recorded quality of Delta 44??

[david denson]

Before I bought the 44, I read many reviews saying that the recordings sounded like professional studio quality. Well, while my recordings are very quiet and clear sounding, no pops or clicks, but I wouldn't say they sould like pro recording you would hear on a CD.

So, am I doing something wrong in my recording technique? I am recording my guitar amp with a Shure SM57, into an ART Tube MP preamp, into the Delta44. My computer is Pentium III one gig, 512 mb ram, Win 2000....the computer has plenty of power to run the 44, and like I said I my recordings are nice and clear...I just thought the guitar would sound more like what I would hear on a CD from a music store.

Maybe I am doing something wrong when it comes to mixing? Any mixing help and techniques?

[neptunefix]

Wow.

No offense, but the people who make those CDs could make a good sounding CD on just about any audio interface and computer out there. Your recording would probably sound pretty much the same even on the top of the line protools setup. The pros use acoustically tuned rooms, amongst other techniques, such as a strategic combination of compressors, limiters, mastering, layering, conenser mics, and a TON of EQing.

There's a lot more to it than sticking a mic in front of a guitar amp and pressing "record". Google around and find out about some of these techniques. Let the creativity happen and do the best you can.

[david denson]

I've only recorded one song so far on the 44 anyway...so maybe in time I will get better at recording techniques, just through trial and error and experience.

My recording did sound very clear though...nice, clean and quiet. Maybe if I get another mic, and preamp and then have two mics/preamps recording into two inputs on the 44 at one time.....that would probably give me a better sounding stereo sound.....anyone agree?

[neptunefix]

I think maybe you've got the wrong idea and expectations of recording. Most likely another mic for one instrument won't help much, infact it may only introduce more sloppiness.

Professionals have been known to sometimes use the exact microphone you are using in studios. Use google and audio forums to find out recording techniques on the following topics.

1) Acoustics - Discover the best positions to put a mic (you may need to test different angles and positions yourself) and find a good room that doesnt have too much acoustical echo in it. (you can use material to sound proof it)
2) Make sure your sound source doesnt sound like crap. If your guitar sounds bad then it will still sound bad when you record it.
3) eliminate ground hums and especially hums that happen with all single coil guitars when facing computers.
4) Set the volume and gain levels of your preamps and soundcard inputs so that the loudest sound you'll make goes up on the meter just before it turns red.
5) Learn how to use EQs and compressors on each track and in mixes to make them tighter and more defined.
6) Learn how play tighter. Use a metronome, if needed.

I've heard fantastic recordings on soundcards that are not as good as the Delta 44. They were good musicians and audio engineers who processed and highly EQ'd well.

[david denson]

Hey Neptunefix

here is the track I was talking about that I recorded. You be the judge. Listen to it, and let me know if you think I was right....or if you think it sounds good as is. It's in the player on my MySpace page, titled 'Do you feel like we do' by Peter Frampton. http://www.myspace.com/daviddenson7 (http://www.myspace.com/daviddenson7)

Play and get back to me on the sound quality...I really appreciate it.

[neptunefix]

Yeah, that sounds fine. It'd probably sound about the same on anything you recorded it on. Experiment with different guitar settings, mic positions, compressor and EQ techniques. Also, how a guitar sits in a mix is usually more important than how it sounds by itself.