Question on recording equipment for guitar/bass

[SuperSnake2012]

I was researching some products for recording guitar and bass. I want something that makes guitars and basses sound better than going from guitar -> line in. I do my recording on my Macbook with Garageband. I was looking at something like this but I'm not sure if it's what I need. We play metal so my main concern is getting a good tone for the guitars, which are distorted.

 

[these_go211]

that would work. i'd suggest also getting a sansamp bass driver di for bass. amazing tone! for guitar you have either mic'd amps to record or use a pod type device to go into your m-audio interface.

remember though, while something like this will work, since the price point isn't high the preamps will not be studio-class. that's not to say it won't sound good it's just something to consider. i haven't used this unit so maybe others who have can chime in with more personal experience.

do a search on this forum too. this kind of question has been asked many times.

 

[csholtmeier]

In that price range I would suggest a used Mbox. The Focusrite preamps in it sound fantastic.

Here's a link to metal some songs we did with an Mbox, everything but drums were recorded with it.

Link Removed

 

[these_go211]

^ good advice. i used an mbox for a few years too. i thought it was more expensive though. ??

 

[Metallkasten]

Just get a good soundcard and go line in. Thats really the cleanest most professional way to do it.

My M-Audio soundcard does my bass plenty of justice going Bass>Yamaha PB1>Mixer>Line-In

 

[csholtmeier]

Now that they brought out the Mbox2, you can get the original Mbox's for about $150. You'll need to update the software to at least 6.9 (free), but 7.0 ($75) implements some really nice new features, especially if you compose with MIDI.

Worth every penny to run McDSP's RTAS-only plug-ins.

 

[Tomis17]

First off nothing gives you a a better improvement on your sound than a nice outboard preamp. Secondly, depending on what your budget is I would combine mic'ing a cab up along with using a cab simulator. Great combination. It gives your guitar/bass a really full sound. Thirdly, duplicate your guitar/bass track and set one track slightly behind (20 miliseconds) the other while panning each track 75% to opposites sides. This will give you an even fuller sound. Good luck!

 

[csholtmeier]

Duplicating guitar tracks then panning is called "big mono" and usually doesn't sound as natural as making two (or four) passes at a rhythm track and panning those.

When used on bass, this duping and panning can cause weird things to happen with the low frequncies in a mix. IMO, bass is best run in mono down the middle. Stereo bass tends to confuse listeners.

 

[joelb79]

I'm surprised nobody answered direct box. Impedance matching is key. I've recorded with and without them, and with always sounds better.

But the channel your using also helps greatly and the M-Audio stuff is pretty dang good bang for the buck. I Believe that the Line input on that channel does the same as a direct box, but not every recording device does.