Newbie Needing advice on recording equipment
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Posted on Jan 16, 2006 05:02 pm
Oriont618
Member Since: Jan 16, 2006
Hello all! I'm brand new to the forum, and actually came across it when looking for reviews for a Yamaha MG10/2.
I've been playing the guitar for quite a while now, and have recorded a few CDs using a Roland VS 880 digital studio. I'm very ignorant when it comes to recording and don't have many personal connections to learn from about recording. I am, however, a tone freak. The VS 880 SUCKED!!!!!!!! BIG TIME! for recording purposes and I eventually became so fed up that I stopped recording all together until I could find a way to record that sounded better. I then discovered that mic'ing the amp (I play a custom built strat on a Fender Blues Deville) is a much better method of recording (especially for overdrive as I've been told) than directly plugging in (like I was). I traded in my VS 880 for money and a Shure SM58 microphone. So now I have the mic and guitar set up. I'm using a laptop and can't really afford much of anything. What else am I going to need now for good quality budget recording? I'm pretty sure I need a mixer right? Any cheap mixers that work well? Does it really matter what mixer I use if I'm recording with pro tools on my laptop? How exactly am I supposed to set this up? I really appreciate everybody that's taking the time to read and respond to my post!
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Jan 16, 2006 06:08 pm You'll be glad to know you won't need a mixer straight off the bat.
If you're only going to be recording guitar on your laptop you will only need a smal l/2 track interface with pre amp's.
Take a look at www.zzounds.com/a--884907...=Filter+Results
And it doesn't really matter if you're using pro tools.
Jan 16, 2006 06:20 pm I actually would like a small mixer, because I'm going to want to tweak it a little bit, and I might want to use more than one input as well for say various microphone positions (ie one close one far).
Flashmannot the brightest spark...Member
Since: Sep 13, 2005
Jan 16, 2006 06:20 pm Hey Orion
This place rocks so hard!
Check this badger out. I've got the 1204 and it's boom diggy.
www.behringer.com/UB1002/index.cfm?lang=ENG
Maybe you'll need a new soundcard too. But if money is tight I think you can get an audio interface that comprises the card and a break out box that will let you plug two mics into it instead of buying a mixer and a new card.
I'm not the best person to ask, being a 'noob' myself but the others will fill you in.
Welcome to HRC
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 16, 2006 08:06 pm Quote:
can't really afford much of anything. What else am I going to need now for good quality budget recording?
heh, those two usually don't go together, but it can be done, if you're real crafty.
If you're using your onboard sound, you may not be too happy, but it can be done. Hopefully you have a line in port on your laptop. If so, then you can use a mixer, or a preamp to send 2 signals (or just one) into your line in. If you don't have a line in, then you could use the mic in port, but they are almost always very noisy, and not good at converting Analog to digital, so should usually be avoided.
I'm basing all this on the requirement of having a 'somewhat' quality, i.e., no real noise, no real artifacts in the sound when done.
If you have a usb or firewire port, then you can get a external sound interface, like a maudio mobile-pre, or a tascam us-122. these both will be over 100$, but well worth it for pretty decent recordings on a budget.
Also, you can get a preamp with firewire, or usb (i think) and maybe send digital signal into your computer via the usb or firewire port. These may be more spendy, I don't really know off hand.
So I guess if boils down to if you have a line in port on your laptop. If you do, then you can get a mixer like a small behringer or yamaha for under 100$. Then you can get an adapter to convert the output of the mixer channels (probably (2) 1/4" jacks) to a 1/8" stereo jack that will plug into your laptop. A stand alone preamp can be used in this instance as well, with the mentioned adapter.
If you don't have the line in port, then you will have to get a little more adventerous, and probably a little more spendy.
Hope that helps, and good luck.
Oh yeah, welcome to HRC, too. Keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times. =)
Jan 16, 2006 10:21 pm Thankyou. I do have a line in jack on my Acer Aspire 3000 with a Realtek AC'97 soundcard. I was thinking of maybe getting an Echo Indigo 24/96 external soundcard for my notebook as well, but don't know if that's quite necessary (will it affect the recording quality, or just give me better sound quality while listening?). Also, does the mixer I get matter when it comes to sound quality? I read a lot of bad things about behringer mixers...so should I get a Yamaha MG10/2? Also, I said I have protools, but I found out it doesn't work on my XP so I now have Cubase SX 3. Is this going to be pretty easy to use? I'm used to using Wavepad as my final mixdown from my digital studio. Thanks again!
Jan 16, 2006 10:25 pm Oh yeah...do I have to record from the output of the mixer? I couldn't record with an RCA cable and plug that into the line in?
Flashmannot the brightest spark...Member
Since: Sep 13, 2005
Jan 17, 2006 12:36 pm Mate,
You won't hear Behringer being badmouthed here! Loads of people have their gear and not just amateurs like me!
db loves their stuff and he reckons he knows it all ;)
You could use RCA (phono?) but coming out the main outputs is probably a better idea quality and control wise.
Jan 17, 2006 12:36 pm Quote:
db loves their stuff and he reckons he knows it all ;)
I'm an idiot...don't listen to me...I just build websites.
Flashmannot the brightest spark...Member
Since: Sep 13, 2005
Jan 17, 2006 02:17 pm lol..:)
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jan 17, 2006 02:32 pm feeling a tad modest today don't you think dB?
Jan 17, 2006 02:35 pm pfffft, I just run the web site.
If you guys think I am some sort of guru in terms of recording, musicianship or anything like that you'd be sorely disappointed. I think I am technically good as an engineer and such, I know how to work the gear, but beyond that, I'm just a commoner, I learn as much here as anyone else does...
Jan 17, 2006 02:36 pm Alright...good news. I just got a Yamaha MG12/4 for 60 bucks!!! Like new condition! I'm very excited lol. Now on to the soundcard. What is thought of the echo indigo? Are there any users or ones that are experienced with using this? Do I need to get one?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 17, 2006 10:50 pm Good for you on the yama board. I've had the 16/4 and was pretty happy. I've only heard good things about they're sound quality.
I've not used the echo card, nor any other echo stuff, so I can't comment on that. I've read a few reviews, and they're mostly positive, but it's hard to tell.
The echo card will probably have better converters than your built in ac97 chip. I'm pretty certain you'll have better audio recorded into your system with the indigo. Also better output, converting back to analog in the D/A stage.
If you're serious about recording, there's the emu 1616m which I've heard great things about, but it's quite more $$$ than the echo.
Jan 18, 2006 01:46 am D/A stage? What's that. I thought when I record, I'd just make it into a wave file and then burn onto CDs...there's more? lol uh oh
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 18, 2006 09:04 am True, you only send the digital file along, and tweak it, but to hear what you're doing, there needs to be a digital to analog conversion (D/A) so you can monitor it and hear what you're doing. If the d/a conversion is subpar, then you'll be trying to mix on skewed sound.
Could be very very tricky.
Any sound interface worth recording on would have good d/a converters as well.
Jan 18, 2006 11:35 am Anybody know anything about guitarlab by M-Audio? It's low cost and I think actually has good sound quality (I could be wrong though, I'm basing this off of what reviews I've read). I would of course trash the soft where because I would never record directly into the computer anyways and apparently it's only a trial version. Does this sound ok?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 20, 2006 12:04 am Do you mean Jamlab? If so I dont see any excitment for that without the software. It is merely a single mono channel input via USB and has a single 1/8" stereo headphone output jack. Nice thing is they do include several megs of drum tracks to jam to. It is a 24 bit 44.1/48 khz capable interface.
And if your not going to record directly into the PC honestly it would be a waste of money other then for parctice purpose, but that would require the software to get any guitar sound out of it, as that is what drives the guitars sound.
Sound quality wise, yes it has good specs and M-Audio does build mostly quality sounding gear.
Jan 20, 2006 01:43 am I didn't get it after all, I purchased the Echo Indigo I/O. It got really good reviews and I think it will serve my purpose well.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 20, 2006 02:43 am Good choice on the Idigo. It has been reviewed as a very steady piece of kit. I have used one when they first came out and found it to have a very good sound quality.
Feb 14, 2006 01:55 pm Greetings, I'm also a newbie and I'd like to share my configuration with you.
Behringer UB1002FX mixer. Great for $79. You can even get the UB1002 without effects for $49.
MXL 990 condenser (nice to start with)
Nady condenser, 'elvis' style (great for retro)
Echo Indigo IO card. This is the HEART of my awesome recording. I'm so pleased with this card. I'm also building a home system and I'm going to get the Echo Mia MIDI card. The sound on these things is PRISTINE! OUTSTANDING!
Behringer MS16 monitors for $59. Excellent for monitor mixdown if you leave both bass and treble flat.
Acoustic Mixcraft for $39. Pretty much the same as a legendary program called "CoolEdit," now defunct. This program is great. Has built in eq, compression, stereo echo, and all the other candy that you need to get started. Also a great forum at acoustica.com.
Great recordings for under $200! I cannot stress enough that using the Indigo IO card is the difference between flat sound and brilliance. Good luck, Will Hanbury Jr.
RobbueMember
Since: Feb 10, 2006
Feb 14, 2006 04:57 pm 1) get an above average soundcard
2) get an above average Preamp
3) good monitors
Kaos62Kaos is only a form of insanityMember
Since: Feb 03, 2005
Feb 15, 2006 08:23 am Just came across this thread and have to add my penneth to the original question
Don't knock to VS 880 i use a 1680 and get great tone from it. i know it can be a pain to use but they are good.
i now use it in conjunction with my sound card ESP1010 and get great results.
Feb 16, 2006 04:04 am I have my set up as:
'62 custom built strat (I say '62 because the body is from '62)->Proctavia->Custom built wah->Heavily modded SD-1->DS-1 Ultra Mod->Fender Blues Deville->Shure SM-58->Yamaha MG12/4->Echo Indigo I/O->My laptop->Cool Edit Pro
It's hard to think that I could be happier. I really can't tell a huge difference from my recordings and Scott Henderson's...and he's using much more advanced ****. Thanks for all of your help guys! You can check out some of my jams I made real quick when I set it all up at:
music.download.com/oman/3...ing_song_artist
I didn't put any time into these and they're completely improvised (bassline and guitar...drums were whipped up real quick too though lol), but you can get a good feel for my style and recording quality...maybe even give me tips!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 16, 2006 09:52 pm Orion, taht is som kickin stuff to say the least. I love the tone you are getting. I was bumming that only the one tune was downloadable. Those all would certainly be on my main playlist here. I am a huge SRVHendrix fan and your style surely brings a lot of influance from them as well as several others you mentioned.
The tunes have a great jamming feel to them as you stated. Not to bad for not putting any time into them at all. I liked them all but especially Crying Voodoo, that was really great.
I am going to give them a better listen tommorrow and I'll let ya know if I hear anything that might need work mix wise. I had to listen a little on the quiet side tonight so I didnt really get a good grip on the mix. But it didnt sound at all like anything really stuck out.
Again, my compliments on the playing!!!
Noize
Feb 17, 2006 02:59 am Hey thanks a lot! I appreciate it! I can't wait to really get started recording songs I've made. Unfortunately now I don't have time lol. Keep tabs on my site though if you want to hear some real songs in the future.
