What can I add to my beginner's recording system?

kidstyx

With the purchase of Blue Yeti USB Microphone a couple of months back my recording began. At that time I didn't know anything so I hadn't purchased an audio interface.

After 3 months, this is the current beginner's recording system I have:

Blue Yeti USB Microphone
M-Audio Fast Track Audio Interface
M-Audio Oxygen 61 Midi Controller/Keyboard
Takamine Santa-Fe ESF-10C Acoustic Guitar
Roland AC-60 (Acoustic Chorus) Guitar Amp

Cubase 5.1 - Using HalionOne VST which came with the installation for drums, electric guitar, violin, string, synth, etc.

I usually place emphasis on acoustic guitar and piano in my songs.

Some questions:

1. I would like to add electric guitar to my music as using Cubase + Midi controller for electric guitar sounds too unnatural. I was thinking a decent electric guitar and preamp. Not sure what price range guitar would suit best as I will most likely use Cubase to alter its sounds. Is the guitar the most important or the preamp? Pedals I think some decent VSTs will suffice for nice delays, reverbs, etc? or do I need something like the Boss GT10?
I was thinking below R10,000 for electric guitar + preamp.

2. I am also considering purchasing a large diaphragm condenser microphone to replace my Blue Yeti USB Microphone, but Blue Yeti does sound awesome as it is the world's only THX certified USB condenser microphone. Got it for around R1500 outside USA. Should I go for something like the Rode NT1A?

3. Base and Drums I think I can continue using Cubase + Midi controller to produce the sounds. I can't play the drums well in any case. What do you guys think?

4. Is there anything else that will help me greatly in my system to improve my beginner sounds?

Thanks.

AlanRatcliffe

1. Preamp is more important for tone than guitar, but both do make a difference. Guitar is most important for playability though so don't skimp too much. In your situation, I'd look at getting a decent secondhand guitar and a POD or Vox amp modeller. You can also look at amp modelling software like Guitar Rig, Amplitude or amp Farm.

2. Try a few mics and see. I don't know the Blue Yeti, so don't know if an NT1-A will be much of a step up (it's a bit bright - which works well for instrument or room mic, but I don't like it at all on vox). Maybe look at the NT-2 instead. If you're happy with the Yeti on vocals, maybe look at getting a good small diaphragm condenser (or a matched pair) for acoustic.

3. Drums, drums, drums. They make the biggest difference to small studio recordings. Look at software drum packages like Addictrive Drums or EZDrummer, both of which will allow you to get good sounding drums, and get them up and running quickly.

4. From there, once you start adding in good mics, it may be a good idea to start looking at decent mic preamplifiers.

kidstyx

Thank you Alan! Now I know what my next steps are ?

Soundinmind

Hello there,

1. I wouldnt go for the boss if I was you, its a lot of money for something you not really going to use and its going to make everything really hard when tracking, rather get Amplitube or GuitarRig so you can edit in the box. Rather get a guitar that will work for you first and one of the plug ins I mentioned, they sound good and if you learn them you'll be able to get some good sounds out of them.

2. Does THX certified mean anything at all when it comes to mics??? Thats the best marketing pitch Ive ever heard. THX is like dolby, its for surround sound stuff etc, not microphones. Anyway, there is a number of microphones you can look at, try get something with multiple patterns cause it allows you to do a lot with a microphone if you know how to use them. Look at Rode, sE, AKG and others.

3. You can buy a bass for cheapish and look at getting something like Amplitube SVX for the amp side (Its another plug in), drums, as he said, get the plug in/program stuff, also check out Steven Slate Drums.

4. Your set up is fairly good so far, you'll probably find you'll be looking at studio monitors at some point but microphones are important, then as he said mic pre amps are also something to look at but I can tell you the cheap stuff wont make a huge difference, its best to save up for something that will. Try get a UA Solo 610 ? awesome DI and pre amp

AlanRatcliffe

Soundinmind wrote: Try get a UA Solo 610 ? awesome DI and pre amp

Interestingly enough, I was looking at them and the Grace M101 earlier. I think for a first good pre, the Grace might win out as it's a more neutral SS design, vs. the tube character of the Solo (especially as my main mic for vox is valve). I was also considering saving up and jumping up to a Great River ME-1NV (big jump price-wise though). Then again, maybe I should be looking at two-channel pres...

Maybe I should just say to hell with it and get an Avalon AD2022. Of course, at that level, I'll have to start looking at good A/D converters too (sigh...). Studio GAS is the worst ?

Soundinmind

Hi Alan,

Yip, Grace is nice and great river also! I actually know someone selling some great rivers off, think he still has them. There is a none tube version of the 610 also, think its 110 or something.

Another pre to look at is the Slate Pro Audio Dragon, gives you a lot for the price. Convertors.... Don't get me started! ? Prism Sound! Studio gas is bad!!!