Anythng better then Garageband?

piszton · 23-02-2015 9:02am #1

Hi All,

I recently purchase Rode NT1A condenser mic with Roland Duo-Capture Ex.
I hooked it up to my Mac using Garageband, but the recording volume is very small.
From what I gather from internet forums that Garageband is causing it.
My problem is that NT1A is good mic and Garabegand is not letting me to use it to its full potential.
I need to record small choir.

Any recommendation for a good software?

Thanks

fitz · 23-02-2015 1:58pm

piszton wrote: »

Hi All,

I recently purchase Rode NT1A condenser mic with Roland Duo-Capture Ex.
I hooked it up to my Mac using Garageband, but the recording volume is very small.
From what I gather from internet forums that Garageband is causing it.
My problem is that NT1A is good mic and Garabegand is not letting me to use it to its full potential.
I need to record small choir.

Any recommendation for a good software?

Thanks

What interface are you using?
Unlikely to be Garageband, as that just captures what's coming from the mic through the interface.

piszton · 24-02-2015 12:56pm

I'm using Roland Duo Capture ex

fitz · 24-02-2015 10:43pm

piszton wrote: »

I'm using Roland Duo Capture ex

Sorry, missed that in your first post...
aslong as phantom power is turned on, it should just be a matter of turning up the preamp on the interface if you're not getting enough level on the track going into Garageband.

piszton · 26-02-2015 12:42pm

Thanks, it is way up now which is recording fine when I'm very close to the mic, but my concern is how it'll work when I put it in front of small group of singers.

GTE · 26-02-2015 2:11pm

piszton wrote: »

Thanks, it is way up now which is recording fine when I'm very close to the mic, but my concern is how it'll work when I put it in front of small group of singers.

So your original problem is solved?

If so, you will adjust the gain control which fitz highlighted to suit your source material.

The type of microphone you have (condenser) is what is normally used for choral sources; however, do not expect the signal to be as loud as your voice is when you are close to it.

What you will need to do is stand in different spots around your recording space, find where you have the nicest balance of direct sound to ambient/room/reverb and then place the microphone there. Do a test recording and decide if it would be better to move it closer of further. Adjust the gain so you get a more healthy level.

Remember that you have a single microphone, which will record a mono signal so it will not have the stereo image that you would perceive when testing microphone location spots.

evolving_doors · 01-03-2015 11:53am

Just from a complete novice luddite (but also interested in recording choir at some stage..).. Leaving aside the 'live free tempo feel' ; would it be better to record the harmony in sections with the conductor using a click track or recording of the 1st part? Like recording the sopranos then whilst listening to that conduct the altos in time with it!.
Probably need a tonne of headphones though but it might allow for more up close recording for each section!

Room acoustics have a big part to play too. When we rehearse in a large hall with all the cushioned chairs laid out it kills any reverb and gives a more 'up-close' sound. Its easier to add in a little reverb after if it needs it.