Recording equipment advice

Lagnar

Howdy folks!

I have a question with regards to sound recording equipment and software. I`m curious to know if anyone has any recommendations with regards to recording yourself playing an instrument.

I play the violin in my spare time, and have come to the point now where I`d like to record myself playing and uploading my work online. The problem is that beyond the built in mic on my laptop (A macbook Pro) I don’t actually have anything to record myself.

I`d need both equipment and software, and am open to any suggestions. The cheaper the better of course, but I`m willing to spend a little bit of money if need be. Keep in mind I`m not going to do this professionally, just as something for fun more than anything else but I would like it if my recordings can at least sound good.

I`ve never really done this before, so for all I know the built in mic on my laptop may work wonders! If so, then I guess software is the only thing I need.

EDIT: By software I mean both recording and editing. Again, for all I know the programs built in on my Mac may be great, but I frankly have no idea if they are good or not.

useless4

Just you recording your violins or adding other instruments/midi etc?

I honestly suggest - if cost isn't a real concern - picking up Reason (recording software) with Balance (hardware input) with a decently cheap mic.

Lagnar

I`d mostly be recording my violin work mutiple times and putting it all together.

I`ll definatly check those out! Any recomedations for a mic?

Raern

There are a number of cheap or free programs out there for messing with audio. I don't know how many work on Mac. One that offers an uncrippled trial and decent price if you buy is reaper, http://reaper.fm

Sir Carcass

I use Reaper for recording. It's good and it's free.

Lagnar

Looking at reaper, that seems pretty much perfect! I'll play around with it tonight and tommorow and see what its like.

Vortigern

Reaper is pretty awesome. The price tag often makes it look like a good deal. It is.

I just took a quick look at entry level interfaces on the Long and McQuade website (I'm Canadian, they're a convenient chain here). For Under $200 you can can a small, decent interface from just about any of the common manufacturers. Just check the input method to your laptop. ie, if you don't have Firewire, make sure you don't buy a Firewire interface.

Once you have an interface and software you still need a mic, cable, and stand. Cables and stands are pretty affordable, just make sure the stand will hold the mic where you want it. I'm assuming you're going to point the mic down at the instrument between 30 and 60 degrees while you're either standing or sitting, so make sure it'll cover the height while you're standing.

Mics are all about personal choice, so maybe rent a few if you can and see which sounds best based on your room and setup. The standard recommendations, assuming a good sounding room, are condenser or ribbon mics, but for a matter of just getting sound on the hard drive, even dynamics will do, it's just a question of the quality of the recording you want to have to work with on the laptop in the end. I'd look at a few condensors, or even a low end ribbon (Art Pro Audio makes one that's under $200). Dynamic mics are cheaper, but often lose a lot of the detail of insturments, but they might be worth looking at regardless depending on the sound you want to achieve.

MrDelish

Vortigern has some good points and I will add mine: you should look for a local sound equipment dealer, someone who rents and sells audio equipment. Try to find one who doesn't try to sell you crap quality items and can explain what different microphones/interfaces you can use and the advantages of each. The one I know will push the more expensive items on you but only because they last longer or are more robust. For example, I went in to buy a bass guitar amp and he sold me on an entire PA system because I can use it for my home theater setup. He answered every question I had and every question I could have possibly had concerning the uses between a bass amp, a stack setup, and the PA system.

Since microphones and recording in general are more complex, you really want to find someone who can tell you what you'll want for your recording.

Bendit

I use Audacity software for all my raw recordings. It's open-source and free at: audacity.sourceforge.net

I use mics that require "phantom power". To power those mics, you need a "mixer" or a device that can send that power to the mics. Phantom power is the way to go, as all good mics require that. Here is a list of my gear, it's cheap and reliable:

-AKG Perception 420 Condenser Microphone(~$250)
-Beyerdynamic MCE86 II - Shotgun Condenser Microphone(~$300)
-Yamaha mw10c mixer(~$220)

I would recommend the AKG as your "do it all" mic. It would be great for violin. I have used it on strings many times.

Here are some test recordings that I have made with the gear above: underland.info/FileListing.aspx?Type=15

Note that the keyboard was fed straight into the Yamaha mixer. The vocals and the acoustic guitar were recorded real-time (in one take) using the AKG 420.

So my advice, you can go for much cheaper, but if you buy yourself a decent (phantom powered) mic, you will have it forever (providing you take care of it). Oh, and on a side note, ribbon mics are VERY fragile. You cannot bang it around. Condenser mics are much stronger (and also used to mic drums because they can take the air displacement). That's it for now. Cheers.

Bendit

I also forgot to mention. I use "ACID Music Studio 8.0" to edit and engineer all my tracks. That software is not free, unfortunately, but quite affordable, less than $70. The reverb plugin and EQ in Acid Music is easy to use as it applies in real time. So you can listen and tweak your sound at the same time. Now, producing HI-FI recordings without clipping (distortion due to too much gain) is another topic altogether...

Jeedan

useless4 wrote: »

Just you recording your violins or adding other instruments/midi etc?

I honestly suggest - if cost isn't a real concern - picking up Reason (recording software) with Balance (hardware input) with a decently cheap mic.

Reason doesn't record audio unless I've missed something in the latest version and they've started bundling it with Propellerheads Record.

In any case Record is one of the least intuitive recording software I've ever used so I wouldn't recommend it.

e: Ok yeah you're right, its integrated now.