Another novice with questions

[Kelsey]

After a long hiatus, I have started getting back into playing and recording music. I have been lurking here and at other relevant web sites, trying to absorb some information and make some decisions. In the meantime, I have begun recording electric guitar through a Digitech GNX1 processor/amp modeller directly into the stereo line-in of my IBM Thinkpad laptop (Crystal Sound Fusion version of a Turtle Beach soundchip) running Win2K and the latest version of nTrack. The results have been surprisingly good, so I have decided to stick with PC recording for now, rather than buying something like the Tascam 788.

I would like to add acoustic guitar and vocals to my recordings, as well as some strings (fiddle and cello) and percussion on occasion. My home recording environment will be pretty mediocre at best, although I have a lot of different rooms with high ceilings and different floor treatments available for variety -- one benefit of having a portable PC recording platform. I already have 2 mics available: an AT813 cardioid condenser and an EV PL5 omni dynamic.

To get started, I figure I need the following equipment, but I also need some advice and clarification on several points. My budget is around $1200-1500 for now.

1. A mic preamp. I would like to do some stereo recording eventually, but might be able to get along with one channel for starters. I am considering the DMP3 or AudioBuddy because the output connections to the PC line-in look very straightfoward, whether balanced or unbalanced. I am also considering the SP VTB1 (buying one to start and a second after the price drops), but I'm not clear about how to hook it up to the stereo line input on my laptop. Do I have to make special patch cables to do this? Any alternative preamps I should consider?

2. My recording environment will not be as quiet as I'd like, so I'm wondering whether dynamic mics would be a better option than condensers. In any case, I would like to get a Shure SM57 and a Sennheiser MD421-II, because different ways of recording amplified guitar remain a priority, and I think I will like the sound of these two dynamics for some vocals. Should I also consider an SM7B for vocals, or would I be better off with a large diaphragm condenser mic in the $200-300 range, despite the mediocre recording environment.

3. What are my best options for recording acoustic guitar, fiddle, cello, etc., keeping in mind the mediocre recording environment. Large or small condensors, or stick with dynamics? Cardioid or omni? A single mic for now with the option of getting a second for a matched pair sounds good, but what do I know? Price range from $100-300 for one or a pair.

Sorry for all of the questions, but any helpful advice would be appreciated. I am trying to buy stuff of decent quality that will last awhile and readily adapt to a better recording system if I move up from the laptop system. Thanks in advance for your help.

RMK

 

[chessparov]

Kelsey, you already have a good amp mike in the PL5 as it's the music store
(same) version as the EV 635a. (see recent thread here on it)
It's a fine vocal microphone and the VTB-1 works well with it.
If you don't believe me just ask Bob Olhsson, who has said he
ALWAYS tries it and a SM57 on vocals even if Neumann U47's and U67's
are available at the studio.

The pre-"MKII" versions of the Sennheiser 421 are superior for vocals
than the current MKII IMO. (smoother)
A more affordable "sleeper" LD dynamic is the Peavey(!) PVM 520i.
They seem to sell for $125 or less on e-bay.
The 421, however, is an excellent microphone for (up to trio) group
vocals.
At www.prorec.com read the article "True Love" for more info on these
and some other mikes, like the SM7.

You can close mike acoustic guitar with an omni condenser to minimize
the negative ambience BTW. Are the vocal microphones just for you
or are you recording others too?

Chris

 

[Kelsey]

Chris,

I read the recent thread on the EV 635A, so I know that I have a hidden gem there -- I just haven't had any way to listen to it in many years. I must say that I like the idea of using dynamics as much as possible, but I also hate to see the phantom power go to waste on the pre...

I'm a decent guitarist, but I'm no vocalist. I'm just forced to fill in as I track some originals until I can find someone who knows how to sing well.

I'm surprised that an omni, even close-miked, would be better than a cardioid for acoustic guitar in a poor room, but I'm still new to this.

Since you seem to be familiar with the VTB1, do you know what cable I would need to patch one (and eventually two) of them into the stereo line-in on my PC sound card? That is the biggest concern I have about that unit. THe M-Audio units appear to have autosensing outputs that can handle either balanced or unbalanced signals, so it's easy to see how that could work in my situation. I like what I've heard about the VTB1 though, and I'm a bit skittish about some of the things I've heard about customer support from M-Audio.

Anyway, I'll check out the link you mentioned. THanks for your helpful reply.

Bob