Cheap cheap cheap!

[Creep]

Any chance I could use my amp as a mixer/preamp?

 

[Shadow_7]

Problem #1 - The soundcard on your laptop is probably NOT full-duplex. And/or otherwise sucks in comparison to other soundcards. Full-Duplex being the ability to record one track while playing another track. And not have the two bleed into each other. Not to mention that you'll need a good set of closed headphones $30 to $400 to do that anyway.

Problem #2 - If you're gonna get a real mic, you probably need all of the "other" gear. Microphone cable $25, Microphone stand $25, Boom arm $20, Microphone preamp $30 to $2,500.

For what you're wanting, you probably can't beat something like a Zoom H2 or H4. One other option would be a voice recorder $50 to $250. But it'll be difficult to multitrack on most of those. If all you want to do is record the room, just get a giant squid mini mono $15 or something similar. It requires a bias voltage / plug-in power which your laptops mic port probably provides. Otherwise you'll also need a battery box $60.

You might get by with a boom box, or it's modern equivalent. Some of the audio on modern video cameras isn't half bad. You might go that route if you have access to one, and don't have to buy/own it. Download it to the computer, extract the audio only, good to go. Lots of low budget options. But if you want to multitrack, you need a full duplex soundcard at a minimum. Or a multitrack recorder. Then you can start talking mics.

 

[Creep]

Problem #1 - The soundcard on your laptop is probably NOT full-duplex. And/or otherwise sucks in comparison to other soundcards. Full-Duplex being the ability to record one track while playing another track. And not have the two bleed into each other. Not to mention that you'll need a good set of closed headphones $30 to $400 to do that anyway.

Problem #2 - If you're gonna get a real mic, you probably need all of the "other" gear. Microphone cable $25, Microphone stand $25, Boom arm $20, Microphone preamp $30 to $2,500.

For what you're wanting, you probably can't beat something like a Zoom H2 or H4. One other option would be a voice recorder $50 to $250. But it'll be difficult to multitrack on most of those. If all you want to do is record the room, just get a giant squid mini mono $15 or something similar. It requires a bias voltage / plug-in power which your laptops mic port probably provides. Otherwise you'll also need a battery box $60.

You might get by with a boom box, or it's modern equivalent. Some of the audio on modern video cameras isn't half bad. You might go that route if you have access to one, and don't have to buy/own it. Download it to the computer, extract the audio only, good to go. Lots of low budget options. But if you want to multitrack, you need a full duplex soundcard at a minimum. Or a multitrack recorder. Then you can start talking mics.

Real mic? Sorry, I'm a little confused at to what a microphone has to be to be classified a 'real mic'. Do you mean like 57 or something popular?

Also, I can't buy ZOOM H2's in my country (Australia) they don't sell them here and eBay poses a lot of problems when it comes to it.

 

[Roguetitan]

If I was to place one mic in the centre of the kit (below the cymbals) what kind of sound would I be getting? Does anyone have a sample?

No pressure.

PS: I know it will sound bad, but you don't know my standards haha. If anyone can make me a sample it would be much appreciated but once again, no pressure.

you would get a much better sound with a large diaphram condenser mic positoned overhead and a mic positoned at the bass drum.

the reason you need another mic for the bass is because its sound frequency will be much lower than the other drums.

Any chance I could use my amp as a mixer/preamp?

it will help to define the sound on your recording so the answer is yes to an extent.

 

[Shadow_7]

Real mic? Sorry, I'm a little confused at to what a microphone has to be to be classified a 'real mic'. Do you mean like 57 or something popular?

Also, I can't buy ZOOM H2's in my country (Australia) they don't sell them here and eBay poses a lot of problems when it comes to it.

I guess I should have said "traditional" mic with an XLR connector. As opposed to the many other budget mics that have little more than a 1/8" (3.5mm) connector.

So maybe a Zoom is out of the question, but there's many other equivalent devices. Microtrack, Edirol, and others. Surely a radio shack or best buy or an equivalent exists over yonder.

 

[nationalwheel]

speaking of Tascam 4-track cassette recorder, I'm selling mine:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=255342&highlight=tascam+414mkII

 

[Creep]

I guess I should have said "traditional" mic with an XLR connector. As opposed to the many other budget mics that have little more than a 1/8" (3.5mm) connector.

So maybe a Zoom is out of the question, but there's many other equivalent devices. Microtrack, Edirol, and others. Surely a radio shack or best buy or an equivalent exists over yonder.

Mine does have an XLR connector

 

[Shadow_7]

Mine does have an XLR connector

Your laptop?

 

[Creep]

Your laptop?

I thought you meant the microphone? Like this?

 

[apl]

I like cheap, cheap, cheap!

 

[kojdogg]

hey apl-- hope you're feeling better dude!