Live Recording Using MX300

[Glasses]

I was told to come here and post my dilema.

As of today I know nothing about recording. So far, my band mates and I have been recording on one of those table tape recorders ,which sounds like a train wreck. That's why I want to know what do I need besides a good soundcard to get everything going. Will I need a special adapter to record Bass, Guitar ,and drum sound, or will the sound card alone I have will do fine(MX 300 from diamond).

I also would like, if anyone would give me some tips on how to set it up in the most efficient and cheap way, we're looking to invest and sell some records without going broke, with high to medium quality.

Thank you!
Specs: K6-2 450 @ 483
Voodoo 3 2000
MX 300 Sound card
WD 6g HD

 

[Cakey2]

Well, you can probably find this kind of advice all over the site, but here's a few (basic) ideas to get you moving...

First, you're gonna need some software - try hitsquad.com, n-tracks is a good simple multi-tracker.

Options:

a) Buy a mic and some kind of pre-amp, plug mic into pre-amp, pre-amp into line in on soundcard, put mic in middle of room, record, and play away! It's very hard to get decent recordings (other than demos for yourself) this way. You could alao get 2 mics and a dual preamp for more verstility.

b) Buy a mixer and a loada mics. Plug lineout of mixer into line in on soundcard. Mic up each instrument and mix live. This is very hard if you're playing as well, but will give better results than a).

c) Use the kit from either a) or b) but record one instrument at a time eg start with drums, then add bass, then guitar the vox. b) gives you an advantage as you can get a better drum mix with severl mics.

d) Buy a mixer, a loada mics and a multi-in card (Maxi ISIS studo, gadgetlabs 824, gina, darla, layla) and multitrack properly ie mic up each instrument and record onto seperate audio tracks on the pc. Then mix the whole lot together afterwards. Your PC should be able to handle 8 simultaneous channels (just about).

Hope that helps, if not ask another!

matt

[This message has been edited by Cakey2 (edited 04-18-2000).]

 

[Glasses]

Thanks bud ,but what kind of device would a preamp be and would that hook up to the small hole in my soundcard as easily?

 

[gaffa]

A preamp is a device that is pre (before) the amp(lifier). Basically, it's purpose it to take the signal from a mic or some other source, and change it to a 'line-level' level signal. Technically, this generally means changing the impedance of the signal, and the voltage amplitude of the signal.

Preamps are well worth it - you get a much better sound using a preamp with a mic than you would if you didn't use it.

And yes, you can plug the output of the preamp straight into the small hole in the back of the soundcard. Just remember that most soundcards have three small holes (technically called 3.5mm phono sockets) - one is the output (to your soundcard, one is a microphone input, and the third is generally the line level input. Don't use the mic input, even for mics. It sounds like absolute crap. Use the line level input (usually marked 'line in'), and you should get a reasonable sound.

- gaffa

 

[Cakey2]

Sorry to go off-topic herer, but I've just noticed some discrepancy in nomenclature (oo-er!).

Gaffa, you say that those 3.5 mm sockets in the back of a soundcard are called phono - but in this country, phono plugs are what you get in the back of hi-fi units! We call the things in soundcard/amps/patchbays jack sockets, 1/4 or 1/8 inch. What do you call hi-fi type sockets, and do Americans call them the same???

Or maybe I'm just not be technikal enough?

I'm confused, and worried I might have given confusing advice by not knowing other peolples names for things!!

Eng?

matt

 

[gaffa]

Yeah, I think phono (which is what I've seen them referred to here) is an old term for those style plugs. I work in metric, so they are 3.5mm and 6.5mm plugs, not 1/4 and 1/8" .

The 3.5mm (1/8") plugs are also known as miniplugs, although I think that's the american term. the 6.6mm ones are also sometimes referred to as 'headphone' plugs, although that term dates prior to the introduction of the walkman and the 3.5mm headphones.

The back of hi-fi units here have what are known as RCA sockets - the common line of the female is external. The other major socket tpyes are Canon or XLR (the 3 pin ones that mics use), and BNC plugs, which are used almost exclusivley for video (they require a 1/3 turn to secure).

I think phono is actually a bit incorrect all round, cos I seem to remember a proper phono socket being a certain line level and impedance. I don't know - it's all so confusing.....

Hope this has completly muddied the water for you

- gaffa