I currently use a Focusrite 18i20 into Logic Pro X and mainly record using dynamic mics for vocals and acoustic guitar. I'm really starting to enjoy recording more and more but I'm only interested in singer/songwriter stuff as I'd otherwise take a band into a proper studio. With this in mind, I'm looking to step up and record to a higher quality, with a view to it being mixed elsewhere. I'm wondering if I should upgrade to something like an Apollo, Audient, SSL or even a Neve 88M. It would be good to know I've recorded it as well as I can, so that the mix engineer won't be able to blame that for it sounding terrible.
I really don't need me needing more than 2 inputs, and while I like the idea of the Neve 88M, chances are I just need something clean and detailed for all processing to be done by a grown-up.
Thanks for any input.
cam f
Comments
With today's plug-in if the mix engineer wants it to sound like a Neeve pre-amp channel they just bring up the plug-in.
I like warm, analogue-sounding, lofi things. I'm a big fan of rough-as-**** Dylan, 'Tonight's the Night'-style Neil Young and the early Felice Brother's stuff. Truth is a cheap cassette recorder and a £5 mic could be as likely to get the best results... but that's hard to plan for,
You will if you upgrade your room acoustics and perhaps your monitoring.
What are you using for monitoring?
Is your room treated in any way?
I advocate spending money on acoustic treatment first, then on transducers (microphones and monitors).
Preamps are great- I have a bunch here, but I reckon that 90% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a Neve 1073 and the preamp in your Focusrite. Good preamps make it easier to get a good sound but they are down the list of priorities.
'Silky' is a subjective term but a lot of it comes down to skill and technique, not gear.
Andrew Scheps sometimes mixes records on an Apollo.
On conversion: most of the affordable interfaces use the exact same converters.
When you *upgrade* from a £200 to a £400 unit you don't usually get better quality, you get different features.
To get better conversion you want to be looking at a high end 2 channel audio interface.
The sort of thing I am talking about here is a Prism Sound Lyra 2, Lynx Hilo, Apogee Symphony Desktop.
I'm not recommending them, per se, I think you can get better results doing something other than upgrading your converters.
It just won't make as much difference as fixing your room acoustics and become a better engineer.
MD441 is a great mic but not one I'd suggest as your main microphone.
Under £500 there are a load of large diaphagm condenser microphones- Rode, Audio-Technia etc.
Depending on what you are recording, I'd suggest getting a good LDC, a pair of SDC's and a dynamic.
It is how you use them that matters.
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