Help getting started -- simple, decent quality

  • Thread starter Thread starter magland
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magland

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I'm sure that the answer is already on the forum, but it's hard to sift through all the info.

I'd like to know the simplest way to get a good quality recording (e.g. of piano, guitar, and/or singing in our living room). I have a windows PC laptop but no microphone. I've used audacity previously with the built-in microphone, and I liked that software -- but of course not good sound quality. Previously I used a m-audio usb interface to my computer, but found it super annoying. The drivers never seemed to install quite right.

I just want to know the simplest way to get a good reliable recording.

Advice appreciated. Remember -- simple (in terms of minimal extra cables) and decent quality -- that's what I'm looking for.

Thanks so much!

Jeremy
 
Depends entirely on your definitions of "decent quality" and "simple".

You're never going to get anything that anyone here would regard as quality with Audacity and the PC mic. And the quality constraint isn't Audacity, it's the inbuilt PC mic and the inbuilt PC soundcard.

The general starter recommendation around here is to:
(a) get a simple audio interface (with correct current driver)
(b) get an appropriate microphone/s for what you're recording
(c) use proper DAW software rather than Audacity (Reaper etc.)

That will lift the quality of what's actually being recorded significantly, but you're then up against understanding what's actually being recorded which usually requires:

(d) monitors of some type rather than headphones
(e) treating your room, or at least understanding its quirks and minimising them - not everyone can have bass traps lying around their living room, but there's a lot you can do with other means to maximise your sound quality, depending upon what you're recording, what the room is like etc.

But we're no longer "simple" now. Basic. But in your terms, it may not be "simple". But then neither is it particularly difficult. And with help and patience you can get really good results. But there's a learning curve.

An alternative route is to get a decent small standalone recorder, even one with internal mics may work for you... that's simpler. Will it provide the quality you require? Don't know because we don't know what that is?

More info on exactly what you're trying to achieve will get you more specific recommendations...
 
It's worrying that you've had problems with M Audio drivers. I've used (and continue to use) several of their products and, while they have limitations, never had any driver issues. I mention this because you may find that you have other issues that could require a clean install of Windows or something.

Anyhow, having said that, Armistice is on the money. You need an interface, microphone(s), DAW software and all the stands, cables, bits and pieces etc.

A few thoughts...there are lots of good and relatively inexpensive interfaces out there and you'll find that everyone has their favourites. I'd suggest you look at Focusrite who seem to have good reliability and "bang for the buck" just now but others will have their own ideas. However, whichever way you go the basics to watch for and require in an interface would be:

-At least two mic inputs. You will almost certainly want to record either stereo or two separate things very soon.

-Dedicated ASIO drivers. Generic MME drivers as used by many cheapies will add too much latency.

-Direct hardware monitoring with a knob to balance between computers and your live sounds being recorded.

Lots of interfaces have all the above but just do a quick double check.

On the DAW, I'm with Armistice that Audacity will be too limiting for music use. I'd also suggest you look at Reaper--probably the cheapest DAW with all the features you need.

For microphones, looking at your list of what you want to record, I'd strongly suggest you get two of whatever you decide on so you can do stereo. It's very difficult to get a good piano recording with a single mic and, although you can do acoustic guitar with one mic, I find it sounds better in stereo too. Or, if you sing along with your guitar, being able to have one mic on vocals and one on guitar can be useful. Large diaphragm condensers are all the rage now and you could look at, perhaps, two sE X1 mics. However, don't discount small diaphragm condensers--for both piano and guitar they're excellent and actually sound darn good on voice too even if they don't have the visual wow factor of a big mic. It's worth a look at the sE 1A--they have a stereo pair but, in my experience, simply buying two mics is "good enough".

Finally, pay special attention to Armistice's point "e"about acoustics. Most mics and interfaces are pretty good and the differences subtle. However the echoey quality of a room really makes a big difference. Proper acoustic treatment is the ideal but there are simple ways to improve things. The easiest I know is to build frames out of cheap PVC pipe and use spring clamps to hang movers blankets behind you as you record--since most mics are directional, minimising reflections from the wall behind you (i.e. facing the sensitive side of the mic) can help a lot.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Thanks A & B for your very helpful replies. This is a great place to start, and I will post back to let you know how it goes -- although it may take me some time to make all the purchases!

Awesome forum!
 
I'm sure that the answer is already on the forum, but it's hard to sift through all the info.
No it isn't. It's time consuming, but it ain't hard.
In a way this forum is like a text book with all the answers contained within. Or at least, the answers contained within make good start points.
 
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