What's my next move?

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clesage

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I have a few years of experience messing around with entry-level USB interfaces (i.e.: PreSonus' Audiobox USB) and the SM-58 and SM-57. I was wondering what the next step might be. I am getting frustrated with the USB set-up, with its digital glitching, beeps, and cracks. I don't have a specific sound card for recording, but I have been able to get fairly decent sound out of the recording thus far. Recording electric guitar is okay, but I have to move the mic a significant distance from the amp (even at gain 4 and volume 4 on a small Laney tube amp) and turn the volume completely down on the built-in pre-amp in order to get a decent signal.

I am interested in analog recording, but I don't have the techical knowledge to attend to minor repairs of reel-to-reel units and so I would tend to shy away from something like that (as someone pointed out in another thread.)
Are analog recorders with cassettes any good?
Is there another digital set-up that someone could recommend to me?
Should I try different mics?

If I have posted in the wrong thread or if a thread similar to this already exists, I apologize in advance and would ask anyone to let me know if such is the case.

Thanks!
 
Well, I am also still new at this, but perhaps I can help a little bit, and anyone correct me if I am wrong about any of this. But to ask what your next step is really depends on what you're doing. If you are doing vocals, I would suggest a condenser mic of some kind. Your Presonus interface should work just fine, which makes me wonder about the beeps and cracks you speak of. Could this be the system you are running it on? I have had great luck with a Tascam USB interface, but have heard that the conversion in Presonus interfaces is cleaner. The USB device also acts as your sound card, so no use looking further into that if you stick with it. I am not familiar with analog recording, but would not suggest cassette recorders unless utmost quality is not a concern. I have heard some really cool stuff that was recorded on these 1990s Portastudios, but the desirable analog hiss is replaced by a much harsher noise. Hope this helps some.
 
I am a huge believer in Tascam and I have used a number of their devices, both 4 track cassette and digital machines.

After the availability of large numbers of tracks you are going to feel very limited if you get a cassette machine. If you ask me the advantages of digital far outweigh the benefits of analog recording on a cassette. I wouldn't think of analog unless you gave me one of the very high-end 24 or 32 track reel-to-reel and an appropriate mixing console for it.

I do not have any problems with glitches, beeps, and cracks. If you're thinking you're getting these problems simply as the nature of digital, that's not correct. As Dudernut says, I'd look toward your computer system or maybe even a bad USB cable, as most DAW users don't have excessive problems with this if at all.

I absolutely love the Tascam 2488neo. I have a DP-01 which has served me well over the years, as well.

I agree with Dudernut again that you should expand your mic collection as well, and get a condenser if you are doing some vocals too. I might also suggest that you pair something up as well, say maybe get another 57. If you're ever going to be doing drums it appears a matched pair for overheads is pretty essential. Or maybe just get two condensers while you're at it. If you do get a condeser keep in mind you'll be needing phantom power from whatever you are recording into.

What I like to do is to record into one or both Tascams and then import the tracks onto my laptop for editing, and sometimes mixing and mastering. I use Audacity for editing, but if you wanted to try the same you already have probably a better program already. Someday I may get pro tools or something, but my budget is a limiting factor for some things, and Audacity is free and was easy for me to understand.

A good tube preamp is an awfully good thing to have around a studio.

Whether you choose to go analog or to a stand alone digital machine, I think you will find a good compressor and 31 band stereo eq very useful in an all around way. Drums and vocals and bass all can generally benefit from some compression and eq is your general go-to tool for shaping your sound.
Other effects can be useful, but those two devices will be needed more than any others.

And of course any time I wonder what's next for the studio I consider some new instrument that makes some kind of sound I can't do already. Boy I'd really like to have a harp, a large hammered dulcimer and a sitar...
 
If you're getting glitching on even a basic USB interface, the first two things I'd do would be to make sure you have the latest software drivers and, once you do, then optimise the set up on you computer for audio. Exactly how to do this will depend on what operating system you have but a Google on "Optimising PC for Audio in Windows 7" (or XP or Vista or whatever) will find you lots of links.
 
Before buying any new equipment, get what you have working correctly. You shouldn't be having the issues you are having with the equipment you have. From your comment regarding a 'soundcard' (when the Presonus IS your USB-enabled soundcard) you need to do some more reading. Although you will necessarily have the gain on the Presonus turned down (nit not ALL the way, then there would be no sound going in!) when micing an amp, there is no reason you shouldn't have an SM57 close to the speaker when doing so. Something's wrong with your setup.
 
mjbphotos said:
Although you will necessarily have the gain on the Presonus turned down (nit not ALL the way, then there would be no sound going in!) when micing an amp, there is no reason you shouldn't have an SM57 close to the speaker when doing so. Something's wrong with your setup.
Click to expand...

I agree that something is wrong with the set-up, but it isn't my fault (except maybe for the cracks and other business that occurs from time to time). On the Recording Review web-site, uab9253 wrote: "...the lowest level on the preamp is way too hot. I have it all the way down and an MXL condensor mic is very loud." Granted I haven't used a condensor mic, but with my SM-57 and a small tube amp, as mentioned before, I could not place the mic anywhere close to the amp without terrible distortion. On the same forum, and elsewhere, others have been complaining about driver issues, pre-amps being too hot, etc. It's fine for acoustic guitar and vocal recording, but for electric guitar or anything loud, it's terrible.

Thank you to everyone who replied to my questions. I will look into what you all have said. To answer Dudernut, I record vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar.
 
When recording an electric guitar from an amp = less distortion is more. In other words, turn down the gain-distortion on the amp. This may be what you are hearing as 'terrible distortion'. People mic amps all the time with SM57s.
 
...and an SM57 has a vastly lower output than most condenser mics. The more common problem with them is that many pre amps don't have sufficient clean gain to use them properly. You mention having your interface set at "4" but you shouldn't pick an arbitrary number. Adjust it until you have a suitable level being recorded on your DAW software.

What level shows up on your DAW while you record, by the way?
 
Thank you all for your replies and advice! I have upgraded to the Reaper DAW and things are running much more smoothly!

I haven't had a chance to fiddle with the amp micing considering we live in an apartment building, but it is true and well-known that the PreSonus Audiobox USB has issues with high-gain input as its pre-amps are very hot.

I plan to purchase a condenser mic and another SM-57 in the near future. Thank you again!
 
I have an audiobox 1818 Vsl and have no problems with the pres on even the loudest guitar cabs, definitely check your drivers, even a hot pre should never ever make a beep
 
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