I have been trying to make recordings of a little rock band project that I have going. My goal is not to make professional recordings. Just want some decent and well balanced live recordings of our songs at our practice sessions to send to friends etc.
Before I got my current setup I was using a cheap 1980's tape player/recorder to record the group just to see how it would come out. It wasn't too bad but it wasn't too good either; nothing we could, in good conscience, post online or anything. Anyway, I assured all of the guys in my group that I had a new computer on the way that was sure to get us some decent takes. So here's my setup and I'll try not to leave anything out.
Computer: 2.16 C2D MBP. Recording to the MBP HD.
Recording hardware: Tascam US-122 audio interface. Connets via USB 2.0 and has two inputs.
Recording software: Garageband 3.
Mics: 2 midrange pencil condensors, for got the brand but they are nothing special.
Space: Finished and carpeted basement. The group plays in about a 15' x 15' area. We all pretty much face the center of the room.
O.K., now here is how I am trying to record the group: I have tried 4 different methods. First, I tried recording into Garageband using the internal mic in the MBP. That method actually turned out to work o.k but nothing spectacular. The second way I tried was with the tascam and just using one condenser hanging in the middle of the room. Unimpressive result. The third way I have tried was to place one mic above the drum kit and one on the other side of the room near the P.A. cabinet to pic up the vocals. Recorded each mic to a separate track but the bleed over was too much on both ends and this method seems useless to me now. Very umimpressive result. The fourth way was to use the 1982 POS tape player. This method kicked all other methods a_s_s_e_s!!!!
To make matters worse, 2 guys in the group are die hard windows fanatics (IT techs at an insurance company in my city) constantly getting on me about my "overpriced mac" and swearing that I could get a better result with a $500 DELL! I am not joking about this either. This is of course complete nonsense though. They are really just jealous of course.
Anyway, anyone have any idea how I can get a better sound with all this equipment I have here? Is it possible for me to get a good sound with this equipment and method??? This is how they record the classical music concerts at school (two condensers in front of the stage) so I figured it should work like this too. For a live rock band recording like this should I try some dynamic mics instead of condensers? Is there a better placement perhaps?
I don't want to get a mixing board and all that. I don't want to multi track at this point. Just want a decent sound or at least a better sound than this damned $20 1982 tape player. I mean I have thousands of dollars here in this stuff and I am sure that there is some way to beat the tape player.
Thanks for any input.
Before I got my current setup I was using a cheap 1980's tape player/recorder to record the group just to see how it would come out. It wasn't too bad but it wasn't too good either; nothing we could, in good conscience, post online or anything. Anyway, I assured all of the guys in my group that I had a new computer on the way that was sure to get us some decent takes. So here's my setup and I'll try not to leave anything out.
Computer: 2.16 C2D MBP. Recording to the MBP HD.
Recording hardware: Tascam US-122 audio interface. Connets via USB 2.0 and has two inputs.
Recording software: Garageband 3.
Mics: 2 midrange pencil condensors, for got the brand but they are nothing special.
Space: Finished and carpeted basement. The group plays in about a 15' x 15' area. We all pretty much face the center of the room.
O.K., now here is how I am trying to record the group: I have tried 4 different methods. First, I tried recording into Garageband using the internal mic in the MBP. That method actually turned out to work o.k but nothing spectacular. The second way I tried was with the tascam and just using one condenser hanging in the middle of the room. Unimpressive result. The third way I have tried was to place one mic above the drum kit and one on the other side of the room near the P.A. cabinet to pic up the vocals. Recorded each mic to a separate track but the bleed over was too much on both ends and this method seems useless to me now. Very umimpressive result. The fourth way was to use the 1982 POS tape player. This method kicked all other methods a_s_s_e_s!!!!
To make matters worse, 2 guys in the group are die hard windows fanatics (IT techs at an insurance company in my city) constantly getting on me about my "overpriced mac" and swearing that I could get a better result with a $500 DELL! I am not joking about this either. This is of course complete nonsense though. They are really just jealous of course.
Anyway, anyone have any idea how I can get a better sound with all this equipment I have here? Is it possible for me to get a good sound with this equipment and method??? This is how they record the classical music concerts at school (two condensers in front of the stage) so I figured it should work like this too. For a live rock band recording like this should I try some dynamic mics instead of condensers? Is there a better placement perhaps?
I don't want to get a mixing board and all that. I don't want to multi track at this point. Just want a decent sound or at least a better sound than this damned $20 1982 tape player. I mean I have thousands of dollars here in this stuff and I am sure that there is some way to beat the tape player.
Thanks for any input.