How does this audio sound?

terrypin wrote on 5/7/2017, 6:09 AM

As mentioned in another recent thread, I'm not sure about the quality of the narrations I'm recording in my current project. They seem a bit too bassy or 'boomy', somewhat muffled. This is only a recent feeling, yet I'm not aware of any changes I've made anwhere that's relevant. My mic, an AKG Perception 120 USB, is high quality. My only problem since switching from XP to Win 10 is that the volume seems to need setting near its max.

Could I get some feedback (no pun...) from the audio experts on what you think of this 13 second example please?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6q4boc4x4qdt2r6/Test.mp3?dl=0

or:

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 5/7/2017, 8:50 AM

Hi Terry

. . . . My only problem since switching from XP to Win 10 is that the volume seems to need setting near its max. . . . .

Did you set the microphone boost option

or run the microphone setup - Control Panel, Ease of access, Speech recognition, Set up microphone - in Windows 10?

HTH

John EB

johnebaker wrote on 5/7/2017, 9:09 AM

Hi Terry

Forgot to say the audio sounds OK here, however I think you may be a little too close the mic - do you have a sibilant/pop screen/filter in front of the mic?

John EB

terrypin wrote on 5/8/2017, 3:40 AM

Hi John,

More on the broader subject later maybe, but to answer your specific question about the microphone boost option: I have so far been unable to get such a dialog window. I used to have that option under XP.

Also tried here:

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

emmrecs wrote on 5/8/2017, 3:46 AM

@terrypin,

I have a feeling the lack of that mic boost setting could be because you are using a USB mic! Do you have it (the setting) available for the alternative Logitech? If so, I think that would confirm my suspicions.

Jeff

johnebaker wrote on 5/8/2017, 3:46 AM

Hi Terry

My apologies, I circled the wrong button - click the Properties button to get to the mic levels dialog.

The Configure takes you to the dialog you have posted.

With your mic being USB if the level enhancement option is not available, there may be one in the drivers for the mic.

. . . . AKG Perception 120 USB . . . .

Nice mic - as an aside how far away from the mic are you? With this style of mic hand holding is not the norm and a pop filter is recommended.

John EB

terrypin wrote on 5/8/2017, 3:55 AM

Jeff, John: Looks like we all hit Send within seconds of each other, while I was posting my edit.

Jeff: Apparently not. I get the same results as for the AKG. Same via Properties.

John: Cannot find anything relevant under Properties, Drivers or any section.

terrypin wrote on 5/8/2017, 4:02 AM

. . . . AKG Perception 120 USB . . . .
Nice mic - as an aside how far away from the mic are you? With this style of mic hand holding is not the norm and a pop filter is recommended.

John EB

About a foot usually. Haven't got around to getting a desk mount. Space is a factor, but so also is direction. I type up my intended narrations as I proceed and so need to look at my text editor while I record. A macro positions MEP, TextPad and the Audio Recorder for optimum convenience, so typically I'm holding the mic in my left hand and looking at the left of the screen.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

johnebaker wrote on 5/8/2017, 4:43 AM

Hi Terry

. . . . Cannot find anything relevant under Properties, Drivers or any section . . . .

How odd - according to the mics manual the Boost control is shown for Windows 7 and this has not changed in Windows 10.

Did you run the Windows 10 mic setup in the Configure speech recognition dialog?

John EB