I am singing and playing harmonica into a Shure SM58 mic plugged into a Roland Cube Street amplifier. I am also using the Cube’s auxiliary input jack to input backing tracks from a CD player. I’ve fiddled with all the knobs and got the sound the way I want it. Now I want to record the finished product. There is no output jack on the Cube Street other than the headphones jack. So I have three questions:
1. Can I simply use a ‘Y’ audio cable (TRS to RCA) to connect the Cube Street’s headphones jack to the RCA inputs on a USB audio interface?
2. If so, can I then plug my headphones into the USB audio interface to monitor what’s being recorded?
3. Can I sync the audio with a webcam to produce videos for YouTube and such?
I have never done anything like this before, so it’s quite possible that I’m going about this entirely the wrong way. Can you folks point me in the right direction? Thanks!
I am not of much help here, but interested in the replies. I tried setting up a Zoom H4N to do home recordings. As a stereo room mic, it wasn't going to work for what I wanted - the ability to record without waking the kids.
So this is what I've done...
I connected the Zoom to my computer with a USB cable, making it a USB interface. I ordered a condensor mic for vocals that can plug right into the Zoom for isolated vocals that can be mixed later in Audacity.
In channel two, I am running my pedal board (Line 6 M13 and POG2) into a Sansamp Blonde and then the Zoom. I ordered a pair of Sennheiser 380hd headphones for my monitor (the Zoom has a monitor jack).
When everything gets here, I should be able to do three things:
Record straight to the Zoom.
Record right to my computer and Audacity.
Us the stereo mics of the Zoom as my webcam mic.
The beauty is I don't have to tear down anything other than the pedal board, which simply requires unplugging it before gigs from the Zoom...one 1/4" cable.
I'm not sure about the cord issue, but if you get the input into your computer successfully you can monitor what is being recorded with headphones without too much problem. As for syncing with video, you can do it. It takes a little work to get it synced up right, but it's doable.
Audacity is a good free audio editing program for Windows, and Windows Movie Maker (free with Windows although you have to download it) will work for the video. If you have a Mac you should have all the editing stuff you need already.
If you use Audacity there are three settings you'll have to deal with. One lets you listen and record at the same time. For some reason the default is set funny. The other sets the recording latency. Older versions of Audacity did this automatically but now you have to set it manually. Then, if you want to export stuff as an MP3 (say to put it in Movie Maker) you have to import a codec to encode it into an MP3. Fortunately, these are all one time deals. If I had good screen capture software I'd make a 'Setting Up Audacity' video, but someone needs to make a 'Using Screen Capture to Make a Video Video First'.
I think I don't understand--if you have a USB audio interface (mine is an M-Audio Fast-track Ultra), why would you need to involve the amp at all?
If you just plug the backing track source into line 1 (on the USB thingy)--the SM58 into line 2--then use multi-track recording software (I use Reaper--there is a free one called Audacity) so you can record the tracks separately, that would get the signals into the computer--then they can be mixed to sound like you want them in the computer.
If you feel married to the sound the amp is giving you, just plug the headphone jack into line 1 of the USB AI.
Yes, the headphone jack on the USB AI will monitor what's being recorded as well as what has been recorded, if you are overdubbing.
I haven't found a great way to sync with video when using a pre-recorded track--but I have just had my wife video me playing the music--I usually wear headphones at this stage to hear the exact tempo of the recording and just play along with it. Then I take the audio track and the video into a program called Nero (which mostly sucks) where I sync them up as best I can.
I have had some success at this syncing by just using a little mixer I use on stage to plug everything into--then plug an output from the mixer into the camera. This gets great syncing--but the audio track isn't really great quality, since it's just recorded by the camera and the sound can't be post-mixed.
I think a better way to sync is to just mic the amp with the mic plugged into the camera--then you get more of the sound you want. In your case, it might be worth a try to just mic your amp right into the USB.
Hope this helps--one thing I know about recording--you can't have too many patch cords and adapters so you can plug anything into anything. . . ----------
To anyone else reading this, how difficult is it, and costly, to record album quality material at home? I would mix/master elsewhere.
I don't know enough about it to know what is amateur gear vs professional. In otherwords, what quality of recording I need to take to a studio... ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Clap your hands on camera - that way you have a visual cue to match to the 'spike' of the clap on the audio, then it's just a case of nudging the audio track a little one way or the other. That's one reason why they used a clapper board in film making. You ought to be able to line up audio and video in any decent video editing software: in FCP it's a breeze, in iMovie it's simple. I don't use Windows, but I guess Windows Movie Maker should do it too.
Once you've synched the audio you can just edit out the clap.
Last Edited by on Aug 30, 2011 12:13 PM
@HarpNinja--yes, my CD is home recorded. I set up in a bedroom that is very acoustically dead, then baffle between mic inputs into an M-Audio Fastrack Ultra USB interface--the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is Reaper--they have a free trial version that is fully functional, but I think it was something like $60 to register it. I do all the mix and mastering out of Reaper.
I think it is possible to do pro quality stuff at home, but it would be a mistake to think it is easy--I have spent many many hours just reading books and researching terms to learn enough to do the basic stuff.
I think Reaper is as good a software as I've used, and I've been through several--although I still haven't used Pro Tools, which some say is the best.
As far as the hardware cost goes--its not that bad--I used to use a mixer that had a fire-wire connection to the computer--now I use the M-Audio with USB. They have these on Amazon for about $350--I got mine at a Guitar Center on special. I like the M-Audio a lot--it just puts a good, clean signal into the computer--then it gets mixed into whatever you want it to be--there are hundreds of FX options in Reaper.
Aside from the M-Audio thingy all I really use is the stuff I have for normal stage work anyway--an SM58 that I like for vocal--an SM57 I use to back up the acoustic guitar line and for harp--and sometimes a mixer that I put ahead of the M-Audio to add some FX that I like--especially for amplified harp (which I don't use much).
The cost of all this stuff is way cheaper than what I paid to make one simple CD about four years ago at a small studio--and I like the results I get--but I have to caution you--the recording bug is just like the creative bug you get when you play music--it can never be good enough to suit you--I think it would be better to just keep making your music and let some other geek make the CD's--if you can afford it--recording can become an obsession all its own and I don't have enough time left in this life to learn everything. . . ----------
Gigs around here are getting suckier by the minute, so I am taking a liking to home recording. Right now, I am using my Zoom H4N as an audio interface, but I am thinking of getting something different.
That would be a really clean way to do things. That being said, I will look into other options. The thing with the Zoom H4n is it is not the easiest thing to use for an interface as it is better at the live thing.
The key to making a home recording sound good is having a good set of ears. However, having pro level gear will make a huge difference. As a rule of thumb, if you want a professional sound, you generally need about a $2000 preamp and a $1500-2000 condenser mic. You may be able to get away with a cheaper condenser, but I wouldn't cut corners on the preamp.
For the BEST prices and service on pro recording gear, check out Sound Pure at soundpure.com. You'll have to e-mail them or call them for a price quote, but they beat everyone's prices and will ship to you free I believe, plus you won't have to pay sales tax. They sell to top studios across the country, and because they have tons and tons of this pro level equipment at their fingertips, they're able to try different mic and preamp combos all day long, so they are MUCH more qualified than the guys at the local guitar center when it comes to what will sound best for your application. They also have a very impressive Youtube channel.
I use an Avalon vt737-sp preamp, and a Neumann TLM-103, which is great for harmonica and vocals, however, there are lots of combinations that will work. I also own an ADL-600 preamp which I really like. I also use all Mogami cables.
I would also suggest getting an I-Mac and running ProTools. ProTools 9 doesn't require hardware like the prior versions do, but you'll need something to convert your analog signal to digital.
All this is based on the assumption that you want to produce a professional quality recording. My suggestion would be to record your own stuff - whatever you want to do at home - and then send it to a pro to have it professionally mixed and mastered. That's where the real expertise is required.
Like oldwailer said, it ain't easy, especially with the mixing part. It'll sound great to you in your studio monitors (which is something else you'll need), but then take it to the car and it will sound totally different. It takes a long time to perfect it. Best to save money by tracking as much as possible at home, then paying someone else to mix it.
Last Edited by on Aug 30, 2011 1:33 PM
@WestVirginiaTom, your headphone jack has power to push the little speakers in your earbuds, so it is possible to be too hot and may cause damage. With that said, every CD player, ipod, and cell phone I've owned could plug the headphone jack directly into a 1/8" cable to my PA or car stereo. It works fine, but may buzz a little. Most computers have a 1/8" input. Just keep the volume low and ease it up.
@Harpninja, I've recorded many albums with a home studio. I suck at mixing so some of the best recordings I've done were tracked by me at home and mixed by a pro. I use Protools, but any decent program will work if you know how to get good sounds.
I agree with Todd that a pro recording requires pro equipment, but I am also a poor mofo that can't afford that stuff.
I suggest going to http://www.gearslutz.com and search for the best cheap large condenser mic. The best cheap mic pre... and so on. You will find hours of reading material on this website. Gearsluz is to recording gear as MBH is to harmonica.
I've done my research and come up with gear that fits my budget. I don't think the equipment is all you need. You do need some experience in getting good sound. Practice with your "OOTB Special 20" recording gear before buying the high end stuff. ----------
I strongly recommend EMU 0404 USB, great sound card/interface with 5 original professional softwares. I recorded on this a few CDs and always I'm suprised.
The best thing is to keep it simple. Unfortunately if your using a PC and not a MAC it seems to get complicated. This example I used Finale to write out the harpsichord part and then saved itcas an audio file. I then dragged and dropped it into Digital performer. I then recorded the harmonica and mixed all in my bedroom. I recorded with head phones. I could also use Imovie to synch things if I needed to. Digital Performer can also have you load a movie into it to Sync if you need to by just using your mouse to move the tracks. I used an old MOTU 828 interface a small mackie mixer for the phantom power for the mics. I used two the akai cm2000 and Audio technica AT 3035.
Digital Performer is used a lot in the film industry. ---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Last Edited by on Aug 31, 2011 7:19 AM
@HarpNinja, yeap, I have this one. Check parameters (noise level, dynamics and quality of preamps). You can't buy better sound card in this price category. Now EMU has a new, better drivers. You will be suprised, I'm sure.
BTW It's necessary to have professional speakers, I bought KRK VXT4 - perfect choise :o)
With the speakers--I don't have a great set--but when I'm working on a CD, I just render one out now and then and take it to Best Buy or a decent stereo shop, where they have lots of nice stuff set up to check out--then I just play my CD on several different systems, from expensive down to cheapies.
Some of the sales people have gotten to know me and they come over to listen--knowing that I won't buy anything, but most floor salesmen are so bored with their jobs they'll let you have your way with their stuff.
Remember, most people who might buy your CD don't have state of the art equipment--you need to also know how you sound on the blue collar ilk of stuff. . . ----------
@harpninja... If you plan on spending a bunch of money on a mic and a pre, then you will want to invest a similar amount on a A/D converter. The interface Bart is suggesting is a good one for that price range, but if you buy high end stuff like Todd is suggesting then you will want to invest in a Pro A/D converter too... like an Apogee.
Your mic and pre can sound amazing, but if your Analog to Digital converter sucks then you loose all the amazingness. Again I suggest reading about good cheap A/D converters on Gearslutz.
If anyone is curious this is the gear I use. I've recorded many albums with this stuff. Again, I did a lot of research for the best gear for my budget.
Macbook Pro i7 Lacie external 7200RPM external HD Protools 9 Avid 003 rack ADAT 20bit Presonus DigiMAX LT M Audio DMP3
@HarpNinja: "To anyone else reading this, how difficult is it, and costly, to record album quality material at home?"
The CD "Hot Air": http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Air/dp/B0012OAB2A with Steve Cohen & Jim Liban was recorded in Cadillac Rob's living room using a cassette 4 track!
Last Edited by on Sep 02, 2011 1:26 PM