Newbie gear question.

B

BenW

New member
Hello everyone, I started this thread not only to introduce myself, but to ask a newbish question of sorts. Anyway, on to the question...

I have been playing guitar for a few years, and have been experimenting with a few differant methods of direct recording (most of which have turned out awfull), and have now decided to move on to some better gear. From recomendations, product reviews, ect... I have gathered the following lineup of possible gear. Does this lineup seem ok for all-around recording? I plan on doing mainly direct recording (computer soundcard), and possibly some amp & mic recording should I ever get a decent amp. I also plan on recording some acoustic stuff, and eventually vocals. Here is the gear I have been considering.

Behringer UB802 Eurorack 8 Input Mixer
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--BEHUB802

Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--SHUSM57LC

And all the nessicary cables & converters, of course.

Currently, I use the Digitech RP300a for effects.
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--DGTRP300A
 
I think most people here will tell you to save your pennies, foregot the Behri mixer, save about $100 buck more and get an M-audio DMP3 mic preamp. I don't think you can go wrong with the 57 for your money. I can not comment on the effects, or anything DI, since I've never tried it personally, but have heard firsthanded the horrendous results it can produce. Of course, your results may/can vary.

Good Luck.
 
Welcome to the boards!

I can tell you that a much better option for a low-cost mixer would be the Yamaha MG 10/2

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/productreview--YAMMG102

Really decent pre-amps for a low-cost mixer - and Yamaha makes quality stuff. The DMP3 two-channel pre-amp is a fine choice too if you don't need a mixer, especially if you will be recording some vocals and perhaps some acoustic stuff, but the MG mixer really is a nice little mixer to kick things off with.

SM57 is a good choice for a multi-purpose mic or maybe a SM58 for voice. You could also get into some low-cost condenser microphones as well that might suit vocal work fine. If you need some ideas here, just ask or browse through the mic forums here. You'll get plenty of input on various mics that will suit various applications.

What soundcard are you using or going to use and what type of computer will you be using?
 
i own the ub802 and i mainly bought it cause it was cheap and i didnt have the hundred bucks to spend on the yamaha mg10/2. i also record direct sometimes using the boss gt-6. you might want to look into getting a condensor mic for vocals and acoustic guitar. and personally, i havent found an acoustic guitar setting on any pedal/pedal board that sounds like the real thing. there may be one out there but i havent found it.
 
With the digitech, if you are using it for distortion, turn the gain down, turn up the mids and shave off those horrible highs.
 
Hey Ben,

What kind of sound card are you currently working with? In my opinion, the most import link in the computer based recording chain. You've got to have something to turn the signal from you instrument/voice into digital and get it into your computer - and if you're using the sound card that came with your computer, it's going to sound pretty bad.

You have several options. The cheapest options are PCI based cards - you install them in your computer.

PCI Cards or Cards/break-out boxes examples
M-Audio Audiophile http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOAP2496
M-Audio Delta 44 http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--THKMIMD442

You also use USB and FireWire based interfaces - these would just plug into your computer via firewire or usb. M-Audio, MOTU, PreSonus, and Digidesign are just a few companies who offer these types of cards, as well as PCI based cards. Really, the options are endless - depending on what you need. For example, if you need 4 inputs at once, the delta44 would be a great and cheap option. If you need 8 inputs (for recording drums or something), something like the Delta 1010 or the presonus Firepod would be good.

Personally I use the delta 44. I have the dmp3 for mic pre's, as well as an old behringer mixer. The behringer is OK, but I would also suggest one of the Yamaha MG mixers. Also, don't buy a mixer that is too big. If your card only lets you have 4 inputs at once, don't buy a 20 channel mixer (like I did) unless you plan on mixing a lot of different signals into 4 outs and then go into your card. My delta 44 has served me very well. You can hear it in action if you click the link in my signature.

Some cards allow you to not have a mixer or separate mic pre's. I'm looking hard at the ProSonus Firepod. http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--PRSFIREPOD It's $600, but you get 8 quality mic pre's and a headphone out amp. You also have MIDI capabilities. You can record 8 different mic'ed sources at once, and you don't need a mixer or separate mic pre's. Plus it's firewire, so you can record onto a laptop if you want. I'm ready to sell my whole set-up and spring for one, just becuase it's simple, compact, and efficient.

As far as mic's go, the 57 will be good, but to be honest I have one and rarely use it. I like my condensor mics more. I have a studio projects C1 that I like for vocals, but I've heard over and over that the Studio Projects B1 ($100) is a great all-around mic that can be used for instruments and vocals. (My C1 isn't the greatest instrument mic - it's pretty much vocals-only for me).

This can be overwhelming at first with all the options and products, but feel free to ask as many questions as you need.
 
I forget the exact model, but I have one of the higher end Sound Blaster cards (typical 1/8 stereo line in). As for the computer, I am not sure. It about 3 years old at a maximum, the only problem I could see with it is the fact that I have 121MB of Ram. I can't afford to upgrade either of these options right now, maybe next christmas. (I am on a tight budget, due to the fact that I am a few years away from the age I can get a job)

But luckily, the sound card did not come with the computer. The origanal one died, and my brother bought the current one I have. The best result I have gotten with my it so far, is the recording below.


 
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