good recording equipment to start?

[bassdrummer2333]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-MXL-990991-and-Audio-Buddy-Package?sku=703626

What are the differences between pre-amps and interfaces? And how do you connect a pre-amp, because interfaces are USN (usually) but I see no mention of USB on this pre-amp. Please explain.

[theguy77]

get this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-UA4FX-USB-Audio-Capture-Interface?sku=241810

and this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/R0DE-NT1A-Anniversary-Model-Microphone?sku=271593

and if you want to record electric guitar get this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Shure-SM57-InstrumentVocal-Mic?sku=270102

thats pretty much the best bang for your buck right there. the edirol interface doesnt have tubes but it has a tube simulator, and the rode mic is known for being by far the best mic under 500 dollars and coming pretty close in quality and sensitivity to the mics that are over 1,000 dollars.

if you're recording drums there is no such thing as starting recording equipment. if you want them recorded well you need to devote like 1,000 dollars, maybe a little more.

interfaces are far better than preamps for recording on a computer because they're MADE to convert the audio into data. preamps suffice for analog recording but i definitly recommend an interface for a computer. also most interfaces come with recording software -- the one i showed you comes with SONAR LE.

ive home recorded for 2 years. the top three songs on my band's profile were recorded with that mic and interface and mixed with SONAR LE.

www.myspace.com/northbrook (http://www.myspace.com/northbrook)

[bassdrummer2333]

I would love that stuff but i'm on a VERY tight budget. The 100$ is like the max I can spend which sucks. How do I connect a pre-amp to my computer? and is a pre-amp interface better or a USB mic? (without an audio interface)

[patpratt]

get this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-UA4FX-USB-Audio-Capture-Interface?sku=241810

and this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/R0DE-NT1A-Anniversary-Model-Microphone?sku=271593

and if you want to record electric guitar get this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Shure-SM57-InstrumentVocal-Mic?sku=270102

thats pretty much the best bang for your buck right there. the edirol interface doesnt have tubes but it has a tube simulator, and the rode mic is known for being by far the best mic under 500 dollars and coming pretty close in quality and sensitivity to the mics that are over 1,000 dollars.

if you're recording drums there is no such thing as starting recording equipment. if you want them recorded well you need to devote like 1,000 dollars, maybe a little more.

interfaces are far better than preamps for recording on a computer because they're MADE to convert the audio into data. preamps suffice for analog recording but i definitly recommend an interface for a computer. also most interfaces come with recording software -- the one i showed you comes with SONAR LE.

ive home recorded for 2 years. the top three songs on my band's profile were recorded with that mic and interface and mixed with SONAR LE.

www.myspace.com/northbrook (http://www.myspace.com/northbrook)

do you use that mic for vocals or acoustic guitar?

[hf57]

are you doing acoustic or full band music?

[OveriseFan]

do you use that mic for vocals or acoustic guitar?

Both, I would.

[patpratt]

Both, I would.

really! wow. sounds like a pretty impressive mic.

[bassdrummer2333]

I'm doing full band music, I don't plan to mic my drumset due to that fact that it costs hundreds of bucks. I really just need the mic for vocals and acoustic guitar. So can someone explain how to connect a pre-amp?

[theguy77]

do you use that mic for vocals or acoustic guitar?

yeah i used it for both. the only problem is its a tad too sensitive and doesnt have a -10 dB button so unless you're singing soft you have to back away from it, even with the volume turned like all the way down. but i mean i still got awesome results from it so it doesnt matter.

[theguy77]

really! wow. sounds like a pretty impressive mic.

yeah man a home recorder really doesnt need any better of a condenser than the rode NT-1.

[Tristan Needler]

I'm doing full band music, I don't plan to mic my drumset due to that fact that it costs hundreds of bucks. I really just need the mic for vocals and acoustic guitar. So can someone explain how to connect a pre-amp?
You need to read this (http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm) if you want to know anything about how home recording works. There are a couple of pages to read and then some charts comparing interfaces. You won't understand it the first few times you read it either, so don't get discouraged.

For just really basic stuff all you need is a Shure SM-57 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--SHUSM57LC). It won't have as good definition in the highs and lows as the mic posted above, but it will get the job done. It's an amazing all-around mic; you won't find any studio in the world that doesn't have three or four of them. And that way you won't have to worry about finding an interface with phantom power either, which means you might be able to find something a couple dollars less than what he posted.

But the jist of it is, you won't be able to record anything listenable for under $250. Note that that price is excluding a cable and mic stand, which will tack on and extra $50 at the very least.




I record using an SM-57 and the E-MU 0202 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0202) USB interface. It's a crap interface with crap mic pres, but it makes okay sounds if you pay attention to mic placement, recording techniques, etc.

You can hear what I have been able to do with it so far here: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=731207&content=music

(click the little black arrow to listen to the "hi-fi" versions) Keep in mind those are my first four mixes ever, so my mixing isn't fantastic either.

So with about $300 you can get some okay sound. Anything less than that you probably won't even be able to get the sound to your computer.

[theguy77]

yeah and even if you dont have the budget yet to pull off good recordings, still buying the SM57 now is a good move, because later on when you get better recording equipment, it's not like the SM57 becomes obsolete, it's the standard mic for recording guitar amplifiers as well as micing up the snare or one of the toms on a drum set. so it will be a good investment because you can put it to good use for as long as you're recording.

[theguy77]

but whatever you do do not buy a 50/60 dollar cheap-ass condenser mic, all it's going to do is disappoint you. just save money until you can buy something that can be used well.

[bassdrummer2333]

How do I connect the SM57 if I don't need an interface? *confused*

[theguy77]

How do I connect the SM57 if I don't need an interface? *confused*

? you do need an interface, or at least a preamp.

[Tristan Needler]

How do I connect the SM57 if I don't need an interface? *confused*
By "all you need" I meant mic-wise. You need an interface to convert the analog audio signal to digital information that your computer can understand and store.

[bassdrummer2333]

does the interface usually come with the cable needed to connect the mics? Also, does this mean that I can't just connect a pre-amp to my computer or I need an interface?

[theguy77]

look man, you might want to save more money before doing the home recording thing. that's the all around best solution.

[Tristan Needler]

does the interface usually come with the cable needed to connect the mics? Also, does this mean that I can't just connect a pre-amp to my computer or I need an interface?
No, they usually don't. Some mics will, but not many.

Yes, you can't connect just a preamp to your computer.


Generally, an interface has a preamp or two on it though, although really low-quality ones, which is fine. I showed you what I could do with a cheap interface with shitty on-board pres.

You really need to take a look at that site a showed you. Read that section and the section on preamps. You can't really talk about these things if you don't even know what they are.

A preamp takes a weak signal from a mic and makes it louder so that it's usable. That's it. Nothing else. Some have built in processing effects, but that's just extra. An interface converts the audio signal to digital information that the computer can use, like I already said. Read that site, it will answer 99% of the questions you'll have. In addition, you'll have about three times as many questions after reading it, but at least they'll be relevant and informed ones.

[bassdrummer2333]

Thank you for the info, I think i'm going to go with buying the MXL 990 USB Mic just to start recording some basic stuff. Then in the future i'm going to upgrade to the Shure-SM57 and an interface. I'm also going to read that guide next week while i'm on spring break.