Getting Started with Recording

[CustomX]

OK, after my recent discovery of being able to record my guitar, I want to take a slight step into being able to record my riffs/tracks more easily. I dont know anything about recording and I want to just be able to record a few things and put them on my computer. I dont need anything thats expensive as hell or for studio usage, just something decent that sounds good and won't bankrupt my wallet. Ive heard good things about the SM57/58 microphones as well as the Fostex MR8 recorders. Problem is, I dont know how to use anything. Whats the best way/path for me to take to just get some decent quality sound clips onto my comp?

[tone4days]

an M Audio Mobile Pre (~$150) and an SM57 (~$90) .... this device takes the mic in (2 actually ! ) and sends it via usb to your computer ... no fuss, no muss ... and higher quality than most stock sound cards ... highly recommend from first hand experience .... the new M Audio 'fast track' (~$100) seems good too, but i havent touched it first hand ...

you might want to get a piece of software to do multitrack recording like cakewalk home studio (~$100) or guitar tracks pro (~$150) too .. this is cool for things like 'flying in' backing tracks when you want to solo over them ... also cool for full up recording of tunes from scratch ...

good luck
t4d

[Peter]

Good advice from Tone4days. I would also recommend a standalone multitrack unit to get started, as opposed to a software-based system, as working with real faders and pots is in some ways more straightforward. It's also easy to get lost in all the effects and editing abillity you get with a computer-based system. If you want to learn to record, stick microphones in front of things and press the "rec" button - worry about the technology later.
Get yourself something that will provide you a rhythm track - like a used drum machine - because without that you will have a hard time keeping anything in sync. Of course, a real drummer would work, too.
Then experiment, experiment, experiment!

[tone4days]

...Of course, a real drummer would work, too...
optimist ! :D

Peter gives good advice about the stand alone recorders - easier to use means more time/effort directed towards playing music and less time learning the technology ... i guess i read too much into the "put things on my computer" aspect of the request for info ...

good luck and cant wait to hear what you record!
cheers
t4d

[redmax61]

You need to getcherbutt over to my house and I'll go over some of this stuff with you in my studio. :D

BTW, SM57 is usually used as an instrument mic. SM58 is a vocal mic. They really aren't interchangable.

[lookslikemeband]

Hey man.... I'd have to agree with the stand-alone units.... (generally referred to as a DAW - for Digital Audio Workstation).

Like most cats around here... I started on a four track.. moved up to 16... ADAT.... then software recording....

But PERSONALLY... I prefer the Roland VS series of DAW. They're really awesome, and once your get into it... the possibilities are endless!! I still use my DAW (a Roland VS-2480) for my recording. (not to be too shameless, but if you want to hear what I've recorded recently, click down below my sig... that was all done on my Roland) ;)

It offers a LOT of cool features I think you'd really dig (and let me know if I lose you here man...)



Phantom power (needed for good condenser mics = vocals, overhead drums; etc.)
Balanced direct input for a guitar (don't need a DI box)

Internal effects
Motorizedd faders (it remembers every little tweak you'd done on prior mixes) - VERY cool!!!

Mastering capability (VERY cool!!)
CD burning capabilities (most newer ones have this built in)
VGA output - so you can mix, edit, master on a computer monitor just like a computer-based set-up, with mouse, keyboard; etc.
XLR (microphone) and TRS (1/4") inputs... so you're not limited to adapters for plugging in.
PLUS.. a few things I'm going to throw out (and I'm not trying to lose you here man)



Virtual tracks (take up to 16 different takes on each track and choose which one you like)
Waveform editing
automixing
MIDI in and out
External in and out for outboard processing (effects, compression; etc.)
The upside also:


You're not limited by the power of your PC. If your PC is older, has a sub-standard sound card, can't read info fast enough (called the front-side bussing of the processor); etc , it'll oftentimes "stutter" when trying to read info from your hard drive.


I hope this helps! (and NO, I'm not affiliated with Boss/Roland in anyway) :o

Lance

[CustomX]

You need to getcherbutt over to my house and I'll go over some of this stuff with you in my studio. :D

BTW, SM57 is usually used as an instrument mic. SM58 is a vocal mic. They really aren't interchangable.
*English accent on* Once I return from the jolly land of the British, I shall scoot on ova to your pad and record a few instrument recordings. I do say, I can't wait to return to get ZIlmo's CU24 and start recording and jamming with you. Tah tah for now, I'll just freeload off Robin's studio for awhile, HA!

[tms13pin]

BTW, SM57 is usually used as an instrument mic. SM58 is a vocal mic. They really aren't interchangable.
Actually, the 57 and 58 use exactly the same capsule and main mic housing
and transformer. Only difference is the metal grid ball on the top of the 58.
Gives a little boost peak down in the vocal freq. range. If yer gonna pick
one or the other though, I'd go with the 58.

--Tom

[codeorama]

Actually, the 57 and 58 use exactly the same capsule and main mic housing
and transformer. Only difference is the metal grid ball on the top of the 58.
Gives a little boost peak down in the vocal freq. range. If yer gonna pick
one or the other though, I'd go with the 58.

--Tom
Totally agree.

[lookslikemeband]

I'd have to respectfully disagree. If you're recording anything that requires a dynamic microphone (as opposed to a condenser), I'd go with an SM57. It's the "workhorse" of the recording studio.. I own 9 of them....

I use it for:



Recording guitars (mic'ing cabs is a whole 'nother topic altogether!!)
Recording snares, toms, hi-hats

The SM58 is a "live" microphone for vocals.... I certainly wouldn't use it to record a guitar cabinet, or vocals.... the directional nature of it makes it "flubbery" (if that's a word! :p ), and hardly anyone uses it for anything OTHER than live vocals.

Yes, the two have the same "innards", but the flat-grille of the 57 allows it to be placed upon the grillclothe of the guitar cab, without too much "bleed" from outside sources.

Since you can find them on EB** for about $60-$70 USD, I'd gather up a few of them if you can.

Best of luck!

Lance

FWIW: In a pinch, many artists use a 57 for vocals (live). It was popular in the 70's and 80's.

[redmax61]

Thanks, Lance. I also respectfully disagree.

I've been doing live sound for many years, and we rarely - if ever, swap the two. They can be used interchangably in a pinch for a live situation, but there are sonic differences that you will definitely hear in a studio situation.

[lookslikemeband]

You're absolutely right.

But I'm kinda lost here, and I don't want to confuse our friend's original query:

Are you saying you'd use the 58 to mic a guitar cab???

I'm sure you wouldn't use anything other than a good condenser (large diaphram, ribbon-preferred) for vocals....

Since we're talking studio here and not live sound (the only thing I use a 58 for in a live situation is vocals)..... The 57 has more versatility in the studio.

That was all I was trying to say....

But they are great mics!! :)

[tms13pin]

The 57 and 58 are both cardioids with a very similar pattern. The difference
of the ball screen on the 58 gives it a bit of HF dampening where you'd
get wind noise, etc.

Pull out the spec sheets on both mics and have a look at both the polar
pattern and the freq. response curve. The polar identical. The freq. resp.
actually shows the 57 having a bit more level in the 5 - 7k range. Most
guitar cabs are rolling off pretty heavily here.

http://www.shure.com/pdf/specsheets/spec_wiredmics/sm57.pdf
http://www.shure.com/pdf/specsheets/spec_wiredmics/sm58.pdf

I'm not trying to start a cat fight over this. Yeah, I've used 'em both
plenty of times as well. The question was, if someone were to get ONE mic,
what would they get? I agree completely that if one could buy two mics
that I'd get a 57 and a condenser of some kind (maybe an 81). But if you
have to get one mic for everything, including vocals, I'd still pick a 58. If
I'm just recording myself, I'm not too worried about bleeding in the side of my
mic (though I still maintain that the 57 and 58 are pretty even keel in this
respect.

These are the same mic with the exception of the windscreen on the 58.

--Tom