Digitally recording from an XLR mic

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nathan147

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Hi! I've just purchased a Shure SM57 mic and I am hoping to use it to get good quality digital recordings on a limited budget (cheapest way possible without compromising sound).
I don't know very much at all about recording, but I have downloaded Reaper so at the moment I am just looking for the appropriate cables and other required things to do this. I also hope to eventually be able to record three tracks simultaneously once I have a few more mics, so an option which will allow this would be preferred.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge.
Thanks.
 
What you MIGHT be looking for is an Audio Interface. If you want to record three tracks silmultaneously, you must have a fast hard drive, CPU power and an audio interface that can allow 3 or more than 3 XLR cables. However, that would mean you have to invest in a more expensive option, like an audio interface like the presonus audiobox 44VSL and more.

Can you state clearly what you are looking for, other than something to record your microphone ( hard-ware related ) ?
 
Well, I'd delete the "might" and say you DO need an Audio Interface of which there are many to choose from.

However, how firm is you desire to record three tracks at once. I ask because interfaces with 1 or 2 XLR inputs are numerous and relatively cheap; going up to three mic inputs (which, in reality will likely me four since I don't know of any that don't stick to even numbers) will mean a bit of a jump in price.

Once you have your interface, you'll need XLR cables (of suitable length) for however many mics you have, a mic stand for each microphone--get ones with a boom arm to allow accurate positioning--and probably pop screens since the SM57 doesn't have one built in. You'll need a USB or Firewire cable (depending on the interface) to connect that box to your computer--but that'll likely come with the interface.

Don't forget to think about monitoring, both while you're tracking and also for mixing. For tracking you'll need a set of headphones for each participant (and if that's 3 people you'll need a headphone amp so you can run 3 sets of cans from one headphone output--Behringer do one for about $30.). For mixing you're better off with monitor speakers but, in a pinch, you can use headphones if you accept that other playback systems will likely sound quite different.
 
How limited is your budget? If it stretches to just a single SM57, I'm afraid you can't even start. You need an interface.

What are you planning on recording?

What is your computer - RAM, CPU, hard drive specs?

Read the sticky threads at the top of this forum then come back and ask more questions.
 
Well, it's not so much that it is limited, it's more me just wanting to spend as little as I can while still doing this properly.

I'm planning on recording two electric guitars and bass (on their own for the time being), and then drums afterwards once I have three mics.

The specs of the PC I plan to work with are RAM: 4 GB, CPU: 2.30GHz, and the hard drive is 1 TB (not sure what other specs are required for that).
Will this suffice for recording three tracks?

So if I'm following correctly what I need now is a pop screen, mic stand, XLR cable, and an Audio Interface.
 
Any vocals? If not you can delete the pop screen (though it's the cheapest item on your list).

If you're serious about wanting to get more mics and record drums in the future, I'd suggest you look for an interface with at least 4 mic inputs--otherwise you just have to sell your first one at a loss and buy a bigger one anyway.

It IS possible to record drums with 3 mics but if you want the big rock sound you need rather more than that. What sort of musical style are you after?
 
nathan147 said:
(cheapest way possible without compromising sound).
Click to expand...

No such thing. Nothing in recording is that cheap and recording is all about managing compromises.

You need an audio interface.
 
No vocals (at least for the time being, but I can always get a pop screen later on for that).

Yes, the style is Alternative, so I do want a big rock sound. Although the last time I recorded something in a studio we used three mics for drums (snare, kick, overhead) and the sound I found was fairly good. But I'll probably end up with a four input interface anyway since that is more common than three.

Are there any particular interfaces anyone would recommend?
 
I'm looking at the Alesis i04. It seems to have everything I need for not too much cost, and the reviews look pretty decent. Is this a good choice?
 
The Alesis i04 is a compromise - it only allows 2 simultaneous channels at 24 bit.
 
I have an M-Audio Fast Track ultra. They aren't manufactured anymore, but you can get one for less than $150 on ebay. I've had mine for at least 2 years, and it's still holding up quite well.
 
F13Bubba said:
I have an M-Audio Fast Track ultra. They aren't manufactured anymore, but you can get one for less than $150 on ebay. I've had mine for at least 2 years, and it's still holding up quite well.
Click to expand...

I have always had excellent results with M-Audio kit, 3 2496 cards and a Fast track pro.

Is the Ultra ok on Win 7/64bit do you know?

Dave.
 
Ahh, I see, so when it comes to drum recording I'll have to settle for 12 bit. I'll have a look at some of these other suggestions. Thanks everyone!
 
nathan147 said:
Ahh, I see, so when it comes to drum recording I'll have to settle for 12 bit. I'll have a look at some of these other suggestions. Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

Naw, you have that wrong there.

Trust me, get a Tascam US1800 or US1641. Yes, 1641 plays perfectly with W7. I only sold my 1641 because I liked the color of the 1800. True story. :)

And again, the Tascam's above, have 8 XLR inputs, but 10 preamps. You can use two unbalanced XLR to TS cables and effectively get 10 mics recorded simultaneously out of the box.
 
Yeah, it's $419 (AUD) from a store not too far away, but I'll see if they can knock that down a bit seeing as online I can buy it for around the $350 mark.
 
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