What should I upgrade?

[alladir]

Hi! I've been a toally MIDI musician for a while but now I'm learing the basics of audio recording. I connect the line out of my small amp to my computers line in but the results sound considerably worse than the sound straight out of the amp.

I thought that one of the following might be the problem:

- I should upgrade the cheap soundcard that came with the mainboard
- the line out of the amp is poor
- my moniters are rubbish (lets ignore this one for now, it's too expensive to upgrade!)

Could anything else be the cause? Should I consider getting a good mic and micing the amp instead?

Equipment:
- Cort X2 guitar to..
- Boss GT-6 to..
- Marshall MG 30DFX

Thanks for any replies in advance.

[humndislocation]

Take my reply with a massive dose of salt, as I'm not very experienced in this area, but looking up your pedal on the internet, it says it has a digital out. Would you not be better getting some kind of music input interface for your computer that would let you use the digital out of the pedal, rather than going through your amp?

[SuperMike!]

Mic the amp.

[Scruffy]

yo

firstly I'm not an expert in any sense and I'm sure somebody who knows a heap more than I do will sort you out in a minute but heres a pointer or two to get you goin:

thats not a very good set up for audio: expect to spend a bit of cash for something thats not gonna sound completely shite.

I'd recommend getting either a decent sound card or an audio interface and possibly even a mixer, if you're gonna be recording other types of audio (vocals etc) its probably worthwhile splashing out on a mic too, but make sure your outboard gear supports phantom power as most decent mics operate on that.

the above is really basic and only my two cents. for a great website on all things home studio related have a look at:

Tweak's Guide to the Home and Project Studio

which i found to be massively helpful. hope thats a start at least!

[suicidalsid]

If you're going to be doing a lot of audio recording I'd say upgrade you sound card.

I've got one of these:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct0...ascamus122.htm

I just bought it on a hunch and it's been good to me. Don't know much about other interfaces maybe someone else will be able to help you out more.

[Dashingmajor]

I would say, get a decent interface/soundcard and a good, large diaphragm mic. Mic up the amp for the best sound.

An interface is probably the best bet, as they usually come supplied with basic recording software, and all the drivers.

[Thee Alex]

What kind of music are you recording?

[mrlizard]

Soundcards a good start, m-audio stuffs probably the best bang for the buck, m-box perhaps. Bundled software is great.
Depending on the sounds you want, i'd probably suggest getting something with an instrument input and recording the guitar direct using some vst amp sim or something.

if you could be specific about budget, style of music etc. you might get some more specific answers, interfaces/mics etc. can range from 30-3000 quid or more.

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by Scruffy

but make sure your outboard gear supports phantom power as most decent mics operate on that.

This is untrue. (sorry :P)

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by Dashingmajor

I would say, get a decent interface/soundcard and a good, large diaphragm mic. Mic up the amp for the best sound.

An interface is probably the best bet, as they usually come supplied with basic recording software, and all the drivers.

if it's for micing up an amp, i'd say go for the likes of a shure sm57 over a large diaphragm, it'll set you back 40 quid second hand. It'll sound alot nicer than a cheap chinese made condensor. If you're gonna get a condensor, do your research find out what is good for the price, listen to a few before you buy em and remember that brighter isn't always better.

[alladir]

Thanks for all the replies! So it looks like: get a job, get a soundcard.

The music I was hoping to do was film and game music... I wanted the guitar to try out some Quake style metal. I hear the Shure 57 is the best value for instrument micing but how is it for distorted guitar?

Again, thanks for all the repies.. this looks like a great community!

[mrlizard]

Originally Posted by alladir

Thanks for all the replies! So it looks like: get a job, get a soundcard.

The music I was hoping to do was film and game music... I wanted the guitar to try out some Quake style metal. I hear the Shure 57 is the best value for instrument micing but how is it for distorted guitar?

Again, thanks for all the repies.. this looks like a great community!

57's is still probably the most widely used mic for recording electric guitar. doesn't mean its the best and you're best to experiment to see what suits you. But 90% of the records you own will have a 57 on the guitar and the snare.

i personally hate them on guitar unless i'm using them with something else as well.

[suicidalsid]

Originally Posted by alladir

Thanks for all the replies! So it looks like: get a job, get a soundcard.

The music I was hoping to do was film and game music... I wanted the guitar to try out some Quake style metal. I hear the Shure 57 is the best value for instrument micing but how is it for distorted guitar?

Again, thanks for all the repies.. this looks like a great community!

I just got an sm57 from here and it's ace.

[Rosco the Bosco]

Check the boss pedal. I think it might have an amp simulator built in?
If so, just plug the output of the pedal in to the line in of your PC.

If not, do what robin suggested and just plug the guitar straight in then use a VST amp modeller like Amplitube or Guitar Rig...




*edit - aye it does BOSS GT-6 Guitar Effects Processor :: Overview

30 COSM amp models, plus new Distortion/Overdrive Pedal Modeling (15 types) and Wah Modeling (5 types)