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#1
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Microphone, preamp and recording.
Hi,
I've played the guitar for near on 10 years now but the songs I record just sound poor. This is becuase I'm often using a line out etc plugged straight into my pc. Its ok for clean (heard something about reverb makes it ok) but when I record distortion is too flat and sounds poor (no reverb or dynamics to it I suppose). But lady luck has thrown me some money and I can splash out on some more proper equipment. So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). So, do I need a pre amp? and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- because I know nothing about this area of music. Budget wise doesnt really matter, I dont want a cheap preamp, but I dont want to pay for a top of the range expenive one. Sort of like the shure sm57, good qualtiy and moderatly priced. (if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions are much welcome about mic's) So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Thanks for any help in advance, it will be most appreciated. Jon. |
#2
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Shure probably makes a nice little 4 input preamp mixer.
Bob "Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message om... Hi, I've played the guitar for near on 10 years now but the songs I record just sound poor. This is becuase I'm often using a line out etc plugged straight into my pc. Its ok for clean (heard something about reverb makes it ok) but when I record distortion is too flat and sounds poor (no reverb or dynamics to it I suppose). But lady luck has thrown me some money and I can splash out on some more proper equipment. So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). So, do I need a pre amp? and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- because I know nothing about this area of music. Budget wise doesnt really matter, I dont want a cheap preamp, but I dont want to pay for a top of the range expenive one. Sort of like the shure sm57, good qualtiy and moderatly priced. (if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions are much welcome about mic's) So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Thanks for any help in advance, it will be most appreciated. Jon. |
#3
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Shure probably makes a nice little 4 input preamp mixer.
Bob "Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message om... Hi, I've played the guitar for near on 10 years now but the songs I record just sound poor. This is becuase I'm often using a line out etc plugged straight into my pc. Its ok for clean (heard something about reverb makes it ok) but when I record distortion is too flat and sounds poor (no reverb or dynamics to it I suppose). But lady luck has thrown me some money and I can splash out on some more proper equipment. So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). So, do I need a pre amp? and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- because I know nothing about this area of music. Budget wise doesnt really matter, I dont want a cheap preamp, but I dont want to pay for a top of the range expenive one. Sort of like the shure sm57, good qualtiy and moderatly priced. (if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions are much welcome about mic's) So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Thanks for any help in advance, it will be most appreciated. Jon. |
#4
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(if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions
are much welcome about mic's) No, the SM57 isn't dodgy at all for use on guitar amps. Guys who have access to $5,000 mics still use SM57s a lot. Since I mostly record jazz guitarists, the SM57 is a bit thin for the dark Wes Montgomerish jazz sound, but it's fine for rock. Another good mic for amps is the Sennheiser MD609. It's different, not better or worse, a little more rounded, slightly rolled off in the upper mids, costs a few bucks more than the SM57. Moving up the price scale, the Sennheiser MD421 is my current first pick mic for guitar amps. Yes, you will need a preamp to boost the mic signal up to line level. Scott Fraser |
#5
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(if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions
are much welcome about mic's) No, the SM57 isn't dodgy at all for use on guitar amps. Guys who have access to $5,000 mics still use SM57s a lot. Since I mostly record jazz guitarists, the SM57 is a bit thin for the dark Wes Montgomerish jazz sound, but it's fine for rock. Another good mic for amps is the Sennheiser MD609. It's different, not better or worse, a little more rounded, slightly rolled off in the upper mids, costs a few bucks more than the SM57. Moving up the price scale, the Sennheiser MD421 is my current first pick mic for guitar amps. Yes, you will need a preamp to boost the mic signal up to line level. Scott Fraser |
#6
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So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of
styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Heh heh, I love typos. Gives you stuff you could never come up with otherwise. g Scott Fraser |
#7
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So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of
styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Heh heh, I love typos. Gives you stuff you could never come up with otherwise. g Scott Fraser |
#8
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#9
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#10
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"Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message om... So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. The 57 is a good choice for your first microphone. So, do I need a pre amp? Yes and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- I'd probably go ahead and buy a small mixer, from mackie or soundcraft. You may not need more than one preamp, but you could easily spend as much on a single pre and not get any appreciable difference in sound quality. Having a mixer with a PC setup helps greatly with monitoring as well - you can run the mix back into the mixer, bypass any latency issues you may have, and monitor with headphones while you record. It is also easy to adjust monitoring levels with a mixer. You might also appreciate those extra pres when you want another 57 to mic in stereo. jb. |
#11
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"Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message om... So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. The 57 is a good choice for your first microphone. So, do I need a pre amp? Yes and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- I'd probably go ahead and buy a small mixer, from mackie or soundcraft. You may not need more than one preamp, but you could easily spend as much on a single pre and not get any appreciable difference in sound quality. Having a mixer with a PC setup helps greatly with monitoring as well - you can run the mix back into the mixer, bypass any latency issues you may have, and monitor with headphones while you record. It is also easy to adjust monitoring levels with a mixer. You might also appreciate those extra pres when you want another 57 to mic in stereo. jb. |
#12
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sycochkn wrote:
Shure probably makes a nice little 4 input preamp mixer. Behringer *definitely* make one for likely a *tiny* fraction of what a Shure mixer would cost with way better specs and more features. Shure are *not* a great mixer maker. Graham |
#13
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sycochkn wrote:
Shure probably makes a nice little 4 input preamp mixer. Behringer *definitely* make one for likely a *tiny* fraction of what a Shure mixer would cost with way better specs and more features. Shure are *not* a great mixer maker. Graham |
#14
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"Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message
om So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic. You don't say you need one, but it seems like sooner or later everybody wants to talk or speak into a recorder. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). The best cheap but good way to handle this is a small, cheap mixer. If all you're ever going to use at one time is one mic, then the Behringer UB502 will get the job done for under $50. |
#15
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"Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message
om So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic. You don't say you need one, but it seems like sooner or later everybody wants to talk or speak into a recorder. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). The best cheap but good way to handle this is a small, cheap mixer. If all you're ever going to use at one time is one mic, then the Behringer UB502 will get the job done for under $50. |
#16
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#17
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#18
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Jon whote
I've played the guitar for near on 10 years now but the songs I record just sound poor. This is becuase I'm often using a line out etc plugged straight into my pc. Its ok for clean (heard something about reverb makes it ok) but when I record distortion is too flat and sounds poor (no reverb or dynamics to it I suppose). But lady luck has thrown me some money and I can splash out on some more proper equipment. So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). So, do I need a pre amp? and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- because I know nothing about this area of music. Budget wise doesnt really matter, I dont want a cheap preamp, but I dont want to pay for a top of the range expenive one. Sort of like the shure sm57, good qualtiy and moderatly priced. (if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions are much welcome about mic's) So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Thanks for any help in advance, it will be most appreciated. Yes, an SM57 will do a bang up job on a rocknroll guitar. Sennheiser 421 is another all around mic to. There are some other things to think about when your recording a guitar to like.. mic placement and even what the room your in sounds like. I can't really teach you (or anyone) in less than say...5-10 years on how I got to where I'm at today (and I'm still learning). If you want to try a long wide hallway or an empty room with some wood wall's (or maybe partly wood) you may get an OK sound. |
#19
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Jon whote
I've played the guitar for near on 10 years now but the songs I record just sound poor. This is becuase I'm often using a line out etc plugged straight into my pc. Its ok for clean (heard something about reverb makes it ok) but when I record distortion is too flat and sounds poor (no reverb or dynamics to it I suppose). But lady luck has thrown me some money and I can splash out on some more proper equipment. So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). So, do I need a pre amp? and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- because I know nothing about this area of music. Budget wise doesnt really matter, I dont want a cheap preamp, but I dont want to pay for a top of the range expenive one. Sort of like the shure sm57, good qualtiy and moderatly priced. (if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions are much welcome about mic's) So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Thanks for any help in advance, it will be most appreciated. Yes, an SM57 will do a bang up job on a rocknroll guitar. Sennheiser 421 is another all around mic to. There are some other things to think about when your recording a guitar to like.. mic placement and even what the room your in sounds like. I can't really teach you (or anyone) in less than say...5-10 years on how I got to where I'm at today (and I'm still learning). If you want to try a long wide hallway or an empty room with some wood wall's (or maybe partly wood) you may get an OK sound. |
#20
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Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic.
With the foam windscreen a 57 can be a perfectly decent vocal mic. Scott Fraser |
#21
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Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic.
With the foam windscreen a 57 can be a perfectly decent vocal mic. Scott Fraser |
#22
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ScotFraser wrote:
Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic. With the foam windscreen a 57 can be a perfectly decent vocal mic. Scott Fraser Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ? I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Graham |
#23
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ScotFraser wrote:
Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic. With the foam windscreen a 57 can be a perfectly decent vocal mic. Scott Fraser Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ? I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Graham |
#24
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Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ?
Cuts the pops. It sounds like a better 58. I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Lots of mics specifically intended for vocals have a built in pop filter. The 57 doesn't, which is why I recommend adding one. Scott Fraser |
#25
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Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ?
Cuts the pops. It sounds like a better 58. I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Lots of mics specifically intended for vocals have a built in pop filter. The 57 doesn't, which is why I recommend adding one. Scott Fraser |
#26
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"ScotFraser" wrote in message ... Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ? Cuts the pops. It sounds like a better 58. I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Lots of mics specifically intended for vocals have a built in pop filter. The 57 doesn't, which is why I recommend adding one. And that makes it better to the SM58 how exactly, In Your Opinion? Shure offer you the choice already. TonyP. |
#27
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"ScotFraser" wrote in message ... Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ? Cuts the pops. It sounds like a better 58. I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Lots of mics specifically intended for vocals have a built in pop filter. The 57 doesn't, which is why I recommend adding one. And that makes it better to the SM58 how exactly, In Your Opinion? Shure offer you the choice already. TonyP. |
#28
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"ScotFraser" wrote in message
Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic. With the foam windscreen a 57 can be a perfectly decent vocal mic. Been there done that, so I'm intimately familiar with the slings and arrows of doing that. I would say that most if not merely many people consider being held in the hand as a common mode of operation for hand held microphones. The SM57 has no internal shock mounting. |
#29
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"ScotFraser" wrote in message
Howevcer, it's not a very good vocal mic. With the foam windscreen a 57 can be a perfectly decent vocal mic. Been there done that, so I'm intimately familiar with the slings and arrows of doing that. I would say that most if not merely many people consider being held in the hand as a common mode of operation for hand held microphones. The SM57 has no internal shock mounting. |
#30
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"TonyP" wrote in message
u "ScotFraser" wrote in message ... Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ? Cuts the pops. It sounds like a better 58. I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Lots of mics specifically intended for vocals have a built in pop filter. The 57 doesn't, which is why I recommend adding one. And that makes it better to the SM58 how exactly, In Your Opinion? Shure offer you the choice already. Good point given that the SM58 has internal shock mounting. |
#31
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"TonyP" wrote in message
u "ScotFraser" wrote in message ... Please advise. How does the foam help an SM57 be decent ? Cuts the pops. It sounds like a better 58. I'm sure it stops the obvious P's etc.. but that applies to any mic. Lots of mics specifically intended for vocals have a built in pop filter. The 57 doesn't, which is why I recommend adding one. And that makes it better to the SM58 how exactly, In Your Opinion? Shure offer you the choice already. Good point given that the SM58 has internal shock mounting. |
#32
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Hi everybody
Thanks for all your help. I think I have been sold on the Sennheiser becuase just because I know they make some of the top headphones, mic's and aviation headset units. Also they are german and they look a little more professional (suppose thats not really so important tho!). Thanks. One idea I have been toying with after reading this, is if I bought a digtal studio like the roland vs1824. You know, track mixer recording box that lets you burn it to a CD (and I could transfer it to my pc via the spdif or something on my audiophile so that wouldnt be a waste either) If I bought something along the lines of the roland vs1824 would I need a mic preamp? or would the mic go straight into it and it does the required wizardry? I would imagine I'd get better results this way then via cakewalk sonar and the audiophile. That way annoys me as it is and half that time I just give up, I dont have a balzing pc (128mb ram says it all) so I struggle to get good quality and good latency without pop's, snick's and dropouts. I suppose you heard this 1000's times before, good quality cheap price. I think I'm wise enought to realise that doesnt exist, but there surely must be good quality stuff at moderate prices. Would something like the vs1824 provide that? Any other makes or models anyone could reccomend? this has only just hit me when starting this post, and I instantly thought of roland, so i'm gonna look into this more. Suppose boss would be a good one - just checked, the boss br1600cd. Looks alright but I am always worried about things that comes with effects etc, its like money must of gone towards that and I just want a recorder type thoughts. (I dont like the boss digital pedals (analog ones take it for me) - also i like watching roland rat when I was a kid so I suppose I'm just sub-consciously drawn to roland also, their midi systems are top notch as well. i think i'm rambling so i'll shut up) I am certainly serious about the guitar and recording, so I dont see the point investing 300 pound now and in a few years biting the bullet and investing in some more serious equipment. Thanks for any advice, its hard when you are talking about commiting 1000 odd pound (or all my money!, student) when you know absolutely nothing about the area, especially when going to shop assistants - I always try to pretty much find out what I can first so I can challenge them, and hopefully get a deal. So thanks again for the help recieved and any more help. Thanks, Jon |
#33
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Hi everybody
Thanks for all your help. I think I have been sold on the Sennheiser becuase just because I know they make some of the top headphones, mic's and aviation headset units. Also they are german and they look a little more professional (suppose thats not really so important tho!). Thanks. One idea I have been toying with after reading this, is if I bought a digtal studio like the roland vs1824. You know, track mixer recording box that lets you burn it to a CD (and I could transfer it to my pc via the spdif or something on my audiophile so that wouldnt be a waste either) If I bought something along the lines of the roland vs1824 would I need a mic preamp? or would the mic go straight into it and it does the required wizardry? I would imagine I'd get better results this way then via cakewalk sonar and the audiophile. That way annoys me as it is and half that time I just give up, I dont have a balzing pc (128mb ram says it all) so I struggle to get good quality and good latency without pop's, snick's and dropouts. I suppose you heard this 1000's times before, good quality cheap price. I think I'm wise enought to realise that doesnt exist, but there surely must be good quality stuff at moderate prices. Would something like the vs1824 provide that? Any other makes or models anyone could reccomend? this has only just hit me when starting this post, and I instantly thought of roland, so i'm gonna look into this more. Suppose boss would be a good one - just checked, the boss br1600cd. Looks alright but I am always worried about things that comes with effects etc, its like money must of gone towards that and I just want a recorder type thoughts. (I dont like the boss digital pedals (analog ones take it for me) - also i like watching roland rat when I was a kid so I suppose I'm just sub-consciously drawn to roland also, their midi systems are top notch as well. i think i'm rambling so i'll shut up) I am certainly serious about the guitar and recording, so I dont see the point investing 300 pound now and in a few years biting the bullet and investing in some more serious equipment. Thanks for any advice, its hard when you are talking about commiting 1000 odd pound (or all my money!, student) when you know absolutely nothing about the area, especially when going to shop assistants - I always try to pretty much find out what I can first so I can challenge them, and hopefully get a deal. So thanks again for the help recieved and any more help. Thanks, Jon |
#34
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So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of
styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Haha, doh! |
#35
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So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of
styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Haha, doh! |
#36
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#37
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#38
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For an inexpensive preamp, try the Presonus TubePre or the Studio Projects
VTB1. Since you are all over the map as far as musical styles below, you may consider different amplifiers, or a least a good EQ. "Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message om... Hi, I've played the guitar for near on 10 years now but the songs I record just sound poor. This is becuase I'm often using a line out etc plugged straight into my pc. Its ok for clean (heard something about reverb makes it ok) but when I record distortion is too flat and sounds poor (no reverb or dynamics to it I suppose). But lady luck has thrown me some money and I can splash out on some more proper equipment. So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). So, do I need a pre amp? and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- because I know nothing about this area of music. Budget wise doesnt really matter, I dont want a cheap preamp, but I dont want to pay for a top of the range expenive one. Sort of like the shure sm57, good qualtiy and moderatly priced. (if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions are much welcome about mic's) So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Thanks for any help in advance, it will be most appreciated. Jon. |
#39
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For an inexpensive preamp, try the Presonus TubePre or the Studio Projects
VTB1. Since you are all over the map as far as musical styles below, you may consider different amplifiers, or a least a good EQ. "Mmm_moo_cows" wrote in message om... Hi, I've played the guitar for near on 10 years now but the songs I record just sound poor. This is becuase I'm often using a line out etc plugged straight into my pc. Its ok for clean (heard something about reverb makes it ok) but when I record distortion is too flat and sounds poor (no reverb or dynamics to it I suppose). But lady luck has thrown me some money and I can splash out on some more proper equipment. So, I really want to get into a microphone etc. I heard the shure sm57 is the best for its money on its price range and will do they job. But someone mentioned to me about preamp for it. They said it will not really work plugging the microphone directly into the soundcard, I bought a m audiophile 24/96 a few years back (sounds good enough but a little quite). So, do I need a pre amp? and if so can anyone suggest any makes and models that would work well with the shure sm57?- because I know nothing about this area of music. Budget wise doesnt really matter, I dont want a cheap preamp, but I dont want to pay for a top of the range expenive one. Sort of like the shure sm57, good qualtiy and moderatly priced. (if the shure is dodgey mic then any suggestions are much welcome about mic's) So really, this will only be used for guitar, recording a mix of styles (heavy metal, blues, laid back clean, jazz etc) being placed infront of a standard tuba amp. Thanks for any help in advance, it will be most appreciated. Jon. |
#40
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I would say that most if not merely many people consider being held in the
hand as a common mode of operation for hand held microphones. The SM57 has no internal shock mounting. If one has mic handling noise in ones recordings, I'd call that improper operation of the equipment. Scott Fraser |
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