Recording guitars

  • Thread starter Thread starter chewmanfoo
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chewmanfoo

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Another newbie question:

I thought this would be easier. OK, I'm trying to record a guitar and vocal. How do I set the Gain and the Fader optimally?

The Gain knob goes from +7 to +60 dB. The Fader goes from infinity to 10. What should I be looking for in a good mix?

Also, how do I get good levels on my PC? The tracks on SONAR XL have Volume and Gain settings as well. Should I mess with these?

Sorry, I'm an idiot.
chewy
 
Further Details:

Sorry, I guess details would be helpful...

I have an MAudio Delta1010 with a Soundcraft Spirit M12. I have a Shure 55SH Series II Unidyne Dynamic microphone with an XLR cable. I also have an acoustic guitar with a Dean Markley pop-in pickup, plugged into a Guild Acoustic amp and an unbalanced guitar cable going from the signal out of the amp into an unbalanced line in on the mixer. I have a nice balanced snake from the mixer to the 1010.

Thanks!
chewy
 
Set your fader to unity (usually denoted by "0"). Do the same with the board's main mix volume. Now turn your input gain knob up until you have a good signal running through the board (view the board's meters). You want a good strong level going through the board without clipping. You should check your levels again in Sonar and adjust the levels going into Sonar by using the board's main mix volume. There's usually no need to adjust the levels in Sonar software.

But first go buy some condenser mics like the SP B1 or B3 or C1 or C3. While you are at it buy a couple of Marshal 603s or Oktava MC012s. You have some nice gear. I don't know why you are skimping on mics. That Shure will not capture the high end sparkle of an acoustic guitar or a vocal. You can mic your amp if you want, but IMO the best acoustic sound is gotten by stereo micing the actual guitar. And I don't like the sound of DI'd acoustic steel string guitars.
 
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