A few broad questions

[l0ijoat]

Hey, I just joined this group after buying a bunch of recording equiptment that I though would allow me to record at an OK quality level. So far it's just been incredibly frustrating for me as the recordings that I've been getting are completely horrible. I'm a total noob at this stuff so I guess I'll start off listing some of my equipment:

M-AUDIO Delta 1010
Behringer Eurodesk SL244FX-Pro
Behringer Ultra-Voice Digital (mic preamp type thing)
A bunch of SM57s

Ok, so today, I tried to record a really rough version of a song. I placed a mic in the room at basically any old spot in between a bass amp and a guitar amp. I had my bass player play both instruments at the same time loud while I listened in the other room on headphones from the mixer (I figure that I have to run the one mic through the mixer because I'm using the preamp on it and it's the only device I have that provides the phantom power.) The sound quality didn't sound bad at all, fine for what I wanted. When I got around to recording it, and played it back on my computer speakers, it was totally horrible and although the waveform didn't look like it was overloaded or anything, the sound was peaking out all over, even at low levels. I decided to try and run the mic into the mixer (to provide phantom power) and then into the Ultra-Voice. I didn't know if this would do anything or what, but it just plain doesn't seem to work. I get all of the lights on and whatever but I can't get a signal to save my life. What's the problem? and what's the problem with the peaking out? Something to do with the transition from mixer to computer? Something to do with the settings on my computer?
Man, I really could use your guy's help. This stuff is so frusterating! Let me know if you need me to elaborate on anything, I have a feeling I didn't explain my problems well.
Thanks in advance,
Hart

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Deep breath now...

OK,. not sure where to begin because there is lot gong on here. So I guess I'll just jump in in no particular order and see what happens...

1.) I'd really advise you read up on some of the "sticky" (read: "thumbtacked keepers") threads in some of the forums on this BBS for some basics. You can get a lot of help for you situation out of those.

2.) The SM57 is a dynamic microphone that requires no phantom power, so don't worry about that aspect of it.

3.) You should *never* run your mic signal through two preamps. The output from one preamp is line level and not mic level, and is the wrong level and impedance to run into a second preamp. This alone could be the cause of your "peaking" (actually overdriving the preamp.)

4.) Mike your amps separately, with one mic each just inches or less away from the front grill of your guitar cabinets. This will give you a louder input signal requiring less input gain on your recording hardware and help keep room reverberation out of the signal.

5.) Set you recording levels on your recorder so your meters actually peak at about 6-12dB *below* 0/peak and not right at 0/peak, this will leave enough headroom for transient peaks that happen too fast to register on the meters.

There is a lot, lot more, but that will hopefully get you started.

G.

 

[scrubs]

the recordings that I've been getting are completely horrible...some of my equipment:

Behringer Eurodesk SL244FX-Pro
Behringer Ultra-Voice Digital (mic preamp type thing)

I wonder why?


Actually, all kidding aside, it seems that you most likely have a gain staging problem. Also, the SM57 does not require phantom power. Phantom is for condenser mics (which require power for their internal amplification).

Start with one microphone on one source (guitar amp, etc.). Run the mic into the preamp (either mixer pre or the ultravoice thing, not both) via an XLR-XLR cable. Adjust the gain such that you have a decent signal, but no clipping on the meters. Run a 1/4" TRS cable from the line-out on the pre/mixer to the input of the 1010.

Check your software that came with the 1010 to see what the levels are registering. Then check the levels on your recording software when you're tracking. If nothing is clipping, you should be o.k.

If not, the Delta 1010 should have the ability to switch between -10dBV and +4dBu, which you may need to utilize.

Oh, and welcome to the board.

 

[gtrman_66]

I had my bass player play both instruments at the same time ...

Wow, I'd like to see that!

 

[northsiderap]

My setup

I had almost the exact same setup for a while.

I used the inserts on each channel. Just look in the manual to find them. I used a SHORT 1/4 inch guitar cable from the board to the 1010. These insert outs are before the slider and EQ section in the electronics, so all you have is the little 'Preamp Gain' knob to control the levels with. Your 'insert' patched instruments will not be in the main mix of the board, they are only heard through the Delta now.

Tracks I used to do (insert out from board #s correspond with Delta input #s)
1) Bass drum
2) Snare drum
3) Overhead left
4) Overhead right
5) Bass
6) Guitar
7) Guitar 2 or singer 2
8) Singer

Sometimes I mixed 3&4 right on the board (not using the insert) 75% left and 75% right and used the main outs of the board. That way you can add more drum/ambience mics at your convenience...
Then, I used 1&2 out as left and right to the 'Tape Monitor' input on the mixer. Make sure the 'Tape Monitor' is not being sent to the main mix or horrendous feedback will occur. Make sure you have 'Monitor Mixer' clicked in playback of your Maudio Delta control panel. That way you can listen to your playback and play along with it while recording! yay! Also, you can send your outs back out of the main out of the board to a room monitor system too.

There's your studio. Go get some free compressor/limiter/gate, reverb, delay, chorus, and EQ DivX plugins off the web and have a lot of fun.

You must EQ and compress here and there. I recommend either getting lightly drunk or eating a butter sandwich and searching the links here for at least 24 hours straight...

Hope I could help- Behringer better send me a check for this one!
Jim
**NorthSideRap.com**