I need to record voiceovers and create marketing videos on my Windows 10 laptop - best cheap configuration??

[stuff_it]

Hi, like the title says, what's the best and cheapest way to go about this?

Best software, should I get a USB mic, or a USB audio interface and a normal mic, or are there any times when the built-in laptop mic or my mid-range Android phone will do for recording quality? If so where can I buy, beg or borrow a half decent mic from? In normal times I would hire one if I needed quality that exceeded my budget, but no idea if sound hire places would even be operating.

Software needs to be free or at least sensibly priced. I will need to present these videos in online conferencing calls, and upload them to YouTube, and they will need to include PowerPoint presentations or other stuff from my screen like software demos. My boss seems to think WebEx is what we need for recording and presenting, but I think maybe it's actually expensive, restrictive, and more for sharing the video rather than making it in the first place.

Are there any tips and tricks to getting a good quality voice recording?

We tried doing one using the built-in mic on my ThinkPad and the built-in recording option in PowerPoint and it wasn't really professional enough.

Thanks for any help and advice.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Blue - Snowball

Blue offers premium USB and XLR microphones, and audiophile headphones for recording, podcasting, gaming, streaming, YouTube, and more.

www.blue-designs.co.uk

 

[stuff_it]

Blue - Snowball

Blue offers premium USB and XLR microphones, and audiophile headphones for recording, podcasting, gaming, streaming, YouTube, and more.

www.blue-designs.co.uk

I was hoping to spend less, but I've seen these suggested a few places. Have you got personal experience with these mics?

 

[a_chap]

Lots of useful info here:

Podcast Insights® • How To Start, Grow & Monetize A Podcast

Welcome to the #1 podcasting resource. Find the best podcasting gear, tips, reviews, and more here at Podcast Insights. Enjoy!

www.podcastinsights.com

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I was hoping to spend less, but I've seen these suggested a few places. Have you got personal experience with these mics?

I’ve got personal experience with most mics tbh

 

[discobastard]

Some discussion on affordable mics etc here:

Audio setups for voice - podcasting etc.

So I currently teach creative media (from an IT background) and as part of this I have been experimenting in areas in which I don't usually venture. Although I worked for a long while in place that specialised in teaching music and sound engineering I ran tech support and taught web...

www.urban75.net

 

[discobastard]

Also. Looks like you can record screen in Win 10 with the Xbox application and also record voice on it. Just opened it up and seems like a legit solution. Edit together with Video Editor app. I've not used these but all apps seem to be available as part of Win 10 for free,

 

[stuff_it]

Some discussion on affordable mics etc here:

Audio setups for voice - podcasting etc.

So I currently teach creative media (from an IT background) and as part of this I have been experimenting in areas in which I don't usually venture. Although I worked for a long while in place that specialised in teaching music and sound engineering I ran tech support and taught web...

www.urban75.net

I was looking at this mic, which can be got for as little as £51 eslewhere...

CITRONIC CCU2 USB STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONE - 173.626UK

CITRONIC CCU2 USB STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONE Cardioid USB studio condenser microphone with a gold sputtered diaphragm housed in a precision

gavshop.co.uk

 

[stuff_it]

Also. Looks like you can record screen in Win 10 with the Xbox application and also record voice on it. Just opened it up and seems like a legit solution. Edit together with Video Editor app. I've not used these but all apps seem to be available as part of Win 10 for free,

I've also been trying to work out whether it's worth paying for something like Filmora, given the amount of extras you get WRT libraries of graphics, audio, etc.

We will potentially be wanting to produce professional looking marketing videos at least once or twice a month.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I was looking at this mic, which can be got for as little as £51 eslewhere...

CITRONIC CCU2 USB STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONE - 173.626UK

CITRONIC CCU2 USB STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONE Cardioid USB studio condenser microphone with a gold sputtered diaphragm housed in a precision

gavshop.co.uk

The £25 you save over something like the Blue mic will then have to be spent on a stand and a pop shield.

 

[stuff_it]

The £25 you save over something like the Blue mic will then have to be spent on a stand and a pop shield.

I've managed to get a Blue Snowball ICE used from CEX for £43.50 incl postage. Even better, my boss is going to reimburse it.

 

[xenon]

I got a Samsung Meteor usb mic. It's really good for the money and looks cool FWIW. Like a little droid.

 

[xenon]

Samson Meteor

R2D2 meets podcasting! Matt Houghton investigates...

www.soundonsound.com

The thing mentioned about it not receiving audio from the PC so you can listen on headphones isn't true, at least now. I'm using it right now as have a Zoom meeting in a bit.