Equipment for singing

[TheTube]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking around websites lurking for information on this subject. I'm totally new at this (for the most part) and want to start recording good quality music on my laptop. First just on instrumentals (singing), later also with own guitar.

I haven't yet been able to draw a conclusion based on the pages of information that is out there..so I figured I just ask here.

Based on what I've read, and what someone told me (mic-related), I intend to buy something like this: - Shure sm58 mic, a tascam us-122mkII audio interface http://www.tascam.de/en/us-122mkii.html, and a Behringer 1202FX mixer http://www.behringer.co.uk/EN/Products/1202FX.aspx.

My laptop is a Dell xps m1530, and it doesn't have a sufficient soundcard for music recording. From what I understand from the reading I did today, a mixer isn't necessary these days since you can also do that with the computer-software.

So, given the goals I have..and the fact that my laptop doesn't have a good enough soundcard in it, should I buy this mic, the audio-interface, and the mixer? Or everything except the mixer? Or is this total overkill? Just throwing it out there, appreciate all the help I can get!

 

[Richard Monroe]

You are pretty much with the program. You have not specified anything that calls for a mixer. A mixer would be appropriate for the need for more channels than you have inputs, which usually means drums. There's no problem with the Tascam, but given that you are a guitarist, this interface has a number of guitar-specialized options, and input gain meters:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=60669&Category=Audio_Interfaces

The SM58 is a perfectly good basic dynamic, but you might consider a condenser also, for acoustic guitar, if you do that, and as a different vocal option. For cheap, I like this:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6458&Category=Microphones

Good luck-Richie

 

[TheTube]

Thanks for your help. I went with the Shure sm-58, and the Tascam US-122MKII.

Really excited, I have to say =] Been doing some test-recordings, and what I notice is that when I record with Audacity and I think even windows sound recorder..my microphone seems to have a delay...

The recorder sound is a tad slower than the way I actually recorded it.
Does this have to do with the USB connection? I guess that shouldn't be like that. Is it a setting perhaps?

 

[TetraFish]

Did you install the ASIO drivers for your interface?
Did you select the device in audacity?

Windows sound recorder wont use ASIO so it will have a delay, audacity shouldn't if its set up properly.

Check this out...
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/prefs.html

 

[TheTube]

I did both. Thanks for that link. In it, it says: 'You may notice that when you play the two tracks you recorded together, they aren't synchronized. This is normal and is not the fault of Audacity. To fix it, you will need to grab the Time Shift tool and slide one of the tracks around until it sounds right.'

I guess that's it..another program I use called 'acoustica audio mixer' doesn't have that problem!

 

[Armistice]

Most here would not recommend Audacity for serious tracking.

Reaper and various others seem to be the preferred options.

If you continue to have issues, you may want to consider different software.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

You need to buy speakers as well. If you don't have enough money, ditch the Tascam and use your laptop's sound card instead. Speakers with no soundcard upgrade will make a better recording than a soundcard upgrade and no speakers.

 

[TheTube]

Why is that? Can't I just use headphones in that case? I don't use speakers for recording right, just for playing what I've recorded? Please enlighten me

Other question: I find the recordings of my shuresm58 to be kind of dark..I'd like them 'lighter'..more 'free' ..sound-quality wise.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/81417680a7cfdd15/ --- recorded that quickly as an example. Is this the sound I should expect from a Shuresm58? I got the mic gain up 100% at the tascam, and got it a bit from my mouth. If I put my mouth closer or mic gain lower the sound is just too dark.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Quote from TheTube:

"Why is that? Can't I just use headphones in that case? I don't use speakers for recording right, just for playing what I've recorded? Please enlighten me."

Basically, because headphones *lie* to you. Because of their dinky little drivers, they make you crank up the bass when mixing, so when you play it on a normal stereo or in the car, you get your head blown off. Also, they lie regarding stereo separation. There are no sounds in the real world that you hear in only one ear. Of course there are, in headphones. A mix done with cans is like an MC Escher painting. It looks fine, but it can't exist in the real world.

We all use headphones for tracking. and many of us use them as one of the many references for checking mixes after the fact. Bacause you know that people will listen to music through headphones, that's one of the many things a mix must sound good on. For that matter, it should sound good in mono, because somebody may play it on the AM radio. This is good, if you like to get checks in the mail.

However, I doubt you'll find very many people who have ever done recording for money that recommend mixing or mastering with headphones. And among the real professionals, the number will be pretty much zero.-Richie