I've recently acquired my first multitrack recorder, a Zoom MRS-802CD, and am beginning to learn to use it. I intend to use it to record my band rehearsals so we can assess our readiness to perform, and as a practice device for myself to see how I sound individually. I don't initially plan to attempt polished productions, but would like to obtain a fair representation of what we/I sound like.
With that in mind, I am planning to buy some relatively inexpensive mics to get myself started, and am leaning towards a pair of CAD GXL2400s ($140/pr. w/shock mounts and cables) which I hope will be versatile enough for basic stereo room recording of the band as well as for vocals when individually recorded (other suggestions welcome; I'd like to keep it below $175 for a pair of mics). For individual track recording of instruments, I plan to experiment with going direct into the multitrack's on-board effects, through outboard effects units (i.e., Roland GT-6, Behringer bass v-amp), from amp (Mesa Boogie Mark IV and others) recording outs, and micing the cabinets.
Looking through the posts here, I see a lot of discussion of preamps, many of which cost more than my multitrack recorder. Is there likely to be a significant benefit to using a outboard inexpensive preamp (i.e., $100-$150) as opposed to simply going directly into the multitrack with a mic? I don't doubt that an expensive preamp adds "something" to the overall sound, but will be there much of a difference between the basic preamps built-in to the multitrack and a inexpensive outboard preamp?
Is a less expensive preamp a worthwhile device to use now, or should I wait until my needs are more sophisticated, and buy something then to go with better mics?
On a related note, would I be correct in assuming that to use a outboard preamp, I'd rotate the "line/mic" input sensitivity control on the recorder to the "line" position before connecting the preamp to the mic input?
With that in mind, I am planning to buy some relatively inexpensive mics to get myself started, and am leaning towards a pair of CAD GXL2400s ($140/pr. w/shock mounts and cables) which I hope will be versatile enough for basic stereo room recording of the band as well as for vocals when individually recorded (other suggestions welcome; I'd like to keep it below $175 for a pair of mics). For individual track recording of instruments, I plan to experiment with going direct into the multitrack's on-board effects, through outboard effects units (i.e., Roland GT-6, Behringer bass v-amp), from amp (Mesa Boogie Mark IV and others) recording outs, and micing the cabinets.
Looking through the posts here, I see a lot of discussion of preamps, many of which cost more than my multitrack recorder. Is there likely to be a significant benefit to using a outboard inexpensive preamp (i.e., $100-$150) as opposed to simply going directly into the multitrack with a mic? I don't doubt that an expensive preamp adds "something" to the overall sound, but will be there much of a difference between the basic preamps built-in to the multitrack and a inexpensive outboard preamp?
Is a less expensive preamp a worthwhile device to use now, or should I wait until my needs are more sophisticated, and buy something then to go with better mics?
On a related note, would I be correct in assuming that to use a outboard preamp, I'd rotate the "line/mic" input sensitivity control on the recorder to the "line" position before connecting the preamp to the mic input?
