Why do my recordings sound so poor?

[wasteofo2]

Yesterday I went out an got a shure sm-57. I've been recording stuff bassically all day, and while it doesn't sound bad, it certainly isn't as good quality as I would have expected to get from a $90 microphone... Could it perhaps be my soundcard is bad? I have a Creative Sound Blaster Audio PCI 64V. I'm not sure I even want to post a sample, since I can't find a place to host .wav files, and I'm willing to bet that turning it to an mp3 would reduce the quality of the recording so much that no one would be able to tell what's due to poor mp3 encoding and what's due to the mic/soundcard being bad...

[Illini1330]

I could be the way your miking the amp. Test out a whole bunch of different positions. Faraway, close, ect... As for soncards, I don't know **** about computers, but if the soundcard can't handle a loud volume I think it creates a distorted soundin the recording. ( I Think this is right. Might be wrong.)

[mrid]

You're not using a mic preamp, are you?

[wasteofo2]

No mic preamp, and I've tried alot of different positions. I've been doing alot of acoustic recording just cause my amp miced sounds so trebly, and the acoustic (with the mic approx. 3 inches from it) sounds rather dull...

Does anyone know a place that will host .wav files so I can share exactly what it sounds like?

[y2stevo]

converting wav to mp3 doesnt reall reduce sound quality noticably, its only in studios were they are using super high quality samples that mp3s would reduce quality...

[wasteofo2]

Well then can anyone reccomend software to change wav to mp3? I'm using audacity, but I can't figure out how to get the mp3 converter thing to work...

[y2stevo]

i think if you download musicmatch jukebox that can do it, but thats the only free thing i know of...... http://www.musicmatch.com/

not too sure if it does it tho....

[mrid]

You need a mic preamp, seriously.

[wasteofo2]

Why's that? Any reccomendations?

[Ken]

The same reason your guitar amp has a preamp section.


As for reccomendations, I'm a little lax in that area...from what I've heard the Presonus stuff isn't too bad for the money.

[Robert S.]

Definately need a mic pre. All boards have them built in but external mic preamps are generally better. Search microphone preamps at musicans friend to see whats available in your price range.

You won't believe the difference.

[chcjunior]

Originally posted by y2stevo
i think if you download musicmatch jukebox that can do it, but thats the only free thing i know of...... http://www.musicmatch.com/

not too sure if it does it tho....

Music Match does have the file conversion feature on it. I use it all the time.

[wasteofo2]

Do I need to look for a certain type of preamp like I did with mics? Is there any difference between the preamp you'd use for a bass mic vs. a guitar mic etc.?

[Curly]

I've asked this question a few times myself - looks like I'll just have to break down and get a preamp.

I agree that MusicMatch is the simplest for those who don't care for any more learning curves with software. It's as simple as "file/ convert files", then chosing your input and output directories.

I also use CDEX, but it's a little more difficult to use.

[kmcguitars]

I use a ART OPL tube preamp. You can get em' for under $100
It adds 20db of gain if you want,And warms up your signal a bit.
How are your levals going into the soundcard?? This maybe where
your problem is?? That's one of the most important things in Digital recording. You may need to adjust you soundcard properties, Or get a Compresser/limiter. The ART unit has some limiting But I still use a Alesis Nano Compresser.