Need Expert Opinion On Recording

[billru44]

Hey,

I'm new to computer recording and would like some opinions on getting good sound quality.

Here's my recording setup:
Guitar -> Boss ME-50 Pedal -> Peavey Rage 158 (headphone out) -> Line In Soundcard (Creative Audigy 2ZS). And use SONAR to record

So, I'm curious as to go about getting better sound quality. When I record clean sounds, it sounds fantastic... but when I use distortion, the sound quality is OK, and doesn't sound like the 'true sound' from the amplifier.

So, I'm wondering what could be causing this.
1) Better soundcard needed
2) A result from recording direct

So, if anyone can give me an recommendations, that would be great.

I was told M-Audio Audiphone 2496 is a good card...but, I want to spend the money on it if the sound quality will be more or less the same as my current card.

Also, people also told me about mic'ing the amp. But, again, this would require spending like $200 for a mic and a mixer (something I would rather not do).

So, if possible I'd rather record direct.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[chessrock]

If you have to record direct, then you'll want to use some sort of amp modeler ... like a POD or similar.

It will still sound, bascially, like shit. But probably a lot less shitty than your current setup (although even that might be debatable).

 

[billru44]

so, are you saying that mic'ing will provide better results than direct?

 

[scrubs]

so, are you saying that mic'ing will provide better results than direct?

Yes, almost always, especially for distortion. Most distortion pedals/amps are designed to drive a speaker and, therefore, sound pretty bad when they are recorded direct. Amp/speaker modelers, like the POD, are designed to emulate the sound of a speaker cabinet, and do work to a degree. However, there is usually something missing from the sound that you just can't get from a modeler.

 

[billru44]

I hear alot about Shure 57 mic's. And was told you NEED a mic pre-amp. Any recommendations on a cheap pre-amp? Why do you need a pre-amp.

How would the sound quality be w/ the mic? Will it be clear? I would think all of my recorded tracks would be 'hot' because the input from the mic would be too high.

 

[Robert D]

While Bass usually sounds great DI'd, I pretty much always prefer to mic a cab for guitar, though there are some pretty convincing options these days.
I think you'll find an overwhelming concensus that Soundblaster cards, no matter how much they taut their specs, just don't sound good for recording.

Regards,
RD

 

[ocnor]

If you have to run direct then eliminate the Peavey from the chain. Run the ME-50 straight into the soundcard. Use a parametric EQ to roll off some of the jar of bees tone. Then add a slight amount of room reverb for ambience.

 

[billru44]

Well, here's the thing.....

When I run the Peavey into the soundcard, all clean sounds sound FANTASTIC. It's just that distortion sounds not so good.

But, When I run from the BOSS ME50 into the soundcard, ALL sounds sound a bit dull and not so "lively and bright". I dont know anything about EQ. What would need to be changed w/ EQ? All I know is there are differnet frequencies you can modify (I think), but, i dont know the difference between the different ones (1K, 3K, 6K, etc)

Is it possible to get that 'lively and bright' sound through modifiying the EQ?

 

[Broken_Hal0]

I was running in to the same position as you ; wondering how to get the best sound with as minimal money as possible ,it can be done very well , with a heftly load of work. I was using a audigy 2 zs platinum and I made some pretty good quality songs , but the huge thing is , the audigy is not meant for project recording and never will be . The main thing with that is d.s.p chips , and the quality of your inputs. With a bad input the sound you get in your computer is probably the best it will be , and without d.s.p chips you do not have the ability to run highly memory intensive mixing applications. i can guarantee if you had a card with digital signal processing you would be able to play with that distorted sound alot more to the point that you are happy with.Check out creamware www.creamware.com , its a little expensive and unknown of (mainly used in europe) but the quality will surpass anything you have heard before on a home system before.

Hope that helps
broken

 

[billru44]

Any other recommendations for an upgrade in my soundcard?

 

[Scottgman]

Any other recommendations for an upgrade in my soundcard?

Yep... quit now.

You are about to embark on a very expensive journey. Sure it starts out innocently enough... a cheap preamp here, a cheap mic there. But within two years your credit cards will be maxed and you will still be jonesing for that Neve Portico or Great River.

GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is an ugly beast. Turn and run the other direction! Forget you ever wanted to make your own recordings!

 

[schulteboy]

Before you max out your credit cards, try goofing around a bit. Here's a few things that I have done to tweak lousy guitar sounds:

1. You said that the guitar sounds good when it's clean and crummy with distortion. Try cutting the amount of distortion that you use going into the soundcard. Maybe you can preserve some of that guitar goodness and still get a ballsy sound with less distortion.

2. You mentioned EQ. I assume that you have software that will allow you to tweak some frequencies after you have recorded. I recomend a less radical EQ on the Boss/Peavey--give the soundcard a full guitar sound, then let the software do the cutting or boosting. Try cutting the signal around 1k. Try boosting it a bit around 250Hz and 2500Hz. You might also give it a little push around 6kHz.

Also, I would agree that micing the amp will probably give you a better result, but sometimes you don't have the option.

 

[AlfredB]

Any other recommendations for an upgrade in my soundcard?

yeah, a cheap but rather good way is to get an ADAT (8 channel digital lightpipe input) soundcard (e.g. EWS88)... and go for a Behringer ADA8000 outboard a/d d/a converter w/ integrated preamps ... or any other mixer that has a ADAT in/out

should be the best 200 - 250 bucks spent and is a very expandible and open system

(just my personal experience)

cheers
alfred