What's the first best step to take for improving my recording setup?

  • Thread starter Thread starter zealex
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zealex

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I'm recording a group, one instrument at a time, with an 8+ track mixer (Looks mid-range professional, I'm going to say I'm almost certain this is not the problem), stereo cables output (I Guess, the "rec out") to microphone input on a laptop. All recordings I have done like this sound compressed, muffled and squeezed, and require a field day on the processing. It has at least improved since I started doing individual tracks, as opposed to one master track. I was wondering if I was losing any quality with the final laptop's 1/8th microphone jack. I only assume this because I'm going from a signal as sensitive as an XLR to a standard 1/8th. I've been considering adapters that take XLR into USB straight into the PC, although when I tried using one at a different recording location, I wasn't able to notice too much of a difference.

Besides saturating it with my software's EQ, is there anything I can do to retain space and volume using the same setup?
When I record the bass, we do direct line in as well as mic'd amps, and it fills the space in the playback headphones, making me simply want to run my guitar through an effects processor direct thru PC so I can automatically fill space.
 
zealex said:
I'm recording a group, one instrument at a time, with an 8+ track mixer to microphone input on a laptop.
Click to expand...

That's the problem right there. A microphone input on a laptop is not designed to take a line level signal from a mixing desk.
Even with a mic plugged indirectly, it's not going to be a 'studio quality' signal path.

zealex said:
I was wondering if I was losing any quality with the final laptop's 1/8th microphone jack. I only assume this because I'm going from a signal as sensitive as an XLR to a standard 1/8th.
Click to expand...
I'd say that's it. You may know already but just to be clear, XLR and 1/8th don't necessarily reflect signal types, levels or qualities. They are just different arrangements of metal.

Typically though, XLR will carry microphone level signals and jacks will carry line level signals. THIS IS NOT a rule.

zealex said:
I've been considering adapters that take XLR into USB straight into the PC, although when I tried using one at a different recording location, I wasn't able to notice too much of a difference.
Click to expand...
You may have better success with one of those but the real solution is just to buy a dedicated audio interface.

You could buy one with built in preamps; It would replace your sound card and mixer, or you can buy one with line level inputs and feed the mixer into it.
In the latter setup you're using your mixer for its preamps.
If your mixer doesn't have a dedicated line output per channel I would completely forget it because you're forever tied to a stereo sum of the tracks, or single channel recording and overdubbing, which defeats the purpose of having a mixer.
 
Steenamaroo said:
That's the problem right there. A microphone input on a laptop is not designed to take a line level signal from a mixing desk.
Even with a mic plugged indirectly, it's not going to be a 'studio quality' signal path.


I'd say that's it. You may know already but just to be clear, XLR and 1/8th don't necessarily reflect signal types, levels or qualities. They are just different arrangements of metal.

Typically though, XLR will carry microphone level signals and jacks will carry line level signals. THIS IS NOT a rule.


You may have better success with one of those but the real solution is just to buy a dedicated audio interface.

You could buy one with built in preamps; It would replace your sound card and mixer, or you can buy one with line level inputs and feed the mixer into it.
In the latter setup you're using your mixer for its preamps.
If your mixer doesn't have a dedicated line output per channel I would completely forget it because you're forever tied to a stereo sum of the tracks, or single channel recording and overdubbing, which defeats the purpose of having a mixer.
Click to expand...
cosign 100%
 
Thank you for explaining.

So, just to clarify, if I were to try this new hypothetical setup;

Mic(XLR) -> Mixer -> 1/4"(Unbalanced line out) -> Interface -> USB2.0 -> PC

I would undoubtedly have a better mix. Versus;

Mic(XLR) -> Mixer -> (RCA->1/8") -> PC
 
zealex said:
Thank you for explaining.

So, just to clarify, if I were to try this new hypothetical setup;

Mic(XLR) -> Mixer -> 1/4"(Unbalanced line out) -> Interface -> USB2.0 -> PC

I would undoubtedly have a better mix. Versus;

Mic(XLR) -> Mixer -> (RCA->1/8") -> PC
Click to expand...

Yes, that's a better solution, but mic - > interface - > computer is even better. :)
 
Steenamaroo said:
Yes, that's a better solution, but mic - > interface - > computer is even better. :)
Click to expand...

Unless the desk is actually some spectacular neve desk from the 70's :D

Tbf, i'm sure it's been said a billion times before but, especially when first setting out, less is often more. in these cases the less steps between the original source sound and the computer, the better the recorded quality of that sound.
 
Justsomeguy said:
Unless the desk is actually some spectacular neve desk from the 70's :D
Click to expand...

You know, I usually add that in but I left it out this time in the hope that there'd be no nitpicky assholes about.


Just playing dude. Steen loves ya! :p
 
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