The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > RECORD

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 07-31-2019, 01:37 PM
Mr. Jelly's Avatar
Mr. Jelly Mr. Jelly is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Posts: 7,851
Default User Friendly Recording Interface Question

I have a setup for recording into my computer etc. etc. But I don't like to deal with it when recording just my vocal and guitar by myself. I don't like the way my mind set changes from performance to dealing with the computer and the mouse and that whole click, click, click thing. I have to take off my finger picks and work over my guitar etc. Then flip around and try another take. My performance suffers. I'm looking for someway of recording my vocals and guitar as easily as I can. I'd then transfer it into my computer setup. Do you have any opinions or suggestions?
__________________
Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini
Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini
Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini

Follow The Yellow Brick Road
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-31-2019, 02:01 PM
Doug Young's Avatar
Doug Young Doug Young is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 9,879
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly View Post
I have a setup for recording into my computer etc. etc. But I don't like to deal with it when recording just my vocal and guitar by myself. I don't like the way my mind set changes from performance to dealing with the computer and the mouse and that whole click, click, click thing. I have to take off my finger picks and work over my guitar etc. Then flip around and try another take. My performance suffers. I'm looking for someway of recording my vocals and guitar as easily as I can. I'd then transfer it into my computer setup. Do you have any opinions or suggestions?
Any of the little portable recorders will do the job. Look at the Zoom H4n or H5 for starters, but there are others. Can't get any easier than these - adjust the volume and hit the record button.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-31-2019, 03:46 PM
Mr. Jelly's Avatar
Mr. Jelly Mr. Jelly is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Posts: 7,851
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug Young View Post
Any of the little portable recorders will do the job. Look at the Zoom H4n or H5 for starters, but there are others. Can't get any easier than these - adjust the volume and hit the record button.
Can you use your own mics? Or must you use theirs? Individual volume or one volume only?
__________________
Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini
Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini
Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini

Follow The Yellow Brick Road
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-31-2019, 04:10 PM
Doug Young's Avatar
Doug Young Doug Young is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 9,879
Default

It depends on the device, but the two I mentioned have built-in mics, which are fine, but you can do better with external mics.

Here's a demo I did for Acoustic Guitar recently that shows the process I think you're describing. I only show solo guitar, but its the same idea if you have a vocal mic or whatever. I used the H6, which has support for the built-in mics + 4 more. The H4 and H5 support the builtins + 2 more.

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-31-2019, 07:03 PM
Mr. Jelly's Avatar
Mr. Jelly Mr. Jelly is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Posts: 7,851
Default

Thanks Doug. That sounds pretty good to my ear.
__________________
Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini
Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini
Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini

Follow The Yellow Brick Road
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-01-2019, 03:49 PM
robj144 robj144 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10,430
Default

You could get one of these too:

https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DP-006...J41C989XRBAHT0



It has two condenser mics built in for quick ideas and then you can also plug in external mics. And, it can do up to 6 tracks for slightly more complicated songs. It's also only $109.

I would pick one of these up because it looks cool, but I already have a Tascam DR-05 for capturing ideas (which I love and maybe one of the most important music purchases ever) and a Zoom R16 to use as a portable option for capturing more than one track.
__________________
Guild CO-2
Guild JF30-12
Guild D55
Goodall Grand Concert Cutaway Walnut/Italian Spruce
Santa Cruz Brazilian VJ
Taylor 8 String Baritone
Blueberry - Grand Concert
Magnum Opus J450
Eastman AJ815
Parker PA-24
Babicz Jumbo Identity
Walden G730
Silvercreek T170
Charvell 150 SC
Takimine G406s
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-01-2019, 09:35 PM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,797
Default

I'd recommend a Zoom R8 if you only need a mono vocal and single condenser on your guitar. The DP006 above is limited to 16 bit audio. You'll have much better results recording 24 bit 44.1khz if you're going to port your tracks to a computer DAW to edit and mix.

R24 if you want to do stereo guitar and mono vocal at the same time.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-01-2019, 09:41 PM
TBman's Avatar
TBman TBman is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 35,829
Default

I use a Zoom H5 with two external mics (AT 2035). You can get fairly decent recordings without external mics. When I'm recording with the zoom without external mics I'll prop it up on a towel instead of using the small desktop tripod that I have. The towel seems to cut down on some reflections.
__________________
Barry

Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}:


My SoundCloud page

Some steel strings, some nylon.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-02-2019, 01:14 AM
robj144 robj144 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10,430
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudy4 View Post
I'd recommend a Zoom R8 if you only need a mono vocal and single condenser on your guitar. The DP006 above is limited to 16 bit audio. You'll have much better results recording 24 bit 44.1khz if you're going to port your tracks to a computer DAW to edit and mix.

R24 if you want to do stereo guitar and mono vocal at the same time.
Why would you need to jump to a R24 when you can get an R16? Input-wise, they are basically the same except for you can bounce more tracks and mix 24 tracks on the R24 as opposed to 16 tracks on the R16.
__________________
Guild CO-2
Guild JF30-12
Guild D55
Goodall Grand Concert Cutaway Walnut/Italian Spruce
Santa Cruz Brazilian VJ
Taylor 8 String Baritone
Blueberry - Grand Concert
Magnum Opus J450
Eastman AJ815
Parker PA-24
Babicz Jumbo Identity
Walden G730
Silvercreek T170
Charvell 150 SC
Takimine G406s
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-02-2019, 07:44 AM
MikeBmusic MikeBmusic is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: On the Mass/NH border
Posts: 6,663
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by robj144 View Post
Why would you need to jump to a R24 when you can get an R16? Input-wise, they are basically the same except for you can bounce more tracks and mix 24 tracks on the R24 as opposed to 16 tracks on the R16.
R16s are no longer being made, you can find used ones on reverb.com
__________________
Mike

My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com

2020 Taylor 324ceBE
2017 Taylor 114ce-N
2012 Taylor 310ce
2011 Fender CD140SCE
Ibanez 12 string a/e
73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string

72 Fender Telecaster
Epiphone Dot Studio
Epiphone LP Jr
Chinese Strat clone

Kala baritone ukulele
Seagull 'Merlin'
Washburn Mandolin
Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele
antique banjolin
Squire J bass
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-03-2019, 08:08 AM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,797
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by robj144 View Post
Why would you need to jump to a R24 when you can get an R16? Input-wise, they are basically the same except for you can bounce more tracks and mix 24 tracks on the R24 as opposed to 16 tracks on the R16.
There are more important differances if you're using the R series for audio capture.

If you're doing anything serious with the Zoom R series you need to use condenser mics. Using dynamics with the Zoom's built in pres is a recipe for noise as you need to use too much gain to get a solid input signal.

The R-24 has additional phantom power inputs, so that makes things really simple to use condensers. The R-24 also has a better display so it's easier to use.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-03-2019, 02:02 PM
robj144 robj144 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10,430
Default

Deleted....
__________________
Guild CO-2
Guild JF30-12
Guild D55
Goodall Grand Concert Cutaway Walnut/Italian Spruce
Santa Cruz Brazilian VJ
Taylor 8 String Baritone
Blueberry - Grand Concert
Magnum Opus J450
Eastman AJ815
Parker PA-24
Babicz Jumbo Identity
Walden G730
Silvercreek T170
Charvell 150 SC
Takimine G406s
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-04-2019, 09:13 AM
RustyAxe RustyAxe is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,312
Default

I recorded a CD using a Tascam DP24, mixed and edited in Reaper on my iMac, sent out for final mastering and repro.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-04-2019, 12:32 PM
robj144 robj144 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 10,430
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RustyAxe View Post
I recorded a CD using a Tascam DP24, mixed and edited in Reaper on my iMac, sent out for final mastering and repro.
That looks pretty cool too. I haven't look at multitracks in a while, but I looked that up and it looks sweet.
__________________
Guild CO-2
Guild JF30-12
Guild D55
Goodall Grand Concert Cutaway Walnut/Italian Spruce
Santa Cruz Brazilian VJ
Taylor 8 String Baritone
Blueberry - Grand Concert
Magnum Opus J450
Eastman AJ815
Parker PA-24
Babicz Jumbo Identity
Walden G730
Silvercreek T170
Charvell 150 SC
Takimine G406s
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > RECORD

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=