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Topic: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

So. I got a Blue Snowball mic for christmas, but I have one problem. The volume of the recordings. Every time I record something, the sound is good, but too quiet. When I try to turn up the sensitivity while recording, I get background noise. (BTW I'm recording in a perfectly silent environment) Even when I record it, then turn the volume up for the recording, more background noise. It only sounds good when I export the video, then turn up the volume on my computer. Any ideas to make the video decent volume in the first place? mini/smile

YouTube Channel Edmeier Animation
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Edmeier Animator's Website

  • Location: United States
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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

I assume you're running Windows 7? the Snowball was made around the time when XP and Vista were popular and it sounds pristine on those computers. I have had the same problem as you. Try turning up the gain after a recording or following Fancypant's tutorial on sound removal.

  • Location: Connecticut
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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

When you say,

sensitivity while recording

then turn the volume up for the recording

Are you doing that in your recording software? Try this:
Go to Control Panel > Sound > Recording [tab] > right click your microphone > properties > levels [tab] and then turn that up if it's down.

EDIT: It's also possible for realbrick's post to be the answer

  • Location: Seattle-ish
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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

There are three different recording modes with the Blue Snowball. I don't remember which is which off-hand, but experiment with the black switch in the back and see what works best for you.

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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

Jargon wrote:

There are three different recording modes with the Blue Snowball. I don't remember which is which off-hand, but experiment with the black switch in the back and see what works best for you.

I remember.  It's 1=good, 2=background noise, and 3=too quiet.

Are you using Audacity or some other audio program?

Not literally dead, just no longer interested in Lego or animation.
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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

In Audacity there's a way to go in and amplify the audio. I think it's undeer effects in there. B.T.W The Blue Snowball is awesome once you get it working!

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  • Location: Wherevah ah WANT
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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

I'm not using audacity. I've tried turning up the gain when recording. I get background noise. What I do is record straight into the timeline in Final Cut Express. mini/blankexpression

YouTube Channel Edmeier Animation
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Edmeier Animator's Website

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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

Edmeier Animator wrote:

What I do is record straight into the timeline in Final Cut Express. mini/blankexpression

I don't really think that's a good idea.

You should record the lines on an audio program like Audacity or GarageBand (if you have it) compress it into an MP3 file, then drag it into your timeline on Final Cut Express.

I'm working on getting my studio back up and running, so stay posted...

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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

Yeah, but it would be a pain in the *donkey* to have to do that for hundreds of sounds for a couple minutes. Also, MP3 is a very bad thing for Final Cut. mini/sad (I know from experience, and my mom does this stuff for a living)

YouTube Channel Edmeier Animation
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Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

Edmeier Animator wrote:

Yeah, but it would be a pain in the *donkey* to have to do that for hundreds of sounds for a couple minutes.

It'll be worth it to have good sound quality.

Edmeier Animator wrote:

Also, MP3 is a very bad thing for Final Cut.

What?  I've used Final Cut Pro at school and I put Incompetech music in it no problem (all of the music from that site is in MP3 format).

Maybe it's just Final Cut Express that has a problem with MP3s.

Last edited by minifig051 (January 2, 2012 (02:45pm))

Not literally dead, just no longer interested in Lego or animation.
  • Location: Wherevah ah WANT
  • Joined: May 3, 2011

Re: Blue Snowball Volume Trouble

Yeah. I use Incompetech too. The problems are small, yet they're there. Sometimes it messes up my timeline, or won't play. If you watch my (crap) video Zach's Christmas, about nine seconds in, the music kinda freezes, then plays. (I exported it from garage band in MP3)
Linky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6tybRDt … ideo_title  mini/bigsmile

YouTube Channel Edmeier Animation
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