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  • Thread starter Thread starter Fordman65
  • Start date Start date
Good on your fordman, I was actually going to make a thread about this place needing to get with the times and get some recording equipment, it’s kind of ridiculous how now 2023 so many people here still don’t have a mic and interface and/or don’t post anything
 
Here’s what I do:

- DAW is Logic Pro with a Motu M2 interface and Alesis M1 monitors
- I use EZ Drummer for drums
- Real bass direct into the interface, then a bass amp sim
- Scratch guitars via Mercuriall Spark
- Real acoustic via an R-144 ribbon mic or Studio Projects C1
- Real electrics through one of my amps mic’d with an SM57 or e906
 
I would grab a 57 and something else

A ribbon, 421, sm7, just something else to mess around with.
 
DanTravis62 said:
I would grab a 57 and something else

A ribbon, 421, sm7, just something else to mess around with.
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No matter what your goals are, you can't go wrong with this tried and true pairing.
 
Fordman65 said:
Just looking for the basics, but if I had to identify goals, I would say a setup that's efficient, doesn't require a ton of changes once set up and sounds good. No video or need to record anything other than guitar.

I see some mic recommendations, so thank you.

How beneficial is room treatment?
Any recommend desk configurations?
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The most efficient workflow is just direct into your interface and use amp sims and IRs. Alternatively something like an axe fx, this will eat up fewer system resources but not have the same tweak ability as having a DI sound with plugins.

This also solves a major issue you’ll have which is micing a cab and monitoring if it is all in the same room. Mic placement is a bitch if you can’t have separate rooms to properly hear mic placement. You’ll also have the benefit of IRs having “the sound” you want and usually the signal chain of whoever made the IR.

If you want to use your heads but no cab I would basically get a fryette ps2 with a line into your interface and an IR loader.

If you want a live cab I would still grab the PS2 and maybe consider an ISO cab if it is in the same room as your monitors so you can get some separation.

Mics and SM57 is a must. And a sturdy mic stand. I pair an SM57 with another mic. Usually an 421, a e906, or a royer 121. Depends on taste and budget. If you’re doing mics you’ll want an interface with some good preamps and, most importantly, good converters.

A specific desk can be beneficial but becomes less important if you’re not using rack and outboard gear. Realistically you just need to set the interface on the desk and get monitor stands and mopads.

Sound treatment is important for monitoring and mix down. The dimensions of your room will play a giant factor in this. Also keep in mind that simple pads will help will not help with full frequency balance. You will need corner and bass traps to tune the room. Again if the room dimensions (including ceiling) are too small it may be a harder battle. desk position relative to the dimensions will also play a key role.

Realistically the cheapest option is the most efficient. IR loader and either an amp sim direct into the interface or if you have to use your heads grab a PS2. Spend the rest on room treatments (corner and bass traps) and good monitors. I am always an Adams fan and use Unity Audio boulders but those are overkill.
 
Fordman65 said:
Looking to setup a somewhat minimalist recording work flow. What I've got so far or is currently on the way:
Helix Native
Reaper
UA Twin duo
KRK 8" monitors and sub
Suhr reactive load IR
Real amp/cabs

From what I can tell, would also be nice to have a mic or 2 for the real cabs and a desk of some sort. Anything else? Recommendations?
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Yes, get acoustic treatment. How much and what will depend on your room and budge, but this can make a big difference.

As for mics, get a 57. Then after that it would just depend on whatever else may want to record and your budget. If you want to do vocals, maybe an SM7 or a condenser of some sort.

I’d also get DI box. It may seem redundant with the Apollo hi-z/instrument in, but it’s not. It’s easy to clip the instrument in. You can add one of the preamp sims on that input to drop it down, but you may or may not want that coloration on a clean DI. Using a separate DI lets you go in through the XLR and hit the stock preamp. It has less coloration and more level control.
 
fearhk213 said:
.

I’d also get DI box. It may seem redundant with the Apollo hi-z/instrument in, but it’s not. It’s easy to clip the instrument in. You can add one of the preamp sims on that input to drop it down, but you may or may not want that coloration on a clean DI. Using a separate DI lets you go in through the XLR and hit the stock preamp. It has less coloration and more level control.
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This
 
I would get a 57 and then a decent condenser mic, I have a nuemann tlm102 that is nice on multiple sources. Where are you going to be setting up? As long as you’re not in a tiled bathroom or big concrete basement I wouldn’t get all caught up in treatment, an area rug, couches or hanging a couple moving blankets can work just fine, just don’t want big and echo-y
 
if youre like me the one thing youre gonna need more than anything is time, this stuff gets addicting quick.
 
Meh, IR's are easy but learning how to engineer with descent gear is far more rewarding. Your guitar doesn't need to be loud but if part of your tone is speaker breakup, it needs to be loud! :giggle:
 
Potentially unpopular opinion but if you’re worried about room isolation during a mix just get a set of fitted in ears for monitoring. Expensive but factors out the price of room treatment and monitors…
 
Fordman65 said:
Nobody? This place sucks
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This is a boomer/gen X board with a few scattered millennials and nary a zoomer nor alphalpha noggin around.

You might as well be aware you may have moseyed into the wrong saloon, partner.

🥳
 
Fordman65 said:
I'm using a single room for everything, which is about 12x12, so not huge. Sounds like using IRs is the best option. I do want to try the OG way too, I suppose.
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These days, that's how I run my setup.

Tube amp into reactive load/line out, into audio interface/DAW, speaker & mic impulse responses.

I can run the amp as "loud" as I want. I control the volume through the monitors.

This way you have access to an infinite number of speaker & microphone combinations through IR's

The "OG" way requires you to physically have the speakers/cabs and mics, deal with real volume in a small room, and struggle to open up a real amp.
 
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