--- Forwarded Message from Bob Majors <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 12:52:16 -0700 (PDT) >From: Bob Majors <[log in to unmask]> >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #8044.5 Audio Recording (!) >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> >References: <[log in to unmask]> > ... why don't you just attach the mic to the > "mic input" of the computer sound card? I think it is the easiest way to > record sound directly into the computer. But I don't know whether the effect > of the sound will be satisfactory. > Regards, > Chen Xiaobin I'm not the original poster of the external mic pre-amp/ USB audio converter follow-up message, but there are some advantages of using an external USB or FireWire analog converter: - Balanced microphone inputs, which offer better quality (when balanced mics are use) and lower noise. When using an unbalanced mic or mic input, longer cable runs (to isolate the mic from the computer acoustical noise (fans, hard drive noise)) -- the noise problem of an unbalanced signal is increased. - Often phantom power is available in external boxes, which is required by many quality microphones. - (Usually) better microphone pre-amps. - (Usually) better A/D and D/A converters. - The mic pre-amp, which amplifies a *very* low level audio signal, can pickup RFI and other noises prevalent inside the computer (from hard drives, etc., etc.). This can add noise to a recording. - An external box is portable (can be used on different computers). - External boxes have control pots (potentiometers -- knobs) for headphone volume and output volume, which are handier to grab and ride than adjusting software settings. - Some audio cards either have mic inputs or line-level inputs, so while there are ways to use either for either source, having a dedicated line and mic input in an external box is handy. - The headphone and audio jacks are often less prone to breakage -- compare a 1/8" mini jack on a sound card to 1/4" jacks on external boxes. That all said, in many cases a built-in sound card may do the job just fine, depending on the quality desired, the components in use, etc. Bob Majors Language Learning Center University of Washington