Hello!
 
I'm not really sure where to be posting this but here goes:
 
I'd like to record high-quality voice to my computer (potentially for some voice acting).
Here's how its gone so far. I searched around online for a mic that would be able to record voice well and was relative cheap (<$100 AUD), and since I have a predisposition towards Sennheiser, I opted for the e835 (It also has a lot of good ratings). I went out and got a "" to replace the on-board one and (primarily) so I could record with a laptop without mic-in (also to get better quality recording). Next, I grabbed some alligator clips and a bunch of stuff my dad has lying around (I don't have any XLR cords, one's on the way) and a 3.5mm jack to test out the mic. Alas, the mic was far too quiet. Amplifying it in Audacity was impossible because the mic was only slightly louder than the noise...
 
I performed a few tests to see what I could do about this noise. First, I recorded with nothing plugged into the sound card, and, to create clipping I had to amplify the signal 50dB and then again by 16.2dB (Not sure if that's just the same as amplifying it by 66.2db, but correct me if I'm wrong...). Then, I plugged in my crappy unshielded makeshift dodgy cable, with no mic on the end. It only took an amplification of 30db to start to clip the noise. This lead me to understand that my cable was a big part of my problem. I also took the external audio card and my laptop to an isolated area of my house where there are few electronics. The noise this time (with nothing plugged in) was so small that I when I amplified it as much as possible without clipping, the samples were roughly 33% split between being at -1.0, 0 or 1.0... I.E, there was no noise.
 
Unfortunately, I will have to do recording in a part of my house with a lot of electronics, so even with a perfect cable there will always be this tiny "1/66.2db" noise in the background. Having a better cable is not going to make the microphone any louder, and in order to make the mic audible, i need to boost the signal by about 30db. Unfortunately, this also makes the noise audible. So what do you suggest I do about this? Do I need to sacrifice the ability to record things outside and buy a pre-amp? What do you recommend?
 
Thanks for any help!

Since you don't say what interface you are using in your computer it is hard to judge.  Low mic volume probably comes from the on-card preamps, which don't provide enough gain for dynamic mics (the senn is a dynamic, right?).  And you tend to lose signal using adaptors, as well as introduce noise, so the correct mic cable could help (and balanced in/out will reject electronic noise).  And you've already indicted the mic cable before you get to these other problems.
 
Get the proper cable and if that doesn't fix thing let us know what "external interface" you are using.  Otherwise, it is like asking your mechanic what the problem is with your vehicle w/o specifying whether what make of car, or even if it is a car or a motorcycle or boat.  Makes a difference.
 
@

What are you using for an audio interface?

Probably an impedence mismatch is what is creating it being low in volume.
 
Microphone Type     Dynamic
Polar Pattern     Cardioid
Frequency Response     40Hz-16kHz
Output Impedance     350 ohms
Low Cut Filter     No Filter
Color     Black
Connector     XLR
Weight     .73 lb.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/E835/


And also it is a wide-range dynamic mic for frequencies.
 
As to noise, there are things called a noise-gate that blocks out any noise up to a certain level, whether you have to buy a mic pre-amp probably and if it had or has a noise gate in it, then you can up the volume and probably block out a certain amount of noise (in the background).
 
The level for the volume of the mic has to be also tweaked in a sense that you are speaking (singing) closer to the mic then the other noise is in loudness and there is the cardoid pattern that blocks out sound from the sides a little and from the rear, and then reflexion filters that may help to isolate the mic even a bit better so that your voice is way louder than the background noise by such a factor that it is if at all heard in the recording.
 
 
 

OK,

First, thanks for the help!
 
Second, it seems that the boards have chopped out what I was using as an audio interface (probably because it was a link). I'm using a "Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB". It's not great, but its better than what I had, and its cheap. The mic goes directly into the mic-in, that's all there is to it. As for impedance, there seem to be no specifications about that available on Creative's website. I'm guessing this is not the hardware I need is it...

Thanks again!

Until you reply this is only a guess that you might not have bought an audio interface like the others here are asking about. A USB/Firewire or even PCIe dedicated audio interface with XLR inputs will be needed if you wish to do any quality recording. Audacity is fine for what you doing. 
You will also need that cable. I see the mike is non phantom powered. 
http://en-us.sennheiser.com/live-performance-microphone-vocal-stage-e-835
 
If you do have a audio interface then the cable will solve the problem assuming your interface has a mike pre amp which is indeed needed for any mike. 

You're correct, I don't have a audio interface then. If you know of any, what would you recommend? Preferably something portable and USB powered.
 
Also, would it be possible to buy a mic pre-amp instead? The card does a fine job of digitizing the signal, but the noise from ambient electronics is enough to be audible when I boost the mic signal in Audacity.
 
Thanks

Craxic
You're correct, I don't have a audio interface...

Your Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi is your interface.  It's not the best choice for audio recording, but it may be ok to use this for now until you replace it with something better.

Kev999
It's not the best choice for audio recording, but it may be ok to use this for now until you replace it with something better.

 
As it stands, I don't think the Creative card will work very well. There is a base level of very quiet noise in the background, and because the mic is so quiet too, getting a better cable wont really fix the issue here.
I'm thinking I'm gonna have to get something like a "Focusrite Scarlett 2i2", it has good ratings and its not tooo expensive.

You've discovered why a Soundblaster isn't recommended for serious recording, or at least one of the reasons. Still, you can make it work for you and lack of a better interface shouldn't stop you from making some records.
 
All you need at this point is some amplification / impedance matching for your microphone. I'd suggest an inexpensive mic pre or mixer. Take a look at one of the ART preamps, which start at just 49 bucks. $79 for a version with phantom power (which you don't need with your Sennheiser mic but will require if you get a condenser mic).