Hi - I would really like to be able to do some narration in my Videowave productions, however, it doesn't appear that my computer has a mic jack (it is hard for me to believe, but I haven't found one). Anyway, I did some research on the web and found this Logitech USB mic. I was wondering if anyone had one and if it would work with EMC9 and suit my needs. It sounds great from the reviews. Does anyone know anything about it??? Thanks in advance, as always!!

Rachel

Are you sure that you don't have a mic jack on your sound card? What jacks do you have on it?

Aside: Tell your husband to get you that new computer. You need it for your video editing.

Rachel, can you tell me exactly what type of comuter you have? Brand name and number? I also find it hard to believe that it doesn't have a mic in the front or the back.
I've not tried a USB mic but I'm sure it works. How good it works might be the real question.

LOL. The computer might be put on hold. I found out for my birthday that he is getting me a Nintendo Wii - I am addicted to Guitar Hero!! We are also having some difficulty coming up with the funds for the PC - he is getting off EASY with the Wii!!

Rachel

I agree, but I just don't see a jack. I see a headphone jack on the front but nothing for a mic. Even my first computer - Gateway with Windows 95 had a mic jack!!

I have a Dell Dimension E310. I have tried looking on the web to find out, with no success.

Thanks Boys (Bruce and Paul) - You are my heroes!!

Rachel

Ok, so I am SOOOOOOOOOOO Stupid!! I will admit it!! I thought the jack would be on the front - well it is on the back! YIKES!! Ok, next question, what mic should I get??? Thanks Guys!!

Rachel

The sound card jacks will be on the back of the computer.

Rachel, from what I can tell, the E310 should have a mic on the back. Do you see a pic input as shown below?
Click to view attachment

Looks like you beat me to it.

Yeah, I feel real dumb about that one!! Anyhow, I found the same mic from before but instead of the USB it has a regular mic jack. Here it is. I have no idea of what mic to get. I just want something that hooks up and then works!! Thanks.

Rachel

Hi Rachel: I have been using a USB mic for adding narrations to my Videowave productions for a long time now and it works great. The only thing that I had to do was to test out how load I had to talk and where to place the mic in front of my mouth, then set the volume control for the mic to where it sounded good. The USB mic I have also has a pair of ear phones and has a volume control on the mike cable.

Have fun now with your productions.

Frank...

Thanks Frank. Would you mind sending me a link to the one you purchased? I really don't need anything too fancy. Just something to record voices! Did you have to install any special software??

Rachel

Actuall Rachel, after I posted my reply I looked in my goodie box at all the mics I have and found 5 of them. The one that has the volume control in the cable and the headset earphones is a Logitec. The setup installation I got with it does not show a model number but just says "Logitec Internet Chat Headset". I bought it at the "Target" store in my town and it was not expensive at all. However, I was wrong about it being a USB mic. It has two mini 1/8" plugs (one for the mic and the other for the speaker) The other one that is a USB, is a "Nady" and was pretty expensive. I did a quick search for it on the internet and came up with this:


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nad...hone?sku=272015

I didn't pay nearly that much for mine but it looks like the same one. I bought it at a computer swap meet, so it was about half that price as I remember. The other mics I have also have the mini 1/8" plug on the end of the cable but are just a mic and no other head phone or controls. My suggestion is to get the one that I got from Target, as it works great with the volume control and headset. Your computer has both a port for the mic and one for the speaker, so it should work O.K. with the computer you have.

Frank...

It looks like I should go shopping at your house!! Anyway, I have been researching mics and found this one at Newegg. Reviews are all positive and for the price I don't think I can go wrong. I don't really need anything fancy. I looked into the one you suggested from Target, but they don't sell it in the stores. I also don't need the headset. Thanks for your help. I think I am going to go purchase it now. Thanks for everyone's help - as always!!!

Rachel

Yeah, that one should do the job Rachel. (Newegg) Like I mentioned before you w8ill probably have to do some expermenting to see just what you need to set the volume control for the mic and then based on how you set that as to how far from your mouth you will have to be to get what you want with that vol. control setting. BTW, make sure you don't have the mic "muted" in the setting on your computer. Have fun with your narrations.

Another thing you probably should be aware of is when you record a narration---Where the file is stored and the weird file names they give each recorded narration. Then if you decide to edit that same narration or make another one of the same speech, it will have another file name that is totally different. So be aware of these differences as trying to keep them all in respect to how you want them placed in your Videowave production is sometimes a challange---LOL

Frank...

Thanks for the tips Frank! I can't wait. I created this really cute Videowave production of my daughter (she is 4). She loves the Disney princesses, so I made the production like a book with her head on Cinderella's body. It is a montage of her life starting from birth on up. Each page turn is a different facet of her life including pictures ( for instance - birth, with family, friends, her sister - my 2 year old). I made it to be like a fairytale. It is hard to explain - you'd have to see it. Anyway, for each page turn, there are a few words to introduce that section and since she can't read, I want to narrate those pages.

BTW - I used photosuite to create cut outs from pictures of the princesses and then put the heads of people in our family on them - It came out spectacular. Photosuite is now another one of my favorite applications in EMC9. I am in love with this software!!

Rachel

Wow, looks like you are really enjoying all of the different programs that Roxio has to offer. It's so nice to hear that your EMC 9 is working so well too. I'm sure your production of your daughter will turn out perfect and you will be extremely proud of the fact the you produced it and made it all happen. Any time you have any problems with your EMC program, this forum is without a doubt the best place you can come for help. There are many extremely knowledgeable persons that frequent the roxio forum and there aren't very many EMC program problems that users have that can't be solved from the great wealth of knowledge available.

Good luck on your work

Frank...

I have had my share of problems with EMC9 including the need to do a clean install, but one of the very kind users here walked me through it on the phone. Everyone on here is so nice and I hope that I can offer help to anyone in need like I have received. It is all about "paying it forward". Thanks again, Frank!!

Rachel

You're very welcome Rachel A long time ago, that's how I got my start and problems solved by getting on the forum and asking all kinds of questions.

Cheers
Frank...