AKICILJ, especially when it comes to microphones

[ceemage]

OK, I have been tasked with going away to procure some audio kit for my accountancy body's regional exec. (I am the "Website and New Media Co-ordinator," so it does fall within my remit.) However, I am a complete clueless n00b when it comes to things like microphones and audio generally.

We have evening seminars from various guest speakers about half a dozen times a year. General format is probably not that far removed from a panel session at a typical science fiction convention, but with Powerpoint as the norm rather than the exception. What we want to do is record the speakers (with their permission, of course), and then make the recording available as an MP3 on the web-site for people who couldn't make it in person to download.

Given that our guest speakers won't necessarily be paying much attention to the microphone, is there a particular type of microphone I need? Come to that, what different types of microphone are there? Will I be able to pick up audience questions as well? (Not essential, but a nice-to-have.) Will a normal-looking microphone be adequate, or do I need one of those things you sometimes see on TV that looks like a womble's todger?

I would like to record directly on to my laptop, which has both USB and a 3.5mm microphone jack. Are either of these useable? Or do I need a USB mixer of some kind? Is a hardware mixer pointless if I only have one microphone?

My initial budget is £500. Is this excessive, or not enough?

Am I basically over-egging the pudding, in that there's little point trying to maintain audio quality in the recording process, given the final format will be mono MP3 anyway?

All comments/queries/feedback welcome.

Comments

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

I dont have anything to suggest wrt to the recording though I do have a plea for the whole thing to be done at the same sound level.

I'd consider using some Flash - or possibly video editing software so that you can combine the Powerpoint presentation with the MP3. I can dig up some example presentations if you like.

[ceemage.livejournal.com]

Certainly worth considering incorporating the Powerpoint presentations as well.

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

As someone who views a lot of homegrown material as part of the Delta Film Award, sound clarity is really important. Fuzzy sound is often more irritating than low-res images.

[ceemage.livejournal.com]

I agree - and that was exactly the trade-off we used for the LXtra webcasting at Eastercon.

I need to catch up with you separately if there are any plans for Novacon.

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

None I'm aware of. I have a TAFF item on the Saturday, but there's nothing scheduled for online transmission I'm aware of.

[chuckconnor.livejournal.com]

Okay, old radio comms git here (also multi-media specialist when ADC were doing audio recordings, so I have some experience here.)

First off - bluetooth or wi-fi boom mic headsets or spiderlegs. Forget about recording in stereo - hell, even do it in 8-bit mono - as that is so simple to edit and control (and also simple enough to fake stereo out of if needs be.)

Also, why not bag the whole presentation up as an AVI file? You might be able to export the presentation graphics into a video format (and flash is so crap on quality you might as well not bother with the junk.)

Will drop you an e-amil with a contact number on it tonight - give me a ring tomorrow before 3pm if you want to discuss this in real time comms.

[ceemage.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'll be in touch.