newbie question

[chuckwagon42]

Hi Heres my basic set-up. Solo preformer playing Guitar (strat) Harmonica and drum machine (casio midi keyboard) Have a 6 channel PA/mixer with 2 speakers(one 12 in each no monitor) amp 100watts (2x12) Tascam MF-P01 4 track porta studio. All pretty basic but fits my budget at the present. My question is whats the best way to set up this equipment to obtain a fairly good recording? I normally do a rhythm with vocals,harp and drum machine,and then playback and add a lead. Wheres best place to place mics to avoid feed back? Should I try just doing one track at a time ie: guitar,then drums,then vocals,then lead? Should each mic go into the recorder or is better to have one mic record the sound from the pa and amp? Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated...Chuck

 

[mixsit]

Generally you want to have the most direct, shortest path into the recorder possible. With the setup you mentioned, this might be, the drum machine line out, the vocal/harp and guitar amp mics directly into the recorder. Can you skip the p/a and monitor from the 4 track, or do you need it for monitor? If so, just keep that and the guitar amp volume as low as practical. The vocal mic might be the first to suffer from p/a bleed. Headphones as an alternative keep things cleaner?
Wayne

 

[VSpaceBoy]

If it were me I would do it like this to end up with the cleanest, tightest recording.

Plug line out of keyboard directly into 4 track. Set levels and record to track 1.

Mic your guitar amp and then run mic directly into 4 track. Set levels. Record to track 2.

Mic your harp running directly into 4 track and set levels. Record to track 3.

Now you want to bounce the rythme tracks to track 4. You'll want to play it back a few times listening to all the parts that you have so far and make you that the levels<volumes> are right where you want them. <you can't change them later> Then bounce them to track 4.

Now Mic your guitar again running it into the 4 track. Set levels and turn off tracks 2 and 3. Record lead guitar to track one.

Setup mic for vocals and record you back up vocals to track 2.
Then lead vocals to track three.

Doing it this way you'll have more control over some of the mixes <leads> and it should sound tighter than if you try and do it all at the same time. Should sound cleaner too without all the bleed.

Ron

 

[chuckwagon42]

when you say "bounce" is that recording every thing i have at this point and replaying it to track 4 thus leaving all the other tracks free again? When micing an amp where is the best place to place the mic? Thanks for the info provided it sounds like a wining aproach. Chuck

 

[VSpaceBoy]

Yes "Bounce" refers to what you said.

Most would say just experiment with placement and find the "sweet" spot. The easiest quick answer would be just aim it at the middle of the cone from an angle, about 1 inch away from it.

Ron

 

[chuckwagon42]

from a recording standpoint, whats your opinion. Speakers in front facing you or speakers behind you? Chuck

 

[mixsit]

from a recording standpoint, whats your opinion. Speakers in front facing you or speakers behind you? Chuck

It could go either way. Sound coming into the back of a directional mic would have more rejection, but if you're in a room it's going to be bouncing around a bit anyway.
There's also something to be said for just getting a nice live balance, mic'ing that in stereo and blending it with some of the mics direct, like the vocal and/ or the drums. More of a live-vibe approach?

 

[chuckwagon42]

Hi Guys, Thanks for taking the time to give me the needed info,It sounds very helpful. Had a killer jam today. Ever have one of those days where every chord rings true and every note is hit? Of course tomorrow when I set up to record it will be different lol Thanks...Chuck

 

[VSpaceBoy]

from a recording standpoint, whats your opinion. Speakers in front facing you or speakers behind you? Chuck

Are you going to try and record it all live. Meaning Guitar, Vocal, Drums, and harmonica? If thats what you are asking then you'll need to do a few test runs with the mic and speakers set up different and then listen back to see where the best sound is.

If your going to track it like I suggested above then I would use headphones to "monitor" the mix while your recording.

Ron