I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

[youngthrasher9]

I am looking around at some decent starter recording gear, I was thinking about just a nice desktop, with reaper, and a USB mic. I can't decide on the mic. I just don't know enough about them to choose one. I play metal, so I can't have a mic that is going to break up whenever I hit a powerchord. I was thinking about one of these:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PG27USB/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SparkDigital/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SnowballAL/

I've got good speakers for monitors, so that is not an issue.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

I don't own an iPhone, thanks for the suggestion though.

I want to record the tone of my actual setup too, so I am definitely after a mic'd tone. I've tried the emulated output on my blackstar but it it sounds like crap to my ears. The real amp is freakin' awesome though.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

Well the Shure has the highest declared max SPL rating, which should be a consideration when close micing a guitar speaker. I say declared though, because the Blue Snowball doesn't mention one at all (I checked the Blue website), only that it has a -10dB pad for "loud music".

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

For reference, Shure estimate an SM57's max SPL is over 180dB and is only limited by the physical restriction of the diaphragm hitting the magnet - apparently that's like a Saturn V at around 5' - louder than even Motörhead...

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

Too bad it's a great set-up.
Surprised you didn't like the emulated output, I used both that and the iRig to reord this today and am okay with the sound.

I was probably just setting it up wrong. I've heard a few forum bro's get good tones with the emulated out.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

Hard to beat for $99. Stupid Deal Of The Day.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid/?src=3GOA2F5A&src=3GOA2F5A

 

[Jason_The_Angry]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

not sure how much you want to spend, but TASCAM makes some pretty cheap and useful interfaces that will take mic and guitar inputs. i have an old TASCAM US-1641 that i got off of ebay for a good price. 8 mic inputs, two 1/4" inputs, plus it interfaces with the PC via USB 2.0. I run SONAR 8.5, and it's awesome. very low latency and rock solid.

with and independent interface, you're not constrained by USB mics. For what it's worth, i use a combination of mics. a Sure SM57 and an Audix i5 are my current favorites. mic placement is CRITICAL. And as mentioned, you're not going to destroy the mics listed due to high SPLs. just make sure your levels are set properly before you record to keep from clipping your recording software. compressors and limiters applied to the signal chain can help as well, but that's up to you....

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

One thing to note about using an amp's emulated/direct out - you're going to hear it through your PC speakers, which are not your cabinet speakers, so yeah, you're going to hear it differently. Pipe it back into your cabinet from your PC and it should sound the same as playing through the amp (assuming the head has a solid state power section - you don't want to run a tube-powered head without a cab).

 

[Scott_F]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

I gave away an old Boss 4 track recorder (used SD cards) to one of you guys here several years ago. I thought it did a pretty decent job. drum tracks on it as well. A good sm57 or 58 seems to be the go to choice for this forum for mic's. I got that Blue USB snowflake thing to try out, not sure how hard it can be pushed. We'll see. Jury still out.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: I want to start recording, I need some suggestions.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I think I might just go for an SM57 with a interface of some sort. It's a proven method.