Recording covers with a webcam and Snowball USB mic - Can't seem to figure it out!

[am5465]

I have a Logitech c270 webcam (i think that's the model: it isn't a high-end cam but idc about that) and a USB Snowball USB mic. I would like to record video and audio of myself covering songs. I want to be able to record myself playing along with the song as it's playing. I've seen countless videos on youtube and even from some friends on Facebook, but most people say they just use a digital camera and capture video while they play. I believe I have better equipment than just a digital camera, but I can't seem to ever get things to sound the way I'd like them to...

Perhaps my speakers are the issue? I can obviously capture the guitar from my amp just fine, as I set the Snowball mic up in front of it. However, I guess my real issue is capturing the music I am covering in the process. I can't seem to find an equilibrium between my amp and the music, and when I find something close the music sounds distorted.

My speakers are 5 satellite surround-sound speakers. I originally left them where they were in my room and attempted to record, but with very little success. I then had what I thought was a genius idea and surrounded the Snowball mic with the speakers in front of my amp (this should do it!) But I was wrong. It sounds better, but still not close to what I've seen others do with less.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can improve this process? When I record I simply use the webcam's video-shooting software and start the video, then start the song up and attempt to play along, nothing fancy.

Any and all help is appreciated. I really am very passionate about this and I want to improve as much as I can...

 

[am5465]

54 views and no replies... Did I ask too much? :/

 

[guitarplayr82]

Try downloading the program Audacity. It's a simple audio program that will allow you to import the song you want to play with. You can then put your Snowball mic in front of your amp and set it up for Audacity to record using the Snowball via Audacity's settings. Try to keep your speakers away from your amp. Audacity will play back the song you imported as you record, so there is no need to play the song from elsewhere. Start recording with your video camera and then hit record in Audacity and play your cover. Once you've finished the recording, playing back the recording in Audacity will not only play back the audio from the Snowball mic on your amp, but will also play back the song you imported simultaneously. You can export the audio from Audacity as a WAV file, export the video from your video capture program, and import the WAV audio and the video capture into a video editing program such as Windows Movie Maker or iMovie. You can shift around the audio/video in the video editor until the audio is in sync with the video and then export the final product from the video editor. You should have a quality-sounding, well-synced recording of your performance!

 

[am5465]

If I do it this way will I have the song to listen to as I'm recording? This does seem like a good way to try and do this, I simply haven't done it so I don't know the in's and out's of it, ya know?

 

[ollie99]

well it would be coming out your speakers, but I would suggest using earphones or headphones to listen to it whilst recording so that there is no sound coming from the speakers interfering with the guitar sound.

If you then have a problem with the guitar sound you will be able to do a bit of EQ in audacity or mess around with the settings on the amp, but in terms of quality the only thing that will help is buying an audio interface, but I would see how it sounds first before you even go asking what an audio interface is.
Also, if you can deal with the sound you get but it is not great and you want to be doing many videos, then I would definitely suggest buying an audio interface, but only if you are prepared to spend the money (you will need a different mic as well) and you think you will make it a worth while purchase. It all depends on how serious you are taking this, if you just wanna few covers to show your friends then what you have should be fine.