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Post by jonnymosco on Apr 12, 2013 20:12:52 GMT
Sorry to throw a spanner in the works...
I was happy with my Tascam GT-R1, good for all the same reasons as the Zoom, till a neighbour recorded my playing using paired condensers and a large diaphragm - all from Thomann, the cheapest make: T-Bone. The quality was far superior to the Tascam, veering on studio quality. But, as already mentioned, an interface is needed, which will be a couple of hundred in itself.
Portability is the huge plus for the Tascam (and Zoom) and the results are far superior to the built-in mic on a video camera / camera.
Maybe secondhand/ebay will keep it within your budget. Good luck and let us know which way you go.
Jonny
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Post by scripsit on Apr 13, 2013 2:08:17 GMT
I'll second Keith's opinion regarding the Zoom H2 or similar, especially for sketches and 'informal' recording.
I used mine as a USB mic for a while into a PC, which helped me get used to DAW software and the still frightening process of recording my solo playing.
However, I've not been able to get past a 'home recorded' sound with the H2, no matter how much I twiddle with placement and the audio files afterwards. For me it seems to work much better with small ensemble stuff from a distance rather than close-miking. There is a 'nasal' quality (midrange?) that seems to be introduced by the microphones.
Following ever-reliable Internet Advice I bought a two channel pre-amp (Focusrite Scarlett) and two ADK A-6 microphones (mail order from US ebay site). With this setup, spaced pair about 400 mm from my guitar, still going into the same PC via USB cable, the recorded sound is much better: on a good day it sounds clear and professional straight from the tracking, there is low noise and plenty of signal to fiddle around with in mixing (although I am still crap at this part).
I also found with both setups that the room is incredibly important if you want a good recording, and this seems to be the advice of those with much more experience of home recording, too. You need to be able to kill off as much reflection, computer fan noise and so on as possible to begin taming what you track.
The recording also interferes with the playing, if you know what I mean. It's taken about 3 months of fiddling around with the equipment to begin feeling comfortable with the process.
So, if you want to keep a journal of what you are playing or don't want to worry much about the recording process, I think portable devices like the H2 are fine, but if you want to record as well as you can at home and get close to that elusive professional quality I'd hold out for pre-amp and some suitable microphones.
Kym
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Post by scripsit on Apr 13, 2013 4:08:59 GMT
Oh, and I saw the ADK A-6 talked about in an online review as doubling as a very effective fish club, which is something on which I can agree. Because of the weight and size you need a boom stand and a good flexible mount.
Kym
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gideoncasey
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Post by gideoncasey on Apr 13, 2013 12:35:02 GMT
Thanks to everyone for all the different options. I will be scrutinising all of them to see which one is best suited to me. And I found the mid-post hijack very amusing so its fine!  I think it will be between the apogee mic (good price and has come up many times before in conversations the guitar people!) and forking out for a pair of C1000s' with an interface! Gideon |
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Post by andyhowell on Apr 19, 2013 13:45:26 GMT
I have posted a demo recording on my blog made with two AKG C1000s. The records were made quickly with little regard to mic placement and there is no EQ on them, although they were recorded using Doug Young's mix method (see blog post for link). Even with just one mic you could replicate some of this sound using Doug's techniques. These are tough and rugged mics and pretty good value for money. I'd forgotten how good they could be. www.andyhowell.info/wingandaprayer/?p=73 |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 19, 2013 14:13:30 GMT
Just listened to your recording in The Plucky Duck, Andy. These mics seem to work very well, and the sound they capture is excellent  |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 19, 2013 14:21:47 GMT
I've just been there too! Great to have another Plucky Duck performer Andy!
Keith
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Jo whoever he is.
