Topic: mic a classroom, record to computer

[jb3710]

I'm trying to record audio from a small 25 student classrooms (no sound system). I'd like to simply connect a mic to the computer (standard XP machines) in the front of the room and record (of course professor's voice is most important, but ideally it would capture the students voices as well).

I don't want to have to use a pre-amp. I assume any soft of software program with gain wouldn't really help?

I see the Crown Grabbers which look nice, but do you think they would need a pre-amp?

Or, are there mics that include some sort of built-in preamp?

Thanks from someone who is trying to quickly learn this stuff!!

[Church-Audio]

I'm trying to record audio from a small 25 student classrooms (no sound system). I'd like to simply connect a mic to the computer (standard XP machines) in the front of the room and record (of course professor's voice is most important, but ideally it would capture the students voices as well).

I don't want to have to use a pre-amp. I assume any soft of software program with gain wouldn't really help?

I see the Crown Grabbers which look nice, but do you think they would need a pre-amp?

Or, are there mics that include some sort of built-in preamp?

Thanks from someone who is trying to quickly learn this stuff!!

You need a preamp of some sort because the sound card will only give you about 30-40 db that could be enough but you might need 50-60db depending on the sensitivity of the crown sound grabbers.

[cleantone]

budget?

[jb3710]

Budget could be a few hundred - any more and I'd just move to digital recorders like the Edirol.

Most important is portability and simplicity. USB options would be great, if available (just b/c of ports on front of computers).

Thanks!

[Church-Audio]

Budget could be a few hundred - any more and I'd just move to digital recorders like the Edirol.

Most important is portability and simplicity. USB options would be great, if available (just b/c of ports on front of computers).

Thanks!

There is a used m-audio usb preamp for sale in the yardsale section for $100 it would work like a charm its USB so you dont have to worry about the line in issue..

[jb3710]

maybe a Blue Snowball USB mic? <http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Microphone-Snowball-Bundle/dp/B000EOPQ7E/ref=pd_ys_qtk_rvi_title/103-6092525-8073457>

[oscoastierob]

maybe a Blue Snowball USB mic? <http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Microphone-Snowball-Bundle/dp/B000EOPQ7E/ref=pd_ys_qtk_rvi_title/103-6092525-8073457>

I've got a small m-audio preamp for sale that would be perfect for this application..  it's brand new.. I only used it 3 times, recording jam band concerts with my laptop was a little to sketchy, too stressful worrying about whether my laptop was going to be ok.. I paid $160 for it, but I've got it for sale for $100 (includes shipping), I figure it's better someone get a deal than to sit around my house collecting dust. It has 2 XLR, 2 Low-Z, and 1 stereo mic input. Also has 48V phantom power, though I doubt you'd need that for this application..