Hardware for professional sounding acoustic guitar and vocals

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armansrsa

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Hi forum

I am a singer songwriter with intermediate sound engineering knowledge and have about $3000 saved for a recording project. I want to record an acoustic album comprising of 14 songs (only acoustic guitar and vocals). Studio recording is expensive but I want professional results so am considering spending the money. Because I am only recording guitar and vocals however, a friend suggested that I invest that money into some extra outboard gear like a tube pre-amp and compressor and record it in my home studio and that I will be able to get good enough results and that a fancy studio will suck up my money in no time whereas I can always have the gear for future projects, get good at using it and even sell it down the line and get most my money back. I am tempted to do this but wanted to know more about what hardware is really necessary to get truly professional results and what this forum thought might be the best option.

wikipedia says:

As an alternative or supplement to a DAW-based system, some home recordists use studio hardware (known as "outboard gear"), which is increasingly available to the home consumer market. This class of hardware costs less than professional studio hardware, but operates at a lower nominal line level than professional studio gear.

So my questions are:

1) What do they mean by "operates at a lower nominal line"? and
2) What would you guys do?

thanks!
 
I would learn how to record first. If you have no experience and you think you're going to knock out an album just by buying some gear, you're going to be sadly disillusioned. Acoustic guitar can also be quite difficult to record well, as well, particularly if it's the main featured instrument as it will be in your case.

And if $3000 is your total budget, you can certainly get a decent set up here, although I'm not sure I'd be worrying too much about external compressors in the first instance. Preamp, maybe. Do you have any other gear?

And google "4db vs -10db" to answer your first question.
 
Add to that -- 60% of a great guitar sound is a great sounding guitar. If you haven't played the more desirable Gibsons, Martins, Taylors (etc., etc.), then have a go at them and see if what you're using is worth using. Putting more into a better instrument is the best place to start. Moving on -- Another 30% of the sound is going to be the room. Bad room / bad sound (period). The last 10% is the gear.

Not to say that gear isn't vitally important to a good recording. But better a great guitar through a SM57 than a GC budget-special through a U87... The better source will win every time.

Don't get me wrong here -- I'm a gear nut (if it wasn't obvious). But just like anything, the gear is only as good as the source going through it.

You don't need tubes (you especially don't need "Toobs" which is what half the "budget friendly" stuff is). If you want "warm" and "full of character" sound, you're probably looking for preamps with wonderful sounding transformers (How many Neve, Crane Song and API preamps have you seen with tubes -- and few can argue they can be some of the "warmest" sounding preamps out there). You certainly don't need input compression (actually for acoustic guitar, I'd avoid it like the plague). You can run out into a compressor later assuming your DA/AD is up to snuff, or compress ITB if needed. But compressing acoustic guitar on the way in (as opposed to "getting the flavor of the compressor" which can certainly be a valid thing if it's the right compressor) can lead to a whole host of crap later.
 
I use a external compressor only to catch any peaks going in so I don't clip as I record by myself and it is easier, and set the threshold to remove any back ground noise. Other than that, I try to keep it out of the sound as much as possible.

For acoustic since it is the main instrument and you are going to mic it, you need as other have stated, good room, good guitar sound and good mic placement. If you do it yourself, check out Shure's website for a mic placement guide. Even if you go to a studio, go check it out so you are better informed. Knowledge is never bad.

You didn't mention it, but you probably have the idea of playing and singing at the same time? If you do, I suggest you don't. Get the guitar recorded, then come back and lay down vocals. If you do both at the same time, you will not be able to mix due to bleed.

There are other folks on this board who know this subject better, but as a one man band who uses acoustic a lot, this works for me, but my guitars are not front a center, so I get away with a less than perfect environment, you will not.
 
Echo!
What do you have now for guitar and gear and experience? What is your goal with this 'album' - sell CD copies at shows? Distribute to major labels or agents in hopes of getting a contract (!)?
You mentione intermediate sound engineering experience - how about recording experience? $3000 can diisappear pretty quickly at a pro or medium studio - figure 30-40 hours total including tracking, mixing and mastering time. Mastering at a different house could eat up to 1/2 your budget.
 
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