I've been tempted to do audio recordings of my upcoming solo Masks of Nyarlathotep campaign (yeah, I know, crazy idea to try it solo) but just looking at the varieties of microphones is a bit mind boggling. I have to admit to knowing nothing about recordings and I'm finding the whole thing quite daunting. Its amazing how quickly enthusiasm can evaporate when confronted by the logistics of the operation. I've read what the Silver Lodge over at Yog-Sothoth use but I still find myself a little perplexed.
Ever done recordings of your own? What did you use? How did it work out?
I've done a few, though only one lot have gone out in public. I just used a voice recorder (Olympus VN-8600PC) put down somewhere handy. It means only one audio channel, so you can't do flash things with mixing or easily clear up noise, but it's easy. Some of our group do podcasts, but I can't see them wanting the faff of using a proper recording setup when we're trying to chill out with a game - you can't easily lounge on comfy chairs that way. The recorder was about £70. It's sort of phone-sized, so it's pretty convenient.
ReplyDeleteI edit in Audacity, mostly cutting out long silences and loud noises. In our case, the main things that cause problems for us are traffic noise from outside, kettles boiling and food or cutlery. You can't do much about them, so avoiding them at the outset really is the best option.
I've also used a like recorder, the Olympus VN-8100PC. You have to check the general distance, but it works well and you can transfer the mp3 recordings easily to a PC for editing if you want.
ReplyDeleteAhh, wow, I never would've thought to just go with a voice recorder rather than a straight up microphone set up.
DeleteMikes are great if it fits into what you're doing - especially with a few people and a mixing deck. You can individually adjust people's volume, and even sometimes disentangle people talking over each other, or sneezing at the wrong moment. I found we got used to mikes pretty quickly for conversational podcasting. But it seems like a poor fit for gaming, at least how we do it - maybe a strictly round-the-table group would find it easier.
DeleteThe other thing is mikes bring their own problems, like breathing or eating into the mike, knocking the mike, and especially popping, which need editing as well.
Ooh, good points on all of that. So I just need something that records a room clearly enough.
DeleteShannon,
ReplyDeleteAre you thinking about using it for a live play podcast then?
David S.
Minnesota USA
Well not "live" but, yeah. Still not sure why I want to as I hate the sound of my recorded voice but for some reason I'm pretty keen.
DeleteYou are probably the *only* person you know who doesn't like your voice!
DeleteI look forward to hearing your experiment in gaming recording...and I assume your blogging about the experience.
I don't know anyone who likes the sound of their own recorded voice. Our voices sound so different to our own ears. I guess its that whole 'hearing the vibrations in our own skull AS WELL' that means our own understanding of our voice and the recorded version never match up.
DeleteI always feel like my recorded voice sounds like I have a stuffy nose. Yeah, I know ... way to encourage people to listen to it!