Geetbox mic'ing
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Posted on Mar 25, 2008 08:52 pm
HonestIain
Member Since: Mar 25, 2008
Just to start things off on my first post, I am 18 years old. I have very little equipment and hardly any experience doing this. I do have interest in recording and the whole shpeal (spelling?). I plan on attending Middle Tennessee State this fall to major in recording production and technology. Now that I'm done with my introduction I have a question.
I read a lot of tips and guides on how to mic a guitar. I don't have many mics and don't want to mess with setting up a close mic AND an ambient mic so I just set up a dynamic mic a few inches from the speaker (as it said). I played and made sure that it wasn't clipping or going into the yellow (bear with me, I told you, no experience. I don't know any of the jargon yet). But after I record it it sounds weak and frail on the computer. The signal is very weak, and the volume is really low, yet it comes in fine in the mixer. So to experiment I turned it up on the board and let it go as loud as it could without actually clipping (I play in a hardcore band and we're just recording some demos before we go into an actual studio. So why not?). And still, the signal was weak and the volume was low, except this time it sounded like crap. I tried turning it up on the software and still it was not to my satisfaction.
Oh my! I forgot to tell you, I'm using an Alesis multimix8 as my interface, a mac mini, garage band, and some V-tech dynamic mic.
I'd like any help. It's probably more of an experience thing rather than equipment.
I just need someone who knows what they're doing to tell me what to fix.
I'm done.
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Mar 25, 2008 10:12 pm It's a crap mic. I really think that is the problem. It probably can't handle the spl that you are pushing. With hardcore you probably want as much control over the sound as possible which in my head means as little ambient sound as possible.
What kind of amp?
At any rate get the mic good and close to the speaker grill. Somewhere between the coil and the edge of the cone. Don't be afraid to turn it up a bit. Also, make sure your plugged into a mic input and not a line input. The Line inputs are usually a 1/4" plug and the mic inputs are XLR. Come to think of it, if you have your mic plugged into the line input, this could be your problem.
Mar 25, 2008 10:33 pm Hey man. Welcome to HRC!!! :)
Mar 26, 2008 02:25 pm Yeah, crap mic. I know, but I didn't have to pay for it and since I have to save up for a laptop for school I don't really have the money to invest in a better mic.
I'm playing an Ibanez Toneblaster 100H stack. I have it turned up to about 5 or 6 (which is plenty loud) and the gain at about half as well.
I've played with the position of the mic putting it anywhere from on the fabric (is this the grill?) and a few inches away.
Although I have little experience I do know enough that you should plug the mic into an XLR input. The mic is plugged into an XLR.
I just get the feeling that the problem is between the mixer and the computer rather than the mic to the mixer. But again, I know very little.
Also, I loaded the version Cubase (LE I think) that came with my mixer to see if it's any better than garageband. I also have Sony ACID, but I don't like it very much.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 26, 2008 02:36 pm It could still be mic positioning. I see that you have tried variable distances but what about side to side. Could try a different speaker as well.
Mar 26, 2008 02:50 pm True. And honestly, my band is going to record with someone who used to be pretty high up with Clear Channel in a few months, And does really good work. I just want to get something done for our Myspace.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 26, 2008 02:54 pm I'd suggest plugging headphones into the mixer. If the sound is of good quality at the mixer, then I'd rule that out (for now). This is overlooking the cheap mic for the moment.
I would instead focus on the software. There may be volumes for each step of the way: rec volume for hardware inputs, maybe for software control panel of the hardware or something like that.
Also, some audio interface control panels will have a 'gain' or 'trim' control. My ESP1010 does, I can turn up or down the gain control on my first two channels.
with a putzy mic, you won't be able to drive it very hard, before it starts getting nasty. I'm gonna guess that's what you're hearing when you turned up the software volume. Keep the source volume down until you can get a mic that can take high SPL. Try and capture clean stuff, and get used to your equipment. Expirement with easily recorded stuff until you get better acquainted with everything.
Mar 26, 2008 03:08 pm What about recording the guitar direct in and just use and amp simulator? It would slow the computer down but it would probably be louder.
Mar 26, 2008 03:08 pm Deleted By Loki
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 26, 2008 04:07 pm Lots of people go this route, with great results. You should probably figure out why your levels are off though, if they really are. It may just be the mic, but if you said the mixer has good level, then it should be in the computer as well.
(just thinking out loud, there . . .)
If you're worried about processing, then record your take, and render or freeze the track, so it's just playing audio, not playing a track with effects (like a modeler) on it.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 26, 2008 08:06 pm You may also need to turn up the pre amp on the mixer to get a better signal into Cubase. Also check to see that your interface is seeing it and getting a good signal to Cubase as well.
Are you getting a full signal in the meter in Cubase? I assume you are talking about the meter on the mixer in the post above.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Mar 27, 2008 12:49 pm If recording to your internal PC\Mac soundcard, the input level might not be cranked up. This might explain quiet on the computer but loud at the mixer.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Mar 27, 2008 07:37 pm Quote:
Deleted By Loki
er....don't upset Loki. He can be vicious!
Just kidding, Loki....
As pjk noted, I'd get your gain staging correct before you start just blaming the microphone. Check in your DAW (Garageband) in the options to make sure the interface is properly gain staged in there.
Mar 28, 2008 12:06 pm I was able to get things working properly, after a little while of playing around with things.
Thanks.
