Help improving recording quality

[SSGmono]

I have was wondering if their was something I could do to improve the quality of my recordings without upgrading or spending more money. I just want to make sure I am doing everything right so far.

The quality I'm getting right now is ok, but I think it could be better. This is all I do to record. I don't master or anything like that. The only thing I'm willing to spend more money on is software/programs for mixing and mastering if it would improve quality.

This is what I use to record an electric guitar:

SM-57 of axis pointed at the cone about 6-8 inches away into an ART Pro Channel into a tc electronics konnekt 8 and I am recording with Cubase 5.
I add a little compression after recording.

Is their anything I am doing wrong? Any tips on improving sound quality? Will mastering help?


Thanks.

 

[diggy_dude]

Mastering can only go so far in fixing a poor recording. It's not a magic bullet and isn't intended to be.

Is the issue one of the signal being too weak, or rather of it being too hot?

 

[SSGmono]

Their is a tiny bit of added noise, the sound is kind of flat, thin, and empty. Not as full as my amp sounds.

If this doesn't make sense or if you need more info let me know.

 

[diggy_dude]

How long has it been since you replaced the tubes in the mic preamp? I'm hearing a dying 12AX7 when I read this. Just a hunch.

 

[TimOBrien]

Two books you REALLY want to look through:

Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Mastering Audio - the art and science by Bob Katz
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Audio-Second-science-Book/dp/0240808371
(Found mine at Barnes & Noble; amazon is cheaper)

 

[diggy_dude]

Two books you REALLY want to look through:

Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Mastering Audio - the art and science by Bob Katz
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Audio-Second-science-Book/dp/0240808371
(Found mine at Barnes & Noble; amazon is cheaper)

I just ordered the Katz book the other day and am eager to read it. A book that may be more relevant to the OP's immediate problem is Roey Izhaki's Mixing Audio.

Of course mixing and mastering technique won't help at all if the preamp tube is dead. I'd check that first.

 

[moresound]

That and you may be expecting to much out of your 57.
You should consider maybe a LDC or maybe a cheapo $99. ribbon mic from Nady or MXL either of these bring out more of the tone of your amp at least in my experience it has.
You can as well use the 57 injunction with any of these mentioned with multi tracks and mix to taste.

 

[SSGmono]

The noise isn't crazy loud. Just a soft hiss. I'll check the tube though.

I do have a Oktava MK319. I will experiment with placements on that too.

When I record with an LDC...should it go through a preamp? I find that when I record with both the LDC has significantly lower volume than the SM-57. I do have Phantom Power on for the LDC.

Also, would I record in stereo or record in mono and blend the two together?


I'll probably experiement with all of this, but ideas from those with more experience helps tremendously.

Thanks a lot everyone.

 

[moresound]

Mono separate tracks blend together.
You may find that you have to turn up your pre amp if your not getting it loud enough ... wait what did you say? yeah go through a preamp.

 

[Armistice]

Can you post a clip of a recording somewhere?

Hard to give specific recommendations without hearing the extent of the problem?

Why is the only think you're willing to spend money on software?

That's the least of problems in getting recording quality... it's only software. Just about everything else in the recording chain is more critical...

 

[SSGmono]

So the LDC should go through a preamp also?

The SM-57 through the preamp is much louder than my LDC straight into my audio interface.

I tried putting the LDC through the preamp once and got a large amount of distortion and noise. Might be a problem with the set up. LDC -> preamp -> interface (with phantom power engaged) -> Cubase 5

I know everything else is in the recording chain is more important. But I'm in such a small space, that for a short while I don't want to add anything more to my (small) collection.

I'll try to get a recording up.

 

[Armistice]

If your preamp has a switchable Line In / Mic In setting somewhere and you're running your LDC mic into it, make sure it's switched to Mic in...

If you're going LDC to preamp to interface, depending upon your interface, you're pre-amping it twice... this would cause distortion...

DISCLAIMER - I'm not across the technical details of any of the equipment you're using...

 

[Armistice]

Also - define "loud" in signal terms for us... where are the meters peaking for each option?

 

[PDP]

Might be a problem with the set up. LDC -> preamp -> interface (with phantom power engaged) -> Cubase 5

.

Could be, make sure your not double pre-amping.

 

[SSGmono]

I'm definitely not double pre-amping because my interface doesn't have any built in pre-amps.

On my pre-amp the only settings to change as far as inputs and outputs is I can change the output from Normal mode to Lift mode...not sure about what that means.

Also - define "loud" in signal terms for us... where are the meters peaking for each option?

I'm not sure in what format to answer this question. (I'm very new.)

In cubase I have to lower the SM57 track by a few decibels to match the volume of my LDC.


Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

I'm definitely not double pre-amping because my interface doesn't have any built in pre-amps.

If the interface can record a microphone without using any other external preamp, the interface does have a preamp. You can't record a usable signal off of a mic without one. The voltage is way too low.

 

[gdavi1]

If the interface can record a microphone without using any other external preamp, the interface does have a preamp. You can't record a usable signal off of a mic without one. The voltage is way too low.

You are right he does have preamps

according to google this is his interface that has two preamps.

So OP when you leave the art preamp you want to connect it to the interface with a 1/4 jack and not an xlr.

 

[moresound]

Well there you go!

 

[SSGmono]

Thanks a lot everyone. This helped out tons.

 

[Bristol Posse]

You are right he does have preamps

according to google this is his interface that has two preamps.

So OP when you leave the art preamp you want to connect it to the interface with a 1/4 jack and not an xlr.

Or just plug the mics stright into the XLR inputs on the interface. Seems kinda pointles to have low end pres into an interface with on board pres unless you really feel that the ART is adding something you really have to have. If not your just putting more things in between the Mic and the converters to potentially adversely effect the sound you record