Help a beginner get start recording.

[Maroonandwhite]

Hey folks. I am wanting to dabble in recording a few acoustic tracks with some electric leads. My current setup consists of a MacBook Pro with garage band, Boss Katana and small mixer with usb out. I also have a set of cheaper 6” monitors that sound decent.

I’ve ran through the mixer to the computer with decent results but haven’t sat down and really played much with it. I haven’t tried running from the amp straight in.

Any tips you can give a newcomer? Should I even bother with this or just get a proper input device? I’ll take any tips you can give but I need to make this work for now if possible. I’m all spent out from my last build. Thanks!

 

[Maroonandwhite]

Just discovered that I don’t have separate a headphone and recording out jack so I can’t use the line out. I prefer to hear the sound out of the amp as well so I’m gonna try the usb out from the amp. Looks like that’s my only choice now.

 

[Martin R]

You might as well dive in head first now, you'll do it eventually. Get a converter. A lot of folks here like Focusrite, (I have one). A two input device is a good start. Check Reverb and your local CL for one under $100. Go ahead a spend the bucks for a new SM 58. There are too many counterfeits out there to buy used. GarageBand is awesome. This was recorded and mixed in it.
Oh, and give up life as you know it.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

You might as well dive in head first now, you'll do it eventually. Get a converter. A lot of folks here like Focusrite, (I have one). A two input device is a good start. Check Reverb and your local CL for one under $100. Go ahead a spend the bucks for a new SM 58. There are too many counterfeits out there to buy used. GarageBand is awesome. This was recorded and mixed in it.
Oh, and give up life as you know it.

I figured that was the answer haha. I did experiment with the usb connection earlier and while it worked it doesn’t really provide a solution for a mic. Didn’t think that far ahead.

 

[boop]

It sounds like you only need a mic and cable and some sort of stand to get going if you already have a mixer that hooks up to your computer.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

It sounds like you only need a mic and cable and some sort of stand to get going if you already have a mixer that hooks up to your computer.

Well the issue is that my 50 watt katana doesn’t have a separate record out and phone out. It mutes the amp and I hate playing into headphones. I also have a mic but need to get an SM58 as well soon. I’ve got cables out the wazoo.
My 100 watt will record out without muting but I leave that one at church.

 

[3-Chord-Genius]

The Katana's a great amp, but if you have Garage Band, you have built-in guitar amp simulation plugins that sound great.

 

[boop]

Well the issue is that my 50 watt katana doesn’t have a separate record out and phone out. It mutes the amp and I hate playing into headphones. I also have a mic but need to get an SM58 as well soon. I’ve got cables out the wazoo.

I don't know the capabilities of your little mixer, but are you able to hook the Katana and the monitors up to the mixer and hear the amp through the monitors? As mentioned you can certainly do this with ~$100 interface from the likes of Focusrite or Behringer with acceptable latency when playing over tracks already recorded in your audio software.

 

[moosie]

I think you're already beyond me, but in case a low budget view is helpful...

I got a used Zoom H2n for a C-note. Stick it in front of my favorite tube amp, or acoustic amp. Play and record. Hook Zoom up to USB computer, upload track into Garageband.

For acoustic, I have a nice Martin that I didn't want to abuse by installing a pickup, so I use a $150 condenser mic that was in a "best of" list somewhere. I guess it's not a Neumann, but jeez, playing into that, then into a Berhinger XenyX mixer ($60), into a Loudbox Mini... it sounds amazing.

Anyway, for what it's worth.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

I don't know the capabilities of your little mixer, but are you able to hook the Katana and the monitors up to the mixer and hear the amp through the monitors? As mentioned you can certainly do this with ~$100 interface from the likes of Focusrite or Behringer with acceptable latency when playing over tracks already recorded in your audio software.

I wouldn’t want to use these particular monitors that way but I do have two QSC K12.2’s I could run out to. Just overkill for that room.
I think it only makes sense to get an interface. I think GC has a used one I may go look at.

The mixer is a fully capable 7 channel I use for a wedding DJ side gig. Plenty of ins and outs.

 

[Teleposer]

Just discovered that I don’t have separate a headphone and recording out jack so I can’t use the line out. I prefer to hear the sound out of the amp as well so I’m gonna try the usb out from the amp. Looks like that’s my only choice now.

Sounds to me like you could use something like the Zoom 8 Livetrack - https://www.zoom.co.jp/products/production-recording/live-sound-recording/zoom-livetrak-l-8

I'm not sure how much it costs where you are but in the UK it's a few hundred bucks. Not cheap, but it packs a very powerful punch. Not least the fact it offers many outputs for headphone mixes. It also has some very nice mic pre-amps and is also a sound-card via USB to you computer. It's very flexible.

These days you can get mixers with built in soundcards that work via USB for not much more than you would spend on a dedicated USB soundcard like a focusrite or something.

The great thing with something like the Zoom is that it can be there for you when you grow as it has so many features to offer. It may be overkill for what you want right now, but it may also be worth spending a little more to future proof yourself for later. Spend a little more now, but end up spending less in the long run.

That Zoom model can provide different Aux mix outputs. The 12 track version can give 5 discrete mixes out via headphones (it has an amp built in) for a whole band.

The best part is that it isn't just a USB soundcard interface, it actually has a digital recording facility built in via SD cards. So you can record your take to the computer but you can record it live to SD card on the mixer itself. It's a mixer, a recorder and interface all in one. Oh and a headphone amp mixer as well. All at better than CD quality!

I've been researching mixers quite a bit lately and I'm going to be getting the 12 track version of this which offers a bit more for not much more money. But the 8 track would be the sweet spot for you I think. Yes, a little pricey, but depending on future needs, might be a real solution for you to save money in the long run.

You can always look it up and see the reviews and see if someone does it at a price that is fair for you. I think you spend a bit more in the States for these units compared to Europe, but don't quote me on that.

Anyway. Lots of mixers with USB and built in pre-amps and FX. The Zoom unit has built in FX btw.

I've just started getting a couple of Behringer sub-mixers (with USB interface) myself. And I'm going to be buying a Soundcraft with full on 24 channel USB connectivity. But like I said, these Zoom mixers are also on my shortlist because they are a Swiss Army knife for many uses. Not least recording in 4 tracks at once in digital via my Akai MG-614 tape portastudio.

Analog mixers, digital mixers, hybrid mixers. It's all very confusing. If you can express what your needs and requirements are people can help you better. This was just a little heads up and 'food for thought'.

Have a look around the main websites selling this stuff - you may be surprised what is around these days.

 

[kbold]

You might as well dive in head first now, you'll do it eventually. Get a converter. A lot of folks here like Focusrite, (I have one). A two input device is a good start. Check Reverb and your local CL for one under $100. Go ahead a spend the bucks for a new SM 58. There are too many counterfeits out there to buy used. GarageBand is awesome. This was recorded and mixed in it.
Oh, and give up life as you know it.

Good advice here. The sooner you convert your signal to digital the better, since your computer is digital.
Then your signal to noise level won't degrade.
Focusrite (and other similar devices) have very good analogue to digital converters.

 

[Obsessed]

I have the same set-up except I'm using an interface. I owe my success to the people right here on TDPRI. Regardless of how basic or seemingly stupid question you have, just post it here and you will get great advice every single time.

Not sure if I will ever outgrow my MacBook Pro or GB, so at least you are set for quite a few years.

Put your money into EZDrummer2 and a few basic, but good mics to learn with. BTW, I enjoy micing the amps.

Good luck. It is a fun and rewarding adventure, so don't let the steep learning curve discourage you.

 

[telestratosonic]

Here's my gear. I'm using a MacBook Air which came with GarageBand. I use GB.

1) Mackie ProFX6v3 mixer with USB. I can use it as a mixer or as an audio interface because of the USB out.

2)Rode NT1-A condenser mic.

3) Steinberg Cl1 USB audio interface. I think it's discontinued model. This is what I use all the time. It's a good quality audio interface.

4) 1 Yamaha 5" studio monitor. Planning to buy another one.

5) SM 57 and SM58 mics.

Disclaimer: I'm new to recording. Pretty much everything I know came from YouTube and guys here. However, this setup works fine. I have an assortment of amps: Blues jr., Traynor YCV20, Boss Pro Live Acoustic amp, Fender 25 watt Bassman.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

I guess since my mixer has a USB out it would be considered an interface, correct? It’s a Mackie ProFX 8 v2.
I may just need a good amp mic and away I go!

Just wondering what a dedicated interface may off over this mixer.

(link removed)

 

[Maroonandwhite]

Also....does anyone go straight into Garage Band with the guitar and use it’s onboard amps?

 

[Obsessed]

I guess since my mixer has a USB out it would be considered an interface, correct? It’s a Mackie ProFX 8 v2.
I may just need a good amp mic and away I go!

Just wondering what a dedicated interface may off over this mixer.

(link removed)

I think there are two basic issues using a mixer vs. an interface. The mixer is more complex, because of it's "live" use whereas the interface is just going to take your mic recording and digitize it for your computer. I am not an expert, but I believe the preamps in the interface will insure better control of your recorded signal. Let the experts confirm this, since I am still a noobie.

 

[telestratosonic]

I guess since my mixer has a USB out it would be considered an interface, correct? It’s a Mackie ProFX 8 v2.
I may just need a good amp mic and away I go!

Just wondering what a dedicated interface may off over this mixer.

(link removed)

Like Obsessed above, I'm still a noobie, too, so I can't give a definitive answer.

 

[kbold]

You're good to go with the Mackie.
The Mackie ProFX series digitizes at 16 bit/44.1Khz (CD recording quality).
An interface (eg Focusrite) can digitize up to 24 bit/96Khz. (Typically 16 bit or 24 bit selectable).

In the real world, you probably won't notice a difference between the two.
However, if you're doing considerable post-recording effects (or otherwise altering the original signal) the quality will be reduced.
This is where the seemingly excessive 24bit/96Khz digital recording level becomes useful.

 

[Maroonandwhite]

You're good to go with the Mackie.
The Mackie ProFX series digitizes at 16 bit/44.1Khz (CD recording quality).
An interface (eg Focusrite) can digitize up to 24 bit/96Khz. (Typically 16 bit or 24 bit selectable).

In the real world, you probably won't notice a difference between the two.
However, if you're doing considerable post-recording effects (or otherwise altering the original signal) the quality will be reduced.
This is where the seemingly excessive 24bit/96Khz digital recording level becomes useful.

Nah, this is home recording for fun and practice mostly. Thanks for the tips? I just tried the built in amps on GB and was actually impressed. Still doesn’t beat hearing it through an amp but I’m ready to record now. I’ll see if I stick with it before buying more gear.