Newbie Recording with E-MU1212 Tips needed.

[tkdk83]

Hello everyone.

Long time reader first time poster. Thank you for all the info provided here.

Well I decided to take the plunge and save me some money in recording my 2 piece project. My question is simple...how the hell?

My question is more on the hardware side.

I am using Emu 1212 with 2 ins and 2 outs.

I need to record drums with 2 microphones at the same time and we both need to hear my guitar in our headphones so I need to plug in as well.

Since the Emu 1212 only has two inputs what is it that I need?

1. Mixer
2. Mic preamp

(Can you suggest some models?)

I am recording this in a simple program called Cool Edit 2.1. (WMD) My next question is, will I be able to export these recorded tracks to Pro Tools for mixing at a professional studio?

Thank you in advance and happy recording.

[doncaparker]

I use the 1212 all the time (I actually use the 1212m, but the ins and out are the same).

Here is the thing you need to realize: If you are feeding the 1212 an analog signal (as opposed to a digital signal), it has to be a line level signal. In order to take the signal from a microphone and get it to be a line level signal, you have to put it through a preamplifier.

Preamps can be built into mixers; they can be built into computer interfaces; they can stand alone. However you get there, you need 2 preamps.

One of the less expensive ways of getting where you want to go is to buy the breakout box for the 1212 that Emu makes, which is model 1616. You can find them used for not much money. These are really flexible, and they have built in mic preamps that aren't too bad. They connect to the soundcard via a CAT5 Ethernet cable.

For the headphone monitoring that you need, the signal that the 1212 puts out is also a line level signal. That needs to be amplified so you can hear it. I like the Presonus HP4 for headphone monitoring. It spits out 4 headphone channels; it's loud and pretty clean.

If you can live with one set of headphones or use a splitter, the 1616 breakout box also has a single headphone amplifier. So, for what you are trying to do, I like buying a used 1616 breakout box. Not much money, works perfectly with your 1212, and gives you what you need.

I just thought of something else you need to think about: all analog connections into and out of the 1212 are balanced TRS. You need to consider that when buying other gear.

Good luck.

[tkdk83]

Thank you so much. Exactly what I was looking for!

[tkdk83]

Now as far as the actual recording.

Do I record my guitar in mono/stereo and both mics?

What format do I record in, in order for someone to mix the tracks in pro tools?

[doncaparker]

Another thing to think about:

I offered a way to record 2 tracks at a time. You can put whatever you want on those tracks, but if you plan to do anything beyond 1 mic at a time per each track, you will need an external mixer (as opposed to the PatchMix software mixer that comes with the 1212) and feed a 2 track mix to the 1212. The 1616 has multiple inputs, but only 2 built in mic preamps. A mixer should have a mic preamp for each channel.

[doncaparker]

I don't deal with PT at all, so I'll have to defer to someone else on that.

For the guitar, at your level, you should focus on getting a good mono signal recorded instead of stereo.

[tkdk83]

great thank you.

[tkdk83]

After doing some thinking.

So if I want to record Track 1 (Drums) which has two mics - one fore bass drum one for snare I am going to need an external mixer.

If I plug those two mics in the 1616 which has 2 preamps...the mics are going to be treated as two separate tracks?

So anytime I am trying to record multiple mics into one track I am going to run it through a mixer first.

[doncaparker]

You're almost 100% correct. The one thing you got wrong is whether putting a mic into each of the 2 preamps on the 1616 would always force you to create 2 tracks. Not necessarily. You can use PatchMix to take those two signals and mix them onto 1 track on your recording software.

Other than that, I think you have the idea. If you want to use 3 mics at once (or 2 mics and 1 DI of the guitar), you are going to need something in the real world besides the 1212. A mixer is the most likely candidate. You can patch a lot of things through a 1616, but since there are only 2 preamps, you will be limited to 2 mics no matter what if you don't get a mixer.

[doncaparker]

By the way, I just peeked on eBay and saw 3 1616's for sale, each less than $100. You really should snatch one up. It will make your foray into recording so much easier.

[tkdk83]

Now I get the idea.

Thank you so much for the great info. Getting me one of those 1616 on ebay right now!

[doncaparker]

No problem.

Just to give you a further heads up:

Remember when you installed the 1212 in your computer, you actually installed 2 PCI cards? Well, when you get the 1616, you need to disconnect the PCI card that has the analog inputs and outputs from the PCI card that has the Ethernet jack on it. You can leave both cards in your computer if you want to, but you need to disconnect the ribbon cable that connects these 2 cards. Basically, you can't use both the 1616 and the "in & out" PCI card at the same time.

Once you take out the ribbon cable that connects the 2 cards, then just use any regular CAT5 Ethernet cable to connect the 1212 to the 1616, and plug the 1616's wall wart into a wall AC outlet. Easy as pie, you've now got 2 preamps, a headphone amp, and several other ins and outs.

[tkdk83]

yes I do have two cards. so good heads up...once again!

[tkdk83]

Another question I have is on the types of mics for capturing drums.

I am going to use a total of two overhead mics for recording drums and I am trying to capture sound that is spacey and roomy with some volume/dimension to it.

Am I looking into dynamic or condenser mics? does it matter in my case?

thank you.

[doncaparker]

I have very limited experience with tracking drums, so I won't be much help on this topic.

I do know that, for a pair of overhead mics on drums, small diaphragm condensers are a popular choice. For spot mics on specific drums (like snare and kick), dynamics are also popular.

I think you should try using what you have in hand, see how they sound, and then go from there.