Do u have an amp sim or FX proc? Y don't u try plugging in direct 1st and see how that sounds.

Uh..where do I get those?

led zep, i suppose you can use a preamp to amplify any kind of very low signal, whether it's from the guitar, the mic or a v-amp. Improves dynamic and definition of sound (confirm with EBP, but since he never recorded anything for us, how can we trust him ?!? )

Like Pix mentioned, any pre-amp would do. What i meant was somethin like a POD, Zoom, Boss, Behringer (i assume ur using this?) or anything which can amplify and perhaps add some colour to it. Using both mic'd and direct recording has a different effect to the sound.

To me, direct is easier to manage but tends to sound a bit flat and 'digital'. Mic'd gives u the room ambience and the ability to explore various mic/spkr/amp placement and combinations.

Excuse me, that Behringer Virtual Amp, LIne 6, POD, isit software or real amp..i still confuse until now..since i'm tried record my tracks plugin the guitar directly into mic port, i'm using cool edit pro, n mastered using "master clean sumthing2" la (forget the full name)..

im read in the forum that i need THAT Behringer, POD etc Virtual Amp or Pre -Amp..

The one's i'm referring to are the real modelers. Real hardwares. Which u can stomp at and dial-in ur tones too. The PC-based ones work the same way I guess, only that the effects are produced using softwares. I've never tried those so I can't say much about the sound difference.

Preamps can make a whole load of difference... Don't rely on cheap preamps if you can help it... Unfortunately I haven't played with great preamps...

I have done a couple of classical ambient recordings using (bleh, not my equipment) AKG C414 B-ULS large-diaphragm condensers (~ RM4500 each?) in ORTF setup with Spirit Studio mixer (built-in preamps) + Delta 1010 interface... Sounds quite decent actually, but preamps would make a huge difference, I think.

preamps can cost from a few hundred ringgit to a few thousand. u can try cheap tube mic preamps such as behringer mic100, or one by dbx. i've tried these two budget tube preamps. i have also tried(and work with them for live purpose) lots of different high end preamps and u'll be surprised how much it will change your tone. it wont change it in such a drastic way as a guitar amp does but the difference can be heard(eg: a more enhanced sound).

recording using a laptop isnt much of a problem if u know how to set things up properly. i did a number of recordings for ppl using my laptop and still it sounded good. cant upload any now because my uni's internet is down and i cant afford to go to starbucks just to use their wifi.

pix, preamp plays more role in moulding the tone, not amplifying it. that will be the poweramp's role.

leadaxer, if u want a room ambience or a studio feel to your recordings, u can always add studio reverb, where u can adjust everything from room size, ceiling height, amount of reverb, etc. Remember after recording your guitar, there are still lots to do to make it sound good such as compress, eq, etc.

i've never tried software guitar amp modelling before so i wouldnt know. i've used behringer, podxt, boss gt8 and others. theyre very good. having good equipments is one thing, knowing how to use them to get the best out of them is another.

For me, I need preamps which can raise the level without inducing any added noise&hiss. With ambient recordings, it can be a challenge to get a good signal, because of the huge dynamic range... Need a good preamp.

There's no problem recording with a laptop. Just get an audio interface card (like the E-MU 1616M, or M-Audio Firewire1814 or similar ) and you'll lave loads of fun...

Yepp, post production can still change the sound of the recorded instrument.

Currently, i'm recording using N-Track Studio for guitars and vocals. The drums and bass are sequenced and programmed using Guitar Pro. Recording is done track by track at home on my PC. I'm having a slight problem wif the vocals though. After recorded, the mixture of vocals and music don't sound quite right. The vocals sound like they are being slapped on top of the music and not mix together wif the overall sound. Bunyi tampal in short.

Anyone have any ideas how 2 improve that? I tried adding some reverb but it still sounds 'tampal' to my ears. Is it due to the fact that I recorded it using a cheapo Genius brand PC mic straight into the mic port?

This post has been edited by leadaxer: Dec 31 2005, 03:20 PM

if you use a mic designed for webcam, of course lah dapat sound webcam

try to look for/borrow a karaoke mic and re-record the vocals. won't get professional sound, but much better than the genius mic.

Actually I'd worry just as much for that mic port... What kinda quality you think a mic port can give? (I guess you're using integrated or something else, without any balanced input)

Shure SM58 - The standard mic used for vocals.. ~RM400

And you'd need a good ADC + preamp

I'm sure the mic would make a difference in vocal quality but i can't actually afford an SM58. Wut i'm more concerned about is the mix. The vocals just won't blend in.

I'll try a karaoke mic and see if there's a whole lot of difference in the overall mix.

So it just doesn't flow with the music? Perhaps jutting out a bit?

First.. set the levels to what suits the music... Have you put any equalization on it? Depends on what kind of music it is.. you could have a presence boost.. or cut parts which don't fit.. You could also try putting a bit of dynamic compression on it... set the panning properly, perhaps use a bit of de-esser... If it stands out too much, you could try adding small bits of reverb... 1 sen worth..

EDIT: (Don't worry about bad equipment actually.. if you can't afford it then never mind... make do with what you have. My first recording was done with an RM5 computer mic) Sorry I can't help much as I have not heard the mix... and neither are my mixing skills that great..

This post has been edited by hoongern: Jan 3 2006, 02:24 PM

ok, here's from my experience if u dont have a good mic preamp(in this case and many cases i've done, its mic to pc straight). 1st, try to get a very transparent and natural sound. the sm58 is a classic but not necessary.i've done recordings using a cheap computer mic(i'll post it up once i get back to kuching during CNY as theres no internet line for me here in kl). use a compressor to taste as vocals tend to have very big and obvious dynamic range. after that add some EQ to balance in with the mix(and add presence/others). finally add studio reverb. adjust to get a studio environment sound. use this to fake as if u're using a condensor mic to record in a recording environment.

oh ya, if you're like me, set the pitch corrector to the key of the song and keep it on *winks*. thatll solve your 'nanyi tak chun'

ebp... what pitch corrector do u use? a dxi plugin?

not a plugin. the one in adobe audition.

arggghh couldnt figur out how to record with adobe audition
i tried using my g2.1u usb interface but it seems nothing's coming out

-nvm figured out how to use the adobe audition alradi -

This post has been edited by tookinen: Jan 11 2006, 09:54 PM

Anyone here using Directbox when recording from guitar --> Effect --> sound card?

hey guys. new heere, but not new to the recording scene. i've also done live mixing, for a youth concert that had around 1.3k ppl, 48 channels of inputs etc.

i'm currently looking for software that provides automation. allowing 'Write' when doing a mix