I just got a Macbook.....

[Jimmydeez]

..... and I'm thinking of recording some stuff.

The Mac book comes with Garageband but I haven't dived into it yet.

My question is what type of mic should I get. I'm thinking one USB mic that can handle vocals, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. I am not looking for great quality. I am looking for something about $100.

Has anyone used one of these:

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

[iamhammill]

I've used the Samson ones with good results. Not sure of the model, it was one the more traditional looking models though.

Another option would be if you have any sort of mixer with a line out, you can just plug any mic you want into that, then run the line out into the Macbook's line in. That gives you more versatility to use any mic you have and DIs for things like bass and some acoustics.


Of course, firewire options are always the best and most preferred. Someone makes a nice like two channel firewire for around $100.

Good luck! I did my bands first EP on garageband, it's awesome.

[stumboid]

..... and I'm thinking of recording some stuff.

The Mac book comes with Garageband but I haven't dived into it yet.

My question is what type of mic should I get. I'm thinking one USB mic that can handle vocals, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. I am not looking for great quality. I am looking for something about $100.

Has anyone used one of these:

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

cool! That was the first mic I bought when I got my first Mac to use Garageband (the blue snowball). I like it, you may want to consider buying a ten foot USB cable to go with it as the one it comes with is only 6' and can be difficult to set up due to the short length.

Overall, the mic is pretty decent, not the best though. The mic is great if you want to do spoken word or podcasting (i.e. it is great for recording a talking voice) but not so great when you expose it to loud sounds like a guitar amp. It's decent for acoustic recording, but like I said, not the best.

Here is my budget setup that I recommend for simple, cheap recording:

A cheap condensor like n MXL 990 $60 (http://www.mxlmics.com/condenser_mic/900_Series/MXL990/mxl990.htm)
I use an MXL 2001 which I don't think are made anymore but I love to use it for everything.

A cheap mic preamp to hookup the mic: ART Studio Pro tube $30 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ART-Tube-MP-Studio-Mic-Preamp?sku=180581)

Finally a 1/4" to USB converter: M-Audio Jamlab $30 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-JamLab-Personal-Guitar-System?sku=241104)

This comes out to a little over $100 but that should get you recording relatively cheap and easy. If you want quality you have to pay for it, you know? PM me or ask on this thread if you have any more questions.

BTW, I am by no means a pro at recording so I am not the go to guy for advice on this subject (It's just a hobby of mine) . However, I am happy with the way my recordings sound and I do know how to set everything up to work with GB or Logic so I can answer those questions.

[stumboid]

By the way, in the meantime, you can simply use the built in mic in the macbook to record even if it is just to get acquainted with the Garageband interface. I did exactly that for a few months until I got the snowball. Since then I dont use the snowball because the quality was just not as good as other cheap condensers.

[Jimmydeez]

I actually have an SM57 but I was interested in the snowball because it has the USB port.

But.... I just found out my buddy is going to give me a M audio Mobile pre. So looks like I just need some USB and Mic cables.

[Jimmydeez]

ohhh and figure out how to use garage band.

[theHoss]

Jimmy,

Congrats, you are really going to enjoy it. Garage Band is really powerful. Feel free to PM me any questions. I use it quite a bit.

Good luck man!

[Jimmydeez]

Thanks man.... I am excited.

The M Audio Moble Pre looks perfect for what I am going to be doing.

[theHoss]

Thanks man.... I am excited.

The M Audio Moble Pre looks perfect for what I am going to be doing.

Yeah, it should be good. I had the FastTrack USB and I thought it worked pretty darn good. Very easy to use and convenient.

[Jimmydeez]

Well I got the M audio Mobile Pre today. I am going to try and track some electric guitar tonight. This should be fun.

[stumboid]

Well I got the M audio Mobile Pre today. I am going to try and track some electric guitar tonight. This should be fun.

Enjoy! Garageband is a really nice peace of software. I actually bought a book on it when I started to get deep into using it. I got it really cheap off of Amazon, I think its called "Garageband: The Missing Manual". You wouldnt think of how much stuff is in Garageband or what GB can do. I'd check it out.

Have fun! And posting some clips here in this thread would be interesting if you are willing.

[agentcooper2001]

i recorded both tracks on my myspace page on garageband with nothing but a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. i'll probably get the apogee duet pretty soon though.

check out the songs here:

www.myspace.com/openendedechoes

[Jimmydeez]

Ok so I have a problem. I can' get garageband to recognize the mobilepre. I downloaded the driver and I can see the pre in system preferences but it isn't listed in garageband when I make a new track and try to change the input.

any help?

[stumboid]

Ok so I have a problem. I can' get garageband to recognize the mobilepre. I downloaded the driver and I can see the pre in system preferences but it isn't listed in garageband when I make a new track and try to change the input.

any help?

hmmm.. so you have went to the garageband preferences and selected the m-audio as your input?

Remember to turn monitoring on in the track details to be able to hear what you are recording.

[Jimmydeez]

hmmm.. so you have went to the garageband preferences and selected the m-audio as your input?

Remember to turn monitoring on in the track details to be able to hear what you are recording.

I don't see the M-audio as an option. I am going to uninstall and reinstall the driver tonight and hope that something starts to work.

[stratology]

I would advise against a USB mic, because you can only use it with the USB input of your Mac (and not with a mixing board, audio interface etc.). I'd suggest you get a cheap mic and a cheap little preamp (like the Behringer tube pre), and record with the internal soundcard, using the line in. The results are surprisingly good.
Then, when you have some experience, get a Firewire interface with more than 2 channels and good pre-amps (e.g. Presonus). You'll still be able to use your mic and pre with that..

Frank

[Jimmydeez]

I would advise against a USB mic, because you can only use it with the USB input of your Mac (and not with a mixing board, audio interface etc.). I'd suggest you get a cheap mic and a cheap little preamp (like the Behringer tube pre), and record with the internal soundcard, using the line in. The results are surprisingly good.
Then, when you have some experience, get a Firewire interface with more than 2 channels and good pre-amps (e.g. Presonus). You'll still be able to use your mic and pre with that..

Frank

Yeah I got a M-audio Mobile pre and I have had a SM57 for awhile now. I just can't get garageband to recognize the pre.

[FractalGarden]

This may be a good place to check: http://www.apple.com/support/garageband/

I've gotten help before in their Forums. I've since moved from GB to Logic, so my GB chops aren't what they used to be.

[stumboid]

Still weird. It should recognize. Try going into the Audio Midi Setup Application (simply search for this with the finder search funtion). Check to see if your m-audio is listed in the Aggregate Device Editor (I think that is what it is called: click the "Audio" drop down menu and select aggregate devices).

If it is not listed there, it sounds like a connection issue. Maybe re-installing the driver will work. I have an m-audio jamlab that works fine so yours should work as well.

Have you tried using the interface on a different computer? Perhaps on a PC to see if it works? That is what I would do before anything else, if it is broken, then you could stop trying to figure out what is wrong. Hey, anything could happen. Maybe get a USB 2.0 compatible cord?

[Jimmydeez]

Still weird. It should recognize. Try going into the Audio Midi Setup Application (simply search for this with the finder search funtion). Check to see if your m-audio is listed in the Aggregate Device Editor (I think that is what it is called: click the "Audio" drop down menu and select aggregate devices).

If it is not listed there, it sounds like a connection issue. Maybe re-installing the driver will work. I have an m-audio jamlab that works fine so yours should work as well.

Have you tried using the interface on a different computer? Perhaps on a PC to see if it works? That is what I would do before anything else, if it is broken, then you could stop trying to figure out what is wrong. Hey, anything could happen. Maybe get a USB 2.0 compatible cord?

I am using a brand new USB 2.0 cord and I am getting power to the mobile Pre. I am starting to think the driver isn't working correctly.

So when I start up garageband what are the steps to using the Mobile Pre?

I usually just create a new real instrument track and then try and change the input on the bottom righthand side. Last night I was only getting Mono and Stereo versions of the built in mic (which sounds pretty good I might add).

[stumboid]

I am using a brand new USB 2.0 cord and I am getting power to the mobile Pre. I am starting to think the driver isn't working correctly.

So when I start up garageband what are the steps to using the Mobile Pre?

I usually just create a new real instrument track and then try and change the input on the bottom righthand side. Last night I was only getting Mono and Stereo versions of the built in mic (which sounds pretty good I might add).

Yea, the built in mic isnt too bad FWIW. To get GB to recognize the mobile pre, you have to first open GB, then click the "GarageBand" drop down menu on the top and select "Preferences". Then click the "Audio/Midi" button on the top of the popup menu to the right of general. Next, simply select the m-audio mobile pre from the "Audio Input:" drop down menu. Do the same with the output if you wish to monitor from the pre (which I recommend to cut down on the lag). Once you are done, the drivers for the mobile pre will load into gb and you will be able to use it!!!

The reason you are not able to select the pre from the "bottom right hand side" is because GB can only recognize one set of audio drivers at a time and can only record one track at a time. When you change the input from the preferences menu, the option to select the pre from that "bottom right menu" to choose which input to use (given the pre has multiple inputs) will be shown.

Last but not least, to monitor, simply choose to turn monitoring on in the track details window (the same window you couldn't find the pre in the inputs).
I think that should do it. Let us know if it works.

P.S. I hope all my convoluted writing is not hard to understand. Let me know if you need more help.

[Jimmydeez]

Yea, the built in mic isnt too bad FWIW. To get GB to recognize the mobile pre, you have to first open GB, then click the "GarageBand" drop down menu on the top and select "Preferences". Then click the "Audio/Midi" button on the top of the popup menu to the right of general. Next, simply select the m-audio mobile pre from the "Audio Input:" drop down menu. Do the same with the output if you wish to monitor from the pre (which I recommend to cut down on the lag). Once you are done, the drivers for the mobile pre will load into gb and you will be able to use it!!!

The reason you are not able to select the pre from the "bottom right hand side" is because GB can only recognize one set of audio drivers at a time and can only record one track at a time. When you change the input from the preferences menu, the option to select the pre from that "bottom right menu" to choose which input to use (given the pre has multiple inputs) will be shown.

Last but not least, to monitor, simply choose to turn monitoring on in the track details window (the same window you couldn't find the pre in the inputs).
I think that should do it. Let us know if it works.

P.S. I hope all my convoluted writing is hard to understand. Let me know if you need more help.

Thanks man.... I got it working last night. I only had about 30 minutes to play around but I am getting a much better sound using the mobile pre and the mic built into my Martin Prefix.

I can't wait to start experimenting with my electric guitar rig.

[stumboid]

Thanks man.... I got it working last night. I only had about 30 minutes to play around but I am getting a much better sound using the mobile pre and the mic built into my Martin Prefix.

I can't wait to start experimenting with my electric guitar rig.

How's the recording going with GB?

Like it? Soundclips?

[Jimmydeez]

Pretty good so far. I have only really messed around with an acoustic and me singing. I am a terrible singer but I think I need to work on EQing or mixing better my voice better.

I really have no idea what I am doing. I have been just adding a little verb to the guitar and I think it sounds ok. I used some of the vocal presets for my voice but it sounds a little muffled.

Maybe it is the 57 I am using as a vocal mic.

Any tips on mixing or how to EQ vocals?

[dramaticrunner]

i love garageband for the quick demo. but i think it's mostly because i'm lazy. i find tweaking the "arena rock" guitar sound a tad to be pretty usefull. I usually use a 57 with a wind screen for vocals too, and i get that same muffled sound. i try to tweak it by boosting the upper mids a bit. i like using the "plug in" eq over the standard 3 band one.

[soulohio]

I use a beta 57b for my main vocal live mic. The 57 is a great mic but not up to recording vocals. Live its passable if you got a very strong man voice. If you have any range or are a screamer you go to 58's.

Pretty good so far. I have only really messed around with an acoustic and me singing. I am a terrible singer but I think I need to work on EQing or mixing better my voice better.

I really have no idea what I am doing. I have been just adding a little verb to the guitar and I think it sounds ok. I used some of the vocal presets for my voice but it sounds a little muffled.

Maybe it is the 57 I am using as a vocal mic.

Any tips on mixing or how to EQ vocals?

[stumboid]

Pretty good so far. I have only really messed around with an acoustic and me singing. I am a terrible singer but I think I need to work on EQing or mixing better my voice better.

I really have no idea what I am doing. I have been just adding a little verb to the guitar and I think it sounds ok. I used some of the vocal presets for my voice but it sounds a little muffled.

Maybe it is the 57 I am using as a vocal mic.

Any tips on mixing or how to EQ vocals?

Yea, same here with the 57 on vocals. I actually quit using my 57 all together and am using an MXL 2001 Condenser mic for recording guitar and vox. Works great. I would definitely look into using at least an MXL 990 for vocals, and while you are at it, try experimenting mic'cing the amp with it.

I remember seeing Bob Marley using a 57 for vocals on the Legend DVD. He sounded good (hey its Bob), but not great. Another scene has him singing "Could You Be Loved" with a condensor and it was awesome, so yea it makes a difference.

If you are recording acoustic with vocals at the same time, definitely invest in a condenser.

I am by no means a pro at this but I do have examples on my soundclick page. (soundclick.com/bluekasm). Listen to "Blood Moon" and "I'm Not Dead", both are using the one mic and playing acoustic and vox at the same time. I do need to redo these due to them being just one take and done tracks but you'll get the point. The song "Starving So" is using the MXL mic on the amp as well as vocals.

My point is, I have tried that with a 57 but to no avail. Maybe you could use a good pre-amp?

[Jimmydeez]

I have access to a SM58 and a SM58 beta that I will try this week sometime. I'm hoping that will make a difference.

[Jimmydeez]

Do you guys have any tips for mixing/panning/EQing?

I don't even know how to EQ.... is there someplace to do this in Garageband?

[stumboid]

Do you guys have any tips for mixing/panning/EQing?

I don't even know how to EQ.... is there someplace to do this in Garageband?

Well, for the most part I use Logic Pro which has hefty EQ functions.

With GB, open up the Track Info Window (by double clicking the track) and you will see a check box on the bottom left that says "Visual EQ"; check that box and click the pencil symbol next to the slider on the right if you want to manually adjust the EQ or select one of the options in the drop down box.

As far as tips for EQ'ing, you may want to visit http://tweakheadz.com/guide.htm and look at his section on EQing.

Generally, you don't want two different instruments/sounds filling up the same part in the "sonic Spectrum" if you will. I'd say start with the preset EQ options and just experiment and research until you figure it out.

There is no exact science and no one way to EQ so I think it is all just experimentation. If you are singing and playing acoustic at the same time, though, I wouldn't think you need to worry too much about the EQ unless you are seriously trying to make a real demo, in which case you should be using Logic, not GB.

Oh, don't forget about that book I mentioned, "Garage Band, the Missing Manual". It has tons of useful info in it and it is a fun read actually (for me anyways). I learned a lot with that book, including EQing and what not.

[Jimmydeez]

I am not recording guitar and vocals at the same time. That is just all I am record at the moment.

I will have to try and lay down something with the 58.