Producing, Recording, Mixing & Mastering Support

Pet_Sounds · 12-29-2014, 08:45 PM

Got a question here that may seem stupid, but keep in mind, I know nothing about recording equipment. My expertise is on the keys….

I'm getting tired of recording my demos using a cell phone. Anyone who listened to "Vienna" in the Forum Member Showcase knows how bad the sound quality is, and the bass notes doesn't come through well. Is there a small, inexpensive piece of equipment I can get that would allow me to record a song with two or three tracks? I don't need audiophile quality.

I realize I could just Google this, but it's always better to actually talk to someone.

Dr_Rez · 12-30-2014, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

Got a question here that may seem stupid, but keep in mind, I know nothing about recording equipment. My expertise is on the keys….

I'm getting tired of recording my demos using a cell phone. Anyone who listened to "Vienna" in the Forum Member Showcase knows how bad the sound quality is, and the bass notes doesn't come through well. Is there a small, inexpensive piece of equipment I can get that would allow me to record a song with two or three tracks? I don't need audiophile quality.

I realize I could just Google this, but it's always better to actually talk to someone.

The easiest way would be a halfway decent USB mic. That way thae USB mic and your recording software are the only two things you would have to buy.

I have a Blue Yeti Mic I really like alot, runs about 100 bucks.

The other option is getting cheap audio interface (like an Maudio fast track or something) and buying a mic you like to go along with it. (xlr connection) This way would probably yield a wider array of options and be better for you in the future, but is also more expensive.

Plankton · 12-30-2014, 10:33 AM

In addition to Rez's suggestions, here's a simple layout:

Condenser Mic to M-Audio Fast Track (using an XLR cord) to Audacity on your PC/Mac.

I use the M-Audio, and for microphones, an XLR input has a better input gain than using the 1/4" inputs on the unit. So, for under, or around $200 you'll have a whole world of recording opened up to you. Keep in mind that there will be some latency, and I always have to deal with that by trimming each track after recording. Also, you could always go cheaper on those two pieces of equipment, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Dr_Rez · 12-30-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

In addition to Rez's suggestions, here's a simple layout:
.

Thanks for making that. And about latency, just adjust the latency compensation, and you can get pretty darn close to perfect with a small chain like pictured. Doesnt hurt to change delay compensation for a cue mix also if you even use one.

Plankton · 12-30-2014, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rezdaddy Longlegs

Thanks for making that. And about latency, just adjust the latency compensation, and you can get pretty darn close to perfect with a small chain like pictured. Doesnt hurt to change delay compensation for a cue mix also if you even use one.

No problemo. I need to step away from the tedious stuff at work once in a while. Keeps me sane. As far as the latency issue, I never knew Audacity had a fix. Well fuck me running, here it is:

Latency Test - Audacity Manual

**Frownland** · 01-03-2015, 08:44 PM

So I did a recording today with several tracks. I did them via USB mic into Audacity. On all of the tracks there's a hiss, kind of like a room noise. I recorded this in a tunnel so I did want the echoes and stuff to some degree, but the hiss sort of takes over, especially with like 6 tracks playing the same noise. Is there anything I could do to cut that out or is it there to stay?

Dr_Rez · 01-06-2015, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

So I did a recording today with several tracks. I did them via USB mic into Audacity. On all of the tracks there's a hiss, kind of like a room noise. I recorded this in a tunnel so I did want the echoes and stuff to some degree, but the hiss sort of takes over, especially with like 6 tracks playing the same noise. Is there anything I could do to cut that out or is it there to stay?

It is probably a condenser mic and you need to just turn the preamp gain down so you can still record what you want close to the mic but not pickup hiss. Working with a very sensitive condensor mic can be hard in a home situation.

Plankton · 01-07-2015, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

So I did a recording today with several tracks. I did them via USB mic into Audacity. On all of the tracks there's a hiss, kind of like a room noise. I recorded this in a tunnel so I did want the echoes and stuff to some degree, but the hiss sort of takes over, especially with like 6 tracks playing the same noise. Is there anything I could do to cut that out or is it there to stay?

Other than using the method above for each track, here's another solution that looks like it might be a better way to go, but it is a bit more complicated:

Quote:

My method for hiss/hum/frequency filtering:

1. First, be sure to uncheck "Select all audio in project, if none selected" from "Edit > Preferences > Tracks" menu.
2. Select the original track (click on track control panel) and duplicate it (Edit > Duplicate).
3. Do the same with the duplicate track. Now we have 3 tracks (the original one and 2 diplicates, lets call them 1st and 2nd).
4. Select the 2nd duplicate and invert its data (Effect > Invert).
5. Select the 1st duplicate and use "Effect > Equalization..." to:
5.1. Cut high frequencies, where the hiss noise is;
5.2. Cut low frequencies, where the hum noise is;
5.3. Or to cut some specific frequency you'd like to remove.
6. Select the both duplicate tracks (select the 1st one, hold the shift key and then select the 2nd one). Mix and render them (Tracks > Mix and Render).
7. Use the "Envelope Tool" (Press F2 key) to compress the "healthy" sound to the level of the noise. Now we have the "noise profile" with inverted data.
8. Mix and render the original track with the "noise profile".

Taken from here:
Audacity Forum • View topic - How to remove "hiss" and "hum"?

**Frownland** · 01-07-2015, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

Other than using the method above for each track, here's another solution that looks like it might be a better way to go, but it is a bit more complicated:

Taken from here:
Audacity Forum • View topic - How to remove "hiss" and "hum"?

Thanks man, I'll give that a shot when I get back home and let y'all know how it goes. I use a dirt cheap mic, ftr.

LoathsomePete · 01-07-2015, 10:06 AM

Does anyone know of any noise gate software programs? I'm starting to get into Let's Plays and I'm picking up quite a bit of background noise, even after trying to minimize it. My room is not ideal, but it's what I have for the time being. I'm using an MXL 990 and so far my only solution is to record gameplay footage first, and then record audio over that, then filter out noise that way, but I would like to occasionally record both the footage and commentary at the same time.

12-29-2014, 08:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	Got a question here that may seem stupid, but keep in mind, I know nothing about recording equipment. My expertise is on the keys…. I'm getting tired of recording my demos using a cell phone. Anyone who listened to "Vienna" in the Forum Member Showcase knows how bad the sound quality is, and the bass notes doesn't come through well. Is there a small, inexpensive piece of equipment I can get that would allow me to record a song with two or three tracks? I don't need audiophile quality. I realize I could just Google this, but it's always better to actually talk to someone. __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

12-30-2014, 10:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	In addition to Rez's suggestions, here's a simple layout: Condenser Mic to M-Audio Fast Track (using an XLR cord) to Audacity on your PC/Mac. I use the M-Audio, and for microphones, an XLR input has a better input gain than using the 1/4" inputs on the unit. So, for under, or around $200 you'll have a whole world of recording opened up to you. Keep in mind that there will be some latency, and I always have to deal with that by trimming each track after recording. Also, you could always go cheaper on those two pieces of equipment, but I wouldn't recommend it. __________________ See location...

01-03-2015, 08:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	So I did a recording today with several tracks. I did them via USB mic into Audacity. On all of the tracks there's a hiss, kind of like a room noise. I recorded this in a tunnel so I did want the echoes and stuff to some degree, but the hiss sort of takes over, especially with like 6 tracks playing the same noise. Is there anything I could do to cut that out or is it there to stay? __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

01-07-2015, 10:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	Does anyone know of any noise gate software programs? I'm starting to get into Let's Plays and I'm picking up quite a bit of background noise, even after trying to minimize it. My room is not ideal, but it's what I have for the time being. I'm using an MXL 990 and so far my only solution is to record gameplay footage first, and then record audio over that, then filter out noise that way, but I would like to occasionally record both the footage and commentary at the same time. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

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