Audio options for C920?

**luthierwnc** · 10-24-2014, 05:14 PM

Hello All,

I am trying to set up a mini-studio in my office to do podcasts. My first thread was to look into mics that could be 18" out of frame. I got a lav mic and a Scarlett 2i2 because the Logitech C920 webcam I'm using (which looks fine for now) couldn't make much of the USB mic I got. That was an ATR2100.

The problem seems to be that the C920 just doesn't like any outside audio input. The mic on the device itself is inside a teleprompter. Using the XLR input on the 2i2 with all internal and external controls dimed, the audio was acceptable when the ATR2100 was right in my face. Out of frame -- not so great. The lav could barely be heard. No matter how hot the input, the webcam software knocks it down to weak levels.

I fussed at the gear all afternoon at work and brought everything home for a stressful weekend. I plugged the lav into my acoustic guitar amp and it worked well enough to be heard in the back of most rooms so it wasn't defective.

So, it seems the issue if I stick with the C920 is how to mix that video signal with alternative audio sourcing. Please let me know if this is a lost cause and what direction you think I should take.

This is the stuff I have now:
Shure 58 and 57 mics, AT 3350 lav and ATR2100,
Logitech C920,
2 softboxes,
teleprompter (still learning how to use that item),
Scarlett 2i2 audio interface,
boom mic stands,
lots of monitors,
USB port,
lots of cords, cables, powerstrips,
Ableton lite (came with 2i2),
decent speakers on my desk powered by a Topping 2020

I'd planned to get an AT875r for the boom stand and a pair of headphones for the lady who helps me. She also has a nice Canon DLSR if the webcam idea doesn't pan out. Then I guess the question would be should I get something like a Tascam DR-60D. Right now I'm hoping there is some software out there that can improve the C920 audio experience.

Ideas, insults, wild hairs, sage advice all welcome. I'm not married to any of it. I'll be sitting at a desk in a fairly quiet room with a computer next to my knee. No exteriors, maybe dialog with a visitor, no FX. Pretty simple stuff.

Cheers, thanks, sh

**mcphillips** · 10-25-2014, 05:24 AM

You're missing something somewhere. The mics on the C920 should not be used. There is no quicker way to announce to the world that you are an amateur than to use a webcam mic for your podcast.

Did you put the battery in the AT3350? Is the battery good? How did you connect the AT3350 to the mixer? It's an unbalanced mic that requires a 1/8" to XLR adapter that connects to a mic input.

The output level of the ATR2100 is about the same as the SM57 and SM58. If you use it as a USB mic, you have to make sure that your computer audio input controls are set at 100%. If your room acoustics are horrible, any one of the mics will sound horrible at 18". With good acoustics, any one of them will sound infinitely better than the C920 mic. Amnon uses the ATR2100 in his studio as an overhead mic, and it works fine.

The output level of a dynamic mic is low. You will really have to crank the level. Make sure you're pointing the mic at your mouth. Pretend it is a flashlight, and you want the light from it shining down your throat.

**luthierwnc** · 10-25-2014, 10:44 AM

I am using the battery that came with the AT3350 but further research suggests they aren't always strong or quality. I'll get another today. What I did was run these assorted mics into the Logitech software:

-- ATR2100 into USB (every control I could find at max) Acceptable with the mic 6" away from my face but weak out-of-frame
-- ATR2100 and Shure SM58 through XLR into Scarlett 2i2 with +48v on. Same perceived volume as above in the MP4 video
-- AT3550 into Scarlett 2i2 with a loose-fitting 3.5mm to 1/4" plug adapter. Very weak can hardly hear it on the MP4.

Maybe the battery is the issue but I ran the little lav through my Carvin AG100 acoustic guitar amp (a poor man's cafe PA) and it worked pretty well. The handheld mics at the same volume level were very loud.

I think the issue is the Logitech software. No matter how hot the signal into the computer, it just can't do anything with it. The video picture is pretty good. For me sitting at a desk reading, it certainly isn't the limiting factor. What software do you recommend to take the images from the C920 and audio from anywhere else for the final product?

Cheers, sh

**andrewzarian** · 10-25-2014, 11:23 AM

Does the Logitech software allow you to select a different source for the audio. I thought it only allows you to select the webcam mic

**mcphillips** · 10-25-2014, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by luthierwnc

-- AT3550 into Scarlett 2i2 with a loose-fitting 3.5mm to 1/4" plug adapter. Very weak can hardly hear it on the MP4.

You're probably going into a line input in the Scarlett, although I've never used one. At least make sure you have the input switch on Instrument instead of Line, although that's not the right solution.

I think the issue is the Logitech software. No matter how hot the signal into the computer, it just can't do anything with it.

I doubt it.

**luthierwnc** · 10-25-2014, 11:54 AM

andrewzarian; You can choose which mic you use. It finds all connected audio inputs. It always has its own and whatever else is plugged in at the time.

preferences.jpg

mcphillips; I've tried line, instrument, XLR, 1/4 from XLR through a transformer, usb. This is the line-in recording device on the Scarlett through Win 7 sounds controller. The loudest any of them are is just OK.

What I think I need (subject to reality) is a way to mix the C920 video with some other recording capability. Either that or a Logitech explanation how to work the input levels. You can see the levels are maxed in the upper graphic but lowering them doesn't make much difference. I thought driving them harder with the amp would boost the levels but it doesn't.

Thanks again, sh