OT: Need some advice on home recording

[mindwave_21]

Hey all!  Just wanted to see if you guys could give me some advice on home recording.  For the moment, I think I'm able to get Cubase 1.x or something for my computer.  The problem is I have an audigy 1 sound card, and that's about it.  I need a preamp/mixer and at least 1 microphone.  I think my total budget will be around $200-300 for these things.  I'm planning to do recordings with vocals and acoustic guitar (no pickup), and I'm wondering if I can get this done at the simultaneously with a preamp as opposed to a mixer.  Also, is it better to have a dynamic mic for a utility mic (vocal,micing amps, acoustic guitar) or a condenser mic (I'm talking like Marshall condensor mics from guitar center).  Any suggestions?  Thanks in advance for the help.

[bwanasonic]

You may want to search the board at tapeop.com for some advice on this too.

Kerry M

[moosapotamus]

The ART TubeMP was one of the first preamps I ever bought and I still use it. It's a great value, ~$50 (I think). The Bellari MP105 is another great deal, and there's some interesting (and easy) looking mods for it at black lion audio. You could pick up a couple of these, or one of each if you want to record two tracks at once.

For mics, you can't go wrong with a Shure SM57 or SM58 (both under ~$100 each). Also under $100 is the Studio Projects B1 large diaphram condenser, another great value. An SM57 and a B1 will give you a couple of really good options.

~ Charlie

[john1056]

I agree 100% with moosapotamus' mic choices.  For acoustic guitar I think you're definitely going to want a condenser, unless you're looking for a lo-fi sort of sound.  The 57 is a great mic for what it lacks  The B1 sounds great for acoustic guitar, and it's decent for vocals too.  For your budget you could get a B1, a Shure 57 and an M-Audio Audio Buddy.  The Audio buddy is pretty neutral (some people say it's a bit grainy) which is good if you only have one preamp.   It's also a dual preamp, so if you upgrade at some point to a soundcard that has more than one input you can record two tracks at once.  Make sure the preamp you get has phantom power if you get a condenser.  

You can always get Audio Buddy's on Ebay.  Be carefully getting mics on Ebay though, since they can be easily damaged by regular use, esp. 57s which are often used to mic snares.

[Basonsubatomia]

I've tried an ART TubeMP and I was not impressed with the sound of it at all compared to my Soundcraft Spirit SX board... I've heard good things about the Audiobuddy as well.

Mic selection is bang on with what the others have said. A 57 is indispensible... although IMO, large diaphragm mics aren't the best at recording acoustic guitar. But a LD is perfect for vocals, so I'd say between the 57 and the B1, you've got your bases covered.

Here's a great site (analogous to this one):
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/

And their FAQ on mic selection and a wealth of information otherwise:
http://www.hr-faq.org/

[casey]

a small diaphragm condenser is a little better suited for an acoustic
guitar...

the audio technica Pro37r has given me years of great service:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040512132320209205186138679488/g=rec/s=mics/search/detail/base_pid/270435/

as far as a mic pre, i would go with the presonus "tubepre."
it has an 80hz cut, a phase button, phantom power, and a pad
button, not to mention that it is a great direct box for bass and
keys as well.  i've been having alot of luck with bass guitar through
it.  it's tube and it's very quiet......
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040512132320209205186138679488/g=live/s=mics/search/detail/base_pid/184125/

[aron]

I sometimes use my Presonus Firestation, but I rarely use the tube side of the preamp. I tried it a few times, but for what I was doing, I preferred the SS side. I think I need one of those condensers for my acoustic, I've been trying the Neumann U series but they seem to distort for close mic situations.

[casey]

yeah, ive used the pro37r on snare and it even handled that very well.
hey aron, does those neumanns have a pad so that you can
handle greater db?

if you want something that is really high quality for a good price,
than a audio technica at4041 is a great mic...ive used it for
strings and such, and it sounds really good.

[mindwave_21]

Wow Thanks for all the info guys!  After looking around for a little, I'm torn between the Marshall MXL 990 or a Studio Projects B1.  If a 57 works better for vocals than a B1, then I might just get a 57 and an MXL 603s for acoustic...  Also, do you think I could get away from having an independent pre if I bought a mixer like the Yamaha mg10/2?  I've heard some good things about this mixer and wondered if that was practical.  BTW, what kind of outs do mixers have?  Is it standard RCA, or is there some way to hook it up to a soundcard directly?  If I need a new soundcard for two simultaneous tracks or more and the input from the mixer or pre, I think I might buy either an m-audio audiophile or a delta 4/10 to replace my audigy.  I guess that would bring the price range to about $375 or $400...but I think I can live with that.

[moosapotamus]

If you're planning on just recording guitar and vocals, why would you even need a mixer? Plus, anything like Cubase, n-Track Studio, Cakewalk... they all have a mixer/console built into the software. I don't use a mixer, myself, and I have 8 channels of I/O. But, if you're set on a mixer, I think most folks would recommend Mackie over Yamaha for their preamps.

Yeah, you might need some adapters to sort out all the connections, RCA, 1/4", XLR, and so on...

m-Audio and Delta are both good sound cards. I would also take a serious look at the Echo MiaMIDI. Even if you don't need MIDI I/O, Echo's drivers are rock solid.

~ Charlie

[MarkB]

Mics:
I wouldn't sweat over the Marshall vs the Studio Projects - they come out of the same factories... there's a whole bunch of budget condenser mics out now that are made in China (Studio Projects, Marshall/MXL, Cascade, etc).. there's one or two factories over there producing the capsules and electronics for them.

They're not GREAT compared to your typical Neumann/Soundelux/Brauner, and the quality definitely varies from unit to unit - but for the money, they're hard to beat.   Take one or two home, and see what works for you.

For a little more money - you can pick up a used AT4033 or something similar...  also check out the Oktava stuff (supposed to be decent budget gear).  Stay away from the C3000 - some people can get good vocals out of it, but if it doesn't work for you - it's like nails on a chalkboard.

As for the other stuff - save up and get one of the better audio interfaces (M-Audio, Echo, etc) that has a mic-preamp in there..  those have MUCH better drivers (particularly ASIO for use with Cubase) so you can grab all the great free VST instruments and effects to add flavor (or drums) to your production.

There are some REALLY good free VST instruments/effects out there... reverbs that rival $1000+ hardware units.. and synths that are easily as good as what you'd spend several grand on.   If you have Cubase - there are enough good freebies out there to make REAL good music with.
"-)