Ok, I’ve just recorded myself playing for the first time and it sounds awful. I’ve been assured that when I play it doesn’t sound a bad a the recording and its been suggested that since i was using the camcorder that the microphone is picking up more frequencies than people would normally hear making it sound worse than it actually is so I was wondering what people use to record themselves and more importantly any tips on how to recreate what I actually sound like accurately
These days there are more ways to record yourself than there are ways to skin the proverbial feline. Yes most camcorder mics will accentuate the higher frequencies. Mics built in to laptops and phones may very well do the same - depends on the specs of the mic. To capture the full frequency range of the whistle it is good to start with a decent full range microphone. Again there are more mics on the market than there are trees in the forest. A simple dynamic mic can do fine, like the Shure SM57/58 and their derivatives. I prefer a large diaphragm condenser mic personally but that could be overkill for most starting out. Each of these mics require a preamp to match the output impedance of the mic to the input impedance of the recording device - such as a computer, as well as to set the gain for the mic. A simple mixer with USB or line level outputs will suffice. One of the plethora of USB PC interfaces will work too. Then you need software. Audacity is free and can be downloaded.
An alternative would be to use a decent USB mic that plugs directly into the PC’s USB ports. My only real advice there would be to make sure that the maker provides software that allows you to manage the gain of the microphone before it gets to the recording software.
In all cases don’t get too close to the mic when recording.
Sound like drinking from a firehose?
Feadoggie
I use a Zoom H4 and love it.
Yep, depressing is it not? I have been through this as well. You think you are playing well, and record yourself, only to find the result is disappointing. There are several reasons (that I found).
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- Bad positioning relative to microphone: do not play too close to the microphone. Play with the whistle at right angles to the microphone. Play in a room with little or no echo (lots of soft furnishings good, lots of vibrating knick-knacks bad) - you can add echo later. And remember that you have a privileged position relative to the whistle, so what you hear is not necessarily what others hear. Ask someone how well the recording represents your playing.
- Poor quality microphone: especially if you are recording into the computer via an old style serial interface. At he very least get a USB mike and cut out the ‘noise’ (electronic and physical) generated by your computer.
- Poor quality recording equipment: Others have alluded to this, I have no direct comparison. I now use a Zoom H2 and find it excellent for my simple needs. It is a bit pricey, but can act as a USB mic, and has a good size memory for recording stuff - sessions, round friends houses, etc. I decided to bite-the-bullet and spend once rather than getting sucked into audio-equipment-acquisition-syndrome and have no regrets.
- Poor quality sound processing: Turning sound into digital signal with appropriate range etc is not necessarily something a computer is good at. Specialist software helps - I use Audacity - its adequate for my needs and free!. There are plenty of other applications.
- Poor playing: This is the best reason - because its the one you most want to work on. Or at least that is true for me. I regularly record myself and am my own worst critic. If the recording points up something that you could do better then its a plus, not a minus.
What I know I have gleaned from peoples kind help here, especially IIRC Feadoggie.
Not only is recording yourself tough for the reasons above, there is also the MAIN reason…a recorder is merciless. It wll ruthlessly show you any flaws in your timing, breathing, tounging, playing style, etc.
And the heartlessness of recorders is the main reason to keep recording yourself.
Better the recorder tell you than your daughter!!
to be fair I was outside in the park and the GF was recording it just using a camcorder but it sounded so squeaky it was unreal. however I’ve been told by 4 different people that it doesn’t sound like that when i play so I’m definately hoping it was the mic lol
i just recently had the same result. Some notes will distort. I was recording with my webcam.
I used to have a Shure SM57 and I can highly recommend it. I lost it (or it was stolen, I don’t know) and so today I just ordered an Audio-Technica AT2020. After a lot of research I think that’s the best bet in this price range.
If you want a USB mic, and don’t plan on ever adding more recording gear like mixers or multiple mics etc. then the Samson C01U is pretty good for its price or the AT2020 USB for around $99 at Amazon.com. Scratch the Samson, I just checked the US price and it’s practically the same price as the AT2020 which is much better.
I got the non-USB version because I already have a M-Audio Fast Track Pro (USB sound card with mic inputs).
step 1: find a space that sounds “good.”
step 2: find the best sounding position within that space for the instrument.
step 3: find the best location, relative to the instrument and the room, for the microphone.
Camcorders also seem to apply a lot of compression.
A simple, all in one recording solution is the Zoom H4n. You can take it with you, and you can add other microphones to it in the future. I like MXL 603s microphones, which seem to do a decent job of recording anything. But I have a small selection.
You can get a cheap computer microphone and make reasonable recordings with it. They’ll have a bit of noise, but the frequency response will be flat, especially if you open them up and seal the back of the capsule with epoxy (converting them to omni directional in the process).
I use both a Edirol R-1 (which I like a lot) and at times the built in web cam mic on my computer monitor; this last adds to the humiliation factor because I can also see myself as I play. Anyway, recording yourself in any sort of decent fashion is I believe an indispensable tool in learning, improving and REALLY getting a solid idea of what you sound like and what needs to be addressed.
Philo
I thought I’d add a further thought to the microphone question:
The Shure SM57 is a dynamic mic and can be used in the studio or live. It’s the kind you can hold in your hand. Small & rugged.
The AT2020 is a condensor which is for the studio. It’s bigger (fatter) and doesn’t have any way to hold it. I just got mine and it sounds great (but so did the SM57). I will only use it in the studio so I got the AT2020. But if you wanted something you could use both or something portable, the SM57 might be better.
I now need to practice a lot more before I can record something and share it. 
MXL microphones, by Marshall Electronics, are highly regarded by recording enthusiasts, and the pricing is good.
I have their 603s (a matched pair) and also a 990. They are essentially the same, except in a different shell.