IPad recordings - what do you think?

[highvibrational]

Hello,
As an upgrade to my usual Olympus voice recorder, I recorded these clips on my IPad. Would you let me know your thoughts? I'm trying to find a simple way to get quality tracks. Many thanks!

https://soundcloud.com/user-426295887/track-15/s-pi93w
https://soundcloud.com/user-426295887/track-17/s-zTLp3

[MikeBmusic]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

Hello,
As an upgrade to my usual Olympus voice recorder, I recorded these clips on my IPad. Would you let me know your thoughts? I'm trying to find a simple way to get quality tracks. Many thanks!

https://soundcloud.com/user-426295887/track-15/s-pi93w
https://soundcloud.com/user-426295887/track-17/s-zTLp3

The iPad is just a storage device. How are you getting the sound into it? (mic, interface)

[KevWind]

Understanding "quality tracks" is a very subjective phrase.
I would suggest first consider what is your actual goal for recording ?

Consider if your simply after recording for "archive" quality, then the linked track is fine.

But if your wanting to "upgrade" to something more towards "publishing" quality (ie for putting out to the public) with something more of a representative example of the quality and sound of your performance you hear in the room when you are playing. Then I would (as Mike suggested) consider the front end , mic interface etc. And perhaps first consider what kind of dollar and time investment you are willing to make.

[highvibrational]

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

The iPad is just a storage device. How are you getting the sound into it? (mic, interface)

The mic is built into the IPad.

[highvibrational]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Understanding "quality tracks" is a very subjective phrase.
I would suggest first consider what is your actual goal for recording ?

Consider if your simply after recording for "archive" quality, then the linked track is fine.

But if your wanting to "upgrade" to something more towards "publishing" quality (ie for putting out to the public) with something more of a representative example of the quality and sound of your performance you hear in the room when you are playing. Then I would (as Mike suggested) consider the front end , mic interface etc. And perhaps first consider what kind of dollar and time investment you are willing to make.

Yes, this may be a temporary fix until I get a Neumann mic and Scarlett interface. May I ask what you use?

I don't often like the sound of what I hear on the radio since I find it overly processed. I'm looking for something very simple, authentic, natural and straightforward. I won't be autotuning the vocals or adding reverb.

[jim1960]

Just to be sure I'm hearing what I'm hearing, are you playing an ukulele in those sound clips?

[highvibrational]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Just to be sure I'm hearing what I'm hearing, are you playing an ukulele in those sound clips?

No, it's a capo on a classical guitar.

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

Yes, this may be a temporary fix until I get a Neumann mic and Scarlett interface. May I ask what you use?

I don't often like the sound of what I hear on the radio since I find it overly processed. I'm looking for something very simple, authentic, natural and straightforward. I won't be autotuning the vocals or adding reverb.

Don't confuse "authentic and natural" with "completely unprocessed". Sure, the stuff on the radio is often tweaked to within an inch of its life. But unless you have excellent mics and technique, recorded in a very good environment (which is "processed" itself to be that way), some subtle adjustments might be necessary to get the sound you want. For example, careful compression and EQ can help give the guitar "air" and presence and make it better dynamically. Reverb can put the performance into a good "space" for the listener.

And, as noted, it depends on what you are going for. Simply archiving for yourself? Sharing? Public release and broadcast? Different tools will help get you there.

A Neumann mic and good interface like the Scarlett is a very good first step from a tiny smartphone mic, for sure.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

No, it's a capo on a classical guitar.

Then that may or may not be an issue depending on what you're going for. You said you don't like the sound of a "processed" guitar but your recordings don't sound like a nylon string guitar to me. However, that may be attributed more to the use of a capo high up on the neck and your strum technique than to the recording system.

Are there any songs or albums that would provide us with an example of the sound you're shooting for?

[highvibrational]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Then that may or may not be an issue depending on what you're going for. You said you don't like the sound of a "processed" guitar but your recordings don't sound like a nylon string guitar to me. However, that may be attributed more to the use of a capo high up on the neck and your strum technique than to the recording system.

Are there any songs or albums that would provide us with an example of the sound you're shooting for?

I've always liked James Taylor's approach to everything. So maybe something along his lines? Early Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, John Lennon, Cat Stevens too. Does that give an idea?

[highvibrational]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

Don't confuse "authentic and natural" with "completely unprocessed". Sure, the stuff on the radio is often tweaked to within an inch of its life. But unless you have excellent mics and technique, recorded in a very good environment (which is "processed" itself to be that way), some subtle adjustments might be necessary to get the sound you want. For example, careful compression and EQ can help give the guitar "air" and presence and make it better dynamically. Reverb can put the performance into a good "space" for the listener.

And, as noted, it depends on what you are going for. Simply archiving for yourself? Sharing? Public release and broadcast? Different tools will help get you there.

A Neumann mic and good interface like the Scarlett is a very good first step from a tiny smartphone mic, for sure.

Yes, let's say that I want to go for public release, but from my own home studio.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

I've always liked James Taylor's approach to everything. So maybe something along his lines? Early Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, John Lennon, Cat Stevens too. Does that give an idea?

Yes, but it also tells me that you're using the word "unprocessed" incorrectly as none of those people were releasing raw guitar tracks. For example, on many Cat Stevens songs the low end of the guitar is rolled off quite a bit and the pick noise is emphasized. That's not what you'd hear if he was playing in front of you with just a guitar. And every person you listed used reverb. Not a lot in most cases but they did use it. I don't think you're going to be able to buy a mic and an interface, record without processing, and get the results you're after.

[highvibrational]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Yes, but it also tells me that you're using the word "unprocessed" incorrectly as none of those people were releasing raw guitar tracks. For example, on many Cat Stevens songs the low end of the guitar is rolled off quite a bit and the pick noise is emphasized. That's not what you'd hear if he was playing in front of you with just a guitar. And every person you listed used reverb. Not a lot in most cases but they did use it. I don't think you're going to be able to buy a mic and an interface, record without processing, and get the results you're after.

I am a newbie at all of this so please excuse my wording. What I'm trying to say is that I would like my sound to be as natural sounding as possible. I do plan to use a DAW at some point, which will take some training, but I don't want it to get too complicated. Does that make sense?

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

I am a newbie at all of this so please excuse my wording. What I'm trying to say is that I would like my sound to be as natural sounding as possible. I do plan to use a DAW at some point, which will take some training, but I don't want it to get too complicated. Does that make sense?

Not really. If you're going to use a mic and an interface, you're going to have to use a daw of some type. And if you want your recordings to be on par with what you're hearing from James Taylor and the like, at the very least you'll need to learn how to use compression, eq, and how to use a limiter for mastering. There's more to it than that, but on a basic level I'd say that was the minimum.

[Chickee]

I just went down this road and am currently using an iRig Pro into the iPad garageband app. I think if you want to sing and play at the same time look at the iRig Pro Duo 2, so you don't have to multitrack. Between $100 or $200 and you will get the results you are looking for.