Newbie From Norway Intro + Opening questions?

[norskdrum]

Hi To Everyone..

I am really an old new kid on the block?I am 55 years old Englishman,Married to a Viking & living In Norway.I was reliably informed that this is the place to go for Sound advice excuse the pun!

I am a very frustrated percussionist...long story but have being in poor health for many years and things have become worse,,,which gets to you.I have become lazy..no motivation...and it`s serious.Right I promise not to re visit the misery.But it does have implications for almost everything I do.

To cut a very long story as short as I can...I am receiving a lot of very kind help from great folk...in the world of percussion & elsewhere.

I would just like to ask a few opening questions..to get the ball rolling.
Please tell me if the following should be placed elsewhere on the forum?
I know from past experience that you guys need as much imfo as possible so as to be able to give the correct advice..I have read so much in such a short time including many threads. so here goes:-

I was thinking of trying to utilise my laptop,by recording some of my lessons /practice and being able to simply play it back?I am also going to set up live online lessons (we live in the wilds and I could not travel very far)

I have being looking at a few recording options and above all I am trying to strike a continual balance..& keep what ever set up as simple as possible but with a bit of style! quality.I really am not looking for a home studio as such? although I suppose in reality it will be.

I have 2008-9 Dell studio 32 bit laptop that is my nerve centre..
Few tech spec details:
Intel(R) High Definition Audio HDMI
Device ID:HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2802&SUBSYS_80860101&REV_1000\4&A74B963&0&0101
Driver Date: 3-15-2010
Driver Version: 6.10.1.2089
Driver GUID: {4d36e96c-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}\0007
Service Description: Intel(R) High Definition Audio HDMI
Device Location: Internal High Definition Audio Bus
Device Parameters: HDAUDIO


The Percussion Invetory is as follows:-
CONGAS PAIR/TIMBALI WITH MOUNTED COWBELS& BLOCKS E.T.C.there maybe other hand drum/s later.
but..as I am not wishing to become a recording studio..Mixing & laying down tracks,pro recordings e.t.c. I thought maybe a large condenser mic,may do the job of maybe recording the ensemble rather than every single instrument:Because I have read how folk mic up just the Congas with two near the heads at 45 degrees.or hanging above. & Mic set back a little..(overhaul) and mics at the bases e.t.c.You guys will know all this anyway..

I was thinking a nice quality boom mic stand..with either one or two microphones? but hey what do I know.

These all in one recoders by ZOOM.TASCAM e.t.c. wondered if these would be a simple way of doing it..I can hear the groans from here!

I am told I need a audio interface to plug the mics in to,,then I assume that goes to my laptop where I can use suggested free software..but again |I don`t need anything to complex or special.I have already received advcie on audio interface with the sonus set up quite popular and not to expensive good latency e.t.c.

Then I assume we travel on to the Active monitors/Speakers? I did own a pair of audio engine a5s but sold them..so am looking for suggestions..
Oh the room is small 2 mtrs x 3.8 mtrs x 2.4mtrs high..

If I could buy a pair of monitors and stands (not to costly)which could double up to play my music files of which I have many. then that would be superb.

Do not know how the two functions of recording my lessons (main priority) and listening to my music can be achieved but I look forward to your suggestions..I suspect a outboard DAC will come in to this somewhere to bypass the Dell soundcard?

anyway that is more than enough to be going on with

many thanks in advance

all the best Steve

 

[Bobbsy]

Welcome. It's great to have somebody ALMOST as old a me here. (And please tell me you don't like lutfisk!)

The FAQ at the top of this forum is your friend...Arcadeko has written a really good introduction to home recording.

To record drums for a demo CD you really need to use lots of mics and an elaborate interface. However, just to hear what you're doing in your lessons, you're entirely right that one or two mics out in front of the kit will let you hear what you're doing. Or, there are various compromises....I've often recorded drums with 4 mics...one in the kick, one on the snare and two overheads. It really depends on how elaborate you want to get. In this case, the hints in the drum forum are great.

Yes, you will need an interface--exactly which one will depend on your decision on how many simultaneous inputs you need. Two and four input devices are really common and not break the bank expensive. But, yeah, ditch the Dell inbuilt sound card. Laptop interfaces are universally rubbish.

Finally, your idea of getting some decent monitors is excellent and, yes, they can certainly also be used for playing back your collection of recordings. I do exactly that and probably enjoy better sound than the vast majority of people with basic computer speakers.

Finally, you'll need some software on your computer for the recording. Reaper is recommended by lots of people here and does an excellent job. It's also free to try and cheap ($40) to buy.

Have fun!

Bob

 

[moresound]

Welcome to the forums Steve You seem to have do your homework and are headed in the right direction with your assumptions.
AS you stated with what you are going to need to record, you are correct, just wait for people to make a few suggestions to the gear you are in need of and take it from there.

 

[norskdrum]

Great Reply ,Many Tahnks Bob!

Hi Bob
Many thanks for your very kind welcome appreciate it..(no i do like lutfisk Yak I have tried it and I jsut can not see what could be nice about it?)

I will have the 2 x Congas the Timbali with assorted add ons to begin with... I will indeed check out the two links you gave me..and see how I go..I am normally not very good with Forums..I get completely lost and overwhelmed...just the way I am.

So I must decide or find out how many mics I can get away with Bob? and which type to use e.t.c.
then decide which audio interface I am receiving good feedback on the pre sonus and apogee.

When you say ditch the DELL you just mean bypass the internal sound card is this correct Bob?would the audio interface do this also for my playback of the lessons as well as listening to my audio files e.t.c?

I will keep the reaper software in mind..I was also given two other siftware brands but can not recall there names at the moment?

Please keep the imfo comming when you can

many thanks Steve

 

[norskdrum]

Hi there,
Many thanks for the welcome and the song..very encouraging that I appear to be heading in the right direction...I am waiting for the suggestions with baited breath

all the best my friend steve

 

[Steenamaroo]

It sounds from your description like you don't really want to get into intricate recording / editing / producing techniques, but rather you just want to hear yourself and let others hear you online?

If this is true, perhaps a simple two channel usb interface and a pair of decent small mics like oktava mk012, akg c415 or shure sm81s would be perfect for you.

A pair of well positioned 'overheads' like these can give a great portrayal of a performance, if the room and instruments sound good.


Again, If you're wanting to keep this simple, i'm not sure that i'd recommend spending money on monitors.
If your intent is what i described above, good hifi speakers should be sufficient since there isn't a lot of critical mixing/balancing going on

If you're more interested in multi mic setups, overdubbing and getting more technical, then it'd be best to wait for others to chime in.

Hope that helps.

 

[Bobbsy]

Hi Bob

When you say ditch the DELL you just mean bypass the internal sound card is this correct Bob?would the audio interface do this also for my playback of the lessons as well as listening to my audio files e.t.c?

Sorry I wasn't clear--yeah, it was just ditch the inbuilt sound card that I meant. Your Dell should be fine.

For your interface, I've never tried Apogee but the Presonus ones are excellent. I might also add M-Audio Fasttrack to your shortlist...I also know these to be very good for the money.

Microphones: Steenamaroo mentioned some good ones, depending on your budget. I'd probably add a pair of SE Electronics SE1A to your list...very versatile small mics that I use alongside my AKG415s (much more expensive) with good results.

Finally, as you're in Europe, you might want to consider ordering anything you buy from THOMANN. They tend to have a good range at excellent prices.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[norskdrum]

Another High quality answer:Many Thanks!

Hi Steenamaroo,
Another quality reply,really do appreciate all the top class imput.already I am feeling a wee bit more confident...
you are totally correct in your assumptions that I do not intend to get in to the intricate aspects of home recording.
I will be giving most of my attention to my playing..that is why I said from the outset must try to keep it all as simple as possible and compact.

Must admit I am not totally sure how the online lessons will pan out ..this is yet to be arranged but there are quite a few pro- teachers offering this service.

If this is true, perhaps a simple two channel usb interface and a pair of decent small mics like oktava mk012, akg c415 or shure sm81s would be perfect for you.

A pair of well positioned 'overheads' like these can give a great portrayal of a performance, if the room and instruments sound good.

When we talk about overheads excactly how do you position them are they on wires,stands..attached to the roof...whilst I have said I wish to keep things simple..nice if it all looked the part to.
So it`s overhead rather than condeser on boom outfront?

pair of decent small mics like oktava mk012, akg c415 or shure sm81s would be perfect for you.

are their any major differences between your recommnede mics?

Again, If you're wanting to keep this simple, i'm not sure that i'd recommend spending money on monitors.
If your intent is what i described above, good hifi speakers should be sufficient since there isn't a lot of critical mixing/balancing going on

once again superb advcie,would never have thought of it...

I just require a short list of recommended Hi fi speakers..if this is the way to go..I had become to focused on the recording thing! as you quite rightly say I do not need to be mixing/dubbing e.t.c.

If you're more interested in multi mic setups, overdubbing and getting more technical, then it'd be best to wait for others to chime in.

NO! i will leave this to you guys....

once again many thanks
Please get back to me if yoiu have any more tips

all the best Steve

 

[moresound]

As much as I hate to say it but perhaps you should look into a USB microphone.


Did I really say that?

 

[norskdrum]

Great Reply Again ,Many Thanks Bob!A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+

Hi again Bob...
This is better than I could ever have hoped for..it is all coming together very quickly..which is brilliant!

I'd probably add a pair of SE Electronics SE1A to your list

How do these compare to the

oktava mk012, akg c415 or shure sm81s

as suggested by Steenamaroo.

Presonus ones are excellent. I might also add M-Audio Fasttrack to your shortlist...I also know these to be very good for the money.

duly added..

I have THOMANN. short cutted but unless they are in Norway..then it becomes uneconomic to buy from the EU Norway is not in the EU and we still pay duty on everything! adds on 35% VAT + post office collection fees e.t.c.

Keep the comments rolling

many thanks Steve

 

[norskdrum]

I know nothing what so ever about USB mics? are they any good...
advice appreciated
Cheers Steve

 

[moresound]

I have THOMANN. short cutted but unless they are in Norway..then it becomes uneconomic to buy from the EU Norway is not in the EU and we still pay duty on everything! adds on 35% VAT + post office collection fees e.t.c.

Keep the comments rolling

many thanks Steve

Hey Steve what we need is an underground culvert alliance to provide country's like yours with good microphones cheap!

 

[norskdrum]

We could call it the viking tunnel...Yep Norway is a great place but it`s also in the top three most expensive places..luxury goods come at luxury prices even some run of the mill stuff including mics I suspect

all the best Steve