The 5 basic steps

[billabob]

Ok i was just thinking what would be the best way to record using just 5 items, might be abit of fun to see people variations. The items will be:
A guitar,
An amp,
A microphone,
A mixer,
Recording software.

My current set up is:
Fender telecaster 72 deluxe (mexican),
Orange dual terror with strait orange 4x12 cab,
Le systems dynamic,
Alesis multimix 8 usb,
Cubase LE 4.

 

[The Cancers]

Step one: Set the mixer on top of the amp.
Step two: Hang the microphone from your ceiling fan (if you don't have a ceiling fan, you're SOL)
Step three: Get a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter and plug your guitar straight into your computer soundcard.
Step four: Make sure you've selected the right input on your DAW program and away you go.



...



Was that what you were looking for?

There's really only one optimal way to use all that equipment to get sound into your computer.

Everything else will yield results of a lower quality than that.

It's all about mic placement and gain staging, both of which are googleable, once you get everything working.

 

[billabob]

not really mate, wat i mean is if u had to pick a guitar,an amp, a mic, a mixer and recording software wat would you pick
xxxx

 

[Chibi Nappa]

not really mate, wat i mean is if u had to pick a guitar,an amp, a mic, a mixer and recording software wat would you pick
xxxx

Under those situations I suppose I would go with an acoustic guitar since it looks like there are no other instruments in this song and I like the sound of an acoustic on its own.


So... Can't say what type of guitar I would buy. Acoustic instruments vary greatly in their tone even within the same model number. So I suppose I would start searching local music stores and find the one that sounded best. I like Martains so I'd probably start there.

Don't need an amp in that case so there is money saved.

Mic... I really don't know. I'm only used to the mics I own and the mics I work with. The mics I own really aren't the best. The mics my employer owns...well since I didn't research and buy 'em and I never bother to look at the name stamped on 'em, I really don't even know what they are. But there is one platinum-ish colored cardioid SDC that I love for acoustic. I'd use that. Helpful!

Mixer... I'd get a big-ass expensive Neve just 'cause I've always wanted one.

Recording software... They all do the exact same thing so who really cares? Throw a dart at a catalog or something.

 

[grimtraveller]

not really mate, wat i mean is if u had to pick a guitar,an amp, a mic, a mixer and recording software wat would you pick
xxxx

Your OP doesn't make that clear at all ! It seems like a "How would you ?" rather than a "What would you pick ?".

Anyway, that said, I'd use a 12 string electro acoustic and overdrive it slightly by sending it through the amp for that part fuzzy, part jangly, part acoustic sound. I'd mic the amp and rather reluctantly send it into Cubase 5 if I had to use software and not a standalone. Then I'd record a second guitar track, straight 12 string acoustic. Both times, I think I'd use a condenser mic and first time round not too close to the amp for fear of popping it. For the second guitar, I'd go fairly close but from the bottom end of the guitar, pointing towards the soundhole rather than directly at it. Then I'd do three sets of vocals for a three part harmony, recorded at different speeds. I'd use the mixer for phantom power and perhaps a little colouration. I might throw in a third lead guitar line but I'd be very disciplined and tasteful with it !
I'd pick the most expensive condenser that all the pros gush about, just to see if my cloth ears could really discern the difference. The amp would be a Marshall because I like the sound of their little 80 watt amps (haven't a clue what they're called}. I don't know what guitar I'd pick, probably a Yamaha. And the mixer I'd go for would be a Behringer, just to annoy the engineer and force them to use their skills to deliver !

 

[kegraham]

Everyone seems to be focuse on Guitars ... what about keyboards? Surely, they would give you the most flexibility to generate the widest variety of sounds?

So ....

1. Computer : Good spec Laptop
2. External Professional Audio Card (e.g. M-Audio Fastrack)
3. Good Mic (Shure)
4. Roland Keyboard
5. Magix Samplitude or Sonar DAW Software

Kevin

 

[grimtraveller]

Everyone seems to be focused on Guitars ... what about keyboards?

the best way to record using just 5 items; might be a bit of fun to see people's variations. The items will be:
A guitar,

A keyboard has greater scope which is it's great strength.......and it's major weakness.

 

[Monkey Allen]

Ok i was just thinking what would be the best way to record using just 5 items, might be abit of fun to see people variations. The items will be:
A guitar,
An amp,
A microphone,
A mixer,
Recording software.

My current set up is:
Fender telecaster 72 deluxe (mexican),
Orange dual terror with strait orange 4x12 cab,
Le systems dynamic,
Alesis multimix 8 usb,
Cubase LE 4.

1. Martin D28
2. No need
3. CAD m177
4. No need
5. Sonar