619 wrote: I've just bought a Sony Condenser Mic.

I've been trying to record vocals by connecting the mic directly to the mic port on my computer. This works, although I'm getting static in the background through the recording.

I'm pretty sure this is due to the connection to the computer being of low quality, although I'm completely new to this, and just guessing that is the case.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this, and what I should do to reduce the the static? (I'm not really adversed to just replacing all related components in the computer, and upgrading them to a higher standard, but I'd rather be sure that will achive something first. :P )

Thanks for any advice in advance :)

You have definitely diagnosed the problem.

You need to get a better soundcard.

Question, so that others may better assist you: What are your goals? Hobbyist, Serious hobbyist, Professional-in-training?

The answer will determine what would serve you best in the way of equipment.

A Sony condenser microphone, is a good thing. But, I'll bet you have to put a battery in that microphone? And then you plug your microphone in with that little 1/8" dohickey thingy into your sound card microphone input? Right?

My dear 619, that is your problem with the static. The nasty computer sound card microphone input already has a small DC voltage on the connector so as to be able to power those cheap and nasty computer multimedia microphone's. There is no battery required for those things as they suck their power out (and really do, you know?) of the computer sound card. That voltage will usually make with terrible intermittent static for you with a decent conventional microphone such as you purchased.

That is why most of us here recommend some of the other decent entry-level, mostly USB and/or FireWire external devices, instead of those awful nasty sounding on board or crappy plug-in sound cards. Those better devices are generally much more compatible with the kinds of microphone's like you just purchased. There is a whole lot of stuff out there that range in price from $59-$59000 and so you have lots of decisions to make.

So you have come to the right place and are welcomed here with open hands, I mean arms!
Ms. Remy Ann David

RemyRAD wrote: A Sony condenser microphone, is a good thing. But, I'll bet you have to put a battery in that microphone? And then you plug your microphone in with that little 1/8" dohickey thingy into your sound card microphone input? Right?

My dear 619, that is your problem with the static. The nasty computer sound card microphone input already has a small DC voltage on the connector so as to be able to power those cheap and nasty computer multimedia microphone's. There is no battery required for those things as they suck their power out (and really do, you know?) of the computer sound card. That voltage will usually make with terrible intermittent static for you with a decent conventional microphone such as you purchased.

That is why most of us here recommend some of the other decent entry-level, mostly USB and/or FireWire external devices, instead of those awful nasty sounding on board or crappy plug-in sound cards. Those better devices are generally much more compatible with the kinds of microphone's like you just purchased. There is a whole lot of stuff out there that range in price from $59-$59000 and so you have lots of decisions to make.

So you have come to the right place and are welcomed here with open hands, I mean arms!
Ms. Remy Ann David

Everyone here seems so nice! :mrgreen:

Thanks for the advice.

In reply to MadTiger3000: I think I'd consider myself somewhere between Serious Hobbyist and Professional in Training...I'm very new to this, although once I gain more experince I would like to produce a professional end product, and so I think I'm probably looking for high quality equipment, opposed to something very cheap. (I taught myself CGI, and so I'm quite confident I should be able to do well with recording also...eventually. :P )

Relating to RemyRAD's post, could anyone reccomend a good USB connecting device I could use to record through?

*feels afraid I'm using all the wrong terminology* ;)

619 wrote: [quote=RemyRAD]A Sony condenser microphone, is a good thing. But, I'll bet you have to put a battery in that microphone? And then you plug your microphone in with that little 1/8" dohickey thingy into your sound card microphone input? Right?

My dear 619, that is your problem with the static. The nasty computer sound card microphone input already has a small DC voltage on the connector so as to be able to power those cheap and nasty computer multimedia microphone's. There is no battery required for those things as they suck their power out (and really do, you know?) of the computer sound card. That voltage will usually make with terrible intermittent static for you with a decent conventional microphone such as you purchased.

That is why most of us here recommend some of the other decent entry-level, mostly USB and/or FireWire external devices, instead of those awful nasty sounding on board or crappy plug-in sound cards. Those better devices are generally much more compatible with the kinds of microphone's like you just purchased. There is a whole lot of stuff out there that range in price from $59-$59000 and so you have lots of decisions to make.

So you have come to the right place and are welcomed here with open hands, I mean arms!
Ms. Remy Ann David

Everyone here seems so nice! :mrgreen:

Thanks for the advice.

In reply to MadTiger3000: I think I'd consider myself somewhere between Serious Hobbyist and Professional in Training...I'm very new to this, although once I gain more experince I would like to produce a professional end product, and so I think I'm probably looking for high quality equipment, opposed to something very cheap. (I taught myself CGI, and so I'm quite confident I should be able to do well with recording also...eventually. :P )

Relating to RemyRAD's post, could anyone reccomend a good USB connecting device I could use to record through?

*feels afraid I'm using all the wrong terminology* ;)

Based on your responses, the next step up for you (it's a small step in price, but a better sound situation) is the Tascam US-122.

Google it, and you will see that it is a simple solution for you that won't break your wallet.