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So how can I up our recording quality a little?

S

SirCanealot

Jul 3, 2006
797
8
London, England
#1
Yeah...

So I'm recording my current covers band with a single mic into my mp3 player (which is an iRiver with RockBox installed, making it a very good little recording unit :)). I'm not 100% what mic it is, since it's my rhythem guitarist's, but it seems like a fairly good brand (it's Shure, I think).

I'm pretty much a noob at recording and the like, but I'm wondering if it'd be possible up the recording quality a little without making it too much more complicated.

Here is the recording from the last batch of songs we recorded:
Invalid Link Removed

I'm currently thinking I could get a small mixing unit which would allow us to plug an additional mono mic up to it since my mp3 player can record in stereo, and then I mix both tracks together after. That way we can put one mic near the guitar amps and one mic near the drums and the bass amp (not that the drums ever need more volume, but at least I'll be more clear :P).

I was thinking something like this would do the trick?

Invalid Link Removed

My budget is VERY low right now, so I can't really afford to buy a really good pair of mics for the job. But would adding another mono mic using something like the above and recording in stereo up the sound quality much?

Thanks! :)
 
#3
I already have a decent recorder (my mp3 player), and that wouldn't allow me to set more than one mic in the room...

I'm mostly looking if it'll be easy to set up multiple mics, and if this'll improve quality that much, or if it'd be better to just save cash and get a decent setup...

Anyway? :)
 
#5
SirCanealot said:
Yeah...

So I'm recording my current covers band with a single mic into my mp3 player (which is an iRiver with RockBox installed, making it a very good little recording unit :)). I'm not 100% what mic it is, since it's my rhythem guitarist's, but it seems like a fairly good brand (it's Shure, I think).

I'm pretty much a noob at recording and the like, but I'm wondering if it'd be possible up the recording quality a little without making it too much more complicated.

Here is the recording from the last batch of songs we recorded:
Invalid Link Removed

I'm currently thinking I could get a small mixing unit which would allow us to plug an additional mono mic up to it since my mp3 player can record in stereo, and then I mix both tracks together after. That way we can put one mic near the guitar amps and one mic near the drums and the bass amp (not that the drums ever need more volume, but at least I'll be more clear :P).

I was thinking something like this would do the trick?

Invalid Link Removed

My budget is VERY low right now, so I can't really afford to buy a really good pair of mics for the job. But would adding another mono mic using something like the above and recording in stereo up the sound quality much?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

I use the 502 as an output mixer to hook 2 computers, a MIDI module and a bass pedal/DI to computer speakers and headphones. It's fine for that because my computer speakers aren't anything special and I only wanted a small mixer to hook them together. I would not recommend using it for a recording input because it is very noisy. If I increase the gain on any input signal I hear a very definite hiss. You won't get any clean recordings from the 502.

I'm not a recording expert but my best advice is to find a cheap method for multitrack recording. A laptop with garage band, a cheaper USB recorder with sequencing software or what not. Recording each track separately with proper gain will give you a huge improvement.

Trestles
 
#6
Edwcdc said:
What input connections are on your MP3 player. If you have a stereo line in it would be better to get a small mixer with two mic inputs and record using two mics.
Click to expand...

That's basically what I'm saying. It is a stero input :)

But what sort of mixer? If the 502 I linked to is crap, how much would I be looking at spending? And what sort of product?

I'm not a recording expert but my best advice is to find a cheap method for multitrack recording. A laptop with garage band, a cheaper USB recorder with sequencing software or what not. Recording each track separately with proper gain will give you a huge improvement.
Click to expand...

This is scrictly recording practices. I think I peak for everyone in the band when I say we're way too lazy to think about multitrack recording :P
Maybe later; we're still a fairly new band full of musicians that haven't gigged yet :P
 
#7
I think a pair of budget condenser microphones (or one) + a mixer/preamp would do the job. I assume you already have a dynamic mic (Shure), they're typically great on vocals/guitar amps etc, while condensers are better suited to capture ambient as they're are typically much more sensitive and have a far better frequency response.
 
#8
I'll check out what mic it is exactly when I see it tomorrow :)

I get paid on Friday too... Too poor to spend anything, but that's never stopped anyone before :D

Can anyone recomend any mixers then? I may as well get something vagully decent if I can just upgrade the mics later...

Thanks! Things are making a lot more sense now.
 
#9
instead of getting a mixer, get something that will let you record on whatever computer you're typing on now. A simple stereo USB or firewire interface shouldn't cost any more than a mixer. Then you have all kinds of opportunities to edit and overdub and so forth-- better for posting on websites for marketing and getting gigs.

It's worth it.

I don't know how much more expensive it is in the UK, even though I lived there for a while, but I have a Presonus firepod that goes for $400 US. that's got 10 inputs! You can get a fireBOX that has four inputs or so, two of them mic pres, and it comes with all the software and such. I recommend it if your computer has FW.
 
#11
Standalone said:
instead of getting a mixer, get something that will let you record on whatever computer you're typing on now. A simple stereo USB or firewire interface shouldn't cost any more than a mixer. Then you have all kinds of opportunities to edit and overdub and so forth-- better for posting on websites for marketing and getting gigs.
Click to expand...

While my practice studio is 10 minutes from my house, my desktop weighs more than my amp head :P
I DO have a laptop... HMMMMM...
But that weighs... almost as much as my head...

As I said, we're just recording live practices for now. But god knows; I'll think about it and consider it when I get paid. All good getting something that's a little more future proof!
 
#13
Feast said:
+1 for good taste in music

kings of leon = sweet

surprisingly good quality for one mic.
Click to expand...

Bucket is actually damn fun to play :D
Might try and get another song in there. I'd never heard of Kings of Leon before I picked up this song, but they have some great grooves!

And yeah, it's pretty good. That's why I'm thinking if we just add another mic it might sound decent enough for some basic demos and whatnot.
 
#14
yeah, my friend is actually really into them, and hes been getting me hooked on them recently.

for mics, let me recommend a great deal from my own experience

Link Removed

my drummer bought these mics about 3 months ago and they are great, 70 dollars for two great mics.
 

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