Im a total amatuer. Help!

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:54 am

Hi everyone! I'm hoping you can help me...

I'm very keen on recording, but basically, I know next to nothing about the mechanics of it. I used to have a Digitech GNX4, and I used the multi track recording software which came with that. However, it all sounded a bit flat and not that great if I'm honest.

Recently I've been looking to setup a little home recording area for relatively cheap. I've been looking at getting a Fostex MR-16 HD. I am planning to plug my guitar into this to get some basic recordings going, and to learn the machine. I was wondering if this machine is any good?

In future, I was planning on possibly plugging my guitar into a mixer, then into the recorder for better sound, and also buying a digital drum kit.

Am I going WAY in the wrong direction with this? Any guidance would be appreciated!

Cheers in advance!

EDIT - Also, sorry for asking what has probably been asked a million times before, and for (possibly) not putting it in the right section, but I didn't see a beginners section here.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:57 am

If you're planning to expand later, a portastudio is probably not the best way to go, especially if you already have a usable PC. Best to check out audio interfaces that come bundled with a DAW application. Many interfaces on the market now come with a limited edition of one of the major DAW applications. Presonus, Zoom, RME, Echo, etc, all do decent entry level interfaces. Check what deals you can get from your local music shop. You will find that you can turn your computer into a usable workstation for less than the Fostex unit will cost, and it will be much more expandable, growing as you and your skills do.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:06 am

If you like using a computer at all, look at software DAW's and sound interfaces. This way you take advantage of the mature computer technology. If you are a knob tweaker who only uses a computer for email once a week, then get a hard disk recorder.

mikalee wrote:

In future, I was planning on possibly plugging my guitar into a mixer, then into the recorder for better sound, and also buying a digital drum kit.

Am I going WAY in the wrong direction with this?

The Guitar -> Mixer -> Audio interface is not necessarily going to give you a better signal than the Guitar -> Audio interface path.

If you like the sound of your room try Guitar -> Amp -> SM57 -> preamp -> audio interface.

If you don't like the sound of your room (eg. untreated bed room) try Guitar -> Amp -> line out -> audio interface. You may need to put a DI box between the line out and computer, or guitar and computer if there is a hum.

mikalee wrote:

EDIT - Also, sorry for asking what has probably been asked a million times before, and for (possibly) not putting it in the right section, but I didn't see a beginners section here.

I think there is no beginners section because this forum is not typically for beginners? Someone tell me I'm wrong.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:36 am

I see. Well, I can use computers (I work in IT Security), but I would rather not have to use them outside of work, if that makes any sense Confused

The reason why I was planning on plugging my guitar directly into the audio interface (I'm picking up the lingo Very Happy

) is because it has built in effects on it, including analogue distortion on one of the inputs.

Is it not advisable to do that. If I was to go down the amp route, I would probably get a Vox Valvetronix AD-30 XL. Which I believe has a line out, so I could just plug it straight in and record.

Also, I don't klnow anything about preamps really. Like which are good, which or bad, or whether that even applies because they are all different.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:52 am

"so I could just plug it straight in and record."

Plug it into what?
That Fostex thing looks nasty.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:10 am

I have a Valvetronix floating around the pit somewhere. Decent little amp. You may still need a DI box. I would recommend just micing the amp up. There is plenty of advice on here for that, use the search function.

As for the Fostex, they actually aren't that bad. They are very restricted, however. A properly set up DAW will give you the same ability to plug in and go, but is much more flexible. I would not recommend a portastudio for anything but the most basic of recordings, although some stellar recordings have been done on them. That's more down to the operator than anything, though, and bear in mind that editing errors is difficult to impossible on such a unit.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:17 am

"The reason why I was planning on plugging my guitar directly into the audio interface (I'm picking up the lingo Very Happy

) is because it has built in effects on it, including analogue distortion on one of the inputs."

"Is it not advisable to do that. If I was to go down the amp route, I would probably get a Vox Valvetronix AD-30 XL. Which I believe has a line out, so I could just plug it straight in and record."

hey. i would say that if you don't really care much about editing (or quality?), go with the fostex stuff. but i'm tellin ya, it's a hell of alot easier to edit using software programs (even freeware!). - a M-Audio Fast Track USB interface is like $100 dollars or somethin - it records at 24 bits too. i know many portastudio things record at 16bits (less quality). alot of software has analog overdive simulated effects along with many others too.

my real concern is recording from the line out from your amp? i used to record like that and got very thin, unsatisfying results. just stick a dynamic mic up to the speaker and you should get a decent sound after messing with the mic placement a bit.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:18 am

Awesome Pratchett quote Very Happy

What would a properly set up DAW involve exactly? And what is a DI box? (I assume it removes noise from the signal?)

As far as micing it up goes the SM57 is recommended then?

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:27 am

SM57 is the industry standard for micing guitar cabinets (as well as a number of other things)

DI Box = Direct Inject Box. It isolates the input from the output. This will help eliminate DC offset and ground loops. The output impedance is matched to mic level (k ohm range) and the input is normally close to that of a guitar pickup (sort of... All pickups are different, and some DI boxes are made for isolating things other than guitar.) ... so your signal will be a little better.

[edit]
read about Impedance Matching and Impedance Bridging for a better explanation. My comments about impedance matching are misleading.
In reality you want something between impedance matching and impedance bridging. If you maximize voltage, then less amplification is needed, making a cleaner signal. However if you maximize current, then any induced current will have a smaller effect on voltage. 1:10 and 1:100 ratios are common and work well in real world applications.
[/edit]

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:24 am

Ok, so micing it up seems to be the way to go then, and thanks for those links, I will check them out and see if I understand any of it.

And how about the properly set up DAW thing?

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:42 am

Good software, a decent computer properly optimised for audio work, and a decent audio interface. There is a huge amount of info here and at opther audio forums on this topic.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:03 am

Ok then. Guess I'll take a look.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:48 pm

Shouldn't take but two or three months to get a good handle on it Wink

Things to consider while considering things:

Does my computer work with my selected hardware?
Does my hardware work with my selected software?
Does my software work with my selected computer?

Integration

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:37 am

That's great, I should be ready to record by Christmas then Laughing

Nah, I expect to put a bit of work into it tbh. And yeah, I'll make sure everything works with everything else. cheers

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:42 pm

The difference between when I started 18 months ago, and now, is unbelievable. A few months will get you to a working level - but you will always be able to get better.
Within a year you'll be so much better off if you keep your ears in the game.

"I expect to put a bit of work into it" is a good start. Once gear fever kicks in you should expect to put a bit of cash into it too. Wink

Space: "Integration"
As opposed to Disintegration?

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