|
Post by richclough on Jul 1, 2024 20:18:51 GMT
Hi all,
Whilst I'm too physically limited at the moment for gigging, I'd like to put up a few tracks online. Single takes. Guitar and vocal.
I've tried recording direct to iphone, but the result wasn't great; the phone too far away for decent audio.
I have a couple of decent condenser mics, mic pres and a small mixer. I think I would like to mic up guitar and voice separately to get some control of the balance. I'd also like to understand how to monitor levels...
However, I want to resist the urge to make this all too complicated. I'd like it to be an impulse thing - and trade accuracy for energy.
How do you do it?
Any advice gratefully received.
Best regards,
Rich
|
|
|
Post by littlebobby on Jul 2, 2024 6:20:50 GMT
Garage band isn’t too bad.
|
|
|
Post by snakehips on Jul 2, 2024 7:03:53 GMT
Hi there !
The Universal Audio Volt range of digital mixer-preamp/compressor is fairly inexpensive. Couple that with the Apple iphone camera adapter (way more expensive than it probably should be !)
The Volt has a few compressor presets and digital preamp, plus it’s got phantom power etc. Plug your mics into that and away you go.
NB. A mic-stand adapter/holder for iphones is also recommended as the weight/pull of the cables plugged into the iphone will keep on dragging your iphone out of position.
This is the iphone camera adapter you will need (if your phone has the Lightning socket. Plug that into your phone. Plug your standard charging cable (an extra long one will come in handier) between the back of this camera adapter (USB socket) and the Lightning socket at the back of the Volt.
The Volt has a good stereo jack headphones out socket to monitor the sound.
There are many ways to record audio into your phone WITH the phone’s camera but this method is fairly uncomplicated yet good sound quality, without having to connect everything to a PC/AppleMac etc
I haven’t used it for guitar yet but did a recent audio/video check of me on piano, to record my son doing a recording for his Grade 5 piano exam. I was impressed with the quality, lack of hiss etc. Unfortunately my Extinct Audio ribbon mics were picking up the squeak for the piano’s sustain pedal when he played (not noticeable when I bash away on the piano !
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jul 2, 2024 7:55:57 GMT
Hi Rich,
There are many ways to get a good recording with your iPhone. As long as you are recording in 16 or 24 bit at 44.1kh or more, you will get a great recording.
Don't get lost in a world of equipment that does this and that, all you need is basic stuff.
Recording music is like being a chef. It is not the wallpaper or the cool name that makes a great restaurant, it is the chef. Recording is the same - I have recorded in some of the best studios and not been happy with the results, and I have recorded on the cheapest home equipment and got amazing results. It is down to the skill of the person recording it, not the equipment.
If you have an iPhone, get the Zoom iQ7 or the Shure MV88 microphone, some iPhone recording software, Wavepad, GarageBand etc, not Voice Memos because it is just a low res notepad. Get a mic stand holder for your iPhone, oh and a mic stand! .....and your away. I promise you that is all you need to make a great recording.
During lockdown I almost completed a solo album recorded on my iPhone with the Shure MV88 mic. The quality is as good as anything, and I have four Neumann mics. The whole point was that I wanted to prove that you can make a full sounding album on an iPhone with one mic. I didn't complete the album because I got involved with another recording project that resulted in my latest album, which incidentally was also recorded on very basic equipment.
Back in 2012 I recorded an album for a friend who had no budget at all, so we recorded it on my Zoom H4N, a portable four track recorder with a couple of Shure SM57s and the album sounds great. Some of the tracks are about to be rereleased on a best of album.
I keep saying it.... It is not the equipment, it is the skill of the person making the recordings.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by littlebobby on Jul 2, 2024 9:09:57 GMT
Chris Whitley recorded his best album in a shed with one mic. God knows how he got that beautiful sound. Dirt Floor album. I think it cost him about £3000 dollars all in.
|
|
|
Post by richclough on Jul 2, 2024 13:28:22 GMT
Thanks all for taking the time to advise.
Here's my thinking....
I'd like the video to show both the victim (me) and guitar, so the phone will need to be set back a way Because I lack a good acoustic space I don't really want to use a mic in the vicinity of the phone itself i.e. distance miking. It'll sound bad. (Although I'd love to have a go at a distance recording of my tricone in our large, paved greenhouse...)
I'd really like to keep it simple, no-faff, grab and go as the mood takes me. - I'm not hung up on the tech, just want something that's easy and works.
- I don't want to do any post recording processing, or any messing around afterwards. Either the performance is good, or it isn't...
- I do need a peaking indicator of some kind to make sure that the audio into the phone is not distorting. There is nothing nice about digital distortion.
I have a couple of small diaphram mic pairs already so I'll work with those. Similarly re: mixer and pre-amps. I've also just located a little Roland Go interface for phones that I bought during Covid and forgot about. Will start there I think.
Best regards, Rich
P.S. Should anyone need a SDC mic recommendation, take a look at the Line CM4s. They are superb at the price.
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jul 2, 2024 16:06:40 GMT
Get the Shure MV88 or the Zoom iQ7 and distant micing will sound fine. Check out my video on YouTube filmed for the Issoudun Guitar Festival in France, it was made with the Shure. Either the Shure or the Zoom are fine, they’re both great mics
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jul 2, 2024 17:53:58 GMT
Thanks all for taking the time to advise.
Here's my thinking.... I'd like the video to show both the victim (me) and guitar, so the phone will need to be set back a way Because I lack a good acoustic space I don't really want to use a mic in the vicinity of the phone itself i.e. distance miking. It'll sound bad. (Although I'd love to have a go at a distance recording of my tricone in our large, paved greenhouse...)
I'd really like to keep it simple, no-faff, grab and go as the mood takes me. - I'm not hung up on the tech, just want something that's easy and works.
- I don't want to do any post recording processing, or any messing around afterwards. Either the performance is good, or it isn't...
- I do need a peaking indicator of some kind to make sure that the audio into the phone is not distorting. There is nothing nice about digital distortion.
I have a couple of small diaphram mic pairs already so I'll work with those. Similarly re: mixer and pre-amps. I've also just located a little Roland Go interface for phones that I bought during Covid and forgot about. Will start there I think. Best regards, Rich
P.S. Should anyone need a SDC mic recommendation, take a look at the Line CM4s. They are superb at the price.
Rich, The MV88 has a very good app with various polar pattern and level settings. I think Zoom has an app too, but I have never downloaded it Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by richclough on Jul 2, 2024 19:11:40 GMT
Rich, The MV88 has a very good app with various polar pattern and level settings. I think Zoom has an app too, but I have never downloaded it Shine On Michael Hi Michael, Just had a look at the Motiv App, it offers a lot. I was wondering how that video you mentioned could get such a focussed sound at that distance. I should have bought your MV88! Ah well, there are a few on eBay. May take a punt! Cheers, Rich.
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jul 2, 2024 19:19:38 GMT
Rich, Do you have an iPhone with a Lightning socket because I have an iQ7 if you're interested? It's also an excellent mic.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by mitchfit on Jul 2, 2024 20:12:19 GMT
MM said:
"There are many ways to get a good recording with your iPhone. As long as you are recording in 16 or 24 bit at 44.1kh or more, you will get a great recording."
assume you are speaking to digitally challenged person, because you really are.
[my manufacture date was only 7 years after "Route 66" was recorded by Nat King Cole]
does all the quoted technobabble mean that 24 bit @ 44.1Kh is the recommended minimum information rate for a high fidelity transference of analog signal into numbers?
"Back in 2012 I recorded an album for a friend who had no budget at all, so we recorded it on my Zoom H4N, a portable four track recorder"
how much signal does a song require? back in 1967, the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band vinyl was recorded on a 4 track reel to reel magnetic tape recorder. will openly admit there had to have been some track "ping-pong-ing" to other open slots to pull that off. but still...
mitchfit
|
|
|
Post by richclough on Jul 2, 2024 22:09:45 GMT
Rich, Do you have an iPhone with a Lightning socket because I have an iQ7 if you're interested? It's also an excellent mic. Shine On Michael Thanks Michael, I’ve had a look. Currently I have a lightning iphone, but it’s not going to last much longer so sorry, but I’ll take a pass, as my next phone won’t be compatible. R
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jul 3, 2024 7:28:22 GMT
No worries Rich. That’s the reason I sold the Shure, and if anyone wants the Zoom just let me know.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by mrstrellisofnwales on Jul 3, 2024 8:30:36 GMT
Unless the old phone is completely knackered, getting a new one means you can use the old one as a dedicated piece of kit for one job. Clear everything off it except the few apps you want. I have an old phone for Spotify connected to my home stereo system, one for family videos and another old phone for storing photos. Just use the like an iPad/tablet. Youcould have one purely for your recordings. I thought everyone did this. Mrs T
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jul 3, 2024 10:08:04 GMT
MM said: "There are many ways to get a good recording with your iPhone. As long as you are recording in 16 or 24 bit at 44.1kh or more, you will get a great recording." assume you are speaking to digitally challenged person, because you really are. [my manufacture date was only 7 years after "Route 66" was recorded by Nat King Cole] does all the quoted technobabble mean that 24 bit @ 44.1Kh is the recommended minimum information rate for a high fidelity transference of analog signal into numbers? "Back in 2012 I recorded an album for a friend who had no budget at all, so we recorded it on my Zoom H4N, a portable four track recorder" how much signal does a song require? back in 1967, the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band vinyl was recorded on a 4 track reel to reel magnetic tape recorder. will openly admit there had to have been some track "ping-pong-ing" to other open slots to pull that off. but still... mitchfit You make a very good point! The easiest way to explain what 16-bit & 24-bit bit at 44.1kHz or 48kHz are, is to say they are high resolution. It is actually the sample rates, but it means high quality recording. You are correct that Sgt Pepper's was a recorded on a four tape recorder and that if George Martin could do that, well then anything can be done on a four track. I think I did not explain my point clearly. I was saying that I recorded an album for a friend on a mini portable digital four track recorder with 2 x XLR inputs and a stereo onboard mic. This is basically the same as the Abbey Road four track system, but they did have a mixing board/desk so they could plug in loads of mics, whereas I did not. If I had recorded with a mixer going into the Zoom I could have used multiple mics and achieved a bigger sound. ![](https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--mw7D28sk--/a_0/f_auto,t_supersize/v1709586144/lw7ongfjepwlkcbytwdm.jpg) ![](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/t5YAAOSwRXFfj7Ka/s-l1600.jpg) I bought this machine in 2009 to record the tour I did with Louisiana Red. I also recorded that album mentioned in this thread, plus a whole load of other stuff. These days I use it as a digital converter when digitising my analogue cassettes and other old recordings. It is an amazing machine that still works perfectly after 15 years of use. Shine On Michael
|
|