Basic recording setup

[steve_p]

Hi all,

What does everyone use for recording basic sound clips of your builds and such?
I have had a bunch of people interested in hearing some of my builds, but I have no decent way of recording anything.
I probably don't want to spend a whole ton of money, but I would at least like to have some basic recording functionality.

I am open to computer based or a standalone unit. For reference, I am a PC user so that rules out any MAC specific hardware/software.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Steve

[NickC]

A modest audio interface to bring the outside world into your PC = starting around $150 and up (a two channel model with built-in mic-line preamp, and decent drivers for your OS would do)

Reaper DAW software = non-commercial license $40.00
http://www.reaper.fm/

Shure SM-57 dynamic mic and XLR cable .... about $120 if you shop around.

[Wiktor D]

Craigslist is great for finding a reasonably priced ($50-60) SM-57 as well as mic cable and mic stand. Those mics are bulletproof and theres enough floating around that it makes it hard to justify $100 on a new one at GC(just make sure it works). If you're only going to be recording a single tracks to show off your tone you can find free recording programs, its the simultaneous multi-tracking you pay a premium for. You can even get an audio interface for cheap. Look up the Tascam us-100. Its USB and even comes with some stripped down software that will be more than enough for what you're looking for. Mic positioning is a another can of worms altogether...

[10thTx]

I use Mixcraft Acoustica (it came with Beatcraft):
http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

and Emu Tracker Pre USB:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMUTRCK

and then mic the amp with a Shure 57 mic.

This is an example of downloading a backing track into mixcraft and then adding a lead over it with delay which is an effects in the mixcraft program:

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single ... i&newref=1

Excuse the mediocre playing in the soundclick. I used this as an example because it shows clean, slide guitar, mild overdrive and more overdrive. It's a decent example that the set up can record numerous styles of gain.

With respect, 10thtx

[ampbldr2]

I use cubase sx3 and a Mackie Onyx satellite console mixer and switch between 2 mics a audix i5 and a apex415.

If you look over alot of different mixers on the web they sometimes offer a free entry DAW software for the PC or MAC. Then an investment in a good mic is key. Hard to say what will work when on a budget.

[jestaudio]

emu usb interface , high speed PC and a couple of good quality mics, SM58 and a akg condenser mic, my choice of DAW is sonar, mainly because its guitarist freindly

[rsi]

- Edirol FA66 for interface.
- Reaper and Sonar (Mostly Reaper) for DAW.
- EZDrummer and Jamstix for drums.
- A slew of plugins that came with the DAWs, plus a Focusrite Liquid Mix.
- Akai MPK25 for controlling instrument plugins.
- Some inexpensive Alesis monitors until I get around to getting some decent ones.
- No control surface but I have a Korg Nanokontrol for the transport functions ... I also have an Ipad with TouchOSC but still need OSC support from Reaper.
- A POD 2.0 for when I need guitars but am too lazy to set up my amps.
- Audix i5 and some inexpensive condensers for mics.
- And finally a Radial JDI direct box I use for stuff like bass and can also reverse it to reamp.

[Reeltarded]

www.elevatedbasement.com

lol

[overtone]

www.elevatedbasement.com

lol

actually not a bad idea at all

[Gaz]

Just about any digital interface nowadays will work fine for close mic'd guitar (I think even Reeltarded would agree . Since the typical arrangement is to mic the speaker from only a few inches away, the tone of the room is not as crucial as drums. However, if you want a more natural sound closer to what the amp sounds like in the room, by micing the amp from a distance, it's imperative you put the amp in a pleasant sounding room, otherwise I don''t think you're going to impress anyone.

The real trick (art) is mic placement, which takes patience, experimentation, and experience to get a truly ripping guitar tone. In my experience recording a clean tone is much easier, and mic placement is much less critical.

Recording your own amps can be somewhat humbling and frustrating, and when they're out there all alone out of context (opposed to sitting in a mix) the tone can be underwhelming. I find doing a well-positioned close-mic with a subtle stereo reverb gives the most realistic effect with a home studio set-up. I think this how most 'pro' sound samples are done to my ear.

Good luck!

P.S. An SM57 is a good choice if you can't get a Royer.

[Reeltarded]

Agreed on the space, except for an often overlooked method.

You have a simple mic input in whatever computer you already have. A stereo dictation type mic will get some surprisingly good results, and might be had for around $50 or so

You won't be monitoring it during recording, just do a couple test passes to get levels.

Sony make some models that work very well, with the most expensive being an M/S stereo at around 100 bucks. You would get shivers on playback. No processing required. It's almost what you hear is what you get. The mic that came with Walkman Pros around 1998 are one of my secret weapons.

Shhhh. Tell no one.

Imma pro, but never a snob. Cheap and good is good.

[Gaz]

That's a great tip! Now if I could only get my shop to have acoustics like yours...

[Structo]

You know, you can spend a whole lot of money on a home studio.

If you just want to get by and produce decent recordings, you can get a program such as Audacity which is free.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

And if you have a decent sound card in your PC you can just plug directly into that with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter plug.

Or like I did, I bought a cheap Radio Shack mixer to interface.

Back then I used a program called Guitar Tracks by Cakewalk.
It was cheap back then but I see their stuff is now priced higher.

I have been wanting to get back into recording and so I have procured a Shure SM57 microphone and stand, a cheap tube buffered mic preamp (made by Applied Research and Technology ART) and this time around I will probably use Audacity.

Then you just have to put in the time to figure out how to work all this stuff.

Adding drums is also another challenge.
If I recall the Guitar Tracks came with a simplified drum program.
I think it was EZ Drummer.

I would lay down just a generic pattern in 4/4 and after I recorded some guitar I would go back and add the fills and cymbals.

The tricky part is getting the mix to sound good.
If all you have like me is your PC speakers, then it is hard to get the mix right.
I would record a mix and burn a CD then go play it in my home stereo and then adjust the mix until it sounded good.

[NickC]

You know, you can spend a whole lot of money on a home studio ....................

And it can quickly spin totally out of control. Don't let anyone tell you that G.A.S. is a blessing!

Here's Swamptone, my personal project studio ....... not pretty, but very functional:
[img:800:600]http://homepage.mac.com/swamptone/SwampTone.JPG[/img]

[Reeltarded]

The other thing might be a friend that already has a rig.



Like... Nick seems to be a friendly guy!