Recording for first time help

[rnicholson]

Sorry for the long post but I thought it'd be best to give you a full idea of what the problem is.

So initially I was using my Camera to video my playing and then uploading that to my laptop, converting it to MP3 format, then putting it in time with the rest of it and removing noise. The result wasn't actually too bad but obviously it took a long time.

So I then got a a mixer and a soundcard (Behringer Ucontrol UCA202) and a preamp (B Tech Phono/Microphone). After connecting it all up to my laptop and (using audacity) trying to record using the mic (Ultravoice XM8500) the signal was not strong enough for anything to be recorded. Same result if I plugged my electric guitar in instead. Plugging the Keyboard in however gave a very good quality, loud signal.

I then decided that the mixer was what needed upgrading so I got a Behringer Eurorack UB502. Now it does work with the Mic and Guitar but the sound is so quiet and with a lot of background crackling. The sound quality was significantly better when I was using my camera. The setup I have is Mic/Guitar----Preamp-----Mixer------Soundcard-----Laptop.

Any help will be much appreciated and apologies if posted in the wrong section.

 

[TimOBrien]

Quite frankly, you are using $30 components along the chain and they are just.... cheap.

You can't expect to get something sounding like a high-end studio production from cheap gear.

Keep practicing, keep playing and someday when you can move up to better components you'll get better results.

 

[rnicholson]

That's fair enough and understandable I suppose. But I don't see why it is worse quality than a £40 camera whose main function isn't recording sound. I just wanted a quicker way to get recordings of fair quality. And all the individual items seemed to have decent reviews considering the price.

 

[ecc83]

That's fair enough and understandable I suppose. But I don't see why it is worse quality than a £40 camera whose main function isn't recording sound. I just wanted a quicker way to get recordings of fair quality. And all the individual items seemed to have decent reviews considering the price.

Yes, you should be able to get quite decent results with that set up, far better say than a cassette recorder with Dolby B so let us start with the UCA 202.

Had 2, still got one, not at all bad but limited. Main problem is a 16bit limit and this give a noise floor of about -85dB (FS*) but since this is waaaaaay better than any tape machine, no worries you just need to keep the signal levels at about -14 or so on the DAW(more on that later) and do not peak to higher than -6,EVER! Because the 202 clips easily. But, used with care, the 202 is capable of making very acceptable recordings. NOT ideal. Would not be my first choice! But very usable.

The 502 mixer is essentially the same as my X802 and, like the 202, is ok if used with care (note to all noobs..NEVER buy a mixer, or AI come to that, with just one mic input. You WILL regret it!) The gain and noise performance SHOULD be such that with that mic you can make reasonable vocal recordings. That is, fairly lusty singing at 150mm or less from the mic. Acoustic guitar or speech will be problematic. It should also be fine on a guitar amp. I have found a dozen or so reviews of that mic and they all say that for 1/3rd the price of an SM58 you can't complain. I is however at least 6dB LESS sensitive than even the 58 so that does not help. (another note to noobs. Capacitor, aka "condenser" mics are much more sensitive and many are 1/2 the price of the 57/58 and thus much more versatile).

DAW: No mention is made of the software used for recording? Audacity is a common first stop for beginners but, although it is an excellent audio editor it is not ideal for recoding and track building. Reaper is often touted and is very good but I always suggest noobs give MAGIX Samplitude Silver Cloud a bash.

*Full Scale: This is the "0" at the top of audio recording software meters and is as high as you can go. All other signals are negative of this level. For a 24bit (standard usage) system you would keep average levels at -18, even -20dBFS but for the 202's 16bit operation you might need to up that a bit but much depends upon how noisy the source is e.g. room since this can decide your noise floor.

Lastly, how were you connecting an electric guitar? Plugging into the mixers line inputs will not give good results (but SHOULD work!). Needless to say, a decent £100 AI such as the Steinberg UR22 would have been a better choice all round.

And you thought YOUR post was long!

Dave.

 

[rnicholson]

Thanks very much for the reply Dave. I'll have a look and see what I can do. And I can always upgrade to the items you've mentioned