Accoustic + Vocals

[fragglemi]

Hey there! I am new to the boards. Looks like a bunch of great people. Now for my Question.

Right now I own a Mackie 1202vlz, a Sure SM-58, a variety of multitrackers for a daw. I own a Martin D-16gt ( no pickup ), and an Ovation Collectors 2001. I do a lot of Dave Matthews style music, and I do it all solo. What else would you reccommend I get for recording, and how would you go about recording this type of music with the equipment listed. Thanks!

[dachay2tnr]

Pretty good start. You'll certainly need a computer (you didn't mention that) and a decent sound card. Since you doing everything solo, you only need one with a single, stereo input.

After that you might want to look at a better mic (e.g., a large diaphragm condenser for the vocals. That will probably also work for the accoustic as well).

After that, maybe an outboard compressor (that's next on my list as well).

As for recording steps, I would probably lay down a midi drum track first (which could also serve as a click track), then bass, then guitar and vocals last. Do them all separately so as to not have bleed from one track to another. This will help immensely when you go to mix.

[crosstudio]

since you've got the guitar, the mixer, and the DAW, and your mixer's mic-pre is sufficient, I'd go for a new microphone also.

I've got the audio technica 4033 large diaphragm mic.

also, get some software dynamic processing (if you don't already)

I'd go with Waves, but if you can't afford waves,

DSP-fx and Ultrafunk have really good tools. DSP-fx has a good parametric EQ, reverb, and optimizer. Ultrafunk has a good single band compressor and parametric EQ.

[fragglemi]

Thanks!

[RecordingMaster]

as for using computer software for mixing your music or mastering, etc., you can use an easy to use program called cool edit pro (the 96 version is the best). you get to record up to 64 tracks and there are plenty of effects and noise reduction, etc.

you could also try Pro Tools which almost every professional studio uses now-a-days. The possibilities on it are endless.

To be honnest, I dont have alot of money so i IMPROVISE with what i have, ADAPT to it and learn all the different ways to use it, and OVERCOME any problems. you must master your equipment no matter how cheap it is. and its possible to still get a great sound if you experiment.i use radio shack mics for gods sake! but hey, i found how to use them my way and my final mix sounds very clear and excellent.
i do acoustic guitar and vocal tracks too, i actually just put out a mini album called Step On Me just with using my radio shack mics, a well tuned guitar, singing in tune, and my free computer software. everyone says it sounds professional (and no one really has to know how i did it!)
you can get those programs in their full versions off of a pirated kind of site. its not illegal for u to do that only for the people who post it. u can get the full version of Pro Tools at www.digidesign.com .

Good luck!
Jay

[LooneyTunez]

you can get those programs in their full versions off of a pirated kind of site. its not illegal for u to do that only for the people who post it.

And I suppose it's okay for me to have a friend steal a car and give it to me to drive. As long as I didn't steal it, I guess it's okay, huh?

Good information to know, I guess. Let the riots and looting begin!

[RecordingMaster]

what i meant was that he wouldn't get into any trouble for using the programs. it's not illegal, as opposed to using a stolen car.
let's just leave it at that.
at least i took the time trying to help someone instead of stirring things up on this peaceful, undisturbed web-site.
You're one to talk for saying "let the riots begin".

*sorry for anyone else who is reading this, i don't mean to disturb this great board*.

[LooneyTunez]

RecordingMaster,

I'm not trying to be an ass about this, I just wanted to make a point - and maybe I was a bit extreme. The point being that it's just as illegal to posses and use stolen software as it is to distribute it. If you think differently, please provide some documentation that says it's okay to use pirated software.

Sorry for seeming harsh.

[NYMorningstar]

LooneyTunez you're right on the money!

[RecordingMaster]

you do have a point though. as you can see i'm new on the boards. im not very familiar with internet discussions. im realizing now that things like that (pirated sites) aren't really supposed to be discussed on the internet.

[Track Rat]

Mr. RecordingMaster, think of it like this. You go to a car club where everybody has bought themselves nice new Corvettes and you come in and start talking about the best way to break into one and hotwire it. It makes the folks who actually PAID for theirs very uptight, ya know what I mean?