New Musician Looking for advice

[aa5029]

I'm sorry if you guys see this kind of question all the time, but I'm new to gearslutz and absolutely lost when it comes to audio and recording. I play my Ibanez Aeg20e Electric/Acoustic more often then not and I've been using a really crappy logitech mic and Windows built in Sound Recorder app. to record my singing and playing. Obviously, the sound quality is horrible and I'd like to upgrade to something a little more proffessional without spending alot of money. I have no idea where to start. Can someone please help point me in the right direction. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Chris Lago]

Edirol UA 25 interface (Very Stable audio Interface).

Check out the MXL mics for miking acoustic guitars.

You get to spend minimal money and you get a pretty decent sound out of the gear.

[aa5029]

Thanks Chris, I'm checking it out now.

[rty5150]

what is your budget? how is your room? any condenser mic will reveal your room's acoustics problems. for the budget, i'd recommend the presonus audiobox or inspire; or the focusrite saffire. each of these boxes has great pres for their price range. as far as mics go, are these going to just be for acoustic guitar or multipurpose in the long run? if just for guitar, a pair of mxl 991's will work and grow with you. if you need versatility, the mxl 4000 with the 603s will be a great starter kit. really, in the end your budget is going to dictate the outcome.


rich

[deeper]

Anybody starting out should read a few books on recording. Here's a great one to start with: The Recording Engineer's Handbook by Bobby Owsinski. It's a well-written book and it's very easy to understand. You'll learn tons.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by deeper

Anybody starting out should read a few books on recording. Here's a great one to start with: The Recording Engineer's Handbook by Bobby Owsinski. It's a well-written book and it's very easy to understand. You'll learn tons.

thumbsupthumbsupthumbsupthumbsupthumbsupthumbsup


rich

[cavern]

Tweakheadz | Home Studio Tips

[aa5029]

Originally Posted by rty5150

what is your budget? how is your room? any condenser mic will reveal your room's acoustics problems. for the budget, i'd recommend the presonus audiobox or inspire; or the focusrite saffire. each of these boxes has great pres for their price range. as far as mics go, are these going to just be for acoustic guitar or multipurpose in the long run? if just for guitar, a pair of mxl 991's will work and grow with you. if you need versatility, the mxl 4000 with the 603s will be a great starter kit. really, in the end your budget is going to dictate the outcome.


rich

Thanks for the response Rich. As far as budget goes it's hard to pinpoint an exact price, I definately don't want to go anywhere near the $500 dollar mark if it can be avoided. Like you mentioned, really all I'm looking for is a decent cheap starter kit. I guess I will need something a little versatile as I want to record me playing and singing. I'm not sure if that will require more than one mic or not. The guitar I plan on using the most is an electric acoustic so I'm not sure if the best bet would be to plug it into an audio interface or just to have the mic pic up the acoustics. While I was looking up the stuff someone else mentioned before I came across this M-Audio MXL 990/991 Recording Mic Duo and M-Audio AudioBuddy Package and more Condenser Microphones at GuitarCenter.com. which seems to sound perfect for what I'm looking for and definately around what I'd ideally be spending.

[aa5029]

Originally Posted by deeper

Anybody starting out should read a few books on recording. Here's a great one to start with: The Recording Engineer's Handbook by Bobby Owsinski. It's a well-written book and it's very easy to understand. You'll learn tons.

Thanks, I will have to get that book out. That's very useful advice and something I just hadn't considered. Right now, I'm absolutely clueless and when I see recording terminology thrown around I really have no idea what it means I'm sure I will learn alot. Thanks alot.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by aa5029

Thanks for the response Rich. As far as budget goes it's hard to pinpoint an exact price, I definately don't want to go anywhere near the $500 dollar mark if it can be avoided. Like you mentioned, really all I'm looking for is a decent cheap starter kit. I guess I will need something a little versatile as I want to record me playing and singing. I'm not sure if that will require more than one mic or not. The guitar I plan on using the most is an electric acoustic so I'm not sure if the best bet would be to plug it into an audio interface or just to have the mic pic up the acoustics. While I was looking up the stuff someone else mentioned before I came across this M-Audio MXL 990/991 Recording Mic Duo and M-Audio AudioBuddy Package and more Condenser Microphones at GuitarCenter.com. which seems to sound perfect for what I'm looking for and definately around what I'd ideally be spending.

not a fan of that particular setup. granted, it is better than what you are used to now, but i think that you'll get more mileage out of a slightly better setup than you will with that pack. it's great for getting your feet wet, but overall, you will find its limitations rather quickly. if you just want to dabble, by all means go for it. it is a rig that doesn't "suck", i just think that for under the $500 mark, there is WAY better gear.

rich

[aa5029]

Originally Posted by chrislago

Edirol UA 25 interface (Very Stable audio Interface).

Check out the MXL mics for miking acoustic guitars.

You get to spend minimal money and you get a pretty decent sound out of the gear.

After checking around and doing some research t seems the Edirol UA 25 has been discontinued. I haven't checked ebay or the like for it, because I'd much rather buy something brand new and never before used. There is an Edirol UA 25ex available for about $240 dollars, but at this point I'm not sure if that would be worthwhile for me.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by deeper

Anybody starting out should read a few books on recording. Here's a great one to start with: The Recording Engineer's Handbook by Bobby Owsinski. It's a well-written book and it's very easy to understand. You'll learn tons.

i still read that book from time to time I have the hardcopy and carry it around when I'm at school.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by aa5029

After checking around and doing some research t seems the Edirol UA 25 has been discontinued. I haven't checked ebay or the like for it, because I'd much rather buy something brand new and never before used. There is an Edirol UA 25ex available for about $240 dollars, but at this point I'm not sure if that would be worthwhile for me.

There is a brand new UA25 that came out, check it out.

You can check out some line 6 interfaces too. You do get what you pay for most of the time. Try to find a used interface to start with.

[Blast9]

Just to add - Please don't plug your acoustic into the D.I. you'll be totally underwhelmed by the sound!

Mic it up whenever possible.

Also for a single take, you'll get more mileage recording voice and gtr with 2 mics each close in to the gtr and mouth to minimise spill...

In that case you might want to investigate 2 mics:

1) a multi-pattern condenser mic for the gtr so you can use the fig-8 pattern to your advantage to get less vocals in the gtr mic. - Do a search for acoustic gtr, fig 8 and "null"

2) A stage mic like SM58, beta 58 etc so you can get in close to the mic for yr vocal take.

Or practise the song, get the structure right, then separate takes... record gtr 1st... then the vox.

[manning1]

aa5029
if you want to get songs done that sound good very quikly.
a breakthrough recording product imho is realband. from pgmusic.com.
basically its like haveing a band of session players to create songs with.
check out the demo,videos and user references at pg. etc etc.
youll have great sounding rhythm backing traks for your singing etc.
then all you need is a decent mic n preamp and sound interface.

[Stevil]

Originally Posted by cavern

Tweakheadz | Home Studio Tips

+1 thumbsup
Tweak's Guide to the Home and Project Studio

[aa5029]

Originally Posted by rty5150

not a fan of that particular setup. granted, it is better than what you are used to now, but i think that you'll get more mileage out of a slightly better setup than you will with that pack. it's great for getting your feet wet, but overall, you will find its limitations rather quickly. if you just want to dabble, by all means go for it. it is a rig that doesn't "suck", i just think that for under the $500 mark, there is WAY better gear.

rich

I was looking at the MXL 4000 that you suggested and it seems like a very solid mic. I haven't been able to find just a 603s for sale by itself, however. What do you think about this particuliar package? MXL 2003/603S Microphone Pac Plus and more Microphone Packages at GuitarCenter.com.

[aa5029]

I just found this Focusrite Saffire / Audio-Technica Recording Package and more Audio Interfaces and Convertors at GuitarCenter.com. and it seems worthwhile, but I was hoping to hear some opinions. I really like the idea of being able to record songs, both vocals and acoustic guitar in one take. With this kind of setup would it be possible? I've also checked out the Presonus Audiobox which seems like a really great interface and the MXL 4000 which seems to be a great mic, but I'm trying to get as much as I can for as little money as possible. $400 is about all I really want to spend right now, but I also don't want to just get some crap that I'm going to need to replace quickly. Baaaah... So many options, my head hurts. Thanks for all the help, slutz, it's much appreciated.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by aa5029

I was looking at the MXL 4000 that you suggested and it seems like a very solid mic. I haven't been able to find just a 603s for sale by itself, however. What do you think about this particuliar package? MXL 2003/603S Microphone Pac Plus and more Microphone Packages at GuitarCenter.com.

still think the 4000 set is the way to go. the only other thing i could recommend in the sub $200 realm is a pair of studio projects b1's or a pair of v67's used. i think the 4000 set will be a great workhorse pair, even whenever you decide to get better mics down the road. i don't have the 4000, but for what you get, it's undeniably a great deal.

rich

[rty5150]

i would still recommend the presonus audiobox, but make sure the specs jive with your rig. that coupled with the 4000/603s pair would be a beast for a beginning recording rig.

rich

[aa5029]

Originally Posted by rty5150

i would still recommend the presonus audiobox, but make sure the specs jive with your rig. that coupled with the 4000/603s pair would be a beast for a beginning recording rig.

rich

Well after looking around I was able to find the audiobox and the mxl 4000/603s for just a few dollars shy of $400. So it's looking like that's what I'll be picking up. Won't get any mic stands with that price, but I suppose I can shell out for those later. Thanks for all the advice.

[-=steve=-]

Originally Posted by Stevil

+1 thumbsup
Tweak's Guide to the Home and Project Studio

this

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by aa5029

Well after looking around I was able to find the audiobox and the mxl 4000/603s for just a few dollars shy of $400. So it's looking like that's what I'll be picking up. Won't get any mic stands with that price, but I suppose I can shell out for those later. Thanks for all the advice.

really, i found the entire rig for well under $400usd. musiciansfriend.com has the 4000/603 set for $179.99 and the audio box for $149.95. free shipping.
include the 2 mic stand pack for $29.99 and $14.99 for a pop filter. that's $375 for the entire thing. hopefully you have 2 mic cables laying around, because those musician's gear cables are terrible. uniquesquared has a whirlwind 6 pack for $35 free shipping. i have quite a few of these cables and they are really spectacular, given the price. i have some nice cables and they hang right there with them.


rich

[RTR]

Get a m-audio 610,very good for the money, and a mxl v67g..I loved that mic on acoustic guitar!!! And as said above read both of bobbies book's...one is for tracking and one is for mixing!!!

[aa5029]

Originally Posted by rty5150

really, i found the entire rig for well under $400usd. musiciansfriend.com has the 4000/603 set for $179.99 and the audio box for $149.95. free shipping.
include the 2 mic stand pack for $29.99 and $14.99 for a pop filter. that's $375 for the entire thing. hopefully you have 2 mic cables laying around, because those musician's gear cables are terrible. uniquesquared has a whirlwind 6 pack for $35 free shipping. i have quite a few of these cables and they are really spectacular, given the price. i have some nice cables and they hang right there with them.


rich

Where are you finding the mxl 4000 and 603 set for $179.99 at musiciansfriend.com? All I am finding is the lone 4000 for that same price and the only package I can find is the mxl 2003/603 set for $169.95.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by aa5029

Where are you finding the mxl 4000 and 603 set for $179.99 at musiciansfriend.com? All I am finding is the lone 4000 for that same price and the only package I can find is the mxl 2003/603 set for $169.95.

Buy MXL MXL 4000 Multi-Pattern FET Studio Condenser Microphone | Condenser Microphones | Musician's Friend

rich

[aa5029]

Originally Posted by rty5150

Buy MXL MXL 4000 Multi-Pattern FET Studio Condenser Microphone | Condenser Microphones | Musician's Friend

rich

Oh, I never noticed the free gift part. Good deal and thanks again for all the help.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by aa5029

Oh, I never noticed the free gift part. Good deal and thanks again for all the help.

rich

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by RTR

Get a m-audio 610,very good for the money, and a mxl v67g..I loved that mic on acoustic guitar!!! And as said above read both of bobbies book's...one is for tracking and one is for mixing!!!

The M-Audio 610 and MXL V67g is probably the best you can get at a low price.