Recording for [pretty much] the first time...
Home > Home Recording Forum > Recording Techniques > Recording for [pretty much] the first time...
Posted on Dec 08, 2007 12:46 pm
stupidlogic
Member Since: Dec 08, 2007
A friend of mine and I first played music together several years ago in a band. We bought equipment, along with the other members at the time, and played a bunch of shows. We bought stuff to prepare for recording as well, but never got to it and things kind of went good bye for quite a few years. Now we are finding the time to get back into it and want to record some things. We have almost no experience with recording and would like any input about how to do it with the equipment we have. Below is a list of the equipment we own between us:
Equipment:
- Behringer PMP5000 Powered Mixer (20 Channels, 2x600 Watts with Effects)
- Behringer EP1500 Europower Stereo Power Amplifier (1,400 Watts)
- (2) JBL JRX125 PA Speaker Cabinets (2x15 Inch, 500 Watts, Quasi 3-Way)
- (2) JBL JRX112M Monitor Cabinets (12 Inch, 250 Watts)
- (4) Audio Technica ST90MKII Dynamic Microphones
- (2) Shure SM-58
- (1) EV RE200 Condenser Cardioid Mic
- (1) Peavey Condenser Mic (can't remember the exact model)
- Zoom MRS-802B 8-track Digital Recorder
- Line6 Spider III HD 150
- Behringer Ultrabass BX 1200
Instruments:
- Roland TD-6SXT Drum Set
- Fender Standard Telecaster
- Fender Squire Precession 5-string Bass
- Peavey Fury 4 Bass
- Trombone
- Alto Sax
- Cornet/Trumpet
Using the equipment we have, what would be the best way to go about recording each instrument? The kind of music we want to make involves using each instrument listed and maybe even some other auxiliary percussion, but that is relatively minor. Any sort of information or pointers toward information would be helpful. Thank you in advance for your input.
[ Back to Top ]
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 08, 2007 02:13 pm Welcome aboard, there SL,
Are you hard pressed to use the Zoom recorder? 8 playback tracks, and 2 input tracks may be pretty limiting, especially if you have aux percussion, and horns. The track list can add up quick.
I'd look into using a PC, as then you can have (usually) unlimited tracks, and depending on the interface, more than 2 inputs.
Plus you can add and change effects whenever you want.
Even a mid-performance PC can run plenty of tracks, if you don't use a ton of effects, or softsynths.
You would just need to pick up an interface, to plug your inputs into. One with preamps built in would be a great direction. Otherwise, you can use the mixer preamps to plug your mics into, and then cable from the mixer over to your PC interface.
I'm thinking you could Ebay the zoom, and make the $$$ to cover the cost of a recording interface. If you only will record 1 or 2 channels at a time, then you will probably make money on the deal. 2 channel cards usually are less than 200$.
The power amp and monitors can be used as a monitoring solution, though it probably will not be very accurate. studio monitors are built for accuracy, whereas PA speakers won't be as much. They can still be used though, you'll just have to 'learn' how they play music, so you can compensate.
You'll want headphones, to hear the pre-recorded tracks.
I'm gonna assume you'll use the roland kit for drums, so that will negate the need to mic up a drum kit.
Always play to a click, if you can help it, be it a click, or the drum track. It makes adding instruments later much easier.
Dec 08, 2007 02:34 pm I'm not hard pressed to use the Zoom at all. I got it quite a while ago and it was used here and there, but never got to do anything "serious" with it before.
Thank you for the advice so far. This had also crossed my mind: Would it be better to plug directly from the guitar/bass amp into the mixer and then into the recorder/computer or mic the speakers into the mixer to the recorder/computer? Or is it just a matter of personal preference?
In the past, with the little experience I have had with recording there has always been a problem of a little buzz in the background. I always assumed that most of it was some sort of electronic interference or something. How can I work to get rid of this?
Once again thank you in advance.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 08, 2007 02:44 pm Guitar amps vary, so does the quality of the sound coming out of the speaker cabinet.
Also, quality of sound depends on the mic and preamp recording the signal.
If it were me, and the quality of the sound coming out of the line6 was clean, I'd probably mic the amp with one of the dynamic mics, and one condensor a little more back, while keeping phase as close as possible.
But if it were me, I'd also record one track direct from the amp (i assume it has a direct out). I'd then play with the signals in the PC, changing EQ, pan, and effects to make a bunch of different possible sounds.
Bass guitar, on the other hand, is often better to be recorded direct. Bass amps (i've read) are hard to record sounding great, as the waves are so large that they mud themselves up with reflections and such. I record my bass direct into the mixer, while others here use DI boxes, or other preamp / processor type devices.
Both those areas are certainly 'try and see' type scenarios. Nobody will know what's best for what you want, but you (and your mates).
Also, if you're not needing a preamp, then you won't need the mixer. You'll be using the mixer for a bank of preamps. If a device outputs LINE level (processor, guitar/bass amp) then you can plug right into your interface LINE input. No need to put another device in the path, if you don't need to.
The only time you'll need the mixer, is when you're plugging a MIC into it.
Buzz can come from a variety of sources, (amp, mic, cable, jack on device, electric problems in house, faulty guitar, fluorescent lighting, dimmer switch, etc). I'd get started first, and when you find a buzz, start troubleshooting right then, because you'll know what device you're working with.
Dec 09, 2007 04:43 pm So I was checking out the Computerware for recording and stuff, but I'm not sure what I am looking for. I am looking at PCI cards since I have an extra slot in my computer, but I don't know what makes one better than another? Does anyone have any suggestions what to look for or maybe what they use and how it worked for them. Thank you again.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 09, 2007 05:50 pm How many inputs would you need at once? That will kind of help get us rolling in the right direction for you. Also are you going to need something with XLR on it or will just the 1/4" inputs do the job for you?
Dec 09, 2007 05:59 pm Two inputs would be enough. We have a 20 channel mixer and poweramp to work with the XLR's, so minimum would be a 2 1/4" inputs for stereo.
But again, that would be the minimum I suppose and that doesn't necessarily mean that having more is out of the question. Thank you for your help.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 09, 2007 06:21 pm Well the M-Audio 2496 is a killer card in the $110.00 price range. It has 2 x 2 analog inputs that are RCA type jacks, but you can simply convert with a 1/4 to RCA type cable. It also has s/pdif digital i/o and midi i/o as well.
The ESI juli@ is the same type card, with a little better converter in my opinion and it can convert with the flip of an internal card from either RCA or 1/4" jacks so that is also a plus. It as well has s/pdif i/o and midi i/o. And it is in about the same price range, maybe a little higher then the M-Audio card.
Those are probably to top 2 cards at a reasonable price in my book.
You can go over board as well with something like the CardDeluxe from Digital Audio Labs. Pretty much over kill at a price of around $400.00 for a simply 2 in 2 out analog card with s/pdif and no midi i/o.
Dec 09, 2007 06:27 pm Okay I will check out those cards as well as others of course. What about software? Do any of these cards come with it, or am I looking at a separate purchase?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 09, 2007 06:38 pm I just took a quick look and it appears that both come with Ableton Live Lite. Not the easiest application to use. But there are several easy to use freeware apps out there and some others that are shareware types that are really low cast.
