Recording setup

[guitario]

My recording setup is: Jem 7vwh, Fender Strat, Crate 30W Amp, Digitech pedal board, Crybaby Wah, and a cheap mic.

I started to record using Cool Edit Pro version 2.1 and while after I recorded some quick licks off of my Jem, I noticed that the sound on playback sounded very distant and overall ****ty. I tried just connecting the guitar to my computer which sounds pretty good except for some feedback. I'm stuck and don't know what to do.

Any suggestions????????????????????????

[Ferrous Lepidoptera]

Get a better mic? Marshall MXL 603s is what I've been using (it's a small diaphragm condenser, about US$100 or so) It needs phantom power, so you can't just plug it into the back of a e.g. a soundblaster. I haven't had such good luck with the SM57 (considered "standard" electric guitar mic by many), but I understand with the right mic preamp they can be great. But the jump from SM57 to the MXL 603s was HUGE in terms of the sound captured for me with my particular mic preamps (the ones in my yamaha aw4416, which are supposedly fairly transparent, but not a lot of gain.). I could also record at a lower volume and still get decent levels.

Other option would be to record direct with a Pod or Behringer V-amp-2, or similar. Probably cheaper than a decent mic and preamp too.

Oh, and take what I say about recording with lots of salt, since I don't really know what the hell I'm talking about.

[Nilsefix]

i have a 1400 mhz 512 mb ram pc running xp.
I have a M-audio Delta 66 soundcard (6 in 4 out) , a pod xt (sounding GREAT in the studio!) . A digitech whammy and a ds-1 .
for mic i have a Art Tube V3 micpreamp (great sounding , for a very nice price). And a Studio Project B1 mic .. really cheap , but sounding remarkable.
on the computer i run Logic...

now this is a pretty cheap setup , but i get sound i mean is Great! ...
ill post more stuff when i can record more guitar based stuf..

You dont need to invest much to get good sound , just know how to use it
Nilsefix

[BeastofLove]

Try using an affordable mic pre (or cheap Mackie mixer) in front of your soundcard. I had an ART V3, and honestly prefer the Studio Projects VTB1. I also had a Joemeek VC3Q that I got rid of because I liked the SP better . That and I have a Mackie 1202-VLZ so 2 preamps is kind of overkill considering the Mackie has some darn good preamps in there already.

Next, get a decent mic. Different mics sound different, and a crappy mic just demolishes your sound. I prefer my Oktava MK319 for cleans, and a Shure SM57 for distorted sounds. And then there's mic placement- my Oktava likes being a foot or 2 away from the amp, the Shure likes being up close and personal, 1/2-way between the center of the cone and the edge. I do plan on getting a Sennheiser MD421 soon which should pull more 'double duty'.

So really, for $200 on eBay, you can seriously SERIOUSLY upgrade your sound.

Oh yea- in a pinch (or when people are sleeping), and if you don't mind going direct-in, I have a Yamaha DG-Stomp that sounds really alive and organic for a modeling unit. You may like it.

-Ben

[BeastofLove]

I remembered that I have a test I was doing with the Yamaha DG-Stomp, putting down some ideas for a friend of mine. Everything is through the Stomp, except the drums which were done in Acid. Tracks were recorded and mixed in Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro.

It's a nice alternative to the POD which I find a little muddy / boxy sounding.

Anyhow, here's the link to the MP3:
http://www.mindspring.com/~bcoutu/test2drum.mp3

-Ben

[Nilsefix]

i had a dg-stomp but recently sold it . Couldnt quite get a good sound out of it.. the distortions sound so bad ... So i got a Podxt instead , and the lead sounds on it are very nice when you do some time just making patches. Cause the presets on it sucks balls :P hehe..

Nilsefix

[BeastofLove]

I had the exact same thing to say about the POD Pro - bad distortion sounds, couldn't get a good sound out of the thing. But with the Yamaha, the sounds on it are very nice when you take some time just making patches. Of course, it will never replace a good mic setup & real amp though.

As they say, it's all ice cream. Johnson J-Station, Roland VG-88, Behringer V-Amp, etc...

-Ben

[Nilsefix]

here are som pics of my setup and some of my gear for those who would want to see it .. kinda terrible pics though ,..

Nilsefix
http://www.home.no/nilsefix/bilder.htm