Looking to make some purchases

[phriq]

Hey everyone.

Right now to record I have been using a BETA 57 Shure mic straight to my mixer and then directly to my PC. This setup has been ok for demos but now I really want to start building up my equipment to get allot more professional grade sound.

I have been looking for sure at getting a decent Audio Interface and some new mics. I don’t need a huge amount of channels in an Interface, 3 or 4 would be best. Would it be beneficial to have a firewire interface if only using that many channels? As for mics, I would like some good all-around mics. I have looked at getting a Shure KSM27. From what I have read they appear to be great all-around mics for the price. I would like some I can use to mic my acoustic, electric cab, and even do vocals.

I am open to all suggestions and other suggestions for “must have” equipment. I record my own music and since I am the only musician, only need the 4 channels or so. I would like the best sound for the price. Thanks!

 

[james of unity]

I'd say go firewire. saves messing around with pci and stuff. also, get a couple of dynamic mics, and a couple of condensers and you'll have much more fun

Hey everyone.

Right now to record I have been using a BETA 57 Shure mic straight to my mixer and then directly to my PC. This setup has been ok for demos but now I really want to start building up my equipment to get allot more professional grade sound.

I have been looking for sure at getting a decent Audio Interface and some new mics. I don’t need a huge amount of channels in an Interface, 3 or 4 would be best. Would it be beneficial to have a firewire interface if only using that many channels? As for mics, I would like some good all-around mics. I have looked at getting a Shure KSM27. From what I have read they appear to be great all-around mics for the price. I would like some I can use to mic my acoustic, electric cab, and even do vocals.

I am open to all suggestions and other suggestions for “must have” equipment. I record my own music and since I am the only musician, only need the 4 channels or so. I would like the best sound for the price. Thanks!

 

[eyema_believer]

What software are you recording into now? Do you have decent reverb, compressors and EQs? Is your PC up to date? What OS? How much ram? Are you using a drum machine, or does your music not require drums?

Just trying to get a better feel for where you are right now.

Peace!

~Shawn

 

[phriq]

Right now I have been using Adobe Audition. I had been using Cool Edit Pro for years and then upgraded to Audition. I have wanted and thought about switching to Cubase or getting a Pro Tools rig, I just dont know if i have the time to completely relearn a new program?...would that change be worth it? what are the best DAWS?...

For reverb, compression and EQ's i have been using all effects within Audition. I do not have seperate boxes yet. I have looked at a tube preamp...My PC is slighly dated, 2.4 Gh proc with 2 gb ram.

As for drums, I have been using Acoutica Beatcraft, and have looked into getting BFD. Again, I have never used BFD so i do not know what the curve is with that program to learn it. I have thought my best best would be to use MIDI drums and a keyboard. But havent found teh right tools for that yet...

I am basically just starting to build my setup from scratch. for examples of what i have done so far, you can here my music on my myspace. This is all done with my current setup.

www.myspace.com/christopherflitton

 

[mshilarious]

You know the B57 isn't a bad mic. The KSM27 is nicer for studio vocals, but you should be able to get a good sound with the B57. If you aren't, it's likely to do with mic placement, singing technique, sound of the room, etc. A condenser mic isn't a magic bullet (although they are nice to have for acoustic guitar).

Instead of building up your equipment (which isn't a terrible idea, just make a few judicious choices), concentrate on building up your skills.

My PC is older than yours. That has almost nothing to do with audio quality. It doesn't matter which program you use, their mix engines are pretty much all the same. Audition is fine. You can find plenty of good quality plugs for free (there have been many threads on this BBS on that topic). Your mixer pres are probably good enough. A cheap tube preamp is probably a bad idea.

On the other hand, it will help to get a decent interface. It helps to have good monitors. It really helps to have a proper acoustic environment for recording and mixing.

OK, listening to your track: #1 improvement would be better consistency in performance. For your vocal, I'm guessing you are treating the B57 pretty much like you would live. I can hear variation in distance to mic, which expresses as change in proximity effect. You also have issues with plosives ("p"-popping). Move the mic a little above your mouth to avoid that. Be very cognizant of where your mouth is related to the mic. If you move around randomly, it will show up in the tone of the recorded vocal. Maybe get a cheap pop filter, not only to reduce popping, but as a visual aid: "mouth goes here". Experiment with mouth-to-mic distance and position until you get the consistent tone you want.

On the other hand, an experienced studio vocalist will sometimes move away from the mic during louder passages. This helps to control dynamics and tone, and can reduce the need for compression in mixing.

Pro studio vocal techniques can sometimes get involved. Obviously, there is a lot of punching going on, until every syllable is perfect. Or these days, just a bunch of Autotune (I recommend the former!). Then there is stuff like doubling the vocal (you have to be very consistent to pull that off), whisper tracks, or just simple harmony parts.

Next, the guitar. I think a condenser mic like the KSM could help here; I just think they work better for acoustic guitar. BUT it should be possible to get a usable sound with the B57. Heck, some people even prefer dynamics on acoustics (not me!). Ac guit is also frequently recorded in stereo using a variety of techniques and placements.

Anyway, the mic position sounds kinda boomy to me. Where are you placing it? Try moving it around for different tones--12th fret, neck-body joint, lower bout aimed at bridge, over the right shoulder, etc. The guitar performance has a lot of dynamic variation which to me doesn't sound intentional. This is especially apparent during pull-offs on the high strings. Work towards consistent dynamics, or just punch it until it's right.

As you may have noted, the "secret" to a pro sound is really just a lot of hard work--mic positions, practice, practice, and practice, and keep doing takes until it's right!

There are a few "secrets" involving things like compression, stereo effects, EQ, etc, but they really aren't that secret, and they really don't help when the guts of the tracks still need work. I mean you could try fixing some of the problems I mentioned with volume automation, compression, multiband, autotune, etc., but those are all band-aid solutions.

Unless you're looking for a modern artificial pop sound, you can just manufacture that. But from your music I'm guessing that is not what you want . . .

 

[phriq]

Thanks mshilarious! that was very beneficial feedback. Its amazing how much easier it is to self teach yourself on an instrument than it is at recording. Soooo many variables that alot of them I just never thought of. I understand that a Audio Interface will help out and that the tube pre-amp may not be right as of now. KSM 27 sounds like a decent mic for what I am doing.

I am basically wanting to learn the equiptment and the techniques. I know that i cant just buy hardware and sound great all the sudden, but I also know that there are technques and equiptment that help and do capture teh "true" sound. I really appreciate your input.

Any other input would be great. Especially on the hardware side. What are basic "must have" pieces for a home studio? and more so, what are good brands/models of those pieces.

I am just looking for the best sound I can get for a home studio. Thanks!