>Hi,
>
>I consider buying a microphone (not expensive but from the reviews and sample on Amazon it sounds pretty good).
>
>And I am wondering what software I need to have to work with this microphone. If I understand correctly, if I don't buy any software, the PC OS (Windows 7 in my case) will use the Control Panel -> Sound application (default). I am concerned that this - default - application will be the bottle-neck and will reduce the quality of recording, even if I use a good mic.
>
>What do you think? If you record your voice (for whatever reasons), do you use software other than the PC Sound?

Definitely not anything that M$ bundles with windowses. I do make recordings of my voice but not with any intention of listening to them repeatedly, let alone playing them to anyone else, these are just notes taken. The intention is exactly taking a note - which I write down later, when I'm at the keyboard. The device I use is Nokia E5 (yes, that obsolete), which has a perfect microphone for my intentions - I recorded restaurant music several times, even open space concerts (well just a song or two) and the only technically weak spot is that I hear my voice over the band :).

For sound recordings on a PC I'd (would and did) use Audacity - it seems the version for windowses is maintained along with the main one, no features missing. It has all the stuff you need and then some and it's free, and its interface is still quite simple.