Starting to Record (Newbie)

[metdrummer00]

Hey everyone,

My band is going to record a demo within the next few weeks, and we need to make use of what we have pretty much. So I'll list our equipment and maybe you guys can take it from there.
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Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro
SM 57 Mics and drum mics
4.0 GHZ Computer with Audigy Soundcard, no XLR inputs or anything...just "line in"
Cool Edit Pro 2.0
Our Instruments
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The last time we recorded a demo, our old singer set everything up, but processed everything very heavily on Cool Edit Pro 2.0 and sounded horrible.
I know it's necessary to have individual tracks set up for easier effects to just that track (kick, snare, cymbals). So any help would be appreciated along with a setup instruction. We were looking at the M-Audio Mobile Pre for purchase. Is this necessary or are there more efficient ways of recording. If our method can be improved, I'd very much appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[mrmeggs]

You are not being real clear about what drum Mics you have eg. Do you have condensors? (powered Mics) These are very important for a good room sound for the drums and very good for vocals. You will need to use phantom power (48v) on the channel that the condensor is on. Work out if you are going to record live together, this means micing up the band in the same room. If you do this there will be sound spilling from one instrument into the next, this is not so bad for guitars because they are a close mic set up but you will get plenty of guitars in the drum mics. This way is good for a demo for it will capture your live sound.

If you would like to do a lot of overdubbing and want to redo parts then i suggest that you record the instruments in separate rooms to the drums, this means that you will all have to have headphones a headphone amp and a good feed from the mixer. Good Pre amps are important but not essential, the pres in a Mackie desk will do good enough for a demo. If you would like to hire a pre for the vocals and overdubs it will make a big difference to the sound quality so bear that in mind/

 

[scrubs]

The last time we recorded a demo, our old singer set everything up, but processed everything very heavily on Cool Edit Pro 2.0 and sounded horrible.
I know it's necessary to have individual tracks set up for easier effects to just that track (kick, snare, cymbals). So any help would be appreciated along with a setup instruction. We were looking at the M-Audio Mobile Pre for purchase. Is this necessary or are there more efficient ways of recording. If our method can be improved, I'd very much appreciate it! Thanks!

I think the best way (for more flexibility at mixdown) is to get a soundcard/interface with enough inputs to send each mic to a separate track, as you indicated. What is your budget? The M-Audio Delta 1010 soundcard has plenty of inputs, so you can run each channel from your mixer to a separate track in CEP.

Also, as the other poster said, SM57s are good for some things (snare drum, toms, guitar amps) but not so good for others (cymbals/overheads, bass drum). What other mics are in your drum mic kit?

Will you be recording the entire band playing at once, or overdubbing one track at a time?

 

[metdrummer00]

For drum mics, I have some Nady's with a Nady bass mic...crap I know. But I'm gonna get a set of Shures soon. Probably PG series until we start bringing in some real money. I have a Beta56A for Snare. Nothing really for cymbals, unless we use some 57's for overheads.

All of our other mics are Sm57s. No condensers or anything. And I'd say our budget would probably be like $200-300, especially if the final outcome sounds really good and we can use the same configuration over and over again.

I will check out the M-Audio Delta, thanks for suggesting that! However, if anything is possibly using USB that's our ticket.

And finally, I think we plan to record separately just so there's some clarity between tracks.

 

[mrmeggs]

it is worth getting a condensor even if it is a cheap one, believe me. Especially for drums! (room mic) If you want to get into recording your band and get a decent result you will definately need a condensor. Try one out at a store (they are amazing) even the cheap ones will work for what you need. Have look at some of the Audio Technics mics or even better (I AM FROM AUSTRALIA) RODE nt5's or nt2's. The NT2'S will do a great job on the vocals as well.

I use 2 DELTA 10/10'S and I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to get into recording.

If you are going to track separately from the drums remember that you are going to have to have a good headphone monitoring system for everyone in the band. This is unless you do it with a click and record from a track on say the guitar them bass then drums etc. Though sometimes (Especiaaly when you are inexperienced in this method) this is not a good idea for you wil lose the connection between the players. JUST MY THOUGHTS...

 

[metdrummer00]

Alright, I just have a quick question about condensers. What exactly are they used for? How many would I need to buy and where do I place them?

I think the recording method we went for last time that worked really well was this: My guitar player played through only an effects pedal and I got headphones coming out of that, but only I was being recorded. And then we built on top of that with the other instruments.

 

[metdrummer00]

---*bump*---

 

[chris-from-ky]

For drums it's simple enough to use two condensers to give you stereo seperation. I usually put them a foot or two above the drummers head and angle them so that each mic only pics up the side (L/R) I want it to. Also,place them so that you get the desired level on toms vs. cymbals. May take a little time to get the placement right but, it's worth the effort. Here the drummer may also need to alter playing technique to keep all the levels right.

I've used a pair of Audio Technica small diaphram condensers and a pair of large diaphrams before. I can't say which is better for overheads. You could use either. Just not one small and one large. Try to keep them matched up. same model, same size.

 

[d(-_-)b-Phones]

When it comes to drums do like led zepplin did, 3 mics, and get wasted.