Need Help Getting Good Quality Recordings

RSVampire · #1 10-01-2004, 07:10 PM

howdy, I'm trying to get good quality recordings out of my band's equipment. They have a Fostex 16 track digital recorder/mixer. We have several mic's. 2 SM57's a KSM27, and a Beta 58. We also have a PreSonus Mic Pre. We get ok recordings out of the drums, but the guitar is terrible. We have a Carvin guitar (2 humbuckers) and a Carvin MTS3200 half stack. The recording for the guitar is super bassy and muddy and really really harsh. We tried setting the bass to 0 and presence to 0 and tried millions of EQ'ing options on the amp and it still always sounds harsh or muddy. Any idea's?

**jemaholic** · #2 10-01-2004, 09:13 PM

Couple things you may want to try:

1) Keeping the gain where you want it, turn down the master volume. The mics may be overdriven if too loud. Record a "scratch" tract of sucky guitar initially with the rest of the band if needed, and go back and re-record it quietly later.
2)Locate the 57 just offcenter and 3" from one speaker-forget about the rest.
3) always record "dry" or flat with no EQ. You can always add it later, you can NEVER take it away after it's on tape.

I made some excellent recordings on Fostex equipment over the years and there is no doubt you have the tools to do it too.

Rotti · #3 10-01-2004, 10:00 PM

Yep adjust your levels. If your using good mics and the sound coming through the amp is good you should be able to capture that sound.

JESTER700 · #4 10-01-2004, 11:36 PM

You are aiming the 57 at the speaker, right? Sorry if this sounds obvious, but I've seen guys hang the 57's cord through an amp cab handle so the mic hung in front of the cab. This way the 57 picks up sound off its axis, and will cut out highs.

RSVampire · #5 10-02-2004, 05:43 AM

lol, well it jemaholic's tip worked, I believe the amp was just way too loud (it was on 7 on the volume) so it was pretty freakin loud. But the band is too lazy to re-record the rest of the guitar parts that sound bad. wtf? yeah I don't get it either. I'm not in the band anymore, I was just there for creative and recording inspiration. The song is done and mixed (not by me so personally I think it sounds like crap) but I'll post it here or in the Multimedia section in the next couple days. Oh and Jester, yes we have the mic pointing straight at the speaker. Heh, your like Dell Customer Service "Are you sure your computer is on? that is a common mistake" "uhh....yes..." "are you sure your monitor is on?" "uhh...yes". Thanks for asking though I do know there are people that are that "smart" to do stuff like that so it doesn't hurt to ask these things.

BeastofLove · #6 10-02-2004, 10:21 AM

It's quite hard to distort an SM57, so I doubt it's that, regardless of how loud you're playing. If there are additional clipping-type noises, it's most likely from overdriving your recording input, not the mic.
Many recording devices have a 'Low Cut' button or trimpot, and I find I almost always have to have that engaged to remove some of the low 'woof' I get when recording. Another thing is- when adjusting your amp / pedal settings to get your 'sound', have your ear in front of the speakers- level with them - so you can hear exactly what sound your speaker is projecting. If your amp is on the floor, and the speaker is basically aiming at your shins, the sound that you're hearing 5 feet higher and 10 feet away isn't the same as what the mic is going to pick up.
And like most folks have said, play around with mic placement. Have your headphones cranked to drown out the amp's own volume and listen to your sound as you move the mic around. There's so much variation there. I actually found a decent sound once by having my SM57 2 feet away from the amp, with the mic aiming down at the lowest part of one of the speakers. Very unconventional, but it worked.

-Ben