So I've got a SM57 and a Dell Laptop. I basically put the mic thru a transformer and into the mic-in on the laptop and got the following recording using Audacity:
(just a short intro from a Death Cab for Cutie song)
What I'm wondering now is should I upgrade -
a) a better interface, usb/firewire like the presonus inspire, toneport ux2, m-audio fasttrack pro
b) a cheap large-diaphragm condensor, like a studio projects b1 or a mxl 990 for vocals/guitar
c) both?
d) neither, get better at guitar and write more (or rather, a) song instead of doing covers!
Given the current quality of my recording, what kind of improvements would I see from either?
Thanks!
I began home recording just as you did. Audacity was fine for a while. now I have a Lexicon Lambda. it is USB. I tried a firewire but my computer for some reason did not have the right configuration for the PCI firewire card. I am fine with USB.
I have a Shure SM57 mike for vocal and my dobro. form what I have read the SM57 isnt that great fro vocals. it does well for close miking an instrument, and probably ok for miking an amp.
I am looking to get a wide diaphram condenser. the MXL line is affordable and probably good to start with.
I have been online looking at mikes and, holy molly, they are expensive. Rode, AKG, Sennheizer (sp?) CAD and a few that offer great mikes. they gett into the several hundred dollar rage fast. yow.
I am going to get the most expensive mike I can afford eventually.
probably a dynamic mike for vocals and some instruments, definately a good ribbon mike for vocals and miking amps. ideally I would like a Rode NT1A or a AudioTechnica 4047B for the wide condenser.you could get the next higher MXL mike (I forget the number...1100 1300???) for 99$. they are on sale all the time for 79$.
I like the Lexicon Lambda because it came with the Cubase recording software. I am tech challenged and this program is easy and fun.
using mikes is an art form all its own.
Hi Redpoint
I think that your recording quality is good for a home recording.
Its good enough in recording level and has low background noise.
I think that the best investment that you could do, to use the good SM57 mic to its optimum, is to buy/use a good mic pre-amp/DI box between the mic and the line-in port on the Labtop.
The mic input on PC or laptops are normally rather lousy, but Line-in inputs are better soundwise.
the Behringer TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100 is a good example of a pre-amp/DI box http://www.behringer.com/MIC100/index.cfm?lang=ENG
Kalle
Tanglewood TW28STE (Shadow P7 EQ) acoustic
Yamaha RGX 320FZ electric guitar/Egnater Tweaker 15 amp.
Yamaha RBX 270 bass/Laney DB 150 amp.
http://www.soundclick.com/kalleinsweden
Get the mike as far away from the computer as you can..This will also help cut down on the noise..
I am going to get the most expensive mike I can afford eventually.
probably a dynamic mike for vocals and some instruments, definately a good ribbon mike for vocals and miking amps. ideally I would like a Rode NT1A or a AudioTechnica 4047B for the wide condenser.you could get the next higher MXL mike (I forget the number...1100 1300???) for 99$. they are on sale all the time for 79$.
.
I just got a cheap CAD GXL 3000 ($70 at MF), which is a large diaphragm condenser, based on these reviews
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan06/articles/cad.htm
http://www.fretsmag.com/story.asp?sectioncode=59&storycode=10951
http://www.eqmag.com/story.asp?storyCode=12460
I'll let you know how it works (most likely it'll just be nicer than my SM57)
Next up is either a pair of GXL1200s or studio monitors. Or, I should just start recording more and worry about the content and quality of my playing and songwriting first! :)
I think that the best investment that you could do, to use the good SM57 mic to its optimum, is to buy/use a good mic pre-amp/DI box between the mic and the line-in port on the Labtop.
The mic input on PC or laptops are normally rather lousy, but Line-in inputs are better soundwise.
I'll second that.
You could connect a $1000 Neumann, and it wouldn't sound much better than your '57 with the usual Mic input on most normal computers.
I wrapped a newspaper ’round my head
So I looked like I was deep
I forgot to add that I sprung for a Toneport UX2. The firewire interfaces had issues with my old laptop (Presonus isn't compatible with the graphics chip I have). I also saw that the M-Audio stuff seemed to have poor support for Mac laptops, which I'm thinking about upgrading to at some point.
I figured among the cheap usb interfaces, the toneport had the most bang for the buck.
