New to Recording

robertgd · 8th August 2012, 12:32 PM

So I'm starting to play around with Logic Studio but frankly my hardware is pretty poor - and I need some general advice. I've been using a Griffin iMic (yeah - I know) with poor results.

I'll list my hardware setup so you know where I'm heading.

Macbook (no Firewire ):
Audioengine D1 Premium 24-Bit DAC - for listening
ATH-A900 Headphones - for listening

Peavey 6505
Orange 2x12 Cab
Tube screamer (TS9)
Boss NS2 (Noise Supressor)
ESP Eclipse II + Fender Strat (don't think it really matters - but the more detail the better)

Okay - with the iMic, I'd just plug my guitar directly in into my Mac using the USB interface. Quality sucked - amp emulation also sucked.

I'm happy with my guitar setup - the tone I'm getting - it's pretty much all I'll be recording with for the time being (as in, I'm not too interested in software tones - just recording). So this has me thinking to rig up a decent mic to my Mac (I have a Shure SM57)

I'm also happy with my listening setup. Decent DAC with Headphones. I'll get to why I listed them in a sec.

So I'm sort of stuck at the interface between my guitar rig (mic), and my Mac. A friend of mine used the Apogee Duo and swears by it really. The issue is - it's a bit out of my price range - and as I only plan on recording my guitar - I don't need two inputs (right?) That's just for stereo track recording (right??). So that's where I figure the Apogee One would come in. But how does it compare - quality wise - to the Duo?

I also looked at the M-Audio units (specifically the Fast Track Pro) which seemed to be great value for money. But after a quick browse around, users generally rate the Apogee units to be substantially better. I don't want to cheap out and get an inferior product to be honest. I just need one purpose - to record guitar as well as possible on a budget. I will only be recording in a medium sized room with no sound insulation (it's not a studio). It doesn't need to be portable, either (main selling point for Apogee). I've also heard good things about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

Would the Shure Mic into Apogee One be a good setup? Any negatives to it, or better alternatives?

Now the reason why I brought up my Audioengine D1 DAC is from what I gather, the Apogee One would be an interface for both recording and listening. So would that mean I can do away with my current DAC (which is great, by the way) - and use the Apogee unit for everything?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Thraxeh · 8th August 2012, 2:39 PM

I would buy the Apogee One. Great sounding unit, and you can upgrade to other microphones later down the track.

The built in mic is usable. Infact you could put the Apogee One infront of your guitar amp and record some great tone. Better than DI guitar...

Thraxeh · 8th August 2012, 2:48 PM

infact check this out. He is even using the same amp as you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDmGmMAe6Qc

robertgd · 8th August 2012, 3:01 PM

Ah sounds nice. Yep I've heard all around great things about the Apogee and I'm really leaning towards it.

He is using the same Shure mic as me and amp. Good to know.

DJ Fusion · 8th August 2012, 3:09 PM

Apogee and an SM57 will be an excellent recording chain, the rest is just down to your amp tone and microphone placement now.

robertgd · 8th August 2012, 3:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Fusion

Apogee and an SM57 will be an excellent recording chain, the rest is just down to your amp tone and microphone placement now.

Good to hear. I've heard great things about the SM57 for amp recording - that's why I went for it.

My amp tone is pretty decent. But I can't take the post past 1 or 2 max which really doesn't let it shine. I know you can get tube hot plates, though.

8th August 2012, 12:32 PM	#1
robertgd Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Thrillawong 2234 Posts: 788	New to Recording So I'm starting to play around with Logic Studio but frankly my hardware is pretty poor - and I need some general advice. I've been using a Griffin iMic (yeah - I know) with poor results. I'll list my hardware setup so you know where I'm heading. Macbook (no Firewire ): Audioengine D1 Premium 24-Bit DAC - for listening ATH-A900 Headphones - for listening Peavey 6505 Orange 2x12 Cab Tube screamer (TS9) Boss NS2 (Noise Supressor) ESP Eclipse II + Fender Strat (don't think it really matters - but the more detail the better) Okay - with the iMic, I'd just plug my guitar directly in into my Mac using the USB interface. Quality sucked - amp emulation also sucked. I'm happy with my guitar setup - the tone I'm getting - it's pretty much all I'll be recording with for the time being (as in, I'm not too interested in software tones - just recording). So this has me thinking to rig up a decent mic to my Mac (I have a Shure SM57) I'm also happy with my listening setup. Decent DAC with Headphones. I'll get to why I listed them in a sec. So I'm sort of stuck at the interface between my guitar rig (mic), and my Mac. A friend of mine used the Apogee Duo and swears by it really. The issue is - it's a bit out of my price range - and as I only plan on recording my guitar - I don't need two inputs (right?) That's just for stereo track recording (right??). So that's where I figure the Apogee One would come in. But how does it compare - quality wise - to the Duo? I also looked at the M-Audio units (specifically the Fast Track Pro) which seemed to be great value for money. But after a quick browse around, users generally rate the Apogee units to be substantially better. I don't want to cheap out and get an inferior product to be honest. I just need one purpose - to record guitar as well as possible on a budget. I will only be recording in a medium sized room with no sound insulation (it's not a studio). It doesn't need to be portable, either (main selling point for Apogee). I've also heard good things about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Would the Shure Mic into Apogee One be a good setup? Any negatives to it, or better alternatives? Now the reason why I brought up my Audioengine D1 DAC is from what I gather, the Apogee One would be an interface for both recording and listening. So would that mean I can do away with my current DAC (which is great, by the way) - and use the Apogee unit for everything? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. __________________ look at post history for trades. too many to list.

8th August 2012, 2:39 PM	#2
Thraxeh Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sydney Australia NSW Posts: 4,134	I would buy the Apogee One. Great sounding unit, and you can upgrade to other microphones later down the track. The built in mic is usable. Infact you could put the Apogee One infront of your guitar amp and record some great tone. Better than DI guitar... __________________ Thraxeh's YouTube Channel - Check out my music!

8th August 2012, 2:48 PM	#3
Thraxeh Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sydney Australia NSW Posts: 4,134	infact check this out. He is even using the same amp as you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDmGmMAe6Qc __________________ Thraxeh's YouTube Channel - Check out my music!

8th August 2012, 3:01 PM	#4
robertgd Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Thrillawong 2234 Posts: 788	Ah sounds nice. Yep I've heard all around great things about the Apogee and I'm really leaning towards it. He is using the same Shure mic as me and amp. Good to know. __________________ look at post history for trades. too many to list.

8th August 2012, 3:09 PM	#5
DJ Fusion Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 4,870	Apogee and an SM57 will be an excellent recording chain, the rest is just down to your amp tone and microphone placement now.