Decent guitar recording set up

[billabob]

Iv'e been wondering on the best way to get a decent guitar recording setup without spending A fortune. Basically what i want is a mice'd amp recording setup rather than DI. Assume all i have is a guitar rig and a pc with recording software. Could you tell me exactly what else i would need.
xxx

 

[ocnor]

It will depend on the computer and OS that you will be using as well as your budget. You will need a mic, a mic preamp, a soundcard, and a way to monitor with headphones/speakers. These can be separate pieces or all-in-one interfaces. The easiest way would be to use an SM57 and a USB interface with built in preamps and headphone output.

 

[billabob]

Ok mate so thats the easiest way. But would would be the best way on say an £800 ($1200) Budget? my computer is a fairly decent spec advent with cubase le4 and i got a decent set of AKG's for monitoring, ive also got alesis multimix 8 usb for mixer but im looking to change it cause im not happy with the sound quality, although it could just be the mic im using.

xxxx

 

[mattr]

The Alesis Multimix USB things aren't great interfaces, but they certainly aren't terrible either. If you're not happy with the results you're getting from this then its probably due to other factors in your recording chain... the mic itself, mic technique / placement, tracking / mixing decisions, problems caused by monitoring deficiencies, amp tone, etc.

What mic do you currently have?

Probably the most helpful thing to do would be to post some more info about your current setup along with some sound clips of the kind of recordings you are currently making, then link us to the kind of sound you are aiming for.

 

[billabob]

ok, well the current mic i have is a cheap LE systems mic i brought ages ago. Ive a dual terror head through orange 4x12 strait cab, Iv'e got my tone down tight so its not the tone from the amp thats the problem. I would Post some sound clips but im using my gf's mac as the laptop i use wont connect to the interenet and ive lost my usb stick and i cant get the mac to where it needs to be to record. My aim is to just get a fairly decent sound quality to record a few demos.
xxxxx

 

[Simbo]

SM57 mic and M-Audio fast track pro with reaper is what i use, around $300 new

 

[billabob]

have you got any sound clips so i can hear the quality you can get from that?
xxx

 

[billabob]

http://www.box.net/shared/7vgnepjr88

Heres a link of what i can get now, as you can tell the distorted guitar was mice'd and the bass and lead guitar were DI. I get home horrible buzz either way, i used the EQ to get rid as much as i can but you can still here, this is why i want a new set up.
xxxx

 

[Supercreep]

That recording has had all the life sucked out of it.

 

[billabob]

thats the thing through the amp is sounds pretty sweet, and when i mic it it cant even record a simple power chord
xx

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo Billabob! You are the rare exception on this board, because you are asking for the possible, and even more unbelievable, you have a realistic budget. I salute you! Three things leap out at me:

1. You need a mic. Don't scrimp there. I'd get a Sennheiser MD421. Great on cabs, fair as a vocal mic. If anybody is going to sing into this thing, consider Shure SM7b instead.

2. You need an interface. You may eventually go to an outboard preamp, but for now, M-Audio Fast Track Pro or Line6 UX2 (my caveat emptor- some Line6 gear is pretty cool, and the UX2 is. But- they are useless for product support and create planned obsolescence.)

Monitors? AKG? Are you talking about headphones or speakers?

That's my best shot. Get a decent cab mic, a decent interface, and spend anything left on a set of cheap monitors. If you already have the speakers, hang onto the rest of the money for now. You record things. The need to buy things will come up.-Good luck.-Richie

 

[billabob]

Ok mate this is a great help. When i said AKG's i meant to say headphones sorry about that. Would the sennheiser MD41 work well if used with a sm57? ive heard double mic is the way too go?
xxx

 

[Richard Monroe]

I'd say for right now-KISS- keep it simple, stupid. Just get one good mic and worry about multi-mic arrangements later. IMHO, MD421 is what the SM57 wishes it was.-Richie

 

[grimtraveller]

I'd say for right now-KISS

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xxx

Back at ya, sweet thaing !

 

[billabob]

haha im abit confused now lol.

What monitors do you suggest? i was lookin at some rokit KRK 5's or something.

xxx

 

[Richard Monroe]

I thoink the KRK's are just fine, for what they are. Your budget doesn't currently support a pair of badass Genelecs, or whatever. Whatever monitors you select will be deficient, but you can learn to mix with them anyway. I like the M-Audio SP5B's, which are bass-deficient. The later addition of the SB10 subwoofer helps a lot. It doesn't really matter, though. You can learn to translate mixes with the KRKs, or Yamahas, Mackies, or even Behringer truth monitors. Later on, you may want better monitors. For right now, you need *some kind of* monitors.-Richie

 

[billabob]

ok mate cheers for all the help mate, im gonna get the set up you suggested then ill post some sound clips so you can hear what i got out of it. Youve been a good help =]
xxxx

 

[billabob]

Hey just wondering wether it would be worth spending abit more and getting one of these :
http://www.andertons.co.uk/interfac...udio-fast-track-ultra-usb-audio-interface.asp

Instead of the M-AUDIO FAST TRACK PRO??

Would it give me a better quality recording?

Also will i need to get a pre amp for this set up?
xxxx

 

[Richard Monroe]

No, the preamps in the fast track are fine to start. You may upgrade later. Will you get better recordings with a Fast Track 8? No. But- it offers more channels, and more I/O options. So- if you decide down the road that you want to record drums, for instance, those extra channels may save your ass. I suggested equipment to do what *you* asked for. That machine won't do it any better, but it will do a bunch of things you haven't asked for-yet. I would never steer someone away from getting more channels, at least up to a point.-Richie

 

[billabob]

ok mate cheers for the help. i wont get a pre amp for now then and ill get the fast track 8 because its only a little money more and if i ever decide to record drums ill be able too.
xx