my mr8 sounds like crap!

[rottedham]

i got my mr8 for christmas and i've been recording and trying my best to mix a professional sounding song on the computer but for some reason my mr8 doesn't sound that great.. is it because i'm using extended mode rather than normal mode?
i use extended mode because with normal mode it takes up waaaaay too much space on the CF-card.

do you guys use normal or extended mode when recording? and also.. this may be a really stupid question.. but if i have already recorded a song in extended mode, is it possible to keep all of the track info but just make it into normal mode?

thanks in advance,
Chris

[kdgospel]

I doubt you will ever get a professional sounding recording on extended mode. If you are mixing on your pc, space on the CF card should not be an issue. When the card is close to being full transfer everything except a track to go by to your pc. Or if you don't like doing it this way, get a larger CF card.

[dave in toledo]

you have to use the normal mode, extended is too low a bit rate, kdgospel knows with the pc, you never really run out of space so it shouldnt be an issue.....

[TNO]

The other thing is the sound you're putting into the MR-8. Are you using a preamp of some kind? Compression?

[billisa]

Originally posted by rottedham
is it because i'm using extended mode rather than normal mode?

Yes, totally.

[cellardweller]

Extended mode= poo poo

used it once, never again.

[rottedham]

Originally posted by TNO
The other thing is the sound you're putting into the MR-8. Are you using a preamp of some kind? Compression?

all i am doing with the inputs is directly plugging in my guitar and using the powerful mastering effect with the us metal amp simulator.. and for the vocals i am using a cheap Nady Starpower mic sometimes with condenser sim. and sometimes with tube sim. the vocals dont sound all that bad though.. but the guitar distortion sounds really fuzzy. it gets even worse when i turn the distortion knob all the way up but when it's not up all the way it doesn't sound distorted enough for my style of music.

[bsr2002]

You may want to get a cheap mixer like Behringer for $59. Has stereo outs and mono outs and phantom power.








http://mymr8.8m.com/

[rottedham]

that's an awesome setup, bsr2002. how many channels does the mixer have?

[cellardweller]

Ahh, the "fuzzy" guitar thing. I think I may have had the same problem not too long ago. Try drasticly reducing your gain/distortion, double the guitar tracks, etc.. These are the quick fixes anyhow. I reduced my distortion probably about 50%, still sounds distorted enough though, IMO. I don't know much about it, but it seems digital is not kind to filthy distortion. I never had much luck with direct input of any kind. Get an old trusy SM57, mic that puppy!

Sorry if these are solutions which are unavailable/obvious to you. No harm in suggestion!

[bsr2002]

Thanks rottedham,




Behringer UB1002 Eurorack 10 Input Desktop Mixer with 2 XLR Mic Inputs and 3-Band EQ on Mic Channels. Some of the guys in this forum have bigger, but this one suits my needs. You can find this at Musician's Friend website.

[pjh6467]

Distortion is tough on the MR8. I only use the direct in for getting ideas down quickly not for actual takes. For around $100.00 you can get a used SM57 or 58 to mic your amp for guitar and a new Behringer UB802 or 1002 mixer for your vocals. Makes a world of difference. If your budget can afford it, there are some decent digital guitar effects processors out there under $300.00. I use a Boss ME-33,has all the effects I need with amp simulators. I use it also for outboard effects off my UB802 for vocals(harmonizer saves tracks) I'm sure there are updated versions by now. Good luck pj

[rottedham]

thanks for all the replies! but i have another question.. this may sound stupid but.. i am pretty new to recording and everything.. i just started when i got my mr-8 for christmas. so i was wondering, exactly what sort of advantages would i have with a mixer? and would it be connected to the mr-8 or to my computer? i'm taking audio engineering and MIDI classes in college right now but i just started Jan. 22. we haven't really learned much about the mixers yet. so if someone could tell me pretty much the big advantages i'd have with a small mixer and how i would set it up (to the mr-8 or the computer), i would really appreciate it.

thanks!
Chris

[bsr2002]

exactly what sort of advantages would i have with a mixer? and would it be connected to the mr-8 or to my computer?
=====================================

I mainly use a mixer for the EQ and added power.

You can set up ex: mic>>mixer>>mr-8

[TNO]

Instead of a mixer I'd consider getting something like a M-Audio DMP3 and a Presonus Comp16.

[kdgospel]

I am not a guitar player, but have read many posts in this forum about micing the amp instead of plugging the guitar straight into the MR8. So probably the best quick fix for you is to take that Nady mic, put it real close to your amp, and turn the gain all the way up on the MR8.

[dave in toledo]

you really need a mixer, the pre amps in the mr8 are not hot enough to get a strong signal, the preamps in the b mixer are strong and clean, plus you get eq, and phantom power, which you will not get from buying just a pre amp at the same cost or more, the mic and amp sims are crap, and so is the distortion, get a cheap distortion pedal and mic your amp through the mixer and aux out to the mr 8.... you wont beleive the difference in your sound,.......

[rottedham]

Originally posted by dave in toledo
you really need a mixer, the pre amps in the mr8 are not hot enough to get a strong signal, the preamps in the b mixer are strong and clean, plus you get eq, and phantom power, which you will not get from buying just a pre amp at the same cost or more, the mic and amp sims are crap, and so is the distortion, get a cheap distortion pedal and mic your amp through the mixer and aux out to the mr 8.... you wont beleive the difference in your sound,.......

i have a Boss DS-1 distortion pedal which i like a lot.. i will definately try your advice on micing up the amp. i will look into the mixer though. right now i am kind of broke. thanks again for the advice.