Recording Project

[Leakx5]

Hey guys, I've been in a band with my friend (we both play guitar) for about 3 years now and we have a pretty wide selection of songs. It's mainly Progressive Death/Black metal with different elements all fused in one.

I have an M-Audio Fast Track Guitar/Mic Interface, an SM57 mic, Cubase SL, and a Line 6 Spider II amp.

I've been recording a bunch of riffs/demos and I'm not getting the best quality of music but it's sub-par.

I'm a Senior in High School and as a requirement we need to do a Senior Project, and mine is to record a 3-4 track demo or maybe even an EP.

We don't have a drummer so i need to decide whether or not to use a drum program or to actually find a drummer to record for this project and bass and vocals is not a problem.

Being a High School student i don't have much money to spend but I'm willing to spend an additional $300 or so to get the best quality I can.
Now my question is, what can i do to achieve the highest quality of music given the specific conditions that I have. Any tips, suggestions, recommendations?

Thanks in advance, and I'm also willing to post/link some of the tracks that i have recorded so you can get an idea of the quality i am getting now.

 

[Richard Monroe]

What kind of mics do you have, if any?-Richie

 

[Washburn100]

Ah how things have changed!. I remember a guitar duo was like the Everly Brothers. Wonder how they would sound playing progressive death black metal?

With a $300 budget, I would suggest EZDrummer. It's less than $100, and will get you what you need. It also is never late, doesn't do drugs and won't sleep with your girlfriend.

Ah, drummer bashing!

 

[dreib]

Dont listen to that dude you need a real live drummer. What if you want to play gigs after your awesome class project totally kicks ass? Most drummers are punctual, trust worthy model citizens. Put together a whole band and suffer like the majority of us have. And if you do catch your drummer doing drugs and sleeping with your girlfriend well, ignore the drugs if he's really good,and if your girlfriend ends up sleeping with your new bandmate i can guarantee that she is ugly and you could do better anyway...ignore that too!

 

[Richard Monroe]

Bullshit. If your drummer sleeps with your girlfriend, sleep with his. Then you can all have the crabs. Then get on with the business of death metal, which does *not* involve a drum machine. You find he does drugs? Bad metal drummers can't play on drugs. The great ones can't play without them. Make sure he doesn't run out. Better yet, get a woman. That way, when she sleeps with your girlfriend, you can have a threesome, or at least take pictures.
One thing is for sure. You need a drummer who's at least *semi* human. Death metal with a drum machine is like The New Kids on the Block tribute to Anthrax.-Richie

 

[Leakx5]

i only have one Sm57 mic, and i honestly dont mind using a drum machine for the sake of this project, i could possibly find a drummer i just want it to be as quick and easy as possible for now since i have a deadline of around the end of May to get this done.
But yea, what i am mainly looking for is some tips or anything that will help improve the quality of my recordings because right now as i record with the sm57 it sounds decent, but there is still a decent amount of fuzz and crackling in the background

 

[ez_willis]

Most drummers are punctual, trust worthy model citizens.

 

[ocnor]

but there is still a decent amount of fuzz and crackling in the background

and a Line 6 Spider II amp.

Problem identified.

 

[moresound]

Most drummers are punctual, trust worthy model citizens.

Really... where is this guy from?
Have you met Greg yet?

 

[Leakx5]

Problem identified.

Hmmm, you might actually be right because the setting that i use has a lot of drive so that is probably one of the causes. because when i record my acoustic with the sm57 it sounds fine. what are some good metal amps you would recommend especially for recording?

 

[Washburn100]

Thanks in advance, and I'm also willing to post/link some of the tracks that i have recorded so you can get an idea of the quality i am getting now.

Why not post something and we will all have a go at you, I mean, constructively criticize and provide helpful comments.

Except the drummers, how do you take criticism from em when their knuckles drag on the ground!

 

[Leakx5]

heres an opeth solo i recorded a while back: http://omploader.org/vM3djdg

 

[frederic]

Bullshit. If your drummer sleeps with your girlfriend, sleep with his.

Heck no! You let your drummer keep the skank!