some very basic recording questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter drewsky
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drewsky

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Hi everyone,

I've been looking at recording websites but I still have some questions though, so I thought I'd just post.

I'm going to be using my computer w/ audio software (not sure which one yet) to record. I want to be able to lay down a rhythm track w/ my guitar and later overlay it w/ a lead or something else. My budget is maybe $400-500.

It seems my options are:

1) Direct Record
2) Use a mic

From what I've read by others, it seems that most of you prefer the quality of using a mic. For the very basic stuff I want to be doing, do you think it'd be worth it to do this?

From what I understand, I can use a processor like a POD to direct record to the computer like: Guitar -> POD -> Sound Card. Is this correct or would I need something else? I can also use the POD like : Guitar->POD->Amp as well right, if I'm not recording? Also, could I use something like the BOSS GT-6 to direct record?

I'm still confused about what to do for micing.
I guess I'd go Guitar->Amp and then the Mic would pick up the sounds from the amp -> Mixer? -> Sound Card. Is this right?

Also, some of the amps I was looking at getting had an XLR output. What is this? does it have to do w/ MIDI?

so anyway, I'm looking for a reasonable solution that won't kill me in cost, but can do basically what I'm looking for.

sorry for the long post.

thanks for the help guys.

drew
 
Guitar -> POD -> Sound Card is right. No need for an amp. But your guitar will sound like a POD. If you don't mind that, then...

Guitar-> Amp -> Mic -> Mixer -> Sound Card is also right. The mixer can be replaced by a simple preamp.

Using a POD or an amp is a big debate here. Some people hate the fact that the POD "colours" your sound. If you do a search here with POD, you will find out. In any case, a POD is a must if you record in an appartment, especially at night, which is my case.
 
A little more elaboration on some of drewsky's questions...

You can plug anything with a line level signal into your soundcard's line in. That includes multieffects boxes, synths, the Tape Out or Aux Out of a stereo receiver... I'm not familiar with the Boss GT-6, but if it outputs at line level, you can use it. Whether or not it sounds all that good is a different story.

While you can certainly go Guitar -> POD -> guitar amp, that's not what it's made for. It works, but I don't think it sounds very good. See, the POD's output is supposed to be very close to what hits the tape at the end of traditional signal chain that produces a "great" guitar sound -- e.g., Fender Deluxe through an open-backed 12" speaker miked with a Shure SM-57 and into the mixer, and maybe through an effects loop too to add delay, chorus, etc. It's not just an effect box. The result of plugging it into a guitar amp is different even if you disengage the cabinet emulator. It kind of smushes up the sound. ("Smushes..." that's a technical audio engineering term.) You'd get a better sound with just a guitar and amp plus an effects box.

But through a clean PA system, well, that's another story...

Just to weigh in, I'm not much of a purist, but I think the POD sounds very, very good. I'm sure having a Fender Deluxe and a Marshall and a Mesa Boogie and a Roland Jazz Chorus and a Champ and all those amps, and a good room to mic them in, and a Neve preamp to run the mic through, would be better. But for $300-400 dollars, the POD is very, very good and pleases me.
 
dont pay for the pod...if you are gonna lay that many $$$ down, go for the GT6....it is an awesome machine....i got to test one and it was ridiculous...i thought they were gonna have to call the cops at closing time to get me outta there.......you can go straight from the GT-6 to the soundcard....this guy just finished recording his next CD with a GT6 and a VS-unit.....
http://www.digevent.com/events/consumer/music/guitar_mania/
www.marcseal.com

if you want something similar yet simpler(cheaper), the J-Station is a nice piece at $149.......

for software, check out N-Track www.fasoft.com
 
i thought the gt-6 was more a multi effects tool. Will it do direct recording as well as the pod?
if so, i think i might just get the gt-6 cuz it's got amp modeling, loads of effects and the expression pedal =)

does anyone know what the XLR output on an amp is for? This amp I'm looking at has an "XLR direct line output." I'm guessing that it works like a preamp before going into the soundcard, like a POD?

thanks

drew
 
It's a direct line out from the amp's preamp stage. Try it! It might sound good enough for you.

But it doesn't model the power-amp -> speaker cabinet interaction like the POD does... so it might sound a bit one-dimenional by comparison
 
the GT6 is so incredible....it will do BETTER than the Pod for recording direct......

and if you ever have to use it live, the Pod cant even touch it in that situation....
 
giaschel said:
Some people hate the fact that the POD "colours" your sound.
Well... don't tube guitar amps colour your sound just as much? :D
 
hmm, the gt-6 seems to do everything the POD does and for the additional $100, you get an expression pedal and some other features...

looks like i should just get the gt-6.

So for recording, it look like I might do: guitar->gt-6->soundcard,

do you think I need something between the gt-6 and the soundcard, like a mixer or something?

thanks guys, appreciate it

drew
 
It came in a package I bought at Steve's along with a tube mic stand and a tube guitar pick. It was called the "Tube Extravaganza" package. ;)
 
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