Practice Recording Help!

[xkapin_reelity]

Hey There,

I'm currently in a little punk band, that will eventually (hopefully early next year) start playing out. We meet when we can given that 1/2 our band both works and goes to school. So to optimize our practice time we record anything we play and come up with, to hold us over and practice at our own rate at home before the next time we can practice.

Currently I've been recording using my iphone's "voice memo" functionality. Which has been surprisingly good considering its just my phone. I pull it off the phone and attempt to improve the quality using garageband or Audacity. The problem lies that sometimes one instrument will drown out the rest, about 1/2 the time its the bass guitar, 1/4 the time the drums, and 1/4 or less the guitar. The continuing problem is the bass is overbearing and creates a heavy bass buzz on the recording. I attempt to play with the EQ on the programs i mentioned but still i would like it to be a little better quality.

Heres my Question:
I generally have my macbook on me. I own 3 condenser mics 2x MXL 990, and 1 x MXL 991. And currently have a Alesis Multimix 12 firewire interface, but am thinking of buying a small usb interface, as to have less to transport and worry about damaging at practice. So my question lies what is the best set up to get the best quality. I realize it wont be as when i do studio work, and will NOT be demo quality, im just looking for something a little bit better than what im getting... at least being able to hear all the instruments so we can practice from the recordings. Or is there a free ware out there that will do a good job of reducing my bass sound more and whatnot? Which would be the best solution hauling my stuff to practice and recording using my recording gear or continue using my iphone just get some plugins or what not? If hauling my stuff... whats the best positioning of the mics? if software solution, please suggest

Thanks in advance!

some samples of the practice recordings that im wanting to improve are located here, there is also a complete list of my gear there too:
www.jdzurek.com/Band/

 

[VomitHatSteve]

I tend to be pretty lazy, so I'd say that if the iPhone has decent quality to stick with that.

I'd work on getting more consistent results with it though. Maybe spend one practice just figuring out how best to set your levels and place the phone so that you have decent results. Then stick with that configuration from then on out.

 

[vinegar8]

Hi. You should record this to a click and layer it under a studio recording!!! it will sound great. Anyway. Maybe you can adjust the record level of the phone. It sounds like its peaking out a bit, or point it away from the bass or possibly turn the bass down if its too loud. Otherwise use the two mxls as a stereo pair in the room aimed in a direction to get a good balance. Remember, to get a good live recording with limited mics you need to have a tight sound as a band. if one thing in that room is too loud then it will kill everything else, Mics are just electric ears. Hope this helps. Sounds great otherwise!

 

[partonkevin]

Play with your mic position. I used to record practice to cassette or minidisc years ago. As far as quality I had the best results using 2 techniques in particular. I used 1 mic each time.
1) PZM hung on wall and make a trial recording to set relative levels
2) 57 positioned on a stand in a sweet spot and ran through a compressor.
Another option would be to throw a few mics on instruments and have someone mix live for you.

 

[ermghoti]

Just turn down the instrument that is too loud. Problem solved.

 

[NYMorningstar]

I generally have my macbook on me. I own 3 condenser mics 2x MXL 990, and 1 x MXL 991. And currently have a Alesis Multimix 12 firewire interface, but am thinking of buying a small usb interface, as to have less to transport and worry about damaging at practice.

You can handle transporting equipment and not damage it when you use it, you can. It gets tricky when you have peeps around drinking and drugging but the solution is get rid of them because that's where you're taking chances and the reason lots of bands go nowhere.

You don't get together too often so it will be pretty easy plus you get to experience how we setup in a short period of time for live gigs. It's just equipment to lug around. I mean think of what a drummer goes through each time he sets up.

Like ermghoti says, turn down. The space you are using most likely isn't treated correctly or at all and you have standing waves all over the place so turn down. Start with the drummer. Set him up with a couple overhead SD condensors and a bassdrum mic and tell him he has to play softer for the recordings.

Close mic the amps and have a room mic in there somewhere. Try running the bass D/I. Get your mix sounding sweet before you go near that record button.

 

[xkapin_reelity]

Thanks to everyone for all their insight and suggestions. Our next practice is next weekend. I think I'm going to go with a combo of suggestions Next week I'm going to try to get the bassist to keep the volume a little lower, while also repositioning the iphone a little bit. If i still dont get much of a better recording, I will just hale my recording gear to the practice space. A good point was made... since we dont practice that often, it really isnt that big of a deal to lug myself with me. Thanks again, and keep the suggestions coming im open to any