Topic: Different Mic Sounds

How do you get the different sounds out of your mic, such as reverb, etc?  Is there a software that will change the recording sounds?

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Pete,

   Many of the recording programs have effects, such as audacity and others such as cubase or studio one artist and others that are packaged with recording interfaces. Audacity is free but the reverb , and effects were a little tougher to use than some of the others.
I have also miked my amp and recorded the effects from the amp reverb and chorus  settings.
   Some of the interfaces are pretty cheap and include some great software with lots of effects. The Audiobox Presonus , I use alot is about $ 149.00 and the software that comes with goes for about that amount. I am sure some others can help out with some options too.
 

Wayne P

Later, Wayne P

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Pete ,

If you have recording software, you can just record with no effects , the way you are currently recording and then add effects as you like. Most of the ones I have used have a variety of reverb options and simulate different room sizes and configurations. They also have lots of other effects you may like.

Later, Wayne P

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Effects is the word I was looking for.  I currently use no software for recording.  I'll check some of the programs out.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Effects can be applied anywhere in the signal chain between the mic and the amplifier speaker cone.   If you've seen guitar pedals, that's what they are.  You can also do it in software during recording, or in post-production after the tracks are down.

I think you get much better tone from a dedicated effects station like a pedal.  Software can provide really good effects, but I always feel like you should get the tone you want, and then record that, rather than record something, and then go try to find the tone.

Of course, we don't always have that option, so software is a nice way to go about it.

We use this delay quite a bit.  It sounds great.  http://www.mxrcarboncopy.com/


http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CarbonCopy/

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Different Mic Sounds

My Helicon Harmonizer pedal has a few effects like reverb as well as a silent tuner for your guitar and adds two voices in harmony to your vocal for $250.

We pronounce it "Guf Coast".
Ya'll wanna go down to the Guf?

Re: Different Mic Sounds

I have an older Digitec Harmonizer it has reverb and lets you sing three part harmony major or minor in any key new it cost me around $350 and it mounts on your mic stand it also has a on off foot switch still has a great sound smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Re: Different Mic Sounds

I agree, Jerome, I think I would rather use the effects as I am recording as opposed to after.  So am I better off using a pedal or just software.  Remember I am a slow learner in all this.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Different Mic Sounds

"Better off" is relative.   My opinion is that if you are looking to modify the tone of the instrument, then you should do that "live" with pedals and instrument setup.   Get the instrument to sound like you want, and then spend your recording time ensuring that your recording is as high fidelity as possible to capture that sound.  If you are looking to fix or otherwise polish a track (remove some hum or pick noise, for example) then that is "better off" done at the workstation.

Reverb is a bit different, though, as the intent of reverb is to mimic the real life acoustic sound of a great sounding room or concert hall.  Obviously the best way to get that kind of tone is to play in a great sounding room or concert hall, but since most of us suffer in basements and living rooms, we don't have that option.  The "The Point of Reverb" thread I started was to kind of demonstrate this.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Different Mic Sounds

OK, so I have the Alesis Multimix 4 and am plugged into the computer.  This is how I presently record.  And a Logitech webcam.  What peice of equipment do you recommend I use for effects and how do I hook them into my present system?  If you could give me some specific items to check out, like, try this particular pedal, that would help me.  I have a plain accoustic instrument and am looking for different effects for the instrument and voice.  I am really dumb at this point.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Different Mic Sounds

It depends on what effect you want.  There are, quite literally, hundreds of thousands of options available.  Generally, everyone should have a delay (reverb is just a specialized delay) and chorus/flange pedal in there somewhere.  If you aren't sure, I'd recommend a multi-effects pedal like the kind we discussed in another thread (can't recall who or what...).  Russell has specific experience with Boss/Roland stuff, and can offer advice there.   It's all good stuff.

Once you have it, set up is easy.

Right now you are Direct Input (DI) into your recording interface from your guitar.

Guitar-------------->AlesisMX4-------->Computer

You simply insert the pedal between them.

Guitar------------->PedalsPedalsPedals-------------->AlesisMX4-------------->Computer

The PedalsPedalsPedals portion can be as simple as this...

http://www.diyguitarist.com/Images/WTS808-2.JPG

Or as complex as this...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pu3wf_jSYBg/TDqLrbX6f8I/AAAAAAAAAW8/tWpfOwQuUU4/s1600/pedal+board.JPG

Point is, guitar goes in one side, and comes out the other.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Different Mic Sounds

I am just going through the mic with the guitar. No electronic pickup.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Is this an acoustic guitar, or electric?

If it's electric, then you have no problem

Guitar---->PedalsPedalsPedals--->Amp--->Mic--->Alesis--->Computer

If it's acoustic, I'm wondering what effect you are trying to achieve? I'd try to find a way to make the room you are in sound better and capture that when you record. 

What kind of mic are you using?

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

14 (edited by bensonp 2012-02-02 19:03:50)

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Acoustic.  I don't know what effects I want I guess.  I want a deeper richer sound as if I am playing through an amp and speaker system.  Maybe I want something that doesn't exist.  Maybe I'm just crazy.  Maybe I'm missing most of my ladder rungs.  A sound more like Bass Viking, who I am pretty sure as an amp and speakers.  Can you get that effect without the amp and speakers?

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Ah OK.  You don't want an effect, then, you want to improve your recording quality.  For acoustic guitars, the best thing you can do besides spend thousands on top quality mics and acoustically perfect room rental is to record the guitar with two mics, rather than one.  This means you're going to have to up your game a bit and start working with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) but you really want to do that, anyway.

If you don't have two mics, don't sweat it.  I'll send you a pair you can borrow and walk you through getting set up.  All you'll need is the mic stands.

Then your setup will look like this


           Mic1-------->
Guitar                     Alesis----->Computer
           Mic2-------->                 

Which isn't nearly as hard as it looks. 

In the mean time, do the following things.

Go here and download Reaper and install it:

http://www.reaper.fm/download.php

It's free, and is fully functional.  It will remain free, so it doesn't expire or cripple itself if you don't "buy" it later on.  You can use it forever at no cost.

Once that is done, send me your Skype name.  I'm off work tomorrow so I can walk you through configuring Reaper to record your Alesis interface.  When you get the mics, you'll be able to plug them in and off you go.

My Skype ID is jerometoneil.  Don't be afraid to chat me up (that goes for everyone smile  )  I'll send you an email in a bit to get your address so I know where to send the mics.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Now we're talkin', Jerome.  I have never used Skype and won't be home much tomorrow, but my system is currently set up that way now, with two mics. What is the purpose of the two mics on the guitar?  Do I have to sing louder that way, without a voice mic?  Right now I use one mic for voice and the other for guitar.  I am learning here and I really appreciate your time.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.

Re: Different Mic Sounds

Well, to understand why two mics, do the following.  Pick up your guitar and strum it.  Then put your ear right next to the top of the guitar, and move it around. You will hear a radically different sound depending on where you listen and where your ear is.  So if you are only using one mic, you are only hearing part of the sound that is resonating off of the instrument.  If you use two, you'll capture more than that.

I think you're using dynamic mics, which also aren't going to be ideal for recording an acoustic guitar.  If you have condensers available you'll have better results.  If you are using dynamic mics, get the capsule as close to the guitar as you possibly can.

Eventually you will end up with three tracks in your songs.  Two for the guitar and one for the vocals.  You will play each song twice.  You're going to play the guitar parts and not sing at all.  Then you're going to go back and play the guitar parts into a set of headphones and record your vocal track over it.  Then you can mix it and adjust it how you like.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

Re: Different Mic Sounds

My advice is to always record clean sounds and your effects through the software. This way you can change your effects at any time. If you record with an effect in the chain then you cant take it out later without re-recording. Most software allaows you to imbed an effect when recording so you can hear the sound even though the effect itself is not permanent, you are still only recording the clean sound.

As always I hope you enjoy my musical journey as much as I do.