recording overhaul

[imran]

hello

i would really like some input on the process of recording and equipment needed.

i started of with a cheap pc and a desktop mic. i was recording vocals and acoustic guitar as a single track. i managed to borrow the mac mini (10.6.3 os x, 1.83 GHz processor) from work, and installed reason, which i use with my m-audio usb midi keyboard.

my plan is to get a shure SM57 mic and a tascam US144 MK2 USB 2.0 midi interface and record using audacity and port the tracks into reason and work on the tracks in there..

i would like to record vocal, electric guitar, acoustic, all on direct input but also record those by mic-ing the amp too. i record in a small attic room, folk, rock, indie, psych folk, experimental, field recordings (but not in the attic)... etc.

my question would be, would the shure mic and tascam be suitable for most of my needs? if you have any other recommendations, please let me know. anything cheaper would help too. or is there some other interfaces/methods i could consider for recording?

this is ultimately home recording, but i would be trying to create sounds/music like six organs of admittance, akron/family, motohiro nakashima.. etc

If you have any further recommendations on what applications to use for recording - that would be great too..

all help would be appreciated..

 

[mjbphotos]

The SM-57 is a good inexpensive first microphone to start out with. I use one and like its versatility.

On the interface, you should read through the dozens of threads on this site and interface choices before making a decision.

 

[Kingofpain678]

Welcome to homerecording.com!

Here you go buddy, http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

That has everything you could need to know. And please don't think that I'm just throwing something at you just to get you out of our hair. Reading tweakz guide is like a right of passage, It's almost a necessity for new people starting out. It explains everything in plain english and gives you an idea of how things work and what do (this includes examples of optional home set ups, opinions, etc.)

I wish you all the luck in the world, and when you're done reading that please come back and join our community, there are plenty of resources here for you to continue learning and grow in audio and mixing engineering. Have any questions, feel free to ask

 

[imran]

thanks for the heads up. i worked through the whole first section and looks like the rig I suggested is going to be pretty much okay.

I guess i didnt consider the complexity of mixing tracks, so I might have to consider something like Logic and I found out that I can ReWire reason into that.. which would be nice.

the tascam audio interface forum discussions seems reasonably ok, and work well with usb2.0 and mac. shouldnt have issues for drivers and stuff.

but one question.. i think its possible.. but if i connect my guitar and mic both into the tascam, can i record both tracks seperately? - thanks

 

[Kingofpain678]

thanks for the heads up. i worked through the whole first section and looks like the rig I suggested is going to be pretty much okay.

I guess i didnt consider the complexity of mixing tracks, so I might have to consider something like Logic and I found out that I can ReWire reason into that.. which would be nice.

the tascam audio interface forum discussions seems reasonably ok, and work well with usb2.0 and mac. shouldnt have issues for drivers and stuff.

but one question.. i think its possible.. but if i connect my guitar and mic both into the tascam, can i record both tracks seperately? - thanks

Yes, you can record both tracks separately. Your vocals and your guitar will each get it's own track and from there you can mix accordingly.

And yes, mixing can be incredibly complex.

One of the most popular DAW (digital audio workstations) around here is reaper which is a full feature DAW and best of all it's trial version is full featured and doesn't expire. The only difference between the licensed version of reaper and the trial version is the trial version waits 5 seconds to advertise the license to you before you can use it. that's it.
ALOT of users here use it for tracking, mixing and even mastering.
It's a great start and rivals the big expensive programs out there.
Just a piece of advice, you don't have to use it if you don't want.

Something I should mention is that while a 2 input usb audio interface can record 2 seperate tracks at once, that's usually usb's limit. Alot of usb audio interfaces even with multiple inputs will still only record in two separate tracks. more specifically, one stereo track (mono left, mono right). Now, not EVERY multiple USB interface is like this, some can record multiple inputs on multiple separate tracks so it would be wise to look into exactly how your audio interface will record multiple tracks.

And as mentioned previously, there are a whole ton of audio engineering, mixing engineering, and mastering engineering information resources here. If you feel that you would like more light shed on a certain topic feel free to ask. Personally, I have saved just about every informational piece I have come across (apart from tweakz guide... I wish there was a download though ) saved to my hard drive so I'm sure I could find something on a subject you may be interested in.

 

[Armistice]

I'm not sure you're going to get a quality acoustic guitar recording with your SM57 - maybe if it's just strumming in the background of a mix you'll be happy, but there are better options.

Go to the mic forum and read up on what's "standard" for acoustic guitar recording.

Cheers

 

[imran]

One of the most popular DAW (digital audio workstations) around here is reaper which is a full feature DAW and best of all it's trial version is full featured and doesn't expire.

And as mentioned previously, there are a whole ton of audio engineering, mixing engineering, and mastering engineering information resources here. If you feel that you would like more light shed on a certain topic feel free to ask. Personally, I have saved just about every informational piece I have come across (apart from tweakz guide... I wish there was a download though ) saved to my hard drive so I'm sure I could find something on a subject you may be interested in.

Hey, thanks for the heads up, I'll check out Reaper, and now doubt will have lots of questions as soon as I get my kit

 

[imran]

I'm not sure you're going to get a quality acoustic guitar recording with your SM57 - maybe if it's just strumming in the background of a mix you'll be happy, but there are better options.

Go to the mic forum and read up on what's "standard" for acoustic guitar recording.

Cheers

Hmm.. i do a lot of fingerpicking stuff.. so i do want clarity, but I also need the mic to be versatile for vocal/mic-ing the amp etc... i am still looking around and people are suggesting the SM57 and Rode NT5.. i'll keep reading, but do you guys have anything to add to suggestions ?

 

[kcearl]

MXL67g....works great on vocals and my twelve string...