Poor boy wants to record a demo.

[Skitch]

So my band and I are ready to record our first demo.. I am looking for the best quality for the lowest amount of money (isn't everybody?). We are a 5-piece melodic rock/hardcore band w/ Drums,2 guitars, bass, keyboard and vocals.

Here's the equipment I have...

Lexicon 4-input Interface
Cool Edit Pro 2 and Cubase SE
2 Shure sm57s
Shure sm58
MXL 990 Condenser Vocal Mic
MXL 991 Condenser
About a dozen CHEAP dynamic mics.
I also have a small 6 input mixer if needed.

Now is this enough to get me some descent sounding recordings or should I look into renting some equipment? Im not looking for professional results obviously but the best sound I can get with the equipment I have. Im fairly new to recording but im learning quickly.. what do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

 

[giraffe]

that'll be enough to record a good DEMO
should be no problem if your careful

 

[battleminnow]

Looks like some standard budget gear. I would start looking for a good room to record in. If your room is bad, it doesn't matter what gear you use. Do you primarilly use the Cubase SE or Cool Edit? I am curious because my bassist has always used Cool Edit, and I recently purchased SX3, and I was curious which one you liked better.

Pete
Meter 12
Burn Cycle Productions

 

[Skitch]

Personally I like cool edit...just because i've been using it for years and it seems more user-friendly.

Also, Im pretty much a newbie to acoustics so what should I be looking for in a good room? Right now I've just been recording in my basement but it's a pretty big room with concrete walls and wood paneling..im almost posotive this is why my recordings are lacking..

 

[battleminnow]

The best thing you could do is diffuse the wall in some way. Put a bookshelf on the back wall, hang some thick blankets around the room, etc. etc. If you want, you can build some moveable free standing baffles out of a wooden frame and some insulation, and just try various areas around the room for placement. You want to eliminate any surfaces that are reflective (usually) and any 90 degree angles, to eliminate any standing waves. Or, you can buy some Auralex panels from Guitar center for about $16 a piece if you barter (2'X4' 2" thick) and maybe some bass traps. Check out the studio building forum on this site, and do a search for the SAE college site and read, read, read.

Pete Kopplin
Meter 12
Burn Cycle Productions