Recording Multiple Vocals

[moustache]

I have a group who regularly meets at my house to sing. I want to record the group so they can hear their own erors and work to fix them. Eventually we will want to create a demo CD to send to places we might go to sing.

What do I need to set up a sort of mini, not too technical recording environment? I'd like to get 4-8 mics set up, and be able to mix them as I like. And, like I said, I'd like to be able to take what was recorded and put it on a CD.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to record each "voice" in a multi-part harmony song and overlay the recordings on top of eachother. But that is a later step.

What do I need to do this? I have a computer to record to. But I'm sure there is software and equipment I will need.

Short term, I'd like to get 2-4 mics hooked up and recording together. Long term, when there is money to purchase, I'd like to plot out what I need to get to build the entire environment.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

What sort of budget are we talking Moustache?

Your first consideration should be making sure your PC is suited to recording music. This means a reasonably modern CPU, at least 512MB of RAM (ideally a gig) and a decent sized HDD. Then you'll need a decent soundcard, the one built into your comp will not be suitable for decent quality recordings.

How many sources do you anticipate you'll be wanting to record simultaneously?

And as I said what's your budget?

All of this will to an extent dictate the way you'll record and the type of gear you'll need.

 

[Richard Monroe]

If you are going to layer the vocals and mix them, you only need one mic. If you are recording them simultaneously, and you want an accurate representation of what you are really doing, you could do the job with 2 matched mics, a stereo pair, at a distance from the singers. I don't see the recording advantage of a bunch of cheap mics with all the microphone bleed you can stand. Another good way is to put them in a circle and hang 2 mics from the ceiling in coincedent (X-Y) configuration. There's a bunch of ways to record what you want, but it sounds like you'll need at least 2 simultaneous tracks in, and at least 8 total tracks, if it's acapella, at least 10 if there is a stereo music track under it.
First big questions- Do you have a realistic budget, and what is it? Secondly, what are the basic specs on your computer, and do you already own any mics or other audio gear?-Richie

 

[mikeh]

Trying to record numerous singers all with individual mics is a challenge for even the most experianced engineer. In addition to mic'ing challenges, you would need multiple ins to your computer (at least eight???) and software that can record that many tracks at the same time. If you want to isolate all those tracks coming back out (so each singers voice can be isloated) then you also need that many outs.

To do all that ain't cheap!!!

You may be better off with one (mono recording) or 2 (stereo recording) low cost condensot mics) - but you would still need the right computing capabilities (including pre-amp ability with power for the condensors).

 

[Rokket]

I recorded a group of 12 acapella vocalists with just 1 good condensor on a boom, about 6 feet away and a foot over their heads. you can still hear the individual voices enough to pick out errors. For a better picture, go stereo with 2 mics. What you are suggesting will be a feedback nightmare along with what everybody else has said...