To start, you'll need a microphone and a way to connect it to your recording device, whether it's a computer, an audio interface, or a portable recorder. Recording for an audition or recital requires a setup that focuses on capturing clear sound.
Begin by attaching the microphone to a mic stand, ensuring it's at the right height for your instrument. It's important to position your microphone(s) to capture the full range of your/your instrument's sound.
Next, connect the microphone to your recording device using the appropriate cable. The most common microphone cable connection is 3-pin XLR (often simply called an XLR cable). Certain microphones may instead use a USB cable connection. Once connected, check that your recording device recognizes the microphone and is ready to capture audio. Remember to do a quick sound check before recording to ensure the microphone is picking up the sound clearly and without distortion.
Not all microphones include cables, it is best to verify with Music Library staff or ask for further assistance if needed.
A microphone is a device that captures sound and converts it into an electrical signal, while an audio recorder is a device that records and stores audio in a digital format directly onto the recording device.
Most microphones cannot convert the signal to digital or store data on its own. Microphones will require a system to be plugged into (most often a computer), whereas a portable audio recorder has microphones built into the device itself. Portable audio recorders often have small speakers and/or include a headphone port for immediate playback, and may need a separate storage/memory card to record.
USB mics are a popular choice for podcasting and connect directly to your computer. If your podcast will feature multiple participants and you would like to record each person with own microphone, you will need an audio interface or a mixer.
An audio interface will include higher-quality sound components to allow the computer to properly connect to the microphone. Both audio interfaces and mixers allow for the connection of XLR microphones. Mixers generally have a higher number of separate channels than audio interfaces.
Here is some information about the different types of microphones available at the Music Library.
Note: XLR-connected microphones should plug into an audio interface or a mixer before connecting to a computer.
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