Some basic questions

recording

Hi, I'm looking to start to doing some home recording and I have some basic questions. I'll be guitar/vocals with drums programmed in via midi keyboard.

1. I noticed in the "How do I record stuff? A complete beginners guide." sticky it mentions monitors. What is the difference between standard decent computer speakers and 'cheap' monitors such as these ones recommended in the sticky - http://www.thomann.de/ie/edirol_ma7abk.htm
2. Is it possible to use standard computer speakers as a substitute for monitors? (won't have the cash for monitors for another month)
3. Shure SM57 is the mic I should be getting yes??
4. I don't think I will ever have a need to record from more than one source at a time. Can you recommend me a usb audio interface that would suit my needs?

[EDIT] 5. I have a set of these Jamo surround speakers that I was planning on selling - http://www.jamo.com/na-en/products/s-606-hcs-3-description/ and an onkyo receiver - http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR507&class=Receiver&p=i. Could these items be used for monitoring?

MilanPan!c

Others will respond to this I'm sure, but here's some answers and some questions.

About monitors:

monitors are designed to he "flat", that means they are not going to hype or cut various frequencies to, for example, exaggerate bass. Here's an analogy: if you were a chef, and you could barely taste salt, your food might be overly salty because you try to overcompensate. Does that make sense?

So if you mix on normal speakers you'll likely be producing something that sounds to other people. (it's a bit more complex than this, but that's a quick explanation.)

Finally, some questions:

What are you planning on recording with the mic?
How much can you spend on a soundcard?
Can you use FireWire or only USB?
Is it USB 2?

Seany

Just to add to the above...

I would ask yoruself what is it that you want to get out of the recording??

Are you looking to get gigs? Get on radio? Or just learn the basics of recording techniques for yourself?

Before you start spending, I would have a serious look at what you want to achieve first.

Just my two cents...

recording

MilanPan!c wrote: »

Finally, some questions:

1. What are you planning on recording with the mic?
2. How much can you spend on a soundcard?
3. Can you use FireWire or only USB?
4. Is it USB 2?

1. I'll be recording guitar & vocals with the mic. I'll probably be putting some bass down too - although I suppose I could plug that directly into the pc. Btw, I have a AKG d660 mic - Is this mic any good compared to an SM57?
2. A sound card is the same as an audio interface right?? Not sure on that. If so, would be looking at €100. Will something at that price range hurt the quality of recordings I am able to produce?
3. I have no firewire port on my motherboard.
4. Yes

recording

Seany wrote: »

Just to add to the above...

I would ask yoruself what is it that you want to get out of the recording??

I want to record various tunes Ive been working on, get a band together and take it from there.

Are you looking to get gigs? Get on radio? Or just learn the basics of recording techniques for yourself?

I want recordings good enough that I can show to prospective band members and then get gigs with. After that I would be looking for recordings that are professional enough that I could show to A&R.

I actually did a year long course in sound recording (using protools and cubase) about 7-8 years ago so at one stage I knew nearly all this stuff. Its just been so long since I've done it I've forgotten most of it. I'm hoping once I get started it will come back to me.

recording

So anyone got a usb audio interface or SM57 mic they are interested in selling?

Rockshamrover

recording wrote: »

So anyone got a usb audio interface or SM57 mic they are interested in selling?

Click on the Adverts.ie link ay the top of the page. Go into the musical instruments and equipment section and then the pro audio. You should find what you need there.

recording

Another question - Do I need a mic preamp? I've been reading on the net that a preamp is needed to make the signal coming from the mic loud enough for the audio interface? Is that correct?

MilanPan!c

A condenser microphone works by actually converting sound energy into an electrical voltage, but this voltage is*much lower than the voltage coming out of your keyboard or other line level sources.**If you plug a condenser microphone in to*audio interface then the*signal it generates will be very quiet unless*the signal is*boosted.*This is why you will*need for a preamp.*

On a consumer sound card you*will have a mic preamp, but it\'s only designed for speech and cheap mic--totally unsuitable for audio recording.*

You can add a Microphone Preamps*to your set up*via:

Mixer (eg Behringer UB 802)
Sound Card with built in Preamp (eg Tascam US-122)
Mic Pre (eg ART Tube MP Studio V3)
On*the bottom of this page you will see a lot of different preamps that will boost a microphone signal without adding lots of noise.**We have Pre Amps for every budget, however,*bear in mind*that the Mic Pre is one of the*most*important*links of the chain that will effect the sound quality of your recording system.

Phantom Power

\"Phantom powering\" is a method of providing power to microphones by applying a voltage to the same wires that carry the audio signals. Phantom power can be generated from mixing consoles, mic preamplifiers, or in-line phantom power supplies.

In general, phantom voltages are used to power electronics within condenser microphones. Condenser microphones require power for various parts of their operation, including impedance converters, preamplifier circuitry and, in some cases, to polarized microphone capsules. Phantom is usually a DC voltage ranging from 12 to 48 volts. Microphones draw current from this voltage based on their needs.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/article/40-why-do-i-need-a-microphone-preamp-.html