Best Basement Techniques

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What are some good recording techniques for a basement studio? No sound proofing or anything. Using Shure 57 and 58s. Trying to record a band with guitar, bass, 5 piece drum set and vocals. Mostly looking for some tips and tricks for capturing good quality out of inexpensive equipment and environment
 
And you have a large format console and either a 2" MCI or a Sony DASH machine? You've left out a ton of info like what kind of preamps, what you're recording to and how many mics you have of each type, etc.
 
Mics: 3 Samson R21, 1 Shure SM58
"large format console and either a 2" MCI or a Sony DASH machine?" - I'm a beginner and don't know what these are. I'm recording guitar, bass, drums and vocals. We dont have any preamps.
 
You need preamps.

Are you recording to a soundcard? A dedicated workstation? Do you have a mixer (which includes pramps)? How many tracks can you record at a time?

You originally said you were using SM57's and SM58's, now you say you have 3 Samsom R21's and one SM58. Which is it?
 
Yeah you need some preamps.
Do you have a multi tracker? What do you plug your mics into? 4-track? some type of mixer. If you can plug it in there and get sound out you've got a pre amp built into there.
But generally watch for resonances in your signal (too boomy or nasal sounding)
Whats the basement like? Does the ceiling have exposed beams?
Concrete walls? Basic stuff like that is really important.
 
Buy a cheap mixing board with preamps. You might be able to get a decent live mix until you can pick up a multitracker, and you can always use a board.
 
Depending on where you live...

.....turn off the furnace.

I live in upstate New York and it's getting cold.
I am having a battle with the noise of my furnace.

My trick is to crank the heat for a little bit and then turn it down so I know it wont kick on.
Then go record what I can for a bit and then put it back to normal while I edit or whatever.

It's a pain in the butt.......I cant wait to have an enclosed room with some isolation and acoustical treatment.

And yes....you could get a mixing board with preamps.
That way, even if you dont have a multi track machine you can at least mix a live to 2 track recording on a tape deck or whatever.

Prepare for a LOT of trial and error. Make it fun.

-mike
 
I'm using a Tascam 788 for recording, it can record 4 tracks at once. From there I record thru the sound card. I live in upstate NY also so the furnace tip helps alot! The mics are the Samsons and 1 SM58. I'll have to find out what the ceiling material is.
 
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