Getting Started

[loaf]

Hello, I've been looking around the site for a while and it's been a big help to me. I have been playing around with a 4track that my brother bought me for my birthday, but I want to make the best of what I have. Thats where your help cames in. I was wondering how to setup to get good recordings (I know they won't be any where near real studio quality) with my gear. This what i have so far.

-TASCAM 424mkIII
-Shure SM57 (2)
-Art Tube MP
-V63m

I record songs that I write, mosty Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Electric Guitar (every now and then). I've been thinking of getting a Audio-Buddy preamp. I have read nothing but good things about them (the Tube mp is borrowed so I'm going to need something to run my mic off of anyway) and my bro suggested getting a pair of MXL603s to record my guitar with. So I've been looking at those too. What do you guys think? What do I need to get? Tips? Comments? Suggestion? Everything is welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hard2Hear]

You have enough right now to be recording and learning about things like gain settings and mic placement. I started on a 424 several years ago, and it was a great learnign tool for me. I still have casettes somewhere with stuff on them. Read the manual through a few times and learn how to use it well.

If you have to get rid of the MP, the Audio buddy will work for you. There's lots of cheap pres out now, just look at a MF catalog. Anything other than the "pres" on the 424, theyre awful.

H2H

 

[tdukex]

The Audiobuddy is supposed to be a good value. The new Behringer UB 1002 mixer was reviewed in "Recording" mag this month, and the reviewer was very impressed. Both units go for $80.

Two 603s would be a good choice for guitar ($80 each). Or you could substitute a Behringer ECM8000 omni ($40) and use a 603s at the neck and the ECM8000 at the bridge. I get an excellent stereo recording doing this.

 

[loaf]

Thanks

Thanks for all your help. I am going to order the Audio Buddy tomarrow to replace the tube mp I'm borrowing. As for mics, mic placement and appication. I'm confused. Which one would be best to use as a vocal mic and which one do I use and my Acoustic and or Electric? If I get the 603s I'm quessing that they would be used on the acoustic. If I don't get those would I used the V63m? One of the Sm57's? Or use a combo? For my Electric what would be best to use? Do you guys have any tips on mic placement?

 

[tdukex]

I already replied to the acoustic guitar mic placement. You can place mics anywhere from 4" to 3' from the guitar. You must experiment. All guitars and rooms are different. One method is to try one mic in the bridge position (closer-farther, from above-from below, pointed toward the sound hole-away from the sound hole, etc.) until it sounds best to you. Now do the same thing with the neck mic. Both mics should be a similar distance from the sound source to eliminate phasing. You can test for phasing problems by splitting the two tracks wide and gradually narrowing the stereo field until it becomes mono. If there are phasing problems you will hear them.

If you do a BBS search for mics and mic placement on guitar cabs you will probably get over 1,000 references.

The V63 can also be used on acoustic guitar and will probably be your best vocal mic, although the SM 57 will often provide very acceptable results. Try them both on various singers and see which one you like.

Get a pop filter if you don't already have one.