Hello WAMUGers,
I have been asked by a person who plays Electric Guitar with a Rock
Group what 'extras' he needs to digitally record their own music
using GarageBand 2.
OK first up - if all he wants to do is record practice sessions or
for song writing and make good but basic demo's Gararge band rocks
and not much need to go up to other software.
All he needs is a a good mic (preferably 2 good mikes) with boom
stands and some way of getting the two in to the computer.
this is my minimum recommendation -
1 or 2 studio condenser mikes OR one or two Shure SM57's (not
anywhere as good as condensers but can also be used for live work
for mikeing up guitars/amps/drums) Shure SM58's will <shudder> do at
a pinch for basic demo work instead and have the added advantage of
being GOOD stage vocal mics so usable by singers for live or
rehearsal work and so possibly they already have them). Two boom mike
stands (again they can be used for live/rehersal applications)
1 small 4 or 8 channel (say behringer) audio mixer with phantom
powering to run condenser mikes - like SM58's this is a good thing
for a band to have anyway as they can use it (along with a small PA)
for small gigs and rehearsals. The mix from the mic or mics can then
be sent directly to the iMacs audio in port or in to an external
analog to digital converter and split (if needed) in to left and
right or as two or more separate tracks in Gararge Band)
A cheaper s/h "old school" mixer without phantom powering is still
good as you can pick up Berhinger Mic100 preamps (which will phantom
power and run basic level managment and limiting on one mic each) for
around $100.
the basics of this can be bought on the cheap for under a grand or
cheaper still getting mixers and mic stands s/h, say through e-bay,
but avoid second hand condenser mics until you know what you want and
how to tell if they are damaged or not.
Does his require a M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface like this one?
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=TB084LL/A
he can plug directly in to his iMac though though note that generally
the recording quality will not be as good (though still good enough
for demo recording/song writing etc) as using an external ADC
(digital to analog converter) this is not an issue with (or at least
to my recollection) if only using Gararge band as GB only records at
the lower BPS and MHZ rate supported by the line in on an iMac
anyway.
Another thing about these external units (except for the one above)
is they generally have "phantom powering" for one or (generally) two
studio condenser microphones (see below) which negates the need for
additional microphone preamps if a condenser is the mic of choice.
also with most external ADC's (again except for this one - looks like
it only does one or two tracks at once) you can record multiple
tracks at once - GB2 will support up to 8 independent tracks of
simultaneous recording which is more than enough for most purposes.
(hey the Beatles recorded all their wonderful later stuff using only
4 tracks and for the most part were only recording 2 tracks at a time)
Does he require a microphone similar to this one also?
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/StoreReentry.wo?productLearnMore=T9220LL%2FA
While I wouldn't touch this mic with a barge pole there are some
great value studio condenser mics availible for under $400 My mic of
choice as an entry level unit would be one or two Rode NT1-A's or
Rode NT 3's (this model can be internally powered with a 9V battery
so negating the need for a external power supply)
All studio condenser mics are FRAGILE "handle with kid glove affairs"
and need to be treated with all due care so apart from a good mike
stand they need a shock mount (looks like an elastic "spiders web")
and - for vocal work a "pop filter" - too much spit (all singers do
this) or just one good Kurt Cobain/Black Francis scream into a
condenser mic without a good pop filter to keep them from blowing the
diaphragm to hell and it's say goodbye to a $350+ microphone. (and
for the same reason never, ever, ever blow directly in to a condenser
mic)
for entry level work for younger folk (kids and teens) go with non
condenser mikes such as Shure's budget range "Beta" SM57's for
instruments and "Beta" SM58 for vocal recording.
Or can he just use his Audio Input port on his G5 iMac OSX10.4.2 &
GarageBand 2?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Ronni
When Microsoft asks you, "Where do you want to go today?" Tell them, "Apple!"
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