Hey guys (and girls),
I've been using my PC for recording music for a while with a very basic setup: Everything except guitar runs direct through a Tascam 4-track, which I use as a mixer only. I mic the guitar with SM57's. I manage to get good sounding guitar tones (with lots of tinkering) and everything else (keyboard, drum machine) is already digital, so they sound fine. What I would like to do is be able to get clean and deep vocal recordings with no noise. I have no clue where to start. Obvioulsy the set up I used to use while gigging is no good: sm58 and a good EQ. This sounds like trash when I direct record to the computer. So I've decided to purchase the proper hardware to good recording vocals. I don't have loads of cash to drop, mayby $600 - $700. This includes a mic, however I may be willing to hold off a little while and buy a better mic and just buy the other hardware I may need. I'm not asking for a total solution for $700, just what type of harware I need.
If anyone could point me in the right direction to get started I would really appreciate it!
-John
Comments
I use the built in soundcard. I know I need another one, and am
I use the built in soundcard. I know I need another one, and am ready to buy. There's so many choices though.
As for the room, it's just the spare room of my house. Sheetrock walls and carpet on the floor, about 9'x12'. I have two big floor rugs hung on the walls to deaden the sound a bit, but so far the only mic recording I do is for guitar, and I made a soundproof box big enough for my amp and two mics. I've not done much open room recording at all. Literally, up until now I've done only intrumentals.
I know nothing about preamps. I'm assuming you mean mic preams. These are the things I need to know about.
I would look for a good pre-amp and mic combo. Speck (Mic Pre 5.
I would look for a good pre-amp and mic combo. Speck (Mic Pre 5.0), Grace Design (Model 101) and Summit (2BA-221) all make outstanding single unit pre-amps that you can pick up in the $500 to $650 range.
As far as good sounding cheap vocal mics go, there are plenty of them out there. I have had great success with a Mogami Edition V69 by Marshall (http://www.mxlmics.com). I have plenty of expensive mics and it is not unusual for me to choose this mic over others costing 10X's the cost. Oh yeah, the cost - that's the best part, you can usually find these on Ebay for about $299 - cheaper if you want used.
Alternatively, both Rode and Studio Projects are making some great low cost condensor alternatives. I know this puts you over and above your original budget but I would wait until you can afford some good stuff, that you won't end up replacing down the road.
As far as a good starting point for your DAW/Sound Card etc..., I don't think you can't go wrong with an M-Box which you can pick up for about $450-$500 (http://www.digidesign.com). The good news is that it comes with two focusrite mic pre's built in and if you take into acount the $300 for the V69 I believe that puts you within budget. Keep in mind that the mice pre's you get in the M-Box will not be on caliber to the above noted brands but........ it's a heck of a lot better than you what you have now. Come to think of it that might be the best place to start for you.
OK there is my two cents, I am a little biased because I am a Protools user, let's hear what the rest of the gang thinks.
I use cheap mics, and EQ and compress with stock plugins. You wi
I use cheap mics, and EQ and compress with stock plugins. You will need to do this in a good room, as compression will add room sound into vox track. Avoid dropping big money on gear you do not need my friend. My name is Kern, and I have a website, [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.homereco…"]Gear I use | Home Recording Weekly[/]="http://www.homereco…"]Gear I use | Home Recording Weekly[/] that is all I use (the link). Hit me up anytime, if I can ever offer help, I will. You will be just fine!
Kern, post: 393444 wrote: I use cheap mics, and EQ and compress
Kern, post: 393444 wrote: I use cheap mics, and EQ and compress with stock plugins. You will need to do this in a good room, as compression will add room sound into vox track. Avoid dropping big money on gear you do not need my friend. My name is Kern, and I have a website, [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.homereco…"]Gear I use | Home Recording Weekly[/]="http://www.homereco…"]Gear I use | Home Recording Weekly[/] that is all I use (the link). Hit me up anytime, if I can ever offer help, I will. You will be just fine!
Uhhh, sorry to call BS... but when I see it, and smell it, I gotta call it.
You've been a member here since 2010, only have 5 posts prior to this one... and run a website/web-blog that's getting at least some supplemental income from KRK and probably the other manufacturers listed?!?!?
Sure seems like you're either trolling for an asswhoopin', or you're attempting to hijack members here and/or directly advertise a competing website on one of the better sites on the web, that helps newer recording folks with balanced content and opinions.
So, rather than off linking to a site that you evidently derive income from, why not just help those folks here, where there are plenty of folks that could use good help and assistance?
It's RARE that the regular posters here EVER refer folks to other competeing sites, or recommend private messages in the name of helping folks to derive income from those contacts... It's generally an accepted part of decorum and respect to exchange that information within THIS forum... not subverted to another competing site... so that others may learn from the information posted. Poor form, Kern.
Recording.org is a decent community of recording professionals who freely give of their time to assist those attempting to learn the craft of recording. When someone like you comes in, you make think what you're doing is "slick" or you may even be totally oblivious to the fact that what you're doing is inherently smarmy... either way, your content is seriously biased as there is only one viewpoint, that doesn't appear to be backed up with any kind of track record, or transparency of who/what you represent. Again, poor form.
Lets put it this way... how would you feel if I "joined" your forum and started telling people to go to any number of other sites that would drive traffic away from your site, because they offered the same content as you did... or even less? (Although I find that a bit of a stretch considering how little real content you offer.) You'd boot my ass from your list in a heartbeat or block me from access... Why shouldn't "we" as a community not beg audiokid to do the same?
I would suggest that you either contact audiokid and pay to advertise here, or keep your hijacking noise to a minimum by putting it in your sig... otherwise, I for one, will be on your ass like stink on shit... calling you out for being a documented, smarmy, self serving shill.
Have a nice day.
What are you using for preamps? What soundcard? Also, describe t
What are you using for preamps? What soundcard? Also, describe the room you are recording in as well as you can.