Looking to improve my recordings quality

  • Thread starter Thread starter rockem
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rockem

New member
well . hello
this is my first post here

I'm now going on an important project and i want to improve well my recordings (my chain) what I have now :

Rode NT3 ->
M-Audio AudioBuddy ->
Behringer mdx 2200

the first thing i'm gonna do is to buy an RNC, as I don't like
the 2200's compression

and now i'm having trouble to decide, what will do the better job

1. replace my audiobuddy with a DMP3
2. buy Art Tube MP v3
3. buy Art DIO
4. ???

as I only have to choose, since $ is an object

what you say would be the best value for the money that will contribute the most for my recordings

my machine is the VS-1824cd

thanx
 
If you want to impove your audio chain, I consider selling your audiobuddy, not buying an rnc, and taking the money from the audiobuddy (50), the rnc (175), and not buying the dmp3 (200) and somehow get another 5o bucks and buying an rnp. It will give you two channels that are really usable. You will probably still keep it if you want to upgrade later, as oppsoed to the dmp3, or any of the cheap Art stuff. This is just my two cents, but compressing crap, just makes it sound like louder crap. Try not to use too much compression until you can afford the rnc, but I think that the rnp would give you a much better signal at this point.
 
Well ... here i don't have the RNP to buy, so its not an option

any other opinions ?? thanx

I want the best option to improve the whole production
to give it step up

even if it to replace monitors from SP-5B to the 8BX (i think)


thanx
 
Honestly, the best place to start when it comes to improving recording quality would be with the source itself. Here would be my list of priorities in order of importance:

* Whatever instruments you're currently playing . . . upgrade it or trade it in for something better. For example: If you're trying to improve your accoustic guitar sound, then spending $800 on a new Martin will do worlds more for your recordings than spending/applying that same $800 on a pair of Neumann 184s, Schoeps, or similar.

* Spending $500 on upgrading to a nicer bass guitar will do far more for the quality of your recordings than spending the same $500 on an Avalon U5 DI box.


After that, I would say :

* Room accoustics ; bass traps, diffusors, etc. Treating your room will allow you to back your mic off farther without adding extra noise or nasty phase-related artifacts due to poor accoustics. And that can open up a lot of options for you in terms of mic positioning.

* Better mics: They just sound better, track better, mix better.
 
get a studio projeccts VTB-1 mic pre
then an RNC...

ask around, people will agree!!!

i have one that's been used once(for a demo) for sale...

youngmoeses@yahoo.com

contact me if you're intersted
search this forum for info on it, and search google for reviews
 
Well, Rockem, I use a VS1824CD, and I don't think any cheap preamp will improve on the Roland's in the under $500 range. At about $500 new, you start to get into preamps that are clearly superior to the Roland's, particularly RNP and DBX386. The DBX pairs up very well with the Roland because it is not only a better preamp, but a better A-D converter. It has inserts which match well to the RNC. A $200 preamp won't help, the Roland already has $200 preamps. A couple of tracks I've done with the DBX386/RNC combo have actually made it to the final guide tracks on the current project, when I could have used an Avalon or Joemeek twinQcs. The DBX works fine as long as you *never* engage its stupid front end tewb drive.-Richie
 
Here is my 2 euro cents:

To improve teh quality of your recordings, you need to do the following:

Step 1. Decide what is wrong with them.

Only you can do this. Do it by listening to them closely on several different systems, and in mny places, and on many different listining levels, and while doing different things.

To speed this up, you will need to because good at hearing the problems directly in your studio. If you have trouble doing this, then the problem is you monitoring situation (which is a combination of speakers, amps, positioning and room).

If you still can't figure out what is wrong with them, post the recordings in the mp3 clinic, and listen to people criticism and advice there.

Step 2. Do something about it.
Now when you know the problem, fix it. If the problem is the equipment (as with your compressor above) then you fix it buy getting other equipment. But just buying equipment blindly on other persons recommendations may not help at all, becuase the equipment you replace may not be the problem in the first place.

Step 3: Rinse, repeat.
 
Time and experience no matter what equipment you have.
 
monroe ...

the preamp on the VS are lousy !!!

my 100$ Autiobuddy is so much better,
the diffrence is amazing

the pre on the Vs are crap, they crack way before i get my levels right
 
rockem,
I would consider as richard has suggested the dbx 386. I got mine used for $300. Well worth it, especially for the converters.
(There are some on ebay in that price range right now)

Richard Monroe,

I have found, like you indicated, that the tube thing just messes up the sound. Have you tried replacing the tubes? I have been considering this, but I don't want to spend the money if it is still unusable afterwards. I have heard other people say they like the tube drive, maybe there is a quality control issue with the tubes.
 
No, Solafide, haven't tried it. If I wanr color I have other pres for that. Mostly I use the 386 for channels 5/6, after the Avalon and Joemeek twinQ.-Richie
 
For the price of that board you would think they would have included compression.

I'm with Richard, sell the Audiobuddy and the Behringer and pick up an RNC or cheap dbx unit. DBX 160x units are going all the time on ebay for $200 and they work fine as a limiter. The 386 is good too. These will both suffice for tracking.

If you split the voice channel after tracking put one track through a compressor and bring it up under the clean track you should be able to duplicate any slight warmth a DMP3 or or under $600 pre might provide.
 
For the price of that board, they *did* include compression. The RNC is simply a better compressor and so is the Joemeek, in different ways.-Richie
 
All great advice and tips given!

All I can offer is "PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT"!!!
 
the VS innclude everything ...

its just that it is a lot better to compress the signal BEFORE it
convert to digital (at least my opinion)
 
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