So i've been thinking of getting started with recording. As of right now I have zero gear for recording. I know that this is a long road and an expensive one. I have absolutely zero know-how of recording techniques or what sort of equipment to use etc.
So whats the first piece of equipment needed? Mics? Preamps? 4-track? Help.
I understand that a budget would be helpful. I am getting my financial aid/student loan check mid february. I will have roughly $400 to play with.
Thanks in advance. I know that sometimes these noob questions are annoying but any input/advice would be MUCH appreciated.
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I'm no recording wizard so I imagine you'll get some better advice from some more experienced Ilfers but I'll just throw in what I use because it was all well under your budget and I think my recordings sound alright for the price and inexperience.
For a interface, I just use a Steinberg Ci1 which was $99. It has two xlr inputs which should be more than enough if you're just doing solo guitar/bass stuff. It also has phantom power which comes in handy.
Then for mics, I picked up a Studio Projects B1 for $80 used (they go for $80 all day on ebay and gc used) and a Shure Unidyne III which was recommended by Univalve which I got for $60.
Oh but for whatever you decide to buy. You should buy it. I put off recording for too long because I just wanted to buy other gear like instruments and pedals and stuff but recording is honestly so much fun and it really feels like you accomplish something, even if you don't want to share your stuff or post it, it's just fun to make and revisit later with new gear you get and things.
Good luck
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A good question would be to know presently what gear you DO have, and tailor a solution around that. Presently I have a stand alone digital recorder, can record on my phone, iPad or computer... Too many choices...
An ART Tube MP preamp (the V3 is pretty handy because it has different voicings, but you could save a few bucks getting the regular one too) and Tascam US-122mkii interface shouldn't cost you more than $200. Mics are harder to recommend...I'd say your best bet would be to get an SM57 if you're recording guitar. Right away, that's a pretty decent setup for ~$300. Spend the extra $100 on cables, stands, and a windscreen for the mic.
If you're getting a 57, use that on snare, and then grap some cheapo (i.e. Apex) condensers for stereo overheads. Dunno what to suggest for a kick mic, but that's probably not in your budget anyways.
It would be best (especially considering your budgetary concerns) to prioritize learning as much as you can about miking technique as opposed to investing money into a ton of mics. Mike placement will make a much larger difference in the quality of your recordings than the kind of mics you use. A lot of people scoff at that but a great mic placed poorly does not yield a good sound. A well placed 57 sounds great.
Here's a really clearly-written article about ways to mike a drum set with as few as one mic and as many as 10 and beyond. You might do well to heed some of these tips, great sounds can be had with very little. http://www.harmonycentral.com/t5/Record ... p/34639165
D.o.S. wrote:Just use the 57 for your kick if you're just starting out. That's the best thing about the 57--it works for everything and won't ever die.
Yes. There is a reason it's considered a work horse mic. Besides being on just about every guitar recording for the last 40 years, you can get a pretty decent sound out of 2 57's and a cheap LDC for the overhead. You place one near the snare/high-hat, and one in the kick. Find a decent but cheap chinese import LDC and place that for the overhead. In the box add some compression and EQ to taste and you are golden.
Unfortunately with stands and cables we're up around $300-$350. You can find a lot of this on Craigslist though I've seen 57's hold a lot of their value. Seldom less than $70 on craigslist when they are new for $90. Only leaves you about $100 for an interface. I have heard really good things about the Focusrite Scarlets. You might be able to find one used as well.
Other things to look out for that may be a decent deal are M-boxes and Motu stuff. Biggest thing with these is making sure they are USB. The trend was that these were firewire only for a few years and that seems to be gone from most new computers: used Digidesign/avid Protools interfaces, 8Pre/Motu stuff as those two seem to be built well enough to last a long enough time that people have moved onto the latest and greatest, and are ready to part with them for cheap. I've seen plenty of Digi 001's [12 years old now] and Mbox 2's, going for $100. Those will sound more than fine for getting you started.
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Last edited by Hyphen Nation on Wed Feb 12, 2014 2:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
Figured I'd just piggyback on this thread instead of starting a new one.
I've been playing noise/drone/sludge stuff since about '95 and actually have a degree in broadcasting, but I learned on reel 2 reel and never recorded myself. I don't understand a lot of this digital action.
I'm looking to start. For an equipment list it's:
guitar/pedals/amp
Teenage Engineering OP-1
Rode iphone Mic / Yeti usb mic / couple sm58s
Skychord Cloudbuster
Grendel Drone Commander
Black Box Noise x 2
Buddha Machine x 2
Trogotronic 669
THought I might get a Scarlett 6i6 and go through garageband or cubase?
The Rode iPhone mic is excellent for speech, and can't speak towards guitar amplifiers. I don't understand why you want a mic. if you can just direct into your interface at the end of your signal chain and activate the pad for line level instruments.
I'd go with the Native Complete 6 over any 2 channel interface for starters.
I wouldn't pick either, I'd try for atleast logic, which is actually a pretty okay software. Garageband and Cubase are comparable in my mind as far as an overall DAW.
