Headset recommendations?

[paulus_kieviet]

I am new to HearThis and have very little experience with audio recordings. I am going to set up HearThis remotely for someone in another country. I think it will be easiest for her to work with a wired headset (3.5 mm), not having to set up a separate microphone. So I am looking for a decent on-ear or over-ear headset with a good microphone - if possible, one that minimizes picking up background noises. The audio quality of the headphones doesnꞌt have to be super good, the microphone is more important.
Are there any recommendations - any one that worked well for you, or any brand you would recommend, or avoid?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Paulus

[tom_bogle]

I am not the best person to provide insight into specific hardware. But here are a couple pointers that you might find helpful. First, if you are going to recommend a headset that she can buy locally, then it would be best to try to find someone in that context who has experience and can make a good recommendation based on what is available at your price point. If you plan to purchase a headset and ship them to her, then you probably have more options (and maybe a harder decision). Either way, you might try reaching out to someone in IMS or FCBH for a recommendation. Jerry (who I think might be with SIL), offers one-on-one consultations. Of course, you could also just check out online product reviews. Just be sure to focus on recent reviews, since this technology changes fast. To minimize background noise, you’ll be looking for a condenser mic. You’ll probably want to specifically look for one that is ideal for speech as opposed to singing. Another major consideration is comfort, since she’ll probably be wearing the headset for long stretches of time. From what I understand, USB headsets generally offer better quality than 3.5mm connections, so you might want to consider going that route. And then, of course, you’ll need to consider your budget. It’s not necessarily 100% true that the more you spend the better device you’ll get, but it is probably true that it’s better to spend a little more for a quality headset than to have to buy three cheap headsets in a search for one that is adequate.

[paulus_kieviet]

Hi Tom,

Thank you for these helpful hints. I am indeed looking at the option of ordering online and having it shipped for here. Looking for a USB-connected headset is a helpful tip, I had seen that before but forgotten about it.

Paulus

[Yuen_Yee_Law]

Hi Paulus,

I am recently researching setup for a voice recording setup with the expandability to doing podcasts. Then I come across this mic, Shure MV7+.

Check out a review in a YouTube channel named “Scot Uhl” (I can’t post any links in the forum), titled “the ultimate travel mic with USB C & XLR”.

This is probably too high end for what you need now, but I think this review explains very well that it is portable, easy to work with computers and is expansible to work with a mixer (using XLR connection), which will be useful if you want to record multiple voice together while each voice has their own mic, through a mixer. Check out few other reviews to compare different models.

Maybe you can start from the higher end and work down to what you really need on the ground. I personally don’t recommend using mics that is designed for meetings in a room, e.g. Jabra because it picks up unwanted noises.

Alternatively, a Zoom H2n is a good start to be used as a mic connecting to a computer. It is also very portable and can be used as a recorder in the field. It doesn’t capture noises as much as the H4n.

However, I am now having Shure SM58 with a Yamaha AG06MK2 in my list to buy for my team.

Yamaha AGP6MK2 is a USB mixer.

I have also used BOYA lavelier mic (much cheaper) recording on Audacity, for zoom meetings etc. it has a dual mic version. Even though we can plug into the 3.5mm audio jack, it is more stable using an audio to USB converter because not all computers can detect the mic input correctly. And you need to select it from the audio settings. I find it hard to teach people setting it up correctly remotely. Do consider USB connections.

Anyway, I am only suggesting good mics, not headsets. Please also beware of counterfeit equipments.

Hope this helps.

[tom_bogle]

For sure, there are good non-headset mics available. One of the major advantages of a headset mic, though, is that it is much easier to ensure a consistent volume because the recordist does not have to focus so much on maintaining a steady angle and distance when speaking into the mic.

[Greg_Carlson]

I asked International Media Services what their recommendation might be. Here is what Lauren Runia said:
I’ll start off by saying that there are, of course, a lot of options for putting together a recording setup, but using a headset mic, which I recommend, does limit the options a bit. There are some considerations that will influence what options are best. One is the cost. The other is whether the recording will be done on the same computer in the same room - “studio”. The Tok Pisin Buk Baibel in PNG was recorded by an Australian organization who recorded on multiple computers, using various mics and in different room settings, and consequently the variation in the audio quality is very noticeable.

I’ll mention that if a stand held USB mic were to be used, plugging directly into the computer, there are a lot of mic options, but most of those mics pick up more room ambience, so if it’s not being recording in an actual recording studio, there would need to be blankets or mattresses put up to deaden the room sound, as well as the reader needs to keep a consistent distance from the mic and a pop-filter would also be needed as well as a mic stand.

For a very good sounding set up, we recommend getting a dedicated audio interface as opposed to going directly into the computer and using the computer’s sound card. It does cost more, but the audio quality will be clean, clear and professional sounding. Unfortunately, companies keep discontinuing good equipment and replacing it with new models, so we’ve had to keep changing things over the years. However, below is the setup that I, and many others have been using over the last few years.

Audio Interface:

This setup includes an audio interface - the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th generation. They run for around $120. I actually use a 2i2 4th generation instead of the Solo, so that I can record stereo when needed, but the Solo is perfect for single narration projects. I highly recommend the new 4th generation Scarlett, even thought the 3rd generations are cheaper. The new 4th generation Scarlett has higher gain in their preamps for lower gain mics, which really helps to get a better (louder) audio signal.

Microphone:

The microphone we’re using is the Audio Technica Pro 35 Cardioid - clip-on headset mic - with an XLR connector for plugging it into the Scarlett. The clip-on works to attach it to all the headsets I’ve used. The boom is fairly short, which actually helps to avoid popped plosives, which can occur if the mic is too close to the front of the mouth. This mic sells for $149

So, this setup not including headphones is $270.

Headphones:

If they don’t have headphones and are looking for a good pair that are comfortable - for hours of recording, and reasonably priced, I would recommend the Sony 7506 headphones. I, and many others have been using these for years. The price on these has actually gone down, so you can now get them for $83.

This is a great setup with professional sound and its easy to use. I realize that it is a bit of an investment, but considering how much has been invested in a NT translation and the audio recording most likely being one of the main distribution platforms, I think it’s worth the investment. I just got a translator who is recording a NT from PNG set up with this equipment and he is very happy with it. He’s sent me some samples of his recordings and they sound great.

Let me know if there are questions about any of this.

Blessings,
Lauren
…………………………………
Lauren & Connie Runia
International Media Services
Training / Production
SIL International

[beenkhoorn]

We have used a Shure X2U XLR-USB adapter

with the Rode M3 microphone M3 | Versatile End-Address Condenser Microphone | RØDE

It can use phantom power delivered via the XLR adpater.

The setup we use is with a mike stand next to the table to exclude table vibrations coming to the mike. You will also want a silent mouse with no click because for each hearthis recording a mouse action is needed to start and stop. Filtering out these clicks in the recording is a lot of work … Using the touchpad will probably introduce “tap” noise as well …

Also, if you can work with a laptop that does not have a fan, the recording will be better for it. We discovered that the internal hum or vibrations of the laptop fan are audible in the recording, especially when “thought pauses” are taking into account. (i.e. when the discourse changes subject from one verse to the next, in a written Bible there is a paragraph or a new heading. On audio, (if you do not record the headings) this can be reflected by thought pauses that are slightly longer that the normal silence between verses. If it is not possible to use a fanless laptop or other fan-less recording device, try setting processor speed to 80% or lower, this may lead to the laptop using passive cooling only. The amount of time spend to get it right before the start of recording is easily recuperated with less editing time after the recordings.

I also advice to have a 2nd person present who reads along and checks if the person recording has read the text correctly. We started out recording with non-literate voice talents who were listening to scripture read to them and then repeated into the microphone. Possible errors were : 1) errors while reading and thus also recorded as an error by the voice talent 2) correct reading but errors while repeating by the voice talent . So in such a setup a 3rd person proof-reading (and listening) along is needed as a checker.

If the voice talent is literate and records directly while reading, it is nevertheless good to have a proof-listener present to detect reading errors. Likewise, if the recording process is also used to improve the text, a translator should be present who can decide if a perceived recording error is in fact an improvement for the text (more natural etc) and apply the change. This process has helped us improve the text before we finalised the it and continued on to typesetting.

Ideally you also want to “pad” the room with foam to reduce echo, and carpets on the floor, non-squeaking chairs etc. Any kind of foam you can apply will help reduce the amount of audio treatment you will have to do afterwards. We ended up having a separate room with foam on the walls and ceiling that became our studio. But a microphone screen like this one will also reduce echo.

If you plan on working with FCHB, they will bring the equipment with them when they come to record. If you want to do a high quality recording yourself, definitely invest in good equipment.

I hope this helps Paulus-Jan.
Until all have heard.

[EDGAR_Ogutu]

Hello Paulus,

I would recommend the Logitech H390 USB Headset with Noise-Canceling Microphone, priced around $40–$50.

We’ve been using these headsets during an Oral Bible Translation workshop in Uganda with the Audio Project Manager application, and they have performed exceptionally well.