next move?

[oz_fenda]

hi, with christmas around the corner and the parents still looking for something to get me (approx. sub $200AU), i've decided to buy a little something for my home studio setup (if you could call it that )......
I currently only own one mic a trusty 57 which goes through a behri 1202FX mixer into the line in of my stock standard soundcard, and i record/mix etc in audition and eventually cubase when i get the hang of it......and i'm mixing through my cheapish computer style multimedia speakers...

anyways, have been looking at the behringer C1 condenser as i've never seen any condensers that low in price....I know its not the best quality mic in the world but i'm a student and can't afford much better. The other option i was thinking of was buying the equally cheap behringer MS16 monitors.....
any ideas from anyone who has any of these or anyone with any advice?

I mainly record acoustic guitar/vocals and am getting a little sick and tired of tracking everything sepparetly....

As a quick side question, when setting up recording levels for a mic, where is the best place to 'gain' a louder signal in terms of keeping noise low and maintaining the best quality signal etc....Is it best to use the gain nob (or trim on my mixer) and leave the l'evel' and master alone? or should i be turning up the 'level' more and backing off the trim?

thanks a million,
cheers

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

A tricky question really because all elements of your chain could do with upgrading.

If you had a fair bit to spend I'd say the most important things to upgrade first would be acoustics and monitors but with the money available you're not really going to be able to significantly improve on what you already have. I don't know what those Behringer montiors are like but if they're half decent they could be a consideration.

Or I guess the most noticeable difference in recorded sound with the cash you have would come from getting a condensor mic, you could even use it to record guitar and voice simultaneously if you play around with positioning. The studio projects B1 is a pretty good mic for the money and retails at around the equivalent of $200AUS over here (UK). I've not heard good things about the behringer mic to be honest.

Of course a decent soundcard and mic pre would help as well but I'm sure you already knew that, in my opinion the monitoring or mic would be a priorioty.

Gain should be set so you're getting a signal peaking at around -12db in your DAW. Leave the level and master faders alone until mixdown.

 

[oz_fenda]

k great i'll check out the mic u suggested! thanks heaps for the quick and informative reply, really appreciate it
cheers mate thanks!

 

[andycerrone]

Hey, I'd suggest checking out the Studio Projects C-1 too. I have one, and it's treated me great. Click on the link in my sig and the vocals were recorded with it. I'm actually looking to sell it, so if you're interested, PM me. </end of shameless plug>