Recording rehearsals

fjon

I would like to record parts of our rehearsals. I'm not looking for amazing sound quality, just something that we can listen back to and analyse.
I have a Macbook Pro with Garageband (10.0 or 6.0), an M-Box and a single mic.


I've tried it once with the mic on a mic stand placed as high up as possible, pointing downwards.The results we ok, but quite low in volume.

Anyone any tips on doing this, e.g. mic positioning, how to clean up the track in GB after recording, etc.?
I would be interested in knowing how to increase the volume somewhat too. I imagine some of it is to do with the mic and location of instruments?

lewiscook14

I feel like there's no way to accurately gauge how you sound unless you record your rehearsals and listen back to them.

Grolschevik

Zoom h2n works for us. Built in compression, adjustable gain etc and you can play it back through the desk whenever. Lash it up on a mic stand and experiment with wherewith sounds best.

Rigsby

Grolschevik wrote: »

Zoom h2n works for us.

....and us.

fjon

That does look good and might be something I could get further down the line! For now though I want to try to use what I have without spending more money.

Guess most people use handheld recorders?

hulkey

If the volume is the only problem setting a mic at head height centre of room will work well enough

But you'll never get real clarity until you start recording instruments individually

You should be looking at increasing the input gain on the mbox to combat the volume issue, so long as you don't clip (go into the red) it should be fine

You should also be able to check the input volume as it comes in in garage band itself

You can increase the gain afterward, or use compression like Grolschevik suggested

But it's always going to be muffled or uneven

If you're thinking about best mic placement, move about the room until you think you can hear everything at it's most balanced point, then put the mic there at head level.

When I record jams/practice sessions I use a multi-input soundcard, which will have 4 mics for drums, 1 direct connection for bass, then the remaining for guitar and vocals. 8, but I usually end up using 6 or 7.

It takes a few minutes to set up, but I find it's worth the effort