Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

[SoCalSteve]

I'm looking at the Fostex MR-8 HD - the one with the phantom power on mic inputs and the 40gb hard drive.

What are the other options? I've read some use a good soundcard. Do you use the soundcard alone or do you need a mixer or anything else with it?

BTW, I only want to record a mic'd amp . I have no interest in digital/simulated amps. Thanks.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

If you have a fast computer and the patience to set up a system on your computer that is the way I would go unless you need to be portable. The benefits of a computer based system in my eyes are worth the effort. You will need an audio interface to get your mic'd guitar signal into the computer and software to record on. M-Audio has some very reasonable options and the Line6 Toneport is another great piece even though you will not use the mmodeling aspect there are other benefits.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

Thanks! I have the free Kristal Audio Engine program on my computer that seems adequate. I'll check out the hardware you mentioned. I take it the Toneport has mic inputs in addition to the sims?

P. S. I was at the Line6 site checking out the Toneport. Looks pretty interesting and the price is a definite positive!

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

You can use the Toneport's mic pre's which are simulated but sound great. Also double tracking say a crunch guitar with the Toneports amp models can really beef up a track, you just mix it way back so that you hear your amp sound but extra omph is added. I love the Toneport's and they come with Abletone light which you can record on. Just check the system requirements of the Toneports against your computer's specs.

 

[MostDangerousGames]

Re: Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

Use 3 mics (3 tracks) for each guitar track (bounce them together later if you need space).. Use a good kick drum mic, a 57 or 421 & a good quality condensor mic. The point of the 3 mics is that the kick gets the lows, the 57/421 gets the gnarly mids & the condensor picks up the highs.

Place all 3 mics right on the cone (on axis, aiming at the small circular center ring...not the center itself , but the ring around the center at the bottom of the cone) & try to make sure that the diaphragm of each mic is equadistant from the speaker (this will help keep your phase together). Adjust mic gain so that your levels are pretty much the same between each mic.

Ideally this setup will give you a full fidelity picture of what that amp sounds like when your playing it in the room with you. I've even gotten feedback in the control room with the cab in the live room using this type of micrphone setup.

If your planning on getting a HD recorder or some other all in one box unit, make sure you record at the highest sampling rate that machine will give. I used to do this with My Roland VS-880 which would only then give me 6 tracks, but the quality difference was night & day.

I hope this setup will have you smiling. RAWK! :headbang:

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

I just picked up a Toneport UX-1 and a Shure SM57 and am waiting for a mic stand and mic cable to arrive. Having fun with the Toneport's amp sims, effects, etc. I'm familiar with the layout from having a POD XTL in the past so the only thing I really need to 'learn' is the how to use the included Ableton software. It's a pretty inexpensive way to get started in computer-based recording.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

I just picked up a Toneport UX-1 and a Shure SM57 and am waiting for a mic stand and mic cable to arrive. Having fun with the Toneport's amp sims, effects, etc. I'm familiar with the layout from having a POD XTL in the past so the only thing I really need to 'learn' is the how to use the included Ableton software. It's a pretty inexpensive way to get started in computer-based recording.

Good choices!

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Recording a mic'd amp at home - how?

If you have a fast computer and the patience to set up a system on your computer that is the way I would go unless you need to be portable. The benefits of a computer based system in my eyes are worth the effort. You will need an audio interface to get your mic'd guitar signal into the computer and software to record on. M-Audio has some very reasonable options and the Line6 Toneport is another great piece even though you will not use the mmodeling aspect there are other benefits.

Unless you get a professional recording sound card, I'd say use an actual mixer/recorder with microphones the "traditional" way. A computer is an RF nightmare inside, and professional-grade sound cards come with shielding to try to minimize RF interference. Tip: usually they look like a large metal case, due to the shielding casing.