While your microphones are nothing grand, I seriously doubt you can blame your results on your gear.

How are the acoustics in your studio?
What are you monitoring with when you mix?
What software are you using.

The room for recording is fairly dead. We did the acoustical insulation dampening in 3 of the corners + a fairly big chunk of the roof. The floor is carpet.

The room I mix in is described here {old-link-removed} I usually use headphones though so the room isn't a large issue yet. But soon will be when I get monitors.

The softwear I use is Adobe Audition.

How 'bout you post some samples of your work so we can hear what you're getting.

yeah we would need more info than just your gear to really pinpoint something...

I probably could get something worthwhile, but you thats another story.

InsaneGenius wrote: I usually use headphones though so the room isn't a large issue yet.

I thought mixing with headphones alone was not a good idea. Might this explain some of the problems?

Sorry for the double -post

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on a general lack of experience and knowledge. No offense to the OP, but recording isn't a plug-and-play process.

zemlin wrote: If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on a general lack of experience and knowledge. No offense to the OP, but recording isn't a plug-and-play process.

HERE! HERE!

BTW, Insane, don't take my remarks the wrong way. I started from squat some years ago and folks on forums like this one have helped me get where I am today (which is ... ???). In any case, post some clips, we'll tell you what we hear, and give you our opinions on how to make things better.

Yeh, I am not supper experienced in mixing. I have been reading a lot and mixed about 5 songs so far. I am here to learn. :D

Teach me.
I be grasshopper.

I will do a couple recordings this week and post the indivisual parts.

I want to
1. first make sure my recording is good. (getting good quality samples)
2. If they are good then get my mixing levels correct.
3. learn the tricks of the trade.
4. take over the world

I know I need monitors and will read the posts here to find decent cheaper ones. (hopefully around the $200-$300 mark)

I appreciate all the help.

First let me begin by saying there's nothing wrong with your preamp nor your microphones. It is however difficult to make a stereo recording with a single dynamic and a single condenser microphone. Not impossible just not balanced.

Gain staging. This is the big deal. If you overload your preamp by turning up the gain too much, you defeat the purpose of having a good preamp.

Sound Crapper cards? Wasting a good preamp with those. M-audio Might be better.

Now, what is it you are trying to record?? Piccolo's and Tuba's? I think not? Vocal and acoustic guitar? Maybe? Understand the questions?

Plugging in 101
Ms. Remy Ann David

I record vocals, guitars from my house. Drums from my friends. Say like a creed, slopknot, red hot chili peppers, extreme. That kind of music.

I have 2 inputs on the bluetube and 2 outputs. Since I only have 1 condenser I plug it into the preamp and then from the preamp to the m-audio card, I spit the signal so it goes to stereo. Mono split to sterio if that makes sense. Is this a bad thing?

Also since I am starting out. would m-audio studio pro monitors for $89 be good? Would I be able to make a semi pro mix with those?

In theory (or at least my theory) you should be able to make pro sounding mixes on any type of speaker...the best way is to play your faveorite band's song on them and then consistantly compare and contrast your mix to their's.

I mean my monitor's are a pair of old Design Acoustics (made by Audio Technica) PS-6's with Radio Shack woofer's and I think I make pretty darn good sounding mixes off of them, though in the coming year I am graduating to a pair of old faithful Yamaha NS-10's woohoo!

Ok, I am going to get the m-audio studio pro monitors for $89. :D thanks.
It may be next week before I get the samples uploaded. I am now remodeling my mixing room. After reading everything I needed to make things more balanced.

Thanks. I will get those monitors.

I decided to to a remodel of my room so it might be a bit till I get some samples uploaded now. After reading a bit I have found a few problems, I am trying to fix then get your professional oppionins. :)

Thanks all for the quick and helpful replies.