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Recording own audio book

kah144	Date: January 12, 2004 @ 5:14 PM I want to record a book with my own voice (since an audio book with this particular book is not available). Questions: 1. I have acid pro 4.0 (just got, just starting to play with). Can I do with this software, or is there something better/easier? 2. I also have recorded some of the chapters on cassette tape, and would like to convert to mp3 to put on one cd. The software you recommended in Question #1 will do this also? 3. I was attempting to start to record my voice with acid pro. I plugged in a cheapy mic into the mic hole in the back of the computer. It recorded, but didn't replay loud enough. I went into my Windows XP sound adjustment area and increased "line in" and "microphone", and it seemed to help, but still not quite loud enough. Is this a sound card problem, or am I missing something. I just have the sound card that came with the computer (on the motherboard(?)) I did see where you can increase the volume after recording on acid pro a little, and it did, but it still didn't seem loud enough. 4. With the cheapy mic, I am getting a lot of "pops" in the recording. How do I remove? TIA Kevin
Arthen	Date: January 12, 2004 @ 11:09 PM Well thing is if you want decent quality recording throw the cheap mike and get a good one. This has been voiced around here for quite some time; if you use cheap gear you'll get cheap results. Get maybe a Behringer B1 at least, or you could look at Studio Projects C1 microphone. Also, get a mic preamp. The preamp need not be that great, maybe a cheap Behringer Eurorack model will do the trick for you. I use that preamp and it works very fine enough for me. Software-wise I strongly recommend Wavelab for recording. Oh yeah, and get a pop filter. It's one of those you see like a circular net (either soft 'stocking' material or steel) placed in front of the mic like you see in those studio pictures. Get a good one. You'll be pleased with the quality results with proper gear.
Autophage	Date: January 13, 2004 @ 12:04 AM Even a really cheap mic (like a $20 radio shack one) will sound infinitely better than your computer mic. Not saying that's the way to go, just that the improvement is more than you might think. I also second the pop filter and preamp suggestions. However a pop filter can be made simply out of a coat hanger and pantyhose; I've tried much nicer ones, and they never had any significant sound improvement in my opinion.
Apertome	Date: January 13, 2004 @ 11:58 AM I have to echo the other comments saying you need a better mic. You don't necessarily need an awesome one, but the one you have is obviously problematic. What I would recommend is a cheap directional mic. I got one like this for $20 at Best Buy, and I don't use it for recording anymore, but it did a decent job when I did. The advantage is that background noise isn't going to be much of a problem, since it's directional. No, it won't sound as good as a condenser mic, but it'll make recording much easier. You don't really need a preamp for a mic like this. It should go straight into the line in on your computer (1/8"). As for software, use what you're comfortable with. Wavelab is a good piece of software, but it's expensive ($450 or so I think). If you already have Acid, mess around with it and see if it'll do what you want. Personally I'm a big fan of Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition) -- look into Cool Edit Pro 2.0 or Audition 1.0 (they are fundamentally the same). Whatever software you use should allow you to transfer from cassette. You'll probably need an RCA to 1/8" cable to do it. I'd guess the pops are coming from your crappy mic, or it could be your integrated sound card. You'll know which it is when you try a better mic. Consumer sound cards are cheap, though something like an M-Audio card will give you better results. It just depends on your budget.
JByron	Date: January 13, 2004 @ 12:28 PM I assume this is your own book, a public domain book, or you have permission to do it? You can't record and distribute someone else's book without permission anymore than you can record someone else's music without permission. (Exception: compulsory license for previously recorded songs.)
figfarmer	Date: January 13, 2004 @ 1:18 PM Sounds like quite a project. 8 bit mono would be good enough to record at. I don't know if one can record as an mp3 or if you have to start as a wav. Look into the smallest format you can record into and make sure you have huge amounts of space on your HDD. Use professional equipment. Good luck.
figfarmer	Date: January 13, 2004 @ 1:21 PM Just as I posted I had a thought. I don't know what country you are in, but wherever, your national institute for the blind already has the equipment, and if the book isn't on tape would likely set you in a booth and tell you to start recording whenever you're ready.
kah144	Date: January 14, 2004 @ 4:38 PM Thanks for all the responses. This is not my own book, but it does happen to be public domain. Regardless, I never said I was distributing it, it is only for my personal use....I just like listening in addition to reading. This book, and any other I would record, are metaphysical books that I would read and listen to over and over.
kah144	Date: January 14, 2004 @ 4:39 PM Would a cheap mic be the reason the volume doesn't seem to be loud enough when I record? Or would it be something else?

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