First VLP, some help and advice needed.

[Dig-Doug]

Hi all;

I just finished a VLP where I played as Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. I have some difficulty with the hardware and HD space shortage occasionally but overall it went well, and I'm still alive.

Here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ImiStatuesEye
is the link to my YouTube channel. (nooby) at this video production stuff I could use some advice on hardware/software side of things.

To note:

1: I need to learn how to use Audacity(free) or other audio editing software to record with so I can stop using FRAPs to record everything(what was used for this VLP of Civ V)(i.e. which parts should be recorded with Fraps and which Audacity? and how the hell do I get all video and sound lined up in timing? (so it doesn't look like some 1950's Japanese horror movie where they all talk after the event has already happened)

2: I will have new gear(mic) and would like some idea's in setting up hardware(not physical) to maximize settings. Like where is the best placement/position for the mic? and what levels do other set the volume for games at like the voices in-game in Civ V.

and there's other questions that are probably more trivial at this point so I'll wait on those.

Here's a list of the gear I will have for the process:
http://reviews.cnet.com/microphones/blue-microphones-yeti-usb/4505-6469_7-33871254.html
with added Pop filter by same co.

Speakers or Headset? not sure which will work best but here's what I will be using:
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-megalodon (this is what I've used for my first VLP of Civ V hence the quality of the sound picking up everything else but not getting the game sounds for some reason)

and speakers: http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/pc-speakers/1281868/logitech-z506
and machine: http://rog.asus.com/notebook/17-inch/g74sx/ (mine has more powerful CPU, and more ram but other wise the same)

To put it mildly I am the noobiest of the noobs with all but the gaming part itself.

Thank You in advance!
Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Soronery]

Stop whispering, get new speakers, and never buy a headset again.

 

[Dig-Doug]

Stop whispering, get new speakers, and never buy a headset again.

LOL yeah I talk quietly by default so I have a hard time just talking louder since to me it sounds like I'm YELLING. I have just bought new speakers and have hooked them up but I have to find the correct levels as I indicated above for the setting of voice and music.

As for the headset it is 7.1 and works with my laptop just fine plugs into USB but it has an omnidirectional mic built into it that I have been using and there's where I know it will be replaced(shipped out today) with the above Blue Yeti.
So things are looking up, but I still need people that are used to setting up the hardware to give advice on the Q's above.

Thanks!

 

[RedRover57]

Good series from what I have watched so far. I'm not much for technical advice, but I did give some strategy suggestions in the youtube comments (under DocSardo). Pagodas are nice, but in a future game you should try enhancing your religion earlier. It is key to get it spread quickly. If Cathy doesn't have a religion you could have spread to the middle CS with a missionary and with Religious Texts it would spread fast through Russia. That would translate into a lot of cash with Tithe.

Looks like you could up your game to at least Emperor.

 

[Dig-Doug]

Good series from what I have watched so far. I'm not much for technical advice, but I did give some strategy suggestions in the youtube comments (under DocSardo). Pagodas are nice, but in a future game you should try enhancing your religion earlier. It is key to get it spread quickly. If Cathy doesn't have a religion you could have spread to the middle CS with a missionary and with Religious Texts it would spread fast through Russia. That would translate into a lot of cash with Tithe.

Looks like you could up your game to at least Emperor.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a try when I next use the Tithe system. I could use it early enough to not be to concerned with trading system which since the patch has nerfed it pretty badly, I get fewer unit upgrades from the money other civs have to offer.
I have thought about trying that difficulty with easier civs(science is just to long winded) and try for a straight military victory. What civs have you used on the higher levels? Any that make good MV much easier? I definitely don't like Attila or Genghis though as they just seem to cheesy.

 

[RedRover57]

The main reason you haven't been getting good trade deals is that you hurt your rep earlier and the AI civs just never forgive this unfortunately. Playing the civ5 diplo game is an art in itself.

If you want to up your game to Emperor Babylon certainly is still a good choice as it is a top civ. But you could also play a civ like the Incans, which is one I really enjoy. What's not to like about good production and food (assuming you get a good hilly/mountainy starting site)? Or try a water map with Carthage - free harbors is pretty awesome.

 

[Dig-Doug]

The main reason you haven't been getting good trade deals is that you hurt your rep earlier and the AI civs just never forgive this unfortunately. Playing the civ5 diplo game is an art in itself.

If you want to up your game to Emperor Babylon certainly is still a good choice as it is a top civ. But you could also play a civ like the Incans, which is one I really enjoy. What's not to like about good production and food (assuming you get a good hilly/mountainy starting site)? Or try a water map with Carthage - free harbors is pretty awesome.

I will be thinking about who I will try for my next VLP, but there's so many to choose from Aah who knows I might just set it to Random to see what happens, of course know luck I'll probably end up with the same 6 civs I normally play with..