio/Midi, when you start Logic you will need to go into Audio preferences and choose the Aggregate device.

IMovie 10.0.5 crashes into millions of colored pixels when I add v/o narrative using Pages to read script from and using a USB mic attached to my iMac. I am running Mavericks OS X10.9.4

Hi, I have been editing a project for a week and over the past 2 days iMovie 10.0.5 has crashed into millions of colored pixels about 6 times. I am working on a 27" iMac running OS X 10.9.4 with 6GB of Ram, plenty of space on start up disc (217 GB's) The crash seems to coincide with any effort to use an external USB mic plugged in to record a narrative. I can record the voice over but a few minutes later I get some awful audio scrubbing sounds and then it pixelates. Why is this happening and how can I work around this to record a voiceover please? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm nervous to continue if my work is going to ultimately be lost. My project is currently about seventeen mins and includes, video clips from 2 different cameras (both Canon) a music track from iTunes and some still images (jpegs.)

Thanks Erik,
If nothing else, this huge list of updates and fixes, shows clearly that the Logic Dev team is working hard on fixing and improving LPX to a major degree.... and from the list of fixes done.. show they do read the bug reports submitted!
As an aside....
I recall how all the 'naysayers' prior to LPX (and in some cases, since...) were proclaiming how Logic was dead, the team was being disbanded, we won't see any further development, the Dev team doesn't listen or care... and so on....... I wonder where those people are now?

Output sound distortion when USB Mic Connected

Hi everyone,
Really appreciate anyone’s help on this sound distortion problem.
I have been using the new 2014 iMac 27' for last 8 Months, bought Brand New, and recently updated to Yosemite. Everything worked fine including recording, until this update.
I'm using Blue Yeti USB Mic for recording, and few days after the update I was trying to record in GarageBand and the output sound (via headphone connected to USB MIc) started to distort and then suddenly dropped the bitrate/ sound and I could only hear some clicks. I reinstalled the GargeBand, still its the same distortion happens. The sound gets back to normal, only for few seconds, after I unplug the USB cable from the Mic device. And I tried changing the bit rate and again sounds starts to drop after few sec. This happens only when I connect the Blue Yeti USB Mic and sound output from the Mic itself. Same thing happens with iTunes as well. Output sound from Internal mic and speakers are working fine as normal.
I tried connecting the USB Mic to my Windows laptop and its working fine with the Cubase 5 without any problem. So the problem is with the output sound, when external Mic connected.
I don’t know the solution for this. Have checked on every single blog/ thread, sill couldn’t find the answer I’m looking for, to fix this.
It would be great if you have any kind of a solution for the same.
Info : FYI
Mac
OS X Yosemite: Version 10.10.2
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
Processor : 3.2 GHz Intel Core i5
Hard-drive : 1 TB SATA Disk
Ram: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M 1024 MB
Built-in Output:
Default System Output Device:       Yes
Manufacturer:                                  Apple Inc.
Output Channels:                             2
Current SampleRate:                      48000
Transport:                                        Built-in
Yeti Stereo Microphone:
Default Input Device:                      Yes
Default Output Device:                    Yes
Input Channels:                               2
Manufacturer:                                 Blue Microphones
Output Channels:                            2
Current SampleRate:                      48000
Transport:

Nope. The larger buffer didn't work. What did work was running a cord out of the 1/4-inch jack from the direct box to a 1/4-to-1/8-inch adapter and then into the mic/line-in jack on my computer. I set GarageBand to use the built-in line-in and had no static problems. It's a stopgap until this gets fixed.
A post by LinuxMercedes on Oct. 3 at http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8158914 may provide a solution.

USB Mic won't show up in Drivers Menu

I just bought an Audio Technica 2020 USB microphone, and I can't get it to work with Logic Pro 7.2.3.
When I open up the audio/midi setup it is listed there, and it works with other programs, but it doesn't show up in the Driver drop-down list on the Drivers tab in Audio Preferences in Logic Pro.
I even tried setting up various aggregate devices, but none of these show up in Logic Pro. The only 2 things that show up are Built-in Input and Built-in Mic.
I've tried restarting Logic, restarting the computer, and nothing seems to help.
Does it make a difference if this is the academic version?
Please someone help!!!
Thanks,
Justin

In the Audio / Midi settings under the Audio menu, create an aggregate device one for the usb mic and one for the output. Then in your Logic pro settings in the core audio set the aggregate device as the default device.
Well that works LP 8 w/10.5.3
Message was edited by: Mac Pro 8core - x86

Cannot switch back to built-in output after connecting USB mic

I cannot get playback unless I plug back in my USB mic (Blue Yeti) on Mac OS X.
I get this notice:
"The selected audio device has no output channels."
I select Default Output to be "built in output" then go to Audio Channel Mapping tab and my output device is saying Yeti stereo microphone (not working).
It is obviously not working because it isn't plugged in. My question is why isnt it using my built in output when the mic is unplugged. Even through the Sound tab in system preferences my output is set to "built in"
I get playback through the mic when it's plugged in, but I need to be able to get playback through my built in output when the mic is not plugged in. Any ideas on this greatly appreciated.

Start out with these ! Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support if issue still persists look inside the audio jack see if the light is on.

Is it possible to use USB webcam + USB mic simultaneously?

I would like to use a USB mic (Blue Snowball USB) and USB webcam (Ligoitch Quickcam) together simultaneously, because I understand the one is good sound and the other is good video for live internet broadcasting of music.
can anyone tell me if this should be possible? I'd hate to buy them and find it doesn't work... THANKS!
I'm using Macbook 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo OSX 10.5.8

No reason why not.

Macmini 2012, Mountain Lion, Logitech C600 webcam USB Mic...

OK.
So I got the new macmini 2012(base model). Got 10.8.2 on it and a webcam Logitech C600.
Everything works fine (no additional drivers needed). The problem comes when sometimes (randomly) the mic stops working. It is a USB mic integrated in the webcam. I am thinking it has something to do when the monitor goes to sleep, but still cannot find the reason. It sometimes happen after fresh restart. When I disconnect and reconnect the webcam it goes ok. Any ideas?

BDAqua is right Hristokirev. I solved this problem myself with this issue before. Coz I also have a C600. Also if your C600 video display resolution is crap, go to quicktime player then go to movie recording and click on high recording quality on it so you can manually adjust the resolution. So yeah when I first plug this camera it didn't had a 720p quality feature, but its just that you have to manually change the settings in it itself.

T60 USB Mice has random disconnect, needs to be plugged back in

We have a bunch of T60's here, and we use Lenovo USB mice with them. What happens is, at any given moment, the mouse will stop working. The user just unplugs and plugs the mouse back in (Port Rep or directly into machine). This usually works, but sometimes requires the mouse to be swapped out. Then that old mouse will work somewhere else.
It's a very weird problem, and was wondering if anyone has a solution? I did some reading up and found other people with this problem, didn't find much of a solution though.
Any help appreciated, thanks.

Try setting usb in bios - config - usb to always on or powered and in device manager remove the tick on usb hubs allowing windows to turn them off.
Andy ______________________________________
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What is the capture range of the snowball and the nessi usb mic ?

anyone knows the max range to capture voice with these usb mic, or any other. it is to records Church Sunday's messages, my audi booth is at the far back of the church. it would be so much easier if apple would equip their product with an audio in, then i would just need a audio cable from the comptuter to the sound console, but they don't so i need another solution.
i would welcome other not too expensive solution
thanks
Rob Mongeau

It depends on the quality you need. The iMic would give you about the same quality as the built-in audio input of an earlier Mac. If you want a more professional quality input, or something with a more rugged jack than the 3.5mm jack in the iMic, something like the Lexicon Alpha or M-Audio M-Track might be worth looking at. There are higher-end devices available, but those might be overkill for capturing chuch services.
Regards.

Help with Rode Posdcaster USB Mic

Hello all--
I'm trying to use audacity to create my first podcasts for a class. I initially tried a no-name lapel mic that plugged into the line in on my Macbook Pro. No dice. When I go to Sound on the control panel, I can't get any of the bars to move, even when I select the mic.
I did a bit of reading and figure that it may be because the mic isn't powered by the audio in. Ok. No problem. I borrowed a brand new Rode Podcaster USB mic to try. Plug it in, got the green light on the mic showing power. Go to Sound and there it is listed. Still, when I select it, I can't get any sound to show up on the bars.
Ideas? I'm missing something dumb.
I'd figure that the mic wasn't Mac friendly but the instructions have a mac section dealing with 10.4+ installation. Followed 'em to the letter.
Thanks for any and all help!
--P
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I tried that, but the mic doesn't show up in Audacity. I don't think that the Mac is getting any input at all. In the sound panel, the Rode mic shows up as installed, but when I select it and talk into it, no movement on the bars. That's what's annoying me--the computer knows it is there, but nothing is coming in. I think my problem is with the mic, not the program.
Just for hoots, I tried it on my G5. Same deal. Mac recognizes the mic is there, but no sound coming in.
Ideas?

Trying to use Zoom Q2HD in USB MIC mode and it crashes GarageBand and the whole Ipad?

I bought the Zoom Q2HD video recorder to use for video and because it can be used at a USB Mic for iPad. I recently bought a camera connection kit and last night tried to get the Zoom to work as a mic but it would either not work at all or it would crash GarageBand and the ipad and take me to the Apple logo as it restarted the iPad.
Any ideas?

From the podcast link on the Garageband help page:
"Attach your preferred audio interface and a microphone to your Mac, or use your computer's built-in microphone. (Note: The iSight camera is not supported as a microphone input in GarageBand.)"
http://www.apple.com/support/garageband/podcasts/

USB MICS VS. XLR

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