Starting a recording studio

[Sweetnighter]

Okay, so I'm setting up my first recording studio, and i need some advice

I play bass, trombone, keys, and a little percussion. Obviously the keys don't need micing... but what about the rest of it? I don't know if its more recommended to play straight into the computer with the bass or to mic my bass amp, and I haven't the slightest idea about micing my bongos. Yes, bongos. I've heard raving reviews of the seemingly all-purpose Shure 57, but beyond that I know very little. I also have a very limited budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mshilarious]

Okay, so I'm setting up my first recording studio, and i need some advice

I play bass, trombone, keys, and a little percussion. Obviously the keys don't need micing... but what about the rest of it? I don't know if its more recommended to play straight into the computer with the bass or to mic my bass amp, and I haven't the slightest idea about micing my bongos. Yes, bongos. I've heard raving reviews of the seemingly all-purpose Shure 57, but beyond that I know very little. I also have a very limited budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

If your budget is very limited, definitely get the 57. It will work fine on all of the instruments you listed, and it's functional for vocals as well.

You can go bass direct or mic the amp, although bass direct usually works pretty well. Does your amp have a line out? Those are helpful.

You will probably want an external preamp too, stock PC soundcard preamps often aren't too good. A decent one is in the $150 range for a two-channel pre (for some unknown reason there aren't single-channel pres for $75 that are worthwhile, just a bunch of tube preamps that aren't going to be well suited for what you want). Together with the 57 that's about $250.

 

[manning1]

search under my name for lots of tips posted in the past year.

 

[Track Rat]

If your budget is very limited, definitely get the 57. It will work fine on all of the instruments you listed, and it's functional for vocals as well.

You can go bass direct or mic the amp, although bass direct usually works pretty well. Does your amp have a line out? Those are helpful.

You will probably want an external preamp too, stock PC soundcard preamps often aren't too good. A decent one is in the $150 range for a two-channel pre (for some unknown reason there aren't single-channel pres for $75 that are worthwhile, just a bunch of tube preamps that aren't going to be well suited for what you want). Together with the 57 that's about $250.

Yup, What he said.

 

[Warhead]

I also have a very limited budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

If you don't mind, tell us your budget. Very limited might mean $100 or it might mean $2500.

War

 

[DJL]

Okay, so I'm setting up my first recording studio, and i need some advice

I play bass, trombone, keys, and a little percussion. Obviously the keys don't need micing... but what about the rest of it? I don't know if its more recommended to play straight into the computer with the bass or to mic my bass amp, and I haven't the slightest idea about micing my bongos. Yes, bongos. I've heard raving reviews of the seemingly all-purpose Shure 57, but beyond that I know very little. I also have a very limited budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Another great general-purpose mic is the Sennheiser MD421. The Sennheiser MD421 works fantastic for amps, brass, percussion, vocals and much more. The Sennheiser MD421 is a "must have" type mic IMO. You should be able to find a good used Sennheiser MD421 for around $200... which is really cheap for a great mic.

 

[Farview]

Another great general-purpose mic is the Sennheiser MD421. The Sennheiser MD421 works fantastic for amps, brass, percussion, vocals and much more. The Sennheiser MD421 is a "must have" type mic IMO. You should be able to find a good used Sennheiser MD421 for around $200... which is really cheap for a great mic.

What he said.