Would this be a decent recording setup?

Question

Im on a pretty tight budget. I dont need a really nice and big setup just something small and kinda basic to record some of my bands songs. I do want the quality to be decent but not super amazing. This is what I planned: Shure SM57 micing my cab to into a Behringer EURORACK UB802 Mixer to a Behringer U-Control USB Interface into my laptop. Im gonna use Behringer MS16 studio monitors. Is this all I would need? Would you recommend anything else? Also should I upgrade my soundcard on my laptop?

Answer 1

I believe you are all USB, so your sound card may be OK. You could go straight from the UB802 to your sound card if you upgraded it, so if you have to upgrade your sound card, then that may be worth thinking about. Of course, there are issues about the number of inputs and outputs with various audio interface devices.



I would get computer speakers, since they are cheaper and come with a subwoofer. You def. need a subwoofer if you use monitors, because they don't go down very far on the hertz.



By computer speakers, I mean get ones that are rated near 30-20k, not the $10 ones from Best Buy.



The Sure SM57 also doesn't go down very far either. It is more live work were you need more high end. You can get any decent condenser mic like ATR 2035. Make sure the mixer has phantom power.

Answer 2

Since I have NO clue what laptop you have, or more importantly, what soundcard you have, then it is really hard for anyone to say whether or not you should change that or not. You can buy an external one, which would be good if you have external speakers for playback... but as far as recording, most USB/Firewire interfaces are going to bypass your soundcard, in terms of recording I think, so it's not too necessary to get a super nice one, except when you do go to playback your recording, you'll need a good soundcard and good speakers to know if your levels are good, and if your EQ is ok.



The sm57 or sm58 should be fine. You'll be able to record your guitar with this setup, but you need to play with no other instruments going, or you'll pickup there sound as well. The drums and bass should be done separately, then guitar on top of that, then vocals. The drums are hard to mic. They are going to need around 7 or more mic's, which you can get a kit for about $200. Your sm57 should be good enough for the bass as well. You'll need a pair of headphones that go over your ears to playback the music when you go to add the guitars so it doesn't interfere with your track. But, the microphone that Obamabot recommended would be better for recording.

Answer 3

super recorder and recorder max