Real basic set up help...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lane
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Lane

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OK.. you guys are WAY over my head... but help me out with your wisdom...

I want to improve on my funky set up...All that I do is play acoustic guitar and do vocals - folk and country stuff (yeah, yeah)

I use Ntracks to record my guitar and vocals. I also play music on line for fun. I use a SM58 and an AKG D880 Mic that I run through a little 4 track fostex that I just use as a mixer. My Taylor guitar has an onboard pickup that goes into the Fostex also, or I just mic the guitar. The output goes to my sound card and the only montoring that I can do is my computer speakers, or run the out into my stereo... yeah, I said it was funky...

I am just learning about compression and I like what little I've been able to do in Ntracks which has me thinking I'd like to put a compressor between mic/pickup and my computer so I could add compression when I'm playing live music on line too..... would that take an in line hardware compressor? Would it work? Cost?

Then this also got me to wondering if what I actually need is a small mixer to replace the Fostex, with on board effects and compression... is there such a thing? And or an amp/monitor of some kind....

Now.. before you suggest million dollar set ups... understand that I'm just playing in my living room, recording on my PC and playing on line.... oh, and I'm kida cheap too... :)

So.... how about some thought on practical setups that would give me better recording than what I am doing now?

Thanks!

Lane
 
Lane said:
I use Ntracks to record my guitar and vocals. I also play music on line for fun. I use a SM58 and an AKG D880 Mic that I run through a little 4 track fostex that I just use as a mixer. My Taylor guitar has an onboard pickup that goes into the Fostex also, or I just mic the guitar.
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A condenser and a nice CLEAN preamp (you want none of that toob shit, it'll kill the twinkle on your guitar) might do wonders for your guitar sound.

the only montoring that I can do is my computer speakers
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You need better monitors, or you can't hear how it sounds.

would that take an in line hardware compressor?
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You can put it between your mixer (or preamp if you get one) and the computer, sure.

Cost?
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Ehm, $175 for the RNC I think.

Then this also got me to wondering if what I actually need is a small mixer to replace the Fostex, with on board effects and compression... is there such a thing?
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you only need it if you are dead bent on recording vocals and your guitar at one time. If you record them separately you can mix and add effects in n-tracks, it will work just as good.
 
Lane said:
Now.. before you suggest million dollar set ups... understand that I'm just playing in my living room, recording on my PC and playing on line.... oh, and I'm kida cheap too... :)

So.... how about some thought on practical setups that would give me better recording than what I am doing now?
Click to expand...

You might just want to head on over to Guitar Center or something along those lines, talk to one of the sales weasles, and test some things out.

If all you're looking for is some decent compression to use while jamming around, you should have a look at the Behringer Composer Pro. It's like $100 -- possibly less. You probably don't need a whole new mixer if what you have is working for you.

Like Regebrow says, a condenser mic pointed at the 12th fret, going through a clean mic pre could improve your guitar sound, and that kind of setup could be had for a couple hundred bucks or so. Marshall mxl603 microphone (you'd have to buy it online) for $75, and an m-audio Audio Buddy mic pre for about $100.

Good luck.
 
So... do I get the impression that you think a better mic and pre is the most important at this point? I dont mind picking up the MXL 603 and Audio Buddy if that where I need to start... found both for good prices on line. Would that be better than my current mics - for vocal too?

And, if I understand it, the pre has two channels which would serve as a mixer since I'm only talking two inputs, guitar and vocal - correct?

Now... back to compressors - do I need one? Honestly, I dont know much about them except that I liked what they did in Ntracks. Maybe that s where I should leave it an focus on the mic and pre?

Thanks!
 
I think you should worry about getting a clean guitar and vocal sound to your computer before you worry about any compression. Getting an AudioBuddy and a MXL 603 along with a SM58 for vocals will be fine. You will be able to get good results if you practice. Then worry about compression.
 
OK.... so the mics are my next move then.... I really haven't been too impressed with my SM58 ... the AKG seems to work better, but then I dont know what I'm doing here....

I'm looking at a MXL 603.... I see some package deals with also a MXL 2001 .... thats a LD.... I'm wondering if I should look at that plan, with the Audio Buddy?

I guess I'll stick with using the compressor in ntracks and try to get my mic and pre situation squared away first?

Lane
 
I would definitly check out the Mackie 1202 or the 1402 . The Pre amps are more then decent and it will give you many input / output options . You also did not mention what type of soundcard you are using . If it is a Soundblaster shit can it. I would recommend the Audiophile 24/96 made by M-Audio . it is a great beginer card. You should be able to get one for $150.00 . You will need some decent moniters there are many of the self powered on the market . I am thinking for around $500.00 you should be able to really improve your sound.

Dave
 
yes, I have a SB Audigy Platnium card... with the live drive which is handy with the inputs up front, but no XLR or phantom power so if I get these new mics I have to have a seperate pre.....

Was hoping to spend less money..... should I really **** can the SB? I also want to get it right so.... and monitors - sounds like I need to look at that too, huh?

On another BB I'm being told to look at the omni studio.. any good? I'll check out the mackies you mention.

I want to do this cheaply, but right (as best I can afford)
 
I need to hear more about mixers like the Mackie 1202 mentioned above. I'm looking at them and some little Behringer ones... are the preamps in those mixers OK? I see some 4 channel stuff, including effects so I can get some compression, for $150 bucks.... good deal if they will work adequately.... a waste, if not.

I just bought a MXL V67 that I'll run into this, along with my current mics....

What do you think?
 
Sounds good. And yes, I'm confident the Mackie will be a step up in terms of sound -- and you won't have to purchase any outboard mic pres, because the ones in the Mackie are fine. I'd still pick up a compressor. The Behringer one I mentioned is fine, and the RNC (mentioned above) for $175 is quite good.
 
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