Recording Multiple Instuments at one time

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lpitt56
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Lpitt56

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I am reseaching a home recording studio and am trying to find an audio interface that will let me record two acoustic instruments and one mic for vocals at the same time. I will be using it to record song demos. (Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin and a Mic for vocals). I have used interfaces that allow you to lay down one track at a time or even two, and they work well but I would love to be able to record of them all at one time. For me, it's easier to time my playing and really play well when I can hear and see the folks I'm playing with. (I always play better live than with headphones on)

So, for that reason I could settle for recording three tracks at one time and lay down the others later. But, I am having trouble finding such a device. Any reccomendations?? :cool:

Thanks in advance,

Pat
 
Interfaces

I have a Presonus Firepod the old version of 8 inputs which you can find for $300 used they work nicely and are definately a good starter with pres that are quite decent. Its a firewire interface with 8 combo jacks (xlr/1/4 inputs).
Presonus has also come out with a new fp10 which is the firepod with 2 extra inputs.
May I ask how much you are willing to spend?
 
$750

$750 dollars is my budget for everything so I'm having to be smart about what I buy. I already have a top of the line PC with adequate software (n-Track Studio), so my idea was to use the PC and software I already have to mix and burn CDs and invest in a decent audio interface, a couple of decent speakers, a couple of mics and headphones.

I know.. that's a big wish list for a $750 budget. But with guys like you steering me in the right direction I might be able to pull it off. I already have a couple of ok 1/4 Shure Mics but I have been thinking about a good condenser mic if I don't bust my budget.

In your experience should I mic my instruments or just plug them into the interface (any difference in sound?). Also both my guitar and mandolin have K&K passive transducer pickup (no power onboard). Will that prevent me from plugging into an interface without a preamp?

Sorry for loading you down with question. But thanks in advance!
 
Alright

First the biggest thing you will need is a good pair of monitors, without those it wont matter what you record it'll always sound like garbage if you cant mix with good reference. So I would recommend a pair of krks but those might bust the budget a bit so do some searching around for used pairs of monitors that are decent.
To answer your question about plugging in your instruments, plugging the pickups into the interface will work for sure but a lot of people try to steer away from pickups when recording as I find they have a flat sound with not much body. Where as if you mic the instrument you get all that warmth, body, and tone if you know what I mean.
Also plugging them in if they are passive is ok but they will need a lot of gain, a way to get past that is to stick a DI box inbetween the pickup and the interface that will boost the instrument level to line level.
 
Thanks

Good information! Thanks a bunch for the tips.

Happy Thanksgiving!
 
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