Starting a home studio... need serious help pleeeaaaaseeee!

[rinkysharma5]

Hi guys! I'm starting a home recording studio and am a complete beginner. I need to narrow down on a mic and a mixer (which, at this point, i'm not even sure I need except to provide phantom power to a condenser). I know different mics suit different styles of vocals, so I'm adding a couple of links of me singing with a cheap karaoke mic on both vox and acoustic guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqTpVNY6nzY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GXhWbx66ms

1. I do have an issue of moderate levels of traffic noise coming from outside and that is something which makes me wonder if I should even opt for a condenser mic. I'm confused between Shure SM 57, SM 58, CAD m-179, AT-2020, MXL V67g and a Rode Nt-1 (given that it's marketed as the world's quietest mic). My budget, starting out, was about $60-80, but the more I read the more I realise I can't cheap out on the mic. Although, if i go for something as expensive as the Rode, I'll have to pass up on the mixer. But then, how do i provide the phantom power? Sorry I'm a complete noob!
2. Do i need a mixer at all? I was thinking something affordable like the Behringer Xenyx 502. Will it add further noise to my recordings? If yes, what is an alternative?
3. Should I buy a pickup/preamp for my acoustic (i was thinking Fishman Isys +) or will it sound better with the mic?
4. Is a digital voice recorder absolutely imperative for a good quality recording? I'm already stretching my budget with the mic and probably can't afford one

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks in advance!
Rinky

 

[JimmyS1969]

First off, what is it you intend to record? Do you need multiple inputs?

1. If you have considerably loud levels of unwanted noise, a condenser mic is likely not the best choice. Dynamic would be a better choice.

2. Nope. Not unless you have need for multiple inputs and do not care about separate tracks to DAW. An interface with multiple preamps will be much better.

3. Acoustic guitars in my experience 'ALWAYS' sound better with two condenser mics. For me a large diaphragm on the sound hole and a small one near the 12th fret. The piezo/transducer type (stick on or mod) mics work but have not much to offer other than maybe a live performance or rehearsal. Even guitars with built in pickups sound better when mic'd in my experience.

4. Not sure I understand this question. You need an 'Interface' for recording to a computer. And also a DAW software to capture the recording. Most interfaces come with a limited version of software to get you started. For some, that is enough.

My first question above will start the conversation as to what you actually need.

Edit: I took a look at your videos. Seems you have done a recording with a direct line out of an acoustic before as well as an electric guitar. At this point it will be best for you to set goals as to what you wish to accomplish.

Nice voice!

 

[ecc83]

Hi Rinky and welcome.
I would agree with everything Jimmy has said except that if you can only afford one microphone at the moment I would go for a Small Diaphragm Capacitor (aka condenser) and a good example of those is the AKG Perception 170 (oops!).

I agree that a dynamic will help with the traffic noise* but you will struggle for level with one on acoustic guitar IMHO and dynamics can be a bit "dull" on guitar.

Agreed, no mixer and yes you definitely need an Audio Interface. My "best buy" in the $150 (where in the World are you?) area is the Steinberg UR22 or Focustrite 2i4.

*Traffic noise is mostly low frequencies and all recording softwares (DAW) will have an EQ system in it allowing you to clean up the low end.
Yes! I know chaps! MUCH better NOT to have noise in the first place! But when the devil drives? (heh!)

Dave.

 

[gecko zzed]

My responses (pretty much what others have already said):

1. I do have an issue of moderate levels of traffic noise coming from outside and that is something which makes me wonder if I should even opt for a condenser mic. I'm confused between Shure SM 57, SM 58, CAD m-179, AT-2020, MXL V67g and a Rode Nt-1 (given that it's marketed as the world's quietest mic). My budget, starting out, was about $60-80, but the more I read the more I realise I can't cheap out on the mic. Although, if i go for something as expensive as the Rode, I'll have to pass up on the mixer. But then, how do i provide the phantom power? Sorry I'm a complete noob!

The 'world's quietest mike' refers to the Rode's self-noise. If you have a noisy environment, all mikes are going to struggle. If you are starting off, any of those mikes will work. In time you can be more selective.

Condensers need phantom power . . . see next point.

2. Do i need a mixer at all? I was thinking something affordable like the Behringer Xenyx 502. Will it add further noise to my recordings? If yes, what is an alternative?

You don't need a mixer, though they can come in handy. What do you do need is an audio interface. This is effectively a sound card that is designed specifically for recording. That means it will do stuff that you would expect to need when recording, e.g. providing phantom power.

3. Should I buy a pickup/preamp for my acoustic (i was thinking Fishman Isys +) or will it sound better with the mic?

As others have said, if you intend top record the guitar, use a mike. If you are playing live, a fishman is a good thing to have.

4. Is a digital voice recorder absolutely imperative for a good quality recording? I'm already stretching my budget with the mic and probably can't afford one

If you are recording to computer via an interface, you don't need a voice recorder.

 

[mjbphotos]

What everyone else said. Save your money now, don't buy cheap stuff that will get old and dusty in the closet later. You need both a mic AND an audio interface, so figure on $250 to get started.

 

[rinkysharma5]

First off, what is it you intend to record? Do you need multiple inputs?

1. If you have considerably loud levels of unwanted noise, a condenser mic is likely not the best choice. Dynamic would be a better choice.

2. Nope. Not unless you have need for multiple inputs and do not care about separate tracks to DAW. An interface with multiple preamps will be much better.

3. Acoustic guitars in my experience 'ALWAYS' sound better with two condenser mics. For me a large diaphragm on the sound hole and a small one near the 12th fret. The piezo/transducer type (stick on or mod) mics work but have not much to offer other than maybe a live performance or rehearsal. Even guitars with built in pickups sound better when mic'd in my experience.

4. Not sure I understand this question. You need an 'Interface' for recording to a computer. And also a DAW software to capture the recording. Most interfaces come with a limited version of software to get you started. For some, that is enough.

My first question above will start the conversation as to what you actually need.

Edit: I took a look at your videos. Seems you have done a recording with a direct line out of an acoustic before as well as an electric guitar. At this point it will be best for you to set goals as to what you wish to accomplish.

Nice voice!

Thanks so much for your pointers Jimmy! I've decided to build a small vocal booth at home, hence, try to mitigate the issue with the traffic noise. So I guess a condenser mic now would be a good option.
I do want to record both box and acoustic guitar simultaneously. in this case, does a mixer make more sense? I'm not sure I still quite understand the difference between a $149 Scarlett 2i2 interface and say, a much cheaper $79 Behringer Xenyx Q802 USB. I'm afraid my budget does not allow me to go for something quite as expensive as a Scarlett Interface.
I'm definitely not gonna buy a digital recorder, I don't know why I thought i needed one in the first place.
And thanks a lot for the compliment

 

[rinkysharma5]

Hi Rinky and welcome.
I would agree with everything Jimmy has said except that if you can only afford one microphone at the moment I would go for a Small Diaphragm Capacitor (aka condenser) and a good example of those is the AKG Perception 170 (oops!).

I agree that a dynamic will help with the traffic noise* but you will struggle for level with one on acoustic guitar IMHO and dynamics can be a bit "dull" on guitar.

Agreed, no mixer and yes you definitely need an Audio Interface. My "best buy" in the $150 (where in the World are you?) area is the Steinberg UR22 or Focustrite 2i4.

*Traffic noise is mostly low frequencies and all recording softwares (DAW) will have an EQ system in it allowing you to clean up the low end.
Yes! I know chaps! MUCH better NOT to have noise in the first place! But when the devil drives? (heh!)

Dave.

Thanks so much Dave!
Now that I'm gonna build a vocal booth at home, how about I go for an LDC like MXL V67G? Or will my voice sound better on the AKG?
As far as the interface is concerned, I don't think I can shell out 150 to 200 bucks for that right now. As i mentioned earlier, wouldn't A mixer like Xenyx Q802 USB do the job, especially cos I would like to record both box and guitars simultaneously? Appreciate the help!
Rinky

 

[ecc83]

Thanks so much Dave!
Now that I'm gonna build a vocal booth at home, how about I go for an LDC like MXL V67G? Or will my voice sound better on the AKG?
As far as the interface is concerned, I don't think I can shell out 150 to 200 bucks for that right now. As i mentioned earlier, wouldn't A mixer like Xenyx Q802 USB do the job, especially cos I would like to record both box and guitars simultaneously? Appreciate the help!
Rinky

Do Not! I implore you build a vocal booth (anyway, can you do that for "free"? Got to be $200 for materials?) it will sound restricted and "honky" and will not be a nice place in which to sing (maybe if you could make it totally dead acoustically and have reverb in headphones? Even so you KNOW you are in a shoebox!) VBs are for reading the news and Hospital Radio.

How is the noise getting in? If a window, arrange as much sound absorbing material in front of it as possible. Won't stop the LF but it will kill a bit of the midrange and HF and in any case you will need some treatment in the room for a good sound.

I shall stick my neck out here and say yes, the Q802 WILL work. You would have two mics (panned hard left and right*) and recording two mono tracks of voice and guitar. This is by all accounts VERY hard to get right. There must be mutual spill but with a lot of practice I dare say decent results can be obtained.

.....BUT! I have to say, as will everyone else here, an AI can do this, do it better and do more besides. There is, to be fair, a slight advantage to the mixer in that it will have EQ on it so you could rolloff the bass and kill some traffic rumble but as I said before, you can do this (better!) in software post tracking anyway.

Re the mic? I cannot say, the big side address mics tend to have a "character" and that might or might not suit your particular voice. SDCs tend to be neutral.

*Grannies and eggs notwithstanding, if the term "panned" is strange to you, you have some reading to do!

Dave.

 

[rinkysharma5]

Do Not! I implore you build a vocal booth (anyway, can you do that for "free"? Got to be $200 for materials?) it will sound restricted and "honky" and will not be a nice place in which to sing (maybe if you could make it totally dead acoustically and have reverb in headphones? Even so you KNOW you are in a shoebox!) VBs are for reading the news and Hospital Radio.

How is the noise getting in? If a window, arrange as much sound absorbing material in front of it as possible. Won't stop the LF but it will kill a bit of the midrange and HF and in any case you will need some treatment in the room for a good sound.

I shall stick my neck out here and say yes, the Q802 WILL work. You would have two mics (panned hard left and right*) and recording two mono tracks of voice and guitar. This is by all accounts VERY hard to get right. There must be mutual spill but with a lot of practice I dare say decent results can be obtained.

.....BUT! I have to say, as will everyone else here, an AI can do this, do it better and do more besides. There is, to be fair, a slight advantage to the mixer in that it will have EQ on it so you could rolloff the bass and kill some traffic rumble but as I said before, you can do this (better!) in software post tracking anyway.

Re the mic? I cannot say, the big side address mics tend to have a "character" and that might or might not suit your particular voice. SDCs tend to be neutral.

*Grannies and eggs notwithstanding, if the term "panned" is strange to you, you have some reading to do!

Dave.

Thanks so much, Dave! this really helps!
After reading everything everyone's said here, I've decided to go with the Scralett 2i2 or Solo after all and the AT-2035. Will return it and go for an SDC if it doesn't work out or suit my vocals. But from all the research I did, looks like it should sound ok. Has anyone used the MXL MCA SP1? if yes, how does it sound on female vox? Been hearing some exceptional things about it!
Rinky

 

[mjbphotos]

And another thing in your plan - recording guitar and vocals at same time - why? Mic your acoustic guitar, do not use a pickup - those are made for live performances. Record the guitar first (preferably to a click track or metronome), then record your vocals after.

 

[lbsterner]

Thanks so much, Dave! this really helps!
After reading everything everyone's said here, I've decided to go with the Scralett 2i2
Rinky

The Scarlett has been working well for me. Good choice for the money. I don't have experience with the mic you've chosen so can't comment there.

 

[rinkysharma5]

And another thing in your plan - recording guitar and vocals at same time - why? Mic your acoustic guitar, do not use a pickup - those are made for live performances. Record the guitar first (preferably to a click track or metronome), then record your vocals after.

Got it! That's what I've been doing so far and now, will continue to! Thanks so so much!!

 

[Dave Holmes]

I often borrow a Rode M3 from a friend for recording acoustic guitar in my room. It's also really not bad on vocals either. A good cheap all rounder.
Depending on what I'm doing I track though my audio interface into either my DAW or Maschine...
I live on a main road and my room although double glazed is on the road side of the house... Traffic noise has never been a problem.
If you're only tracking vocals though you can do worse than the SE2200a... I'm saving for one now as my friend (same friend) also has one and it's just stunning. Really smooth high end (none of that harsh 'bite') punchy mids yet still quite natural sounding...

I have the 2i2 and it's great but in hindsight I wish I'd have spent the extra 30 quid and got the 2i4. There's often times when having those extra outputs would've been really useful!,

 

[ecc83]

" I wish I'd have spent the extra 30 quid and got the 2i4. There's often times when having those extra outputs would've been really useful!,"

Hi Dave (great name!)
Yeah, what would have been even MORE useful is instead of duplicating 1&2 on RCA, have 3/4 inputs? Does at least have MIDI tho!

Dave.

 

[Dave Holmes]

Ideally, I'd like 8 inputs and 10 balanced outs (stereo pair and 8 assignable)... Midi's good but I'm covered with the in and out on Maschine...
Just need to add an mpc2500, several big old analogue synths, a small arsenal of quality mics, a Technics 1210, a really nice DAW-Control-Surface (with moving faders), a control-surface-extender (or 2), a rack full of quality outboard and a massive, fully (and professionally) treated and heated room to put it all in and I'm sorted!