Home recording

[gcambo]

I was looking at improving the sound quality of my demo mp3's on my web site
www.cambo.com.au (no ads on site)which I basically recorded using my PA via my realtek AC7 audio sound card and the quality just isn't there. Is it possible to get better quality without having to go out and spend more money.

 

[macmoondoggie]

What software are you using?

 

[gcambo]

Audacity

G'day Macmoondoggie I'm using Audacity.

 

[scrubs]

I was looking at improving the sound quality of my demo mp3's on my web site
www.cambo.com.au (no ads on site)which I basically recorded using my PA via my realtek AC7 audio sound card and the quality just isn't there. Is it possible to get better quality without having to go out and spend more money.

Unfortunately, probably not. Better backing tracks might help some, but the recording quality of the guitar/vocals still could use some help. I'm not sure what microphone you're using now, but you can get better sound for not too much money. The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard is around $100 US. Couple that with the M-Audio DMP3 preamp and a Studio Projects B1 microphone and you'd have a pretty solid beginner's setup for about $350 US (less if you can find things used).

Let us know what kind of budget you have and what you're trying to accomplish and we can try to point you in the right direction.

 

[gcambo]

Scrubs

I'm using a LANEY CD-1042S P.A. Amplifier with a EV N/D 257B No distortion mic. I also have a shure wireless headset mic that could also be used. As I have no idea I'll admit I basically set the amp up with the tape out to the pc's sound card and keeping the main volume as low as possible.

 

[Robert D]

Software is a all pretty good these days, some better than others, but it's more likely that a combination of hardware and knowledge/experience deficiancies are the root cause. I'd suggest you work from the source to the mix, one link at a time, and find out where the water gets muddy. First, does what you're recording sound good, or are you expecting the recording process to make it sound good? It won't. This sounds self evident, but you'd be supprised at the number of people who record dead strings, and other crappy sounds, and wonder why the recording sucks.
Second, what does it sound like coming out of the PA, before it goes into the soundcard? Use headphones and see if what's coming out of the PA sounds like something you want to record. If not, then you need to determine if it's the PA or the mic, or your mic technique that's the problem. If so, move on to evaluating your soundcard. This is almost certainly a sonic bottleneck in your system right now, and I highly recommend you consider an upgrade there. But try just recording a single track and playing it back, and A/B it with what you're sending in (out of the PA). If it sounds ok, then it may be what your doing in the software that is mucking up your sound.
It is probably a combination of all these things that's leaving your end result a bit flat, and you'll need to tackle them one at a time (or all at once if you can write the check). All except experience and knowledge, which you'll have to aquire the usual way.

Good luck.

 

[gcambo]

Robert D

That makes a lot of sence Robert D I'll have a crack at recording today and I try a few different things with mics and settings and see what happens and I'm sure I will be back to ask a few more questions.

 

[gcambo]

Getting There

I have had a go at recording today and although there not great I'm happier than before although Folsom prison demo on my site so I have just noticed is a tiny bit on the pop and piping side if anyone wants to have a listen to them and might have some more tips I’d be grateful.

 

[gcambo]

Q:

I have asked my family who live all over the place to have a listen a see what they think and some are saying it sounds a bit on the echo side but on my PC it doesn't could there be another reason for that. www.cambo.com.au

 

[Jamz0r]

Yeah, it sounds like you have a lot of reverb on it...especially the guitar.

I listened to the 4 tracks...Only 19 was the only one that wasn't overloaded with reverb. Sounded pretty good.

 

[gcambo]

Reverb

JamzOr thanks for that, I can't work it out on my PC they sound very similar. I will redo them and drop the reverb completely and see how they sound then.
Cheers Mate

 

[Robert D]

Hey, I just listened to Wonderwall. You've got a great voice for that song, and a lot of others I'm sure. You know, you don't suck, and for what it's worth, I think you should spend a little money and buy yourself a decent recording setup. Something like a Delta 44 and a DMP3 (PCI interface and stereo preamp), plus a pair of small diaphram condensors and one large diaphram condensor (stereo guitar mics and vocal mic), and you could make some much, much better recordings.

 

[chestwick91]

not to be rude...but if you don't know what your doing....then WOW no way

 

[Nick98338]

As others have said... one, or two good quality condenser mics and a couple of good quality pre-amps would be a good start toward improvement without being a huge cost. I have several of the EV N/D type mics, and they work well for stage work. But for recording, condensers are better than dynamics.

 

[gcambo]

No Idea

I know it sounds a bit strange that I don't know what I'm doing but the truth is I don't have a clue. All those recordings on my site where via my PA tape out to my PC Sound card using Audacity which I find easy to use. The first three songs I used my Shure wireless mic and the third I thought I'd try it with my EV mic. By the way a couple of those songs are Aussie songs if you were wondering, I'm not sure if you get them over there. Only 19 by Redgum and Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House (Great Band) who where some them where Split Enz (Another good band). Robert D I would love to go and buy the sound gear at a later date it sounds like that's what I will eventually need but I want to make sure I get the basics right before I over do it. Chestwick91 no offence taken but that's it in a nut shell, I''l just have to keep doing it until I get it right.

 

[TelePaul]

not to be rude...but if you don't know what your doing....then WOW no way

Im confused, what was this referencing? I listened to your songs, liked em. I loved your guitar sound on wonderwall. Something i'm still getting to grips with is that when you record acoustic guitar, the sound is a combination of many external factors....for example, whether you play with nails, fingers or a pick, whether youve a bright sound or boomy sound, and alot to do with where you record. Entire articles are written on treatment of a room as well as microphone technique. Im not saying forget about an upgrade (you wont believe the stuff you can achieve with even entry level equipment) but home recording is a hell of a learning curve! Experiment and keep playing.

 

[Anfontan]

Is the website down, I could never get anything to play?

 

[gcambo]

Retry see how you go

Sometimes you have to click play button two or three times why I don't know must have something to do with download speed.

 

[Anfontan]

Okay, the double click did the trick! You have a very nice voice, strong and full, it recorded quite well! The guitar playing is good, but the tone is very piezo toned to me, from a piezo bridge pickup, brittle highs without much bottom end to it.
If you could get a condenser mic I think it would give you're guitar a nice acoustic resonance sound and you could mix in some of the piezo sound as well for a better mix.
A pop filter for the vocals would help with some of the boomy-ness at times.
Just my 2 cents worth....

 

[gcambo]

Different Rooms

I did try recording on another computer I have that's still a strong little sucker as far as being able to record and it has a strong sound card as well but the difference from one computer to the other was huge. In fact I found myself tweaking the settings I had to try an improve the quality and I felt it was more to do with the different room than anything else. The second room you couldn't swing a cat in and I mean no offence to any cat lovers out there, I love cats...............they taste like chicken and you wouldn't believe how different it sounded.