Different Mic Sounds

Pete ,

If you have recording software, you can just record with no effects , the way you are currently recording and then add effects as you like. Most of the ones I have used have a variety of reverb options and simulate different room sizes and configurations. They also have lots of other effects you may like.

Effects can be applied anywhere in the signal chain between the mic and the amplifier speaker cone.   If you've seen guitar pedals, that's what they are.  You can also do it in software during recording, or in post-production after the tracks are down.

I think you get much better tone from a dedicated effects station like a pedal.  Software can provide really good effects, but I always feel like you should get the tone you want, and then record that, rather than record something, and then go try to find the tone.

Of course, we don't always have that option, so software is a nice way to go about it.

We use this delay quite a bit.  It sounds great.  http://www.mxrcarboncopy.com/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CarbonCopy/

I have an older Digitec Harmonizer it has reverb and lets you sing three part harmony major or minor in any key new it cost me around $350 and it mounts on your mic stand it also has a on off foot switch still has a great sound

"Better off" is relative.   My opinion is that if you are looking to modify the tone of the instrument, then you should do that "live" with pedals and instrument setup.   Get the instrument to sound like you want, and then spend your recording time ensuring that your recording is as high fidelity as possible to capture that sound.  If you are looking to fix or otherwise polish a track (remove some hum or pick noise, for example) then that is "better off" done at the workstation.

Reverb is a bit different, though, as the intent of reverb is to mimic the real life acoustic sound of a great sounding room or concert hall.  Obviously the best way to get that kind of tone is to play in a great sounding room or concert hall, but since most of us suffer in basements and living rooms, we don't have that option.  The "The Point of Reverb" thread I started was to kind of demonstrate this.

It depends on what effect you want.  There are, quite literally, hundreds of thousands of options available.  Generally, everyone should have a delay (reverb is just a specialized delay) and chorus/flange pedal in there somewhere.  If you aren't sure, I'd recommend a multi-effects pedal like the kind we discussed in another thread (can't recall who or what...).  Russell has specific experience with Boss/Roland stuff, and can offer advice there.   It's all good stuff.

Once you have it, set up is easy.

Right now you are Direct Input (DI) into your recording interface from your guitar.

Guitar-------------->AlesisMX4-------->Computer

You simply insert the pedal between them.

Guitar------------->PedalsPedalsPedals-------------->AlesisMX4-------------->Computer

The PedalsPedalsPedals portion can be as simple as this...

Or as complex as this...

Point is, guitar goes in one side, and comes out the other.

Is this an acoustic guitar, or electric?

If it's electric, then you have no problem

Guitar---->PedalsPedalsPedals--->Amp--->Mic--->Alesis--->Computer

If it's acoustic, I'm wondering what effect you are trying to achieve? I'd try to find a way to make the room you are in sound better and capture that when you record. 

What kind of mic are you using?

Ah OK.  You don't want an effect, then, you want to improve your recording quality.  For acoustic guitars, the best thing you can do besides spend thousands on top quality mics and acoustically perfect room rental is to record the guitar with two mics, rather than one.  This means you're going to have to up your game a bit and start working with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) but you really want to do that, anyway.

If you don't have two mics, don't sweat it.  I'll send you a pair you can borrow and walk you through getting set up.  All you'll need is the mic stands.

Then your setup will look like this

           Mic1-------->
Guitar                     Alesis----->Computer
           Mic2-------->                 

Which isn't nearly as hard as it looks. 

In the mean time, do the following things.

Go here and download Reaper and install it:

http://www.reaper.fm/download.php

It's free, and is fully functional.  It will remain free, so it doesn't expire or cripple itself if you don't "buy" it later on.  You can use it forever at no cost.

Once that is done, send me your Skype name.  I'm off work tomorrow so I can walk you through configuring Reaper to record your Alesis interface.  When you get the mics, you'll be able to plug them in and off you go.

My Skype ID is jerometoneil.  Don't be afraid to chat me up (that goes for everyone   )  I'll send you an email in a bit to get your address so I know where to send the mics.

Well, to understand why two mics, do the following.  Pick up your guitar and strum it.  Then put your ear right next to the top of the guitar, and move it around. You will hear a radically different sound depending on where you listen and where your ear is.  So if you are only using one mic, you are only hearing part of the sound that is resonating off of the instrument.  If you use two, you'll capture more than that.

I think you're using dynamic mics, which also aren't going to be ideal for recording an acoustic guitar.  If you have condensers available you'll have better results.  If you are using dynamic mics, get the capsule as close to the guitar as you possibly can.

Eventually you will end up with three tracks in your songs.  Two for the guitar and one for the vocals.  You will play each song twice.  You're going to play the guitar parts and not sing at all.  Then you're going to go back and play the guitar parts into a set of headphones and record your vocal track over it.  Then you can mix it and adjust it how you like.