Getting into recording

mapex drum bum · Kitten Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 141

hello, i am just starting out recording
i just bought a fostex vf16 and a jaz drive and a scsi cdrw

i have all the gear i want to put on the record but i dont know how to record it yet

i have 4 nady microphones, the ones that look like you sing into live, and i was wondering if i can use these to record my drums, in other words can i get a good sound out of my drums (givin they are tuned propperly) only using 4 nady mic's

also how do i go about recording guitar, do i plug my guitar into an amp and then mic the amp with a mic running to the recorder?

Coolbob · Emperor of the World Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 3474

I think I may be running the exact same mixer set up as you. Anyways with 4 mics if you are miking only drums I would say go with 2 overheads, 1 bass, and 1 snare. That should get you a pretty good sound and allow you to capture what you really want.

In terms of guitars it really depends on how it sounds. Generally most people with decent mics mic the amp however if your mics are bad it could ruin the sound. The other way is to take the guitarists output and plug it into one of the inputs. Then take one of the monitor outputs and plug that into their amp so that they can hear themselves. Make sure the amp is facing away from the drums if you do that. Basically its what sounds best to you. Try them both out if you can.
_________________
"It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear a fool than instead to open it and remove all doubt"

"That's the beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you're never wrong." - Thank You For Smoking

mapex drum bum · Kitten Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 141

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-SP5-Mic-SpecialBuy-1-Get-2-Free?sku=277174

those are three of the mics and one is a litte higher quality

how far above my drums should i place the mics and how close to my bass drum and snare drum should i place them...

i know for acoustic guitar is 12-14 inches (i know because laurence juber from the wings told me at a finger picking class)

Coolbob · Emperor of the World Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 3474

You really need to just experiment with distances. The sound of the drums is affected by the room. Find one thing to play that includes a regular beat as well as fills and other things likely to be in a recording and play that over and over each time changing the placement of the mics until you find a sound that you like.
_________________
"It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear a fool than instead to open it and remove all doubt"

"That's the beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you're never wrong." - Thank You For Smoking

mapex drum bum · Kitten Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 141

thanx for the help

i just recently dug up a condenser mic i had made by REALISTIC and i was thinking this is the mic i should use on my hi hats and when i record the guitat and bass i am going to put it near the amps speaker

so this now makes 5 mics to record a 4 piece drum set w/ a ride 2 crashes and hi hats

i was thinking 2 mics over head or in the diagnals four feet from the set pointing at the set and then one close enough to the bass to pic it up w.o feed back
then one to mic my hi hats and snare

but i will deffinatly experament to find out how to get a good sound

also you said you had the same equipment as me

is it easy to use? and do the recordings sound "professional"?

Coolbob · Emperor of the World Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 3474

Mine if fairly older as I got it used some time ago so Im not sure how your recordings will sound but I have to say that it is a good recorder for the price.
_________________
"It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear a fool than instead to open it and remove all doubt"

"That's the beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you're never wrong." - Thank You For Smoking

mapex drum bum · Kitten Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 141

do i plug my jaz drive in the back and then the cdrw drive into the jaz drive or like how do i set it up to put the recordings on cd?

cuz i have the jaz drive plugs into the vf16 and it doesnt read it

i go to the format thing and switch to the drive on but it doesnt read the id of it for some reason

Coolbob · Emperor of the World Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 3474

Is it not reading the device or the storage disk that is in the device? If it is not reading the device try, while keeping the device on and plugged in, turning off the VF-16 and then turning it back on.

If it is the storage disk try putting it into a computer and erasing everything on it and, if you can, reformat it.

Also, another tip I forgot to mention earlier. If you are using dynamic mics, like you are, when recording drums you can get a better sound by unscrewing the windscreens on the front. Just remember to put them back on for vocals or transport so they dont get damaged.
_________________
"It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear a fool than instead to open it and remove all doubt"

"That's the beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you're never wrong." - Thank You For Smoking