Video help?

[vom_marlowe]

I'm trying to help my mom record a video for YouTube.  We've been using my little Canon Powershot, but the sound quality is horrible.  She ends up with a lisp.  The visual is fine.

Is there any way I can record audio in a better quality format? 

I have a small headset, for instance, with a microphone.  I have a good fast laptop, so I could try using its microphone.  Anyone have ideas or suggestions?

I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium.  I'm OK with spending a bit of money (say twenty dollars) but not a whole lot (not more than a hundred). 

Comments

[yhlee]

I've heard good things of Audacity, which is free. You probably want to use a separate microphone is what I hear.

If you're willing to spend more on sound tools, you can probably find a de-esser (search for it under that name) as an effects plug-in for your audio software. I know real audio people can do stuff to reduce static, but I don't personally know how to do it.

If you end up with a file that's almost there but needs a little help, you're welcome to send it to me and I can have a look. I have Logic (DAW), which has a whole bunch of pro audio effects, and between it and the manuals I might be able to clean it up a little.

[yhlee]

Also--if you're spending money and really want the sound quality better, I advise putting it into a better microphone (built-in ones, especially in laptops, tend to suck). Microphones can get hideously expensive but you can probably get a reasonable condenser microphone (which I think someone told me is what you want for voice work) for ~$100. It's probably worth reading up on voice recording techniques (pop screens to deal with plosives and sibiliants, etc.).

[vom_marlowe]

Aha!

I will definitely do that. I'm thinking that I'll read up on audio quality and microphones and get a new standalone mike. The sound is more important than the picture in this case.

Thank you so much!!

[yhlee]

No problem! If you have more questions, ask--I don't know a whole lot about this, but one of my friends is a filker who does recordings and might have some advice, if you're okay with me passing along questions.

[vom_marlowe]

Sure, that would be great! I'll do some reading and try some things out tomorrow. It looks like hooking up a microphone to the laptop's webcam (surprisingly good pic quality, I was shocked) is going to work well. I will be looking into the best microphones tomorrow.