Need help with audio setup!

[Chazdy]

Hello guys!

I need some help with buying new audio gear for my channel (That's not live yet). I have a budget of around 1000$.

We are two people, so we probably needs two microphones. I also need a recorder for recording the audio, and it would be helpful if it's able to split it into two separate tracks (One for each microphone, cause we're two people). I've also got some questions here. Can the recorder connect with the computer, so that the tracks are synced with the gameplay? How am I supposed to hear the game audio and the other person at the same time (Cause we,re using two separate mics, headsets and computers, the headset can only connect to either the computer or recorder am i right?)?

I already have a Zoom H4n and a NTG-2(That I need to find). If it's someone that I might need, please tell me! But incase I've lost the mic, please come with recommendations on recorder and microphone.

 

[Tarmack]

Holy hell, someone with an actual budget. Very nice. I think your budget is too high though for the kind of advice you're asking. Don't take this as an insult, but someone meaning to spend $1000 on audio gear needs to know what they're doing. You didn't specify in your message whether you and your partner in crime are at the same location while recording. I will assume you are.

Ok, first of all with a two person setup you want XLR mics. Second, generally for commentary type applications you will find that condensers are best. I would suggest the following.

Microphones
AudioTechnica AT2020's
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technic...ie=UTF8&qid=1394241223&sr=8-1&keywords=AT2020

Mixing board
Behringer Xenyx X1204USB
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-XENYX-X1204USB-12-Channel-Mixer/dp/B0039PPW60/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1394241290&sr=8-4&keywords=Behringer mixer

The mixer looks big and intimidating but any smaller mixer will only have 2 XLR ports and if one dies, you're ******. Redundancy is good.

2 long XLR Cables (20ft), 2 boom or scissor stands and a pair of pop filters.

For software, you can do this with 2 programs. DXTory for gameplay and audio recording, and Skype/Teamspeak/Ventrilo for cross machine voice chat.

Here's the setup. Behringer mixer in via USB to one of the computers. This computer becomes the recording machine. Install DXTory on this machine and look for basic setup tutorials. You can set multiple audio streams in DXTory, so you would set one to the game audio and the other to the mixing board.

On the mixing board, pan one mic to the left, the other mic to the right. This gives you two audio streams for vocals so you can edit independently later. Then when you're ready to record, you hit the record button and the machine does the rest.

In order to hear the other person, you would use Ventrilo/Teamspeak or Skype. But you want to make sure DXTory isn't recording those because there is no need to. They're just present for your benefit.

This rig can be done for under $500. Using the mixer will take some getting used to, but I promise you will be happier with a proper audio setup. Then, later when you're ready to move up in quality, all you need is new mics. If you're not at the same location, then my recommendations don't work as well.