My crap gear...
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Posted on Jan 09, 2009 08:01 am
Merkwürdigeliebe
Member Since: Jan 09, 2009
Hello everyone! My first post here, so please be kind! :D
Alright, so I'm incredibly new to recording at home via computer. Pardon the ultra-noobness and lack of knowledge. I'm here to learn.. I put together this setup quite randomly. It's a stark improvement to when I first learned that I could use a 1/4" to 1/8" jack converter and plug my guitar directly into my computer's mic input! (lol, thankfully it's been an incredibly long time since I've ever done something as stupid)
Here's my setup:
Guitar: Ibanez GSA-60
Amp: Peavey Blazer 158
Pedal: Boss ME-50
Condenser mic: Apex 430
Mixer: Alto AMX-100
From the mixer, I use an RCA to 1/8" cable to record into the line-in on my computer's onboard audio (ALC888) and use Adobe Audition 1.5 as audio recording software.
My guitar amp only has an audio-out for headphones, which isn't suitable to use in conjunction with my mixer to plug in directly, so I usually setup my mic to record in front of my amp, usually about a foot and a half away..
I'm not satisfied with the quality anymore. It's a lot better than using a PC-mic, but the sound has no fullness to it. It generally comes out flat and stale, that no amount of EQ could fix. Distortion or noise isn't usually a problem at all. Usually I just get a lot of noise when I use the front single-coil pickup on my guitar, but I just filter out this noise through software. anyway..
Where can I start on improving this setup? What should I add/replace?
Thanks!
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TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 09, 2009 10:51 am I think that the first piece you should be thinking of is an audio interface that's designed for recording. There are a million choices, but you might start with a simple, affordable one. A 2-in/2-out interface like the ones offered by M-Audio, Tascam, Lexicon, PreSonus, etc. might be a good place to start researching.
Depending on which interface you choose, you might need an external preamp (some interfaces have them built in). Again, millions of choices here, plus the option to use a mixer for its multiple preamps.
A good dynamic microphone wouldn't hurt either. I always recommend a Shure SM57 due to its versatility. It's great for micing guitar amps.
Those 3 things are what I'd be looking at if I were you. Your audio interface is the heart of your home studio. Your preamps and their quality will go a long ways towards determining the quality of your finished projects. And having a versatile dynamic mic will come in handy for micing so many different sound sources.
Jan 09, 2009 12:21 pm If I get a preamp/interface unit like the M-Audio MobilePre or the PreSonus AudioBox, do I even need the current mixer I have at all?
Thanks for the help.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 09, 2009 12:27 pm Just depends on how many channels you need. If you have a two channel interface but want to use 6 mics for drums, you would use the mixer and then send a stereo feed to the interface.
Buy an 8 channel interface and the need for a mixer is reduced. It all just depends on how many channels you need.
If you just need some guitars, vox and perhaps program drums via software, 2 channels may be right up your alley.
Jan 09, 2009 12:31 pm I remember that epiphany a couple years back...my playing and recording needs had diminished, not being a "band" guy any more, doing more myself...looking at my mixer thinking "WTF do I even need this for"...
...but they look so cool sittin on a desk...
:-D
I sold mine and haven't regretted it since.
Jan 09, 2009 06:42 pm Nice. I really thank you guys for the input. I'm glad I didn't run into a bunch of elitists, but instead a very friendly, knowledgeable and polite group of folks ;)
So here's my plan then, I'm going to sell my crumby guitar amp and the mixer, and use that cash to get one of them preamp/interface units.
I'll probably stick to software drums (I'm using DSK DrumZ AkoustiK, freeware VST plugin, via FL Studio) because there's no way a real acoustic set will ever find its way into my room :D So a 2x2 interface will be just fine (and cheapest, heh heh)
Now, I'm assuming I can plug my guitar and mic directly into the audio interface without issues considering that it has the preamp built in, right? And the ones I'm looking at have the 48v phantom power as well so I'm good for my condenser mic.
How's all that sound? and I'm assuming my signal chain will look like this:
guitar>pedal>preamp/interface>computer
or
mic>preamp/interface>computer
As for a dynamic mic, that'll be something I'll probably invest in later, assuming that plugging in my guitar directly to the interface is fine and that my condenser mic is good enough for vocals/acoustic guitar. I believe my mic is a wide diaphragm type, which is apparently good for vocals, not as much acoustic guitars, but I guess that's something I'll have to live with as I am short $$$ for the time being.
eh?
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jan 09, 2009 07:27 pm Quote:
I'm glad I didn't run into a bunch of elitists, but instead a very friendly, knowledgeable and polite group of folks
Thats just because we're drunk very often... like I am right now...
The issue with plugging your guitar into your interface is a matter of line impediance... microphones are 'lo-z' and giotars are 'hi-z' thankfully many interfaces offer this impedance switchability with a puch of a button... but it is something you need to look for.... because technically pluging your guitar into you PC mic in as you are right now is a bad thing. :)
basically... and in a drunkin rambling sort of way... yes it's a preamp... but the impedance is different.... sop be aware of that :)
I swear to god I hop I make sense....
Jan 09, 2009 07:45 pm haha thanks for clearing that up. However, just to make it clear, I do not have my guitar directly plugged into my PC, I was saying that's what I was doing back in the day when I first started recording to my computer.
As for impedance
Looking at this one: www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MobilePreUSB.html
It says "2 mic inputs +
2 high-impedance line ins for guitar, bass, etc."
As for the other one i was looking at:
It seems to cover the issue of impedance as well, as one is clearly marked as 'mic' and the other 'instrument'
Plus, another question, what's the latency like on these USB devices.. no way it can have the same response time to analogue, there must be some kind of delay between you hitting a note and it registering and playing back.. I have firewire ports available too, is it more favorable to get the firewire variety of these types of units?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 10, 2009 05:10 am Hey there Merk, welcome to the HRC.
I don't think you'll be any worse using a USB versus a FW device. Most people get under 5ms latency with usb devices on decent PCs.
You're correct, on the guitar / mic pluging Z thing. The instrument inputs will accept your guitar, while the xlr inputs will accept the mic input.
One other option you may want to look at, is the Line6 UX2. This has the regular interface capabilities (minus MIDI), but it also offers modeling of guitar, bass, and mic preamps. I've used a smaller cousin to the UX2 for a few projects, and i'm pretty happy with it. Also, there's quite a few users on here using the UX2 with good results, so it may be worth a look.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 10, 2009 03:36 pm If you are selling your amp and plan on recording eletric guitars direct, the UX2 would be a good choice imo.
Jan 10, 2009 04:55 pm What's the difference between the Toneport and the Pod Studio UX2?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 11, 2009 04:59 am From looking through their site, I'm pretty sure the Studio UX2 replaces the Red UX2. The red one doesn't show on their products page, so I'm assuming the Black one replaces the Red one.
line6.com/products/index....n=Products+Main
Jan 11, 2009 08:34 am line6.com/toneportux2/
line6.com/toneportux1/
Problem is, I can't find the Pod Studio variety in Canada, only the Toneport..
I've done some Googling and I think it's a matter of software only
Anyway, in Canada, it's significantly more expensive then equivalent options from other companies.. so I dunno.. our prices are pretty disproportionate to US prices..
what are peoples' experiences with the M-Audio MobilePre?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 12, 2009 04:24 pm Yep, basic difference ins the software package. You get the PodFarm version rather then the Gearbox version.
Both do about the same thing, just a different name.
I assume you aren't comparing the mopile pre to the UX unit.
It is not anything like the UX at all. But for what it is it is a good unit. Drivers are up to date on the website and it seems to install and run well on most system's. Sound is comparable to most in that price range.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 12, 2009 04:41 pm Another thing to keep in mind, if you plan on using a condensor mic that requires phantom power, the UX1 is not for you.
Jan 12, 2009 10:56 pm Pardon my ignorance. The features seem relatively similar though: phantom power, 2x2 mic/inst input, mic preamps, etc. The only difference I see are the analogue VU meters and a couple of extra inputs in the back.
Anyhow, I really appreciate all the input. I'm going to put in an order for the UX2 once my next paycheck comes in. Thanks a lot guys.
