Home recording studio

[Jason Winn]

Hey guys,

so recently I've gotten very interested in recording, so I decided to buy some home recording gear, because my current setup is pretty bad (I'm recording with the micro usb on my martin drsgt, search YouTube for Jason Winn to know, why I want better gear, it just doesn't sound right).

However, I've decided on a few things and want to know from you guys whether they're a good combination or rather not..

So first I decided on two microphones.
the rode nt1-a for recording just under the bridge, to get a big, rich sound.
and secondly the rode m3 for recording somewhere near 14th fret to get a more brilliant sound.

As an audio interface I want to get a focusrite 2i4, with which Ableton Live Lite comes as the DAW.

Since there are 2 preamps in the interface (one for each microphone) I decided not to get a seperate preamp.

I've already got decent studio monitors (or so I think, I'll have to see) and proper headphones (I think )

Except for cables and stands which I will get from K&M, I think that is all I need.

Now as a question for you:
Is this REALLY all I need?
If not, what's missing?
Are there better microphones at that price for just fingerstyle guitar? (I really don't sing or so)
And at last what about the DAW? Any experiences with Ableton? I've heard a lot of criticism, because it's "different".

Thanks in advance guys!

Jason

[The Elf]

I can't really see Ableton Live as being an ideal starter DAW for recording acoustic guitar. I would look at the usual suspects of Cubase, Reaper, Pro Tools, Logic etc, depending on your computer platform and preference.

I wouldn't be quite so prescriptive about mic placement, but I might suggest that a matched stereo pair (my value choice being the Rode NT55) might suit more variables than the unmatched mic's you are considering. The NT55 omni caps are very good at any price IMHO.

Do you have closed-back headphones for tracking and overdubbing?

And do you have a volume control to grab for when you get that ear-splitting/speaker-shredding shriek of a computer crash?

[Jason Winn]

Considering the DAW: I've been "working" with audacity for quite a while now, so there won't be any problems with editing, effects and such.
Just getting used to it I guess.
It's more about, how well does it process audio?

Of course mic placement differs, but that was just the general idea I picked up.
I also considered the nt5 stereo pair, but I thought maybe they don't quite have the different effects many people try to achieve? (brilliance vs. richness)

I do have closed-back headphones, though I don't even know what for.
I record, then I add effects, so normal studio monitors should be alright?

And I don't really know what you mean by "ear-splitting/speaker-shredding shriek of a computer crash".
Therefore no I don't think I have a volume control (maybe you could give an example?)

Thanks for the fast reply!

[The Elf]

It's more about, how well does it process audio?

That's really not a consideration with modern DAWs. They will all do a perfectly acceptable job.

Of course mic placement differs, but that was just the general idea I picked up.

It's a bit dangerous to fixate on one placement idea, especially if that translates to specific mic's too. What happens when you find it doesn't work for you? Getting the best results will be about experimentation. THIS may give you an idea of how many methods are around - none of them are right or wrong!

I also considered the nt5 stereo pair, but I thought maybe they don't quite have the different effects many people try to achieve? (brilliance vs. richness)

The NT5 is a fine mic, but the NT55's omni cap is worth the extra IMHO. You really need to try some mic's out, rather than going on anyone's opinion, mine included. There's a lot of nonsense out there about mic's!

And I don't really know what you mean by "ear-splitting/speaker-shredding shriek of a computer crash".
Therefore no I don't think I have a volume control (maybe you could give an example?)

When you have one of those crashes you'll understand and you will never forget it! It doesn't happen often, but when it does... Ouch!

I see a volume knob on the front of the Focusrite 2i4, so you may not need a separate monitor controller. If you find that you do, then something basic such as THIS would be OK for starters.

[Dynamic Mike]

Ableton Live is great at what it does but unfortunately isn't really ideal for what you do. I'd go for Presonus Studio One Prime (which is free) & the skills you'll learn will be far more transferrable to other DAW's if you decide to progress & your workflow will be far easier.

[Jason Winn]

So I guess I'll just go with what I've chosen and see if it works out or not.
I'll see whether ableton live suits me, if not I'm gonna get back to your suggestions.
And I know its interface is very different from other DAWs, but I'll figure it out

So thanks anyway for the help and suggestions, I'll just try out what I've chosen so far and see if it works or not.

[The Elf]

So I guess I'll just go with what I've chosen and see if it works out or not.

Err... OK!

[Jason Winn]

Oh uhm I'm sorry, did I miss the point?

[petev3.1]

I think you might find that the Rode NT1 is better than the NT1A. I've not tried the latter but everything I've read suggests it is not an improvement over the original. Currently the NT1 comes bundled with Cubase LE. So, about £600 gets the NT1, a pair of NT55s with cardoid and omni caps, a decent shock mount and CubaseLE.

[CS70]

Hey guys,
..so I decided to buy some home recording gear, because my current setup is pretty bad (I'm recording with the micro usb on my martin drsgt, search YouTube for Jason Winn to know, why I want better gear, it just doesn't sound right).

As other say, any DAW go and as starting mics, you definitely can't go wrong. Actually I wouldn't even get two at start - take one and move it around, and move yourself around in the room until it sounds good.

Just one note on the above - and simply because you say you're a beginner. Better gear is where people look at when their recordings don't sound right (or, for guitars, when their playing doesn't sound quite right). More often than not it's not where it's worth looking at. Your technique and interpretation is what makes things sound right - on the guitar, vocals, recording, mixing etc. "Sounding right", within a very large range, is 90% about how good you are with the gear you have.

Then there's the fun in getting shiny metal things of course, of course - which is undeniable.

And one thing you can do for fun before getting a real mic - take your iphone (or whatever) and try recording with that (actually, into that), until it sounds good. It's surprising how these mini mics pick up acoustic guitars when positioned right and how much minor changes in position change the sound

Have fun!

[4TrackMadman]

Can't say I am a big fan of the NT1a, I like the AT4040 better. I'm currently recording my acoustic guitar with AKG C3000 at about 12th fret and am very happy with the results.

[SecretSam]

Speaking as an Ableton fanboy ....

... I can't see any problem with using it to record guitar. I have used it to record a live jazz quintet, and it was easy enough. The Arrange page with warping turned off works like any conventional DAW.

I admit I haven't tried the Lite version, but I believe it just restricts track and scene counts, and the number of concurrent plugins. This shouldn't cause you a problem.

[Richard Graham]

Yeah, I've recorded a metal band with Ableton. I found Ableton to be a good songwriting tool, too. Four bars of piano in loop mode, then vocals, bass, guitar, drums and keyboards in whatever the linear mode is called. Straightforward.