Need a good headset / mic - recommendations?

[Dangelus]

I am needing to get a decent headset that I can use with skype. I am UK based so if any of the UK fellows on here can recommend one that is a steal please let me know.

Looking forward to maybe sending in some audio contributions!  ;D

[Meds]

Hoo Harr. COME ON!!!!!!!!!
To start off with I'd go for a USB microphone headset. I have a skype one that i got from a computer shop, mine is a Think Xtra. I did a search at play.com and they have a good selection there and the great thing about a USB version is you just plug it in, turn your computer on and away you go, you don't have to worry about loading drivers and all that crap.

http://www.play.com/Search.aspx?searchtype=PCSH&searchstring=headset&page=search&pa=search&go.x=0&go.y=0

If you don't already have it download audacity, it is free (Rico, Kenny, and i use this,i think near on everyone does). Its easy to use and you can edit your recordings. You will need to also download lame, this will convert your recording to mp3.

[Dangelus]

Hoo Harr. COME ON!!!!!!!!!
To start off with I'd go for a USB microphone headset. I have a skype one that i got from a computer shop, mine is a Think Xtra. I did a search at play.com and they have a good selection there and the great thing about a USB version is you just plug it in, turn your computer on and away you go, you don't have to worry about loading drivers and all that crap.

http://www.play.com/Search.aspx?searchtype=PCSH&searchstring=headset&page=search&pa=search&go.x=0&go.y=0

If you don't already have it download audacity, it is free (Rico, Kenny, and i use this,i think near on everyone does). Its easy to use and you can edit your recordings. You will need to also download lame, this will convert your recording to mp3.

Cheers Meds, some good ones on there at decent prices. Surprised to hear you are using a standard headset. It must be a good one as your recordings always sound very clear with a lot of presence.

[Meds]

Thats the best thing, you dont need to buy a mega expensive one. I have just got hold of a alesis mike and thats a more pro one, though through searching i got that £50 cheaper. I'll be using that once i've finally moved house and my podcast gets a better run. I think having the USB version does help a bit because the settings are near enough done for you (though just check in your audio option that the microphone does say C-Usb blah blah. With skype (if you join us on the calls or Treks podcasts) its the luck of the draw on the day, you could sound great one day and the the next awful.

[Dangelus]

Excellent. Looking forward to testing one out.

I love technology....

[Meds]

You'll have a great time. I was dead nervous about recording audio (in front of a camera i'm fine but for some reason audio always put me off) but kenny and Jen are always there to help to go grab some tech, get reading and then join us for the RPG.

[alanp]

Planteonics makes good stuff.  I forget which model they use on twit.

[Dangelus]

Ordered one from play.com today!

You should be hearing my dulcet tones at some point...    ;)

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Meds]

Cool which one did you buy? did you notice on play.com that an awfull lot of their dvd's are temporary out of order, i tried to get a few dr who's the other day and they were all sold out.

[Dangelus]

Got this one, had some good reviews and not too expensive:

Item                : Sandberg USB HeadSet
Price               : GBP 24.99

Hopefully it will do...    ;D

[Meds]

Looks cool, welcome to the hearing your own voice club ;)

[Feathers]

I hate hearing my own voice!

[Meds]

Oh you have a great voice Mike, very Dick van Dyke-ish ;)

[Feathers]

Oh you have a great voice Mike, very Dick van Dyke-ish ;)

Not sure that this makes me feel any better!

[Meds]

;)