Has anyone bought a new laptop and gotten good quality audio recently?

[Janiece Young]

Hey, all,

It looks like my backup laptop is going bad.  I think the screen is going out.  I'd like to get a new computer that has great audio recording ability at jobs.  If you have purchased one recently that you have had success in this area, would you please share the brand and the model number?

Thanks,

Janiece

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I really don't think it's the laptop all that much as the microphone you use.  I purchased the Toshiba Satellite a while back and am very happy with the audio quality.  I also purchased two different microphones and like them both.  One is from Sound Professionals and I got that one last week.  Pretty pricy, though; $240.00, but the quality is great.  Heard about it from the DRA seminar I was at.  I already posted on another microphone discussion about the other USB microphone I bought for $75.00 that is pretty good too.  Janet bought it after I posted about it and she says it's the best sound quality she's had in a long time.

You just have to play around and find what works best for you.  I personally won't buy any other laptop than a Toshiba because I like them so much.  I see a lot of other reporters on jobs with Toshiba laptops as well. 

[Martha R]

I always loved a Sony for their sound.  Sometimes I didn't even need a mic.   Then I bought a new one and the sound was horrible.  I could hear the internals of the laptop.  Same with a Lenovo I bought at the same time.   I had to go get that Andrea Sound Card and plug the mic into that.    The worst computer I ever had was a Toshiba but that was about 15 years ago.  I'm afraid to go back and try one again.   If you can, buy with the promise you can return.  

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

I've had great luck with ThinkPads.  It’s the only laptop I’ve ever owned.  On my fifth, the last two being purchased from Bob Bogutsky.  What is now my backup laptop, purchased in March 2007 from Bob, is still going strong.  I only use it for work and use a desktop exclusively at home.  I had isolated 3 freezes and got nervous so I bought another one in September 2011.  After those 3 freezes, the machine has been fine.  I bought my second ThinkPad from Bob in October, W500.  EXCELLENT audio using Catalyst and SG mic.

Do some price checking and then call Bob to see what he has:

 

Robert (Bob) C. Bogutsky

5064 Overcrest Drive

Kannapolis, NC 28081 USA

Telephone (Home) 704 785-9276

Primary Email ID: [email][e-mail][/email]

Facsimile: 704 782-4911

Mobile: [phone]

 

He's a retired IBMer, who has great (legitimate) sources of new and slightly used ThinkPads, all with Lenovo warranties which can and should be verified with Lenovo prior to buying, which he upgrades and sells a few on eBay but mostly privately since that gives him the ability to work with the potential buyer and suggest units and alternatives.  I used a T60 that I bought from him in 2007 exclusively until October 2011.  You get a lot more for your money with Bob than anywhere else.  The T60 came with only 8 months left on the warranty, so I bought a 2-year extended warranty from Lenovo for $129.  I never called Lenovo once for service but I’m glad I bought that warranty.   In October 2011 I bought another machine from Bob.  It’s a W500 and the warranty is up in May 2012 so I’ll buy an extended warranty from Lenovo.  (I’m a big believer in insurance.)  Bob also got me a new battery for the T60, a genuine Lenovo part and not a third-party Chinese knockoff.  He really knows this business.

 

You can't go wrong with Bob.  He's terrific and extremely knowledgeable.

 

I'm on Catalyst 12 and get excellent audiosynch.

 

We’re exclusively email.  I’ve never spoken to him!

[Michele Savoy Parente]

Hi,

I'm glad Kelli is happy with her Toshiba.  My Toshiba was a work horse and I had it for probably four years plus, which is a long time for a laptop that gets lugged around daily.  The recording quality was horrendous though.  I had a Sony Vio that had awesome recording quality before the Toshiba, but it only lasted a year - very disappointing.  I have a Dell XPS that I custom ordered.  I've had it just a little over a year.  I ordered it with a ton of memory, and I spoke to the rep directly and told him what I did and that I needed the best recording ability they could offer.  I told them I wasn't into graphics; i.e, playing games on my computer or really even watching movies on it, etc.  The recording capability and playback sound is awesome.  I don't need an external mic, although I use a mic on my Mira strickly as backup.  The recording quality on the laptop is better than on my Mira.  I run Eclipse 5 on it, and I've never had  a problem.  When I was getting the Dell, someone told me that most people are into playing games on their laptops and most of the manufacturers don't necessarily offer top of the line recording capabilities because the majority of the consumers purchasing laptops aren't looking to record on them like we do.  Food for thought.

Good luck on your search!

 

[Janiece Young]

Well, I don't have time to buy a new laptop right this second so I took a chance and went to MicroCenter and bought an external screen for this laptop to get me by.  Wow, it's so nice to have a big screen.  It only cost $100 and until I can get a new computer this will allow me to work.  My old laptop screen was really great and bright but this bigger screen is WONDERFUL.  Totally worth the $100 and it was easy to set up.  I have been meaning to get one but didn't do it for some reason.  This will really make editing easier.  

Thanks to you all for the computer ideas.  I will be purchasing one very soon.

[Betsee]

I did that with my HP, Janiece, because I loved my HP.  The light on the screen burned out, and according to my computer guru, you really can't successfully replace them.  The external screen worked fine until I had to go to a hotel for a hockey tournament and needed to work....  

[Janiece Young]

Yes, Betsee, I'm going to get a new computer very soon, probably w/in the next month.  Right at the moment I'm super busy and don't have the time.  It takes a lot of time to buy a computer and then get it up and running so this is just to get me by.  I believe I will always have a full-size screen though.  I am really loving this bigger size.

I have another laptop that I take to jobs.

[Janet]

 

Here's a clip of the audio on my Toshiba Satellite.  I use the same USB mic that Kelli has.  I recorded this clip in Audacity with just my internal mic.  I had the toughest time adjusting the audio on this laptop.  I think the problem is that the audio is so loud that it distorts if I use the microphone boost at all.   I bought a Belkin powered USB hub and use it for my writer, this mic, and my software key.  The powered USB hub is great.  There is no power limitation like a standard USB port.

 

 

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Boy, I wish all witnesses talked that slow.  Yeah, that sounds pretty good.  I purchased the Sound Professionals microphone and spent $350 recently, last week, and used it today thinking that the quality would be even better.  It sucks!!  Not so happy.  I am going to have to go back to the one you're using, Janet.

I purchased the new one because it seemed to me with that microphone, it sounds great when you face the mic towards the speaker but the person talking behind it doesn't sound as clear.  I wanted everyone to sound clear.  I am not all that happy with the new one. 

I just remember you weren't happy with your Toshiba Satellite and I wanted to let you know you just have to adjust the sound quality and tweak some things and then it works just fine.  I'm glad you found that "sweet spot" for you.  Sometimes I think I just like to spend money when it comes to electronics whether I need it or not.  LOL.

[Janet]

 

The problem with the witness talking that slow is that I was lulled into a peaceful auto pilot mode.  Then at the end of the day the guy on cross went like a bat out of hell and jolted me out of my trance.  Isn't that always the way!  

 

I noticed the same thing about the mic, Kelli.  It's great for hearing the witness, but it doesn't pick up the questioners on either side as well.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Yeah, that's why I bought the other microphone.  I must not have the settings correct.  A mic that expensive HAS to work, wouldn't you think?

Here is a link the mic I just bought: http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-USB-HG

[Janet]

Strange.  I had the mic pointed at the witness today, and I could hear the questioner loud and clear.