Help me check my Recording Set-Up & what i'm missing.

[RichJ22]

Hi guys,

I'm in the midst of setting up a home recording in my room.

I basically record vocals, and usually go down to a proper studio to get it mixed because right now i haven't really got a monitor speakers.

This is what i'm currently using.




* Acer Laptop
[Processor Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU T4400 @ 2.20GHz, 2200 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)]

* Audio Technica AT2020 Mic (XLR - not USB)
* Mic Stand & Pop Filter
* Headphones
* M Audio Fast Track
* XLR cable for the mic connection to the M Audio Fast Track
* Adobe Audition CS6


Please help me out & let me know if it's ok,
or if i need anything more.

Thank you!

 

[JimmyS1969]

The next obvious thing would be acoustic treatment. Though, your room looks pretty transparent in your photo.

Seriously, you should give more detail about your environment, and whether you have a Lava Lamp, cats, or dogs. Probably the lamp and dog are more important, but still elaborate on the room you are in, just for fun.

 

[RichJ22]

Hi,

Basically my room just a desk with all these equipment on,
a normal room, no animals Just the bed and etc.

I just would like to find out, am i running everything correctly,
do i need a microphone amp to run through my fast track and into the computer?
Would it make a difference with the microphone amp?

I record R&B & Rap Vocals.

 

[rayc]

You really ougfht to consider getting a dsktop computer to move beyond the limitations of your laptop - eventually.
If you can't treat your room then at least get a reflection shield for your mic stand.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Naw man, likely not. Unless you plan on spending $500 plus on a preamp, you wont get much better results than what you have. Even with a great mic, you will be limited by the acoustics of your room. Especially with a condenser mic. That is likely the least friendly type of mic to use in an untreated 'bedroom' studio.

Yes, it looks like you are patching the components together correctly. Trust me, the room is probably your biggest issue right now. I don't have to enter yours to know that. I have been there myself....

 

[RichJ22]

Thanks guys! Really needed this help.
So i can say that my set-up is decent, now it's just the room surrounding that needs to be fixed.

Any tips on what i should do with my room to make it better, sponge up the walls where my mic is being placed?

Alsoi was going through some acoustic treatment stuffs online and i came across this,
would it help?

 

[JimmyS1969]

Help? Yes. Ideal or close to awesomeness? Nope. Worth the money? Maybe, it depends on what kind of quality you are looking for.

 

[Bobbsy]

The REAL sE Reflexion filters actually work darn well and I can heartily recommend them, particularly for vocals and the spoken word. On the other hand, the cheaper imitations I've heard reviewed tend to be not nearly so good and tend to do more harm than good to your sound. That picture looks like one of the knock-offs to me. Details of the real things HERE. I've used the "Pro" version and it was excellent. I've also used the Project Studio version which is probably about 80% as good for half the price. I've not tried the "IRF"....yet. Anyway, for vocal recording they're darn good (but don't help with the room acoustics if you decide to mix yourself using monitors.

As for what you need, I'd probably add a pop filter to your kit. I'd also suggest a set of monitors to your wish list when you can afford them.