Recording Sound Effects

Cajiggers

I have a couple hit based sounds I need to capture, but I don't know anything really about recording sound professionally. This will become a regular thing.

What kind of gear would I need? What's the best type of microphone for capturing sounds? I don't plan on recording ambient sounds.

EggyToast

Do you have any gear now? What would you be recording into? What's your budget?

Cajiggers

I have 0 gear. Don't know what I'm recording into, but I need to get these files onto a computer.


I have three possible budgets:


Budget A) $200


Budget $500


Budget C) $1500

proXimity

"Hit" based? what exactly do you mean by that. Are you going to be working out in the field, or are you going to be working in something like a studio? First thing I recommend is to read this book, http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932907483/ , there are specific parts about recording "hits" and equipment

Cajiggers

proXimity wrote: »

"Hit" based? what exactly do you mean by that. Are you going to be working out in the field, or are you going to be working in something like a studio?

In a "studio".

Hit based meaning the sounds are basically short one shot sounds created by manipulation of an object against other objects or surfaces in a way that produces temporary sound waves, not looping or ambient type environment noises.

proXimity

If you have a laptop already that you can use, you're already part of the way there, but the $16 on that book I make will be the most effective money you can spend.

EggyToast

For hits that are percussive, you generally want to use a cardioid or hypercardioid dynamic microphone (unless you're on a set and need to really isolate things, in which case putting a directional mic on a boom or using a shotgun mic is better). For a studio use, you can get away with using a wider variety of microphones simply because you have more control over ambient noise.

If you're just getting started, you could do a lot worse getting something like a Blue Ball Yeti. A condenser is more sensitive so you wouldn't need to have the microphone very close to the sound, which would save you money and headache on running cable, getting mic stands, etc. You also won't need to worry about preamps and getting the stuff into your computer.

Cajiggers

Our studio is really more of a quiet room with no air circulation, so its not really a professional studio.

Would a shotgun mic be better in such a case? Also what if we have to go outside to get sound effects off a car and stuff?

proXimity

For rigging up the studio, see if you can find some cheap acoustic panels (or even just hang moving blankets on the walls) to put on the walls... it'll cut down massively on bad reverberations and standing waves.

If you want to record outdoors, you're probably going to want a shotgun mic, a good, inexpensive one is the Rode NTG-1, along with a mount (either pistol grip or boom) and a deadcat (super fuzzy windshield). Just be aware that while shotgun mics have excellent side noise-rejection, they do have a small area in back of them where they pick up noise.

What is the difference between your three budgets?

Also, do you have a recording interface, aka something with a phantom powered XLR plug?

EggyToast

He says he has no recording interface or anything else, just a computer.

And I agree with proX about shotguns -- they're great at what they do but that's not necessarily what you want to do. A shotgun is ideal if you have someone there to hold the mic and point it at the sound source.

As for going outside, this is one reason why it might be good to start with a somewhat general purpose mic like one of Blue's USB mics, simply because they're pretty versatile and you can get started without having to drop a lot of money (and learn a lot of tech) on a mic, cables, interface, preamps, and so on.

Cajiggers

So a hypercardioid polar pattern would be what I'm looking for in a USB mic for sound effects?

Vortigern

There's no one answer for every situation in recording. The book everyone is suggesting is a great starting point. They even discuss recording kits for gathering sound on varying levels of cost.

For a good basic "indoors" mic, a dynamic mic with multiple pickup patterns would be your best bet, but if you're going USB without a separate interface, there's almost always someone talking about the Blue mics. Spend a bit of time and money and rent a bunch of different mics is my personal recommendation. Depending on the sound, the room, and a bunch of other factors you'll find some hardware that you prefer over others just cause it fits how you work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone has good pics of mic polar patterns. They're pretty self-explanatory.

NotYou

Sound insulation can be cheaply done with empty egg containers like you buy in a grocery store.

You ideally don't want a computer near the mic because they make hums.

Pro Tools is the most popular professional level sound software.

For mics, I suggest you just go look through reviews.

Vortigern

Egg containers don't do jack. That's just a time waster. You can make DIY acoustic traps with rockwool, some foamboard and the like. There are some decent articles online on how. Don't waste yout time on egg crates though.

ProTools is the industry standard, but there are easier packages to use if you want quicker results. The best package is the one that gives you as much power as you need. Wanna use the very best plugins? ProTools. Don't want to alter your original recordings? Audacity. For just playing with recorded clips and not mixing, I'd say use Soundforge. It has a nice suite of plugins, is relatively easy to use and fairly affordable. Sony also offers a demo package of it.

The OP states he doesn't have an initial grounding in the tech right now, so reviews won't do him much good since he doesn't have a baseline of the mics in his price range anyhow.