olgoat52
Well-known member
Way behind the times but really don't feel up to building a new PC right now. Anyone out there have an opinion on the best sounding webcam for a desktop PC?
Thanks
Thanks
uhm, a webcam is for video, not sound. what exactly do you want do/know ?
In regards to my suggestion of the Blue webcam...just watched some comparisons on YouTube and I'm not very impressed by either the video or audio. My built-in webcam on my MacBook looks better to me.
Consider the Logitech Webcam Pro line.
One of the issues with Webcam audio is that it is geared towards voice, and specifically spoken voice. There will always be some limitations in terms of the frequency range, etc. compared to a stage mic.
You also have to look at the program the final audio/video will be playing through. For example, Flash doesn't have the world's best quality audio. It's good and it does the job, but it has limitations in what it can accurately reproduce from an audio standpoint. Mic quality can make a difference in Flash, but there is a point of diminishing returns in terms of cost versus final quality.
Youtube compresses video and audio. We've all heard Youtube audio that is horrible. If you don't start with great source material, then you won't have a great final product.
An external mic may be more involved. But if you really want to capture the range that music audio requires, an external mic is still probably the best route.
I think much of this depends on what you are after as a final product. I always enjoy hearing good audio.
I have a Logitech C500 webcam, and also a dynamic mic (run through a small preamp to my sound card) on my desk.
Audio through the webcam sounds thin and tinny to me. The dynamic mic has much more depth and presence.
Even though my room isn't a recording studio, the difference is noticeable. The other nice thing about the dynamic mic is that it is a cardioid pattern. So it doesn't pick up sound behind the mic. Because of how I have it positioned it does not pick up sound from computer fans, outside sounds through windows, etc. The webcam can pick up a lot of that sound.
I have also found the dynamic mic to have better volume than the webcam mic when using it with Audacity, etc. to record audio only. The pre-amp (while it is an extra box) does give more ability to fine tune volumes.
When I have used the webcam mic in video conferences, I have had to turn the mic volume up more than when I use the dynamic mic setup.
The dynamic mic setup (mic + preamp) cost me as much as the top of the line Logitech Webcam, but it has much better audio.
The webcam I found on sale for a really good price. It has a glass lens and good video quality.
Each one serves a different purpose.
Depending on how lazy I'm feeling, I'll use one of four different options. I've linked some videos to give you an idea as to the sound quality of each.
1. Condenser mic (AKG 451) going into my Digidesign Digi003 interface.
2. Zoom Q3.
3. Audio Technica AT2020 USB condenser mic.
4. Built-in MacBook webcam.
In all cases except for the Zoom Q3, the video is done with my built-in webcam.
Depending on how lazy I'm feeling, I'll use one of four different options. I've linked some videos to give you an idea as to the sound quality of each.
1. Condenser mic (AKG 451) going into my Digidesign Digi003 interface.
2. Zoom Q3.
3. Audio Technica AT2020 USB condenser mic.
4. Built-in MacBook webcam.
In all cases except for the Zoom Q3, the video is done with my built-in webcam.