Hey, im new to the forum, one particular question

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Member Since: Apr 19, 2006

i dont know how many times this has been posted but Im new here im hoping someone can help me. i want to record, badly. I have been recording with a comp mic!!! now i cant even record with it. I have practically no money. What i want to do is get the Toneport but it only has one mic input and i want to be able to record some of my band too and its a lot of money right now. My idea, yes, the famous Eurorack. Will i get a decent quality out of shure sm57 / guitar ----> UB802 ---> computer (audacity)?? The mixer and computer would would up with 1/4 -> 1/8 into mic jack adapter cable. Im looking to make a decent demo or just some nice quality home recordings not only with the band but alone Anything better out there but just as cheap? thanks guys I appreciate the help.

Steve

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I can't spell.
Member
Since: Nov 10, 2005


Apr 20, 2006 10:14 am

How much money is cheap? How good of a computer is it?

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Apr 20, 2006 10:16 am

hmmm i'm gonna hafta say, you're gonna hafta do this one 'item' at a time over a period of time....save up some cash and get yourself a decent audio interface (not audacity) go with something by m-audio or something like that....then get you some mics, a coupple of 57's would be a good start...you don't really need a mixer to record good mutiple tracks, just as long as you plan ahead...your first concern is getting audio into your computer...so check out some solid USB or firewire interfaces on the cheap....and then go from there...careful planing and lots of research before you buy can get you into a good setup for around 400 dollars....don't try to get everything you need at once, you'll compromise on quality and end up not liking your results.

cheers

wyd

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 10:19 am

Yes, it would work, the only sound quality limitation (or the biggest anyway) will be your sound card.

If it's got a 1/8" input, it's not a recording card, though you can make it work, it'll be the weak link.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 20, 2006 10:45 am

and, if you're using the 802, then it's got preamps already. Don't plug the output of the 802 into a mic input, plug into the 'line in' input instead.

the mic input on your built in soundcard will have a preamp built into it, but not be of very good quality. The 802 preamp will be much better.

I've heard people use audacity before, for recording. It seems to work if you've nothing else. I'd use it for now, but mixing and other stuff may be limited. Though it does have a bunch of plug-ins already, so it can be worked with.

Also, the line in will probably be 2 channels. So you can use two mics into the 802, pan them left and right, and have the outputs converging into 1 1/8" stereo jack, plugging into your 'line in' jack. That will give you at least a stereo field to start with.

I'm not sure if audacity can record 2 channels. I haven't tried that yet.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 01:22 pm

Hey guys, I just got back. thanks a lot for you input. I understand the situation with the interface. I think a good beginner cheap one would be The M-audio fast track, but for 30$ more I would go for the line 6 toneport. Going back to the discussion on the Mixer. This might be a really dumb question, but i do not know where the "line in" is. All I see is a mic jack and headphone jack. And If i plug it into the mic jack then that puts the built in preamp to waste cause they arent used? Also, Do i need to plug in my amp to the mixer if I am using a mic? Last thing, with recording the band, If I get an audio interface (toneport or fast track), even with One mic input, I can do it track by track and put it all together right? And does the interface make up for a crappy sound card? Alright Thats all my questions for now thank you very much for all your help,

Steve

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 01:24 pm

By the way its a laptop, an Inspiron 6000

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Apr 20, 2006 01:50 pm

The mic input on your laptop already contains a preamp. If you run your mic through your mixer's preamp and into your mic input on the laptop, you're preamping the signal twice, which is an invitation for noise and signal degradation. It's not a deal-breaker, but your recording quality will suffer.

And yes, you can record one track at a time and layer them. What I'd call an "interface" would be the TonePort or whatever sound card you use. The software that you use for mixing I would call "multitracking software". Audacity will get the job done. Try Kristal Audio for another freebie multitracker that's a bit more user-friendly than Audacity.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 01:59 pm

Alright my decision right now is the Toneport. Will this cut it and offer good quality sound. It would be the amp / shuresm57 into the Toneport and the toneport by usb would go into the computer and the software that come with toneport would be used to edit/mix. Now The toneport is my cutoff on the recording budget, I think the only other good interface would be the Fast track but I think the toneport is better? What do you guys think? Also wat do u think about the final setup? NIce quality? Thanks for your help

Steve

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 02:02 pm

Actually, if you use the TonePort you don't even need your amp and microphone...just plug the guitar right into it and use it's built-in amp, mic and effect modelling...it's awesome.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 02:05 pm

Well, will it at least sound better with a nice dynamic shure sm57?

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 20, 2006 02:07 pm

oo, yeah, some laptops (mine included) don't have a line in. Only HP and mic input. I got a tascam us-122 just for that reason. USB connectivity. It does the same job as the toneport would do, but the toneport is newer, and has modelling, etc., that the us122 doesn't.

You don't need to plug the amp into the mixer if you're using a mic plugged into the mixer. Some may, and it's not a bad idea, but you'd want two paths into the computer, so you can mix the two signals together later in software. You could do them at different times, but it may not quite match up, rythm-wise.

Some like to mix the two signals together, one signal of mic'ed cabinet, and the other signal is direct-in from the amp. It's totally up to you, as there's no hard fast rule about what to record. It's up to you, and what you want.

Others here will track more guitar signals, to get the 'wall of sound' thing going.

Also, re-reading your post, you wouldn't need a mixer if you got a toneport, or us122, or other sound interface. There's already one (or two) built in. Just plug in your 57 (or whatever mic), set the gain, and press record in your software.

Recording a band may be a trick. If you want to get them all at once, then you'll (should) need two mics, and a 2 channel preamp / sound interface. The toneport ux2, or tascam us122, (and others) would work for this, as they can carry two signals at once. You would end up with all the band sounds on 1 stereo recording. You can tweak the whole sound, but not individual signals, like just the bass, or just the vocals, etc.

See my profile, and music of fieldstock for example of two mics, recording into my us122 on a dell 600m.

If you wanted to overdub record, recording each part one (or two) at a time, it can get more involved, and more complex. It can be done, but it's got it's problems, if you're not prepared for it.

I also agree with Tadpui's recommendation on the krystal audio. I looked at it, and it looks more like a multitracker than audacity, which is more of an audio editor, than a multitracker.

hth

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 20, 2006 02:07 pm

wow, i was 4 posts behind, oops.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 02:11 pm

Quote:
Well, will it at least sound better with a nice dynamic shure sm57?


Not necessarily, the TonePort models the SM57 pretty well, as well as three other mic models, and models many amps and effects...

www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=727 for some details, and Noize2u's and my own opinions on the product.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 02:13 pm

NO No not at all your post was VERY helpful. My budget is set on the Ux1 though, I really cant go for the Ux2. Speaking of putting the tracks together, Ive done it twice before, its taken HOURS, but I think it ends up better than doing it all at once, sound wise. Also i'll prob need to play around with it untill I get it all set. The Software that comes with the toneport will do the job with the mixing shouldn't it? Also do u kno if the toneport comes with the USB connnection wire?? Im just really worried about the sound quality at this point, I hope it sounds nice. Thanks !!

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 02:14 pm

OO nice ill take a look at the link. But between the UB802, the Fast track and the Line 6 I think the Line 6 toneport is the best way to go. I cant really think of any other good quality interfaces at this beginner level for that price...

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 02:15 pm

Yes, it comes with a USB connection, but, as I recall, it doesn't come with any software to record with (but I might be wrong) the software that comes with it (GearBox) is just a software interface for controlling the TonePort.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 02:17 pm

OK then so i would probably us Kristal, its a lot more complex than audacity but i think its a better quality program

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 02:18 pm

Audacity isn't for multitracking, though it can do it' it's goofy to do. Kristal would be a good choice.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 20, 2006 02:18 pm

the quality of the toneport will be:

< stretches arms out in both directions > this

much better than the comp mic and built in soundcard.

And yes, it does take hours to layer overdubs, and make them sound good. It can be worth it, but maybe not. It can be a real challenge, but it can come out great, with good dedication (and some luck).

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 02:24 pm

Alright guys it looks like the toneport is the best choice. I really thank u i cant imagine how many forums i have been on and nobody has answered my question on recording like you guys have. You guys are very knowledgable on this stuff and you have made my pre-recording experience a lot better than it had previously been with people sending me in circles. I thank you again,

Steve

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 02:25 pm

Glad to help. Hope it works out for ya! TonePort is a GREAT product.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 03:26 pm

Hey one more question, I kno it has only one mic input, but can i plug in more than one guitar, I see one input for the guitar in the front but the back has two more "line in's" Can i plug guitars in those??? Thanks,

Steve

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 03:30 pm

Those are for other uses (as I recall), the signal wouldn't be pushed thru any of the modeling or anything like. They are for line level ins, such as synths or the like.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 03:41 pm

alright Thanks again!

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 03:53 pm

For twenty bucks more i can get this one with 2 mic and 2 guitar inputs, but is the quality as good as the toneport?

MAudio MobilePre USB Interface

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 20, 2006 03:54 pm

It doesn't have all the modelling capabilities...I would suspect the sound quality is comparible tho, M-Audio makes good stuff.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Apr 20, 2006 04:08 pm

Welcom to HRC!!! carefull, you'll get hooked!

cheers

wyd

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 07:06 pm

Yea I acutally think im gonna go for the stretch and get the Ux2, 2 inputs will be much better and the addition of phantom power would help when im recording acoustic songs with a condenser. I already am Hooked!!! Thanks guys,

Steve

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 20, 2006 10:22 pm

I kept thinking that, 2 inputs will open much more possiblities, but you seemed pretty set on the ux1, and, well, budget constraints are budget constraints.

I didn't want to belabor the point. Good choice on the upgrade though, I'm sure you'll be very glad you did.

Yeah, it turns into a real money pit:

<scratching head> "hmmmm, if I had this device, I could start doing that"

Have fun.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 10:28 pm

Yea hahaha, thats exactly what I did. What can i possibly do with more inputs?? MUCH!!! But yes it will be a great experience and i am gonna have a lot of fun. Thanks again guys for all your help.

Steve

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2006


Apr 20, 2006 10:59 pm

Is this anything wrong with this? It looks just like a sale from Musicians friend or ZZounds but saving $20 seems like a pretty good deal I was wondering if it was trustworthy, any opinions ?

cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Line-6-T...1QQcmdZViewItem

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Apr 21, 2006 09:17 pm

Well there are a ton of E-tailers out there and he is just another of them. It looks as though it is new and includes the Abbleton Live Lite software for recording and such. But definately check his responses as it looks like he is pretty highly rated for customer service and such.

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