questions on home recording

[tany]

hi fellow sound engineers! i got a couple of questions, pls help!

i want to do some home recording for guitars, vocals. i want to mic up my tube amp/acoustic amp, and also a mic for vocals. ppl recommend the sm57 for amp mic. but do i still need a mixer if i want to record to comp?

and i also noticed a significant buzz, decrease in volume and hiss when going line in from my efx to comp. will that happen with a mini mixer?

 

[blueprintstudios]

to answer your questions :

you, want to mic up amps/vocals.you , are recording to computer.
so you, i assume, just want minimal cost/hassle. instead of mic > cable > preamp> cable > soundcard > cable > pc.

you , need this : http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1810&brandID=2

guitar/vocals done.
------

"and i also noticed a significant buzz, decrease in volume and hiss when going line in from my efx to comp. will that happen with a mini mixer?"
buzz = coming from your soundcard / your efx pedal D.I likely
decrease in volume = your efx pedal doesn't have a "preamp" ?
with a mini mixer = nope, because mixer plays the function of a preamp.

like if you were to record guitars with the USB mic .. it'll be

player > guitar > efx pedal > amp (preamp) > amp (cone) > USB mic (mic/preamp/soundcard,interface all in one) > PC.

hope this helps

20cents worth.

 

[tany]

thx a lot! helped clarified some stuff. but assuming if i want to record multiple tracks, like even with drums with guitar, best to get a mixer right?

and where can i find that samson usb mic? how much would it roughly cost?

*edit ok i found out that sweelee brings them in. i'll check them out thx!

 

[blueprintstudios]

basically the samson CO1 SHOULD NOT cost more than getting a "Behringer mic + behringer mic preamp/mini mixer + cables + audio soundcard interface", thats what makes it worth getting.

ok to help you clarify more, there's a difference between having a 8 XLR channel analog mixer with pretty much master stereo outputs L and R into your PC and 8 XLR channel digital/mixer multitrack recorder like mine for example ( http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=D888&category_id=3 )

e.g 8 XLR analog mixer =
#1,2 = hihat,ride
#3-8 = snare,kick, tom,tom,tom.

drums > mics > cables > 8 XLR analog mixer > headphone 1/8jack out > PC soundcard.

result : Stereo Drums (with hihat,ride,snarek,kick,tom,tom,tom inside).wav

now with Korg D888 example =
#X = same plugged setup.

drums>mics>cables>D888 (record first) > (then USB transfer to PC) PC.

result : hihat.wav,ride.wav,snare.wav,kick.wav,left tom.wav,right tom.wav,floor tom.wav

whats the advantage you might ask? if you had recorded "Stereo drums.wav" accidentally with too much volume on the snare, and recording is distorted. you can't change it anymore except by re-recording. with multitracked .wavs , you can re-mix as you like.

however the price tag is probably gonna shock you. I bought my D888 at $1075 with heavy negotiation. (i'm one of those bargain auntie style, but got my own trademark.)

a decent 8 XLR analog mixer would probably cost err. no idea. way cheaper. $350-$450 maybe?

 

[tany]

wah thx a lot for the info! i think i'll get the usb mic to save the hassle! think i'll just be recording vocals, guitar for the time being! thx again!

 

[blueprintstudios]

you're welcome, do post your recording up here for us to check out.
cheers

 

[tany]

oh btw is this compatible with free software like audacity? i cant afford those exp software lol!

 

[blueprintstudios]

samson mic should provide a LE software i think. this one you gotta ask sweelee

 

[Avidaxis]

sorry if im intruding on this post or anything =x
what if i want to record electric guitar/vocal/bass/drums all at once

 

[soft]

you will need to get an audio interface card that allows multiple inputs.

check out some of the post at http://soft.com.sg/web/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=23