Newbie Slut Looking For Pre Amp / Mic Advice

[heals]

First off I just wanted to say thanks to who ever started this forum.. It has proved invaluable for information above and beyond the Guitar Center hoers' BS . I did searches and think I have an idea of what Pre Amp / Mic I want , but I figured I'd post to get some more detailed info from you true gear heads.

Heres's my goods :

Laptop DAW running Nuendo with a Maudio mobile pre usb.
Early 70 's Guild Jumbo Acoustic
Cheap imitation Dobro Resonator
Male vox

I am trying to make a really good sounding demo and have about 2K to spend. For this project it will just be me and my guitar's being tracked..

I play my Guild fingerstyle with thumb/ index kinda country blues ala John Hurt, Leo Kottke. Resonator is ( humbly ) Jerry Douglas.. I am also a Beatles freak and would love to be able to come close to getting that rubber soul sound. ( obviously w /out the gibsons, martins, U47's etc but a guy can wish )

I want to buy some gear that I can use for this project as well as future projects that may involve mic'ing drums electric guits etc..

From my searching on here and other sites I've got my eye on a Chandler TG-2 and a Rode K2 . I'd like to eventually buy a ribbon mic and compressor as well. Just need to save some more $$$...

I'm open to all ideas and comparisons. Would love to hear from some people with experience with my guitar and influences...

Thanks
Heals

[James Lehmann]

Seems to me the Achilles heel of your current system is the M-Audio USB device - you'd probably need to consider some investment in the A-D department as well as new mics & pres to do justice to your demo (as well as earn your Slut stripes!).

[max cooper]

I've got a Apogee Mini-Me on loan for a few days and I think if I were gonna do what you're gonna do, I'd certainly consider one a priority. I'd spend less on the pre and mic to get the better conversion, for sure. Also, if you're not stacking tracks up too much, maybe you can record at 24 bits.

couldn't hoit!!

[heals]

thanks guys ...I def have no experience when it comes to computers. How important is my M Audio interface ? Should I really care about an expensive sound card in this instance??
There isnt any noise, and the quick setup and ease of use is really important more than anything else. that said.... I am under the impression that even with my Maudio USB thingy I will get a pretty good overall tone on my recording when I plug in a HQ mic and pre in the loop.. I am def more experienced as a guitar player / singer when it comes to this stuff so sorry if I sound like a horses ass.

[heals]

thanks guys ...I def have no experience when it comes to computers. How important is my M Audio interface ? Should I really care about an expensive sound card in this instance??
There isnt any noise, and the quick setup and ease of use is really important more than anything else. that said.... I am under the impression that even with my Maudio USB thingy I will get a pretty good overall tone on my recording when I plug in a HQ mic and pre in the loop.. I am def more experienced as a guitar player / singer when it comes to this stuff so sorry if I sound like a horses ass.

[tunesmith]

Hey there, and welcome to GS. Jump on in, the insanity is warm. I know you're a newbie, so I'll go easy on ya. You posted in the "high end" thread here, so you're going to get people not thinking much of your M-Audio interface.

I started with a MOTU 2408, which is higher end then that, and eventually moved to a Rosetta 800, which is about a $2600 piece. I think it's safe to say that most folks in this forum would consider the Rosetta the low end of the high end, just to give perspective.

As for the importance of conversion and high vs. lower "GuitarCenterProSumer" pieces is in the eye of the beholder. Most newbies (myself included) believed that there really WASN'T a difference between my stuff and the real deal. This is... just simply a product of inexperience.

The more healthy approach, IMO, is to take more of a, "I can't hear the difference right now, and that's ok." kind of vibe. As you gain experience, you'll start to hear the weaknesses of your gear. That's part of the fun of it all!

The mistake and heartbreak that ensues is when you buy into the Guitar Center Lie that always leads to dissapointment. Try to think of your M-Audio piece as your training wheels, just don't make the mistake of pretending you're riding a harley.

2k won't get you far, but it will get you started. It's all about how serious you want to be with this.

have fun!!!

Tunes.

[neve1073]

Hey Heals,

If recording your demo is the priority then my advice is to take your 2k and rent a good studio and engineer. Find a room with really nice preamps (someone mentioned a v72 to which I say ), mics and a good room-sound, and of course a savvy engineer who can help you alot.

If investing in the future of your gear is the priority then I dunno....you probably need to buy stuff one piece at a time with your budget. I'd strongly recommend spending all your 2K on a really good preamp that you will still be using in ten years, and then start saving again for good mics, and a better soundcard etc. I would not recommend spending your money on a bunch of mediocre crap--but that's just me. It's a tough decision.

Welcome to the obsession. and good luck.

[tunesmith]

Neve makes a great point that most newbies (again... your humble poster included) make over and over again, which is: if you're not really interested in recording as a hobby / profession, and all you really want to do is be a rock star, spend the 2k on a GREAT DEMO!!!

Let someone else who's spent thousands of dollars on gear and invested years learning how to use it make you look like a stud. For example, I used to recoil at the thought of spending dough on live players. The irony is that here in L.A., times are such that you can get a world class (platinum records, major endorsements, killer feel) dummer with his own room for $100 an hour. But I would think to myself, "wait a minute!!! I could spend that money on the Backbeat sample CD and then I'd have it forever!!! YAY!!!"

Yeah... so I can listen to the same 30 loops over and over that I hear in the media ALL THE TIME... that sound like crapola. No offense meant to Spectrasonics, as they do great work, but it's not the real deal.

However, if your interest IS in the long term, do yourself a favor and spend your money on FEWER items of greater value. I spent close to $8,000 or so on my first round of gear purchases, most of which are now being used by my wife to record her voice students for gifts for mommy and daddy. And as a side note, my wife, who's a great singer but not an engineer by any stretch, is starting to complain about "the harsh highs" and "thin compression" of our old Rode NT2 and Focusrite Penta vs. the Elux 251 and Distressors we use over at the main studio. It makes me giggle, because 4 years ago she'd look at a proposed budget and her face would go white... now she's like... "we need more clean pres..."

I love it.

There is a middle ground, as well. Many people swear by the Soundelux U195 as a "starter" mic that still gets use over the years. Many people extol the virtures of the Really Nice Pre / Really Nice Compressor combo. If you're smart, you can get your foot in the door with cheaper gear that will last. But you will not find happiness at Guitar Center. You go there to pick up software or for a quick fix... but not for real gear. They DO sell some of the good stuff, but the environment is such that you DO NOT want to have to count on them for support or education.

GL!

Tunes.

[max cooper]

If recording your demo is the priority then my advice is to take your 2k and rent a good studio and engineer. Find a room with really nice preamps (someone mentioned a v72 to which I say ), mics and a good room-sound, and of course a savvy engineer who can help you alot.

YEESSSS! Don't forget to pay attention and take notes. If you're shopping studio time, you're in a buyer's market right now.

The nice folk down at Mercenary (in Foxboro on Morse St.) will set ya straight about the M-Audio vs the Rosetta 800. I recommend calling on them.