Complications with recording

D-Man · 2011-01-10T11:28:37+00:00

Hi all, If you've read some of my previous posts, you might see I'm quite ambitious... Over ambitious at times so I'm scaling down a little bit and focusing on bettering my music. Part of that process, for me (and probably many others), involves bettering my own writing of music. I record small ideas and phrases on my phone as they come to me but for my final recordings, I use my PC. I use the Line out from my amp straight to my PC's onboard soundcard with Kristal. I have some issues with latency and all that but that's not the biggest issue for me. My largest complications involve the other parts of the song. I struggle to record: - Vocals: The only mic I have is a singstar mic (it's not even mine) and the sound quality is unsurprisingly pathetic. - Bass: I only have guitars so I don't have any options (that I know of) for recording bass. - Drums: Seriously, what's a song without some percussion? So I'm looking for any tips, things to buy (that don't cost too much) or any advice at all. Thanks D-man

Kalcium

Oh i see, yeah my soundcard only has mic input...i'l try turning down the line output on the amp though, thanks ? ...where would be the best place to find a cheap usb interface, a computer shop or a music shop? And would R500 get me anywhere? Thanks so much hey, i really appreciate it ?

Squonk

Hi Kalcium

I use a Behringer uca202 and there is an updated uca222
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx

uca222
http://www.soundz.co.za/pBEUCA222/Behringer-UCA222-U-Control-USB-Audio-Interface-with-Software-SPECIAL.aspx

here is diagram

Also
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCG102.aspx

price

http://www.soundz.co.za/pBEUCG102/Behringer-Guitar-Link-UCG102-Ultimate-Guitar-to-USB-Interface-SPECIAL.aspx

Mo-Facta

Kalcium wrote Oh i see, yeah my soundcard only has mic input...

This is most likely the cause of the distortion. A line output from your amplifier will most likely be a high impedance signal whereas a mic input is designed to accept a low impedance signal. This can also affect tone, usually first noticeable with a reduction in high and low end. When plugging a guitar into mic input a direct inject (DI) box is needed to convert the impedance from high to low.

Cheers ?

D-Man

Kalcium wrote Oh i see, yeah my soundcard only has mic input...

I tried recording through the mic in the other day and the buzz is overwhelmingly irritating. So I changed to line in and actually turned the volume on my amp up (Withing the limits though) and It sounds beautiful.

I have a feeling recording will now be my #1 distraction in life... As with most things in music, it's addictive.

Squonk wrote I use a Behringer uca202 and there is an updated uca222

That interface looks pretty awesome. sorry if this is a stupid question but would it sound good if you ran different mics and instruments through a mixer and then into the input??

AlanRatcliffe

D-Man wrote would it sound good if you ran different mics and instruments through a mixer and then into the input??

As long as you are not recording the mixed signal from multiple instruments (you want to keep everything recorded on a separate track so you can control the mixing in your recording software). Usually you try keep the signal chain as short as possible to keep the sound as natural as you can and keep noise to a minimum, but it does depend on the mixer. Some mixers have legendary sound quality or character (sadly it's generally the really expensive ones).

Kalcium

that behringer interface looks really awesome, and a very decent price too, but how would i get from my amps line out to the RCA input seeing as its just a normal guitar cable...do you just buy a cable that goes from the smaller regular jack to the RCA and use a small to big connector thing?

Mo-Facta

Kalcium wrote that behringer interface looks really awesome, and a very decent price too

Well, to tell you the truth, the Behringer - as far as brands and quality goes - is the lowest of the low. That's why it's so cheap. However, if you're just entering this venture, it'll most likely do you fine.

Kalcium wrotebut how would i get from my amps line out to the RCA input seeing as its just a normal guitar cable...do you just buy a cable that goes from the smaller regular jack to the RCA and use a small to big connector thing?

Yes, you will need either an adapter, or a cable that has been specially made to go from jack -> RCA. It's a simple soldering procedure. Otherwise, there are plenty of adapters around and you'll most likely find them in pro audio shops.

Cheers ?

Kalcium

Thanks hey, n yeah I know behringer isn't the greatest but I'm just looking for a means to record something that sounds like what I hear coming from my amp ? cause right now I'm recording something completely different haha ?

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