need some general advice

[Unto The Sky]

Okk so i've been studying music tech at college for a year now and this summer i've started to properly get into home recording. i saved up and bought myself a fostex 16 track recorder and shure sm58.

I'm now saving towards some more microphones and i'm wondering what some good choices would be, so far i've looked at getting the MXL990/991 set and an AKG perception 420. I'd want this primarily for recording vocals and acoustic guitar. I've got a budget of around £150 here and i intend buying used.

Next I'm looking into some microphones for overhead drum mic'ing. I was planning on using the recorderman method for recording some simple drum pieces, not sure if its a great idea or not. Im not sure what would be best for this, but i'm sure you can offer some advice. I'd like to keep the pair at £150 again if possible, and again, i intend to buy used.

Next I'm looking for some cheap easy ideas for room treatment, most of my work will be done in my bedroom, so if anyone has some useful advice here that'd be great. im not looking to get soopah amazing professional recordings and spend loads here, im not expecting great quality, but some small things to help would be nice.

one thing im gonna try and stress is, this is mostly gonna be for getting ideas out of my head into something a smidge more tangible. im not gonna be focused on getting marketable quality material right now so dont flame me too much!
thanks

 

[G-Jay]

Okk so i've been studying music tech at college for a year now and this summer i've started to properly get into home recording. i saved up and bought myself a fostex 16 track recorder and shure sm58.

I'm now saving towards some more microphones and i'm wondering what some good choices would be, so far i've looked at getting the MXL990/991 set and an AKG perception 420. I'd want this primarily for recording vocals and acoustic guitar. I've got a budget of around £150 here and i intend buying used.

Next I'm looking into some microphones for overhead drum mic'ing. I was planning on using the recorderman method for recording some simple drum pieces, not sure if its a great idea or not. Im not sure what would be best for this, but i'm sure you can offer some advice. I'd like to keep the pair at £150 again if possible, and again, i intend to buy used.

Next I'm looking for some cheap easy ideas for room treatment, most of my work will be done in my bedroom, so if anyone has some useful advice here that'd be great. im not looking to get soopah amazing professional recordings and spend loads here, im not expecting great quality, but some small things to help would be nice.

one thing im gonna try and stress is, this is mostly gonna be for getting ideas out of my head into something a smidge more tangible. im not gonna be focused on getting marketable quality material right now so dont flame me too much!
thanks

The best advice I ever got was to buy the best gear you can afford. I don't mean you need to invest in Neumann mics etc. What I mean is it is better to buy one or two carefully chosen pieces of gear that will get the job done well and be something you'll want to keep later on down the line.

If I were you I'd go for 2 good Large Diaphram Condensers. For what you are looking at doing I don't think having stereo matched mics is important so I would be tempted to get 2 different mics from different manufacturers which will give you more options and flavours for recording vocals and acoustic guitars while not causing any problems for tracking drums.

LDCs work great on the Recorderman and Glynn Johns drum micing, they are also perfect for vocals and acoustic guitar and they'll serve you well when other things come up like recording strings, brass, room ambiance etc. They will work well on most instruments.

Check out reviews of mics and if possible try them out and see if you like them. I have a Rode NT1A and an MXL 2003 - both of which have served me VERY well for about 7 years. But if possible use your own ears and judgement and choose mics that work for you.

I'm no expert on room treatment but there are lots of DIY treatments available so have a look on the forum or google DIY bass traps. Don't skimp on room treatment but you don't need to spend a lot.

If you have any cash left over, buy an SM57. It'll last you forever and works well on just about anything in a pinch.