Mark Viera
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Advice for recording
Lately I have been helping my teen aged son and his band do some recording for a demo they want to do. I think I have the drum setup down thanks to the members of this forum, so now I was hoping to get the rest of my setup dialed in. They play a mix of rock, reggae and ska and have an experience range of two to five years.
1. Bass: I have been recording the bass by going directly from the bass to my Mackie 802 then to my Delta 44 utilizing the “Instrument Switch” on the Mackie. Would I get a better result if I used a Direct Box & if so, can you recommend a good one for under $100?
2. Guitar: I started out recording the guitar the same way as the bass (above) & adding affects after, but lately I feel I get a better result if I mic the amp (Marshall MG100) with a Shure SM58. I plan on buying a Shure sm57 to mic as I have heard it might do a better job. Will I notice a significant improvement and if not what mic would you recommend?
3. Vocals: I have been using a Shure SM58 mostly because it has been my stage mic for years. I have been thinking about purchasing an Audio-technica AT3035 for home recording only. Any other recommendation in this price range?
Thanks
Mark
Mark My Setup: OS: Windows 7 64bit CPU: Xeon 2GHz Quad Core Hard drives: (2) 1TB and 500GB SATA 7200 RAM Memory: 4GB Sound Card: Delta 44 Music Creator 4 Mackie 802VLZ-3 Mixer Yamaha MG1604 Mixer (for Drum mix down) Mackie MR5 monitors
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Robomusic
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/12 13:59:03
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If you are going to record using headphone for monitoring i would say the AT is a nice choice I have the AT 2020 and love it, but a condensor will pick up waaay to much noise unless you use closed 'phones to monitor the mix.
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Mark Viera
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/12 14:34:39
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Robomusic
If you are going to record using headphone for monitoring i would say the AT is a nice choice I have the AT 2020 and love it, but a condensor will pick up waaay to much noise unless you use closed 'phones to monitor the mix.
Yes, when I record the vocals, I always use only headphone.
Mark My Setup: OS: Windows 7 64bit CPU: Xeon 2GHz Quad Core Hard drives: (2) 1TB and 500GB SATA 7200 RAM Memory: 4GB Sound Card: Delta 44 Music Creator 4 Mackie 802VLZ-3 Mixer Yamaha MG1604 Mixer (for Drum mix down) Mackie MR5 monitors
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/12 14:57:42
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I use a POD2 for my guitar.... and I know one of the amp models in it is a Fender Bassman since that was also a favorite with guitarists .... but yeah using a mixer works too but it's kinda clean for a guitar.
The SM58 is a good mic to use. I used one onstage as well for years and still have it almost 30 years later. I used it quite a bit to record with before I got my Rode.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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57Gregy
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/12 22:57:27
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Are you recording the band all at one time?
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Mark Viera
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/13 00:42:59
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I never record the band at once.
Most of the time I lay down a click track first for the drummer or have the band play a scratch track for the drummer to follow. If I just did a click track, then I may have someone just play guitar or sing to it for a marker for where the different parts are. Then I will have the drummer do his parts. Once I get a good drum track down, I will remove the click track but leave the track I use as a marker. Next I have the base player do his part. After that I can remove any other helper track and start layering the rest.
I’m open to any advice or suggestions.
Am I better off using the “Instrument Switch” on the Mackie or would a Direct Box be better for bass and/or guitar?
Would something like the POD2 be better than using a mic on the guitar amp?
Should I get a SM 57 to mic the guitar amp or will my SM58 do the same job?
Will I see a big improvement if I use an Audio-technica AT3035 over my SM58?
Mark My Setup: OS: Windows 7 64bit CPU: Xeon 2GHz Quad Core Hard drives: (2) 1TB and 500GB SATA 7200 RAM Memory: 4GB Sound Card: Delta 44 Music Creator 4 Mackie 802VLZ-3 Mixer Yamaha MG1604 Mixer (for Drum mix down) Mackie MR5 monitors
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/13 07:38:55
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to my understanding the 57 and 58 are practically the same mic. I used my 58 for everything.
about the POD2 (and other versions) : I use it almost exclusively for recording my guitar. It's totally up to you. As long as you get the tone you are looking for, a mic, the POD, or even the software amp emulators will be good.
the only problem I see with a live drummer laying down a track to a click track is that there is the possibility that the track might be lifeless.... just following the click..... as long as the drummer plays the song with feeling, this should not be too big of an issue.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Robomusic
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/13 13:43:45
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The AT will give a warmer and more detailed recording, but if you do not have a very clean studio you can pick up a ton of background noises. In my old studio before moving i would pick up the small sounds around the house, a fan, the fridge in the kitchen, a chair everything, i started using the dynamic mikes again to lose that at times.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/13 14:01:40
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on the new tune I just posted... Moving Along.... I held the NT2-A while I slapped the desk top. I recorded that instead of using a synth ..... it sounds like a kick drum..... it was faster than setting up a synth... so as far as noises.... use them if they work.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Mark Viera
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/13 18:36:37
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Your song “Moving Along” was nice. It’s hard to believe that the kick drum was you slapping the desk.
So…. not much difference between the SM57 and SM58?
What about a using a Direct Box instead of running the bass straight through my Mackie 802? Is it even worth it?
Mark My Setup: OS: Windows 7 64bit CPU: Xeon 2GHz Quad Core Hard drives: (2) 1TB and 500GB SATA 7200 RAM Memory: 4GB Sound Card: Delta 44 Music Creator 4 Mackie 802VLZ-3 Mixer Yamaha MG1604 Mixer (for Drum mix down) Mackie MR5 monitors
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Beagle
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/13 22:16:07
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if you're talking about the difference between going thru a direct box instead of going direct into the mackie - you're not going to get much difference between the two.
Mark - I for one have trouble reading your posts because you are reducing the font size. is there a particular reason you're doing that?
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 07:55:02
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Since you have a SM-58... I would not waste the money to buy a 57..... I would instead, save for a while and buy a nice condensor at some future date. Until then, the 58 will do a decent job for you. It is, after all, the vocal standard mic for on stage use. When you get ready to buy a mic, I would recommend one of these: Gauge Mics I found out about them after I had spent the money on something else. I was able to audition them side by side to mics costing 10x as much, and they compared very favorably.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Mark Viera
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 11:57:28
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Beagle
if you're talking about the difference between going thru a direct box instead of going direct into the mackie - you're not going to get much difference between the two.
Mark - I for one have trouble reading your posts because you are reducing the font size. is there a particular reason you're doing that?
Sorry about that. I compose my posts in Word, then past them in. I will try to be more careful in the future.
Mark My Setup: OS: Windows 7 64bit CPU: Xeon 2GHz Quad Core Hard drives: (2) 1TB and 500GB SATA 7200 RAM Memory: 4GB Sound Card: Delta 44 Music Creator 4 Mackie 802VLZ-3 Mixer Yamaha MG1604 Mixer (for Drum mix down) Mackie MR5 monitors
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57Gregy
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 12:02:24
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Since you're recording the band seperately, you need to consider the ambient noise level and what each player wants. Bass guitars usually don't have effects on them, so unless the bassist's amp has a particular effect or EQ setting that the bassist wants, going direct won't hurt and will sound good. Same for the guitar player. I usually record my electric guitars with a mic in front of the amp. The amp's effects are better than what you'll get with software (in most cases) and if the guitarist wants his distortion or flanger or chorus and there are no dogs barking, kids shrieking or thunderstorms, record the amp with a mic if that's what the player wants. But I do have a few songs where I plugged the guitar into the interface. These were songs that I wanted no effects at all on the guitar. So I think it all depends on what the player wants and/or how noisy the environment is. Edit: that 'i before e' thing.
post edited by 57Gregy - 2010/12/14 13:36:11
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 13:31:28
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You can type directly into this forum without having to copy & paste... that sounds like too much work...
and yeah, Beagle's eyes are not as sharp as they used to be when he was a younger pup.... he needs big letters now.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Beagle
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 13:44:18
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Robomusic
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 17:05:22
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I have to admit when Mark used the next size bigger over the regular size i got a chuckle out of it, then Herbs post kinda made me jump!
Desk drums huh! Cool what i love is the beer can blues!
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 18:52:41
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I'm digging these commercials on TV where the group of oddly dressed young folk are playing ...for lack of a better word..... musical instruments.... including baby xylophones, reindeer bells, and such stuff, while at the same time, the song is so cool. Then there is the credit report guys.... also pretty cool. BTW: I was going to use BOLD on the Beagle's new type size but I figured that would be overkill.....
post edited by Guitarhacker - 2010/12/14 18:54:23
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Robomusic
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 19:23:51
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At least he can still smell things!
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Mark Viera
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 23:24:39
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Guitarhacker
You can type directly into this forum without having to copy & paste... that sounds like too much work...
I do it for the spell checker.
Mark My Setup: OS: Windows 7 64bit CPU: Xeon 2GHz Quad Core Hard drives: (2) 1TB and 500GB SATA 7200 RAM Memory: 4GB Sound Card: Delta 44 Music Creator 4 Mackie 802VLZ-3 Mixer Yamaha MG1604 Mixer (for Drum mix down) Mackie MR5 monitors
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57Gregy
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/14 23:28:45
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I do it for the spell checker Waht's thet?
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Robomusic
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/15 01:12:22
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Nice set up, it should serve you well. I would record directly into the Mackie mixer those things Have great pre amps.
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Beagle
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/15 07:48:06
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there's a spell checker on the forum as well. you have to click on the little icon with "ABC" and a check mark on it.
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Mark Viera
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/15 11:29:03
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Beagle
there's a spell checker on the forum as well. you have to click on the little icon with "ABC" and a check mark on it.
Oh, so that's what that is. BTW, what font size is the preferred size?
Mark My Setup: OS: Windows 7 64bit CPU: Xeon 2GHz Quad Core Hard drives: (2) 1TB and 500GB SATA 7200 RAM Memory: 4GB Sound Card: Delta 44 Music Creator 4 Mackie 802VLZ-3 Mixer Yamaha MG1604 Mixer (for Drum mix down) Mackie MR5 monitors
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FUZZTX
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/15 11:45:45
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Mark Viera
Beagle
there's a spell checker on the forum as well. you have to click on the little icon with "ABC" and a check mark on it.
Oh, so that's what that is.
BTW, what font size is the preferred size?
The font size you are using right here looks good, Mark!  Hey Guitarhacker! Thanks for the link for the Gauge mics. I want to check out the ECM-84 condenser mic!
post edited by FUZZTX - 2010/12/15 11:47:04
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/15 19:53:29
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The 4um spel chekr worx fine. litle red linz undr the rongly speld wurds.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Robomusic
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Re:Advice for recording
2010/12/16 17:54:14
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