Laptop Mic won't pick up low notes

[lonestarwings]

Hi,

I apologize if this is a common question, but I could not answer my question with a search, and I did read the FAQ.

I'm trying to record by using direct input from my bass to my laptop's microphone. The problem is, on any note from about open A and below, the mic hardly picks anything up. These notes are about 1/4 as loud as the higher ones and the waveforms in audacity are about 1/8 as tall. I assume this is because the microphone has a limited low end frequency response.

My drummer has a presonus firepod and when I connect it to my laptop via firewire it records my bass just fine on all notes via direct input.

How can I solve this problem? Do I need to buy some kind of signal processor like the firepod? I believe those cost 3 or 4 hundred, is there an inexpensive alternative?

[toobalicious]

using the onboard mic or plugging into the "mic" input? i am not at all surprised that the onboard mic would be hella limited in the low end, but it seems like the jack would pass full-spectrum. keep in mind that the mic element in a typical laptop probably cost about $0.05--- not exactly what i would call hi-fi.

[fenderhutz]

Laptop mics are meant for voice applications only.

Buy an external mic or just get a Line 6 toneport to record.

[toobalicious]

there are always cheap options such as this, too.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...102?sku=241228


i dont know how good or bad it might be, but it has to be infinitely better than the onboard mic, and probably leaps and bounds better than plugging into the soundcard (mic input) due to more properly matched impedences.

[fenderhutz]

For 10 dollars more, get one of these. 49.99

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ace?sku=241406



I use one for all of my recordings at www.tellhazelrun.com for all of the instruments you hear.

[Nyarlathotep]

If you're willing to spend about 100$, I suggest getting a Samson C01U. Its a condenser mic thats powered via USB. I've got one and its awesome



http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...fm?prodID=1810
http://www.zzounds.com/item--SAMC01U

If the 99.95 dealio is the same as the package I got, it has a small desktop tripod included

[fivestringgecko]

+1 to Fenderhutz... built in laptop mics are really built for very basic voice applications, like webchat stuff.

I use a Toneport UX1 and absolutely love it. The included Gearbox software is great... It's easy to use, there are a bunch of pretty usable stompbox models, you can pick amps/cab models (the basic bundle comes with 5 of each for bass, but there's an add on pack with LOTS more), there are 4 mic models which you can "position" closer or further away from the virtual cabinet... on and on.

Not only does it have mic/instrument inputs, it's got line ins as well... with the small mixer I have hooked up to it, I've got a drum machine and keyboard running through it as well.

They're currently $89.99 at Musician's Friend. If you just need ONE input, the Toneport GX would work fine and still comes with Gearbox. (+1 to Fenderhutz again )

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ace?sku=249700


Highly recommended!

5sg.

[lonestarwings]

Originally Posted by toobalicious

using the onboard mic or plugging into the "mic" input? i am not at all surprised that the onboard mic would be hella limited in the low end, but it seems like the jack would pass full-spectrum. keep in mind that the mic element in a typical laptop probably cost about $0.05--- not exactly what i would call hi-fi.

Yeah, I was actually going direct input into the mic jack using a 1/4" to 1/8" convertor and plugging the instrument cable straight into the microphone input. So I guess I mis-titled this thread to an extent.

Here are some audio sample to illustrate:

This is micing my cabinet with a sennheiser mic and the firepod: http://media.putfile.com/uhhuh-57


This is direct input to my laptop's soundcard (mic jack): http://media.putfile.com/uhhuhdirect



I will scope out all the products you guys have listed for me. The mics and firepod belong to my drummer so I'm trying to get something setup on my own. Thanks, I really appreciate the help!