I'm probably missing something here, because I'm an idiot

[Zach Trowbridge]

Ok, I'm trying to lay down a lead track of sorts over this acoustic song that I recorded a while back, using a slightly dirty track from mic'ing my amp (although I currently happen to be ampless, but still, the question holds for when I get it back). The problem is, I can't keep time unless I'm playing the other track at the same time to record over, and it keeps getting picked up by my mic, so it makes the new track sound pretty crappy. Is there a way to get around this other than going direct through a mic preamp? I don't really like adding distortion after the fact, I'd rather have it come through the amp. What do you guys normally do?

[Jo]

Headphones?

I have a similar problem at the moment. When I try and plug the headphones into the soundcard (Sound Blaster Audigy) the sound comes through for a couple seconds then it cuts off. So the next alternative is to try and isolate the mic and amp in a closet or something so it doesn't pick up your backing source.

[Zach Trowbridge]

Tried that, and just like you (I have the same sound card), the sound drops out pretty quickly after plugging them in. I don't know if the sound card is overworked or what (if that's even possible), because I am running like 4 out of the five inputs at one time (2 for stereo, 1 for direct in, 1 for headphones).

[Jo]

Hmmm I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem then. But if you ask me, it's crazy that the have a headphones input on the front with the gain knob and it doesn't have the power for it. Maybe a headphone pre-amp or something, but then that's another connection. :rolleyes: Have you tried the headphone socket on the back of the soundcard instead (is there even one?) I might give that a try.

[Jo]

Zach, have you thought about using a headphone amp. Do you think that would help with the dropout that we're both experiencing.

I was checking out these tiny little home made headphone amps on the bay... whatchathink?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=40138&item=5742409105&rd=1

[darial]

There's all kinds of solutions involving iso cabs or rooms, headphones, etc. But the easiest is just to use physics to your advantage. Close mic the amp with a fairly directional mic (a sm57 is fine) and crank it up as high as the neighbors and/or family will permit. Then get as close to your computer monitors as possible while still being able to play, and turn it up enough so you can hear, but only enough.

Because the mic is quite a bit closer to the guitar amp than to the monitors, you'll get quite a few DB of S:N over the bleed. The direcitonality will give you more, and the fact that the monitors aren't turned up as much as the amp (since you're closer to the monitors, they can be quieter) will give you even more.

The larger and less echoy a space you implement this setup in, the better it works. Isn't the inverse square law nice?

[Peter]

Darial makse a good point - the louder the amp and the farther from the monitors, the less bleed. If headphones aren't an option, do that.
Are you recording onto your computer? Make sure you have done whatever you need to minimize latency. There should be a setting that gives you zero latency with playback. Otherwise, you will be behind with your lead track, as you'll be playing to something that's already happened.

[Jo]

What about sticking an amp in a small empty closet? Would that be better, or would the enclosed space be to small? Would it be better to stick the amp and mic say out in the corridor and close the door instead?

[San]

This is an interesting thread.

I use an Audigy to do some recording at home and I never have any problem using the headphones when I record. I plug my mic and headphones into the card and off I go. Actually, there is a little glitch because the Audigy *should* mute the PC speakers when you plug headphones in but doesn't so I just switch them off and we're away.

If that doesn't work for you, you could try putting your mic into a small mixer before the soundcard and then taking the headphone feed from there??

Good luck!

San.

[darial]

What about sticking an amp in a small empty closet? Would that be better, or would the enclosed space be to small? Would it be better to stick the amp and mic say out in the corridor and close the door instead?
That's the iso booth theory. Works fine if you can swing it.

Also, a little bleed isn't the end of the world. You're not going to get much phase cancelation, and if you do you could always apply a miniscule delay to get rid of it.