Basic Recording Help!

I have a set of drum mics coming my way currently and I've never recorded with this many mics before. I plan on recording using my laptop so... my question is what do I need to get all those mics hooked up to my laptop?? BTW there's 7 mics, if that clarifies anything. ANY help is appreciated, I'm totally lost. Oh and can you guys point me to the cheaper side of this process, I'm not looking for a 4'x5' board with a ton of knobs, I plan on doing most of the mixing on my laptop I just need a way to hook all these mics up.

THANKS!

You need a recording interface to connect multiple inputs to your laptop. I'm not sure about the compatibility issues you may encounter. But I do know that you need a computer with a high processor speed and lots of RAM memory to handle the recording and playback of several tracks simultaneously. If you are wanting to record seven tracks at one time, look for a device that houses at least 8 inputs. Also, be prepared to dump some cash, as most of these devices tend to run around $500.00+/-, depending on what you are buying. You may or may not have to buy software separately. I'm not sure if there is a good cheap route to what you are wanting to do, unless you luck out, and find some good used equipment at bargain prices. The thing I have found, is that if you want that kind of control, it costs $$$$$. You may also consider a stand alone type of digital recording workstation (check Guitar Center). These tend to have the hard drive, mixer, inputs, effects, editing tools, cd burner, etc. all wrapped into one package, and the up side to this is that your music stays in an isolated environment--free from all of the bugs, viruses, and other computer problems associated with a pc based recording system, which can wreak havoc on many hours of your work. If you intend to invest a significant amount of time to recording, then it is worth it in the long run to get the right setup. You might try searching the recording/live sound forum, or on the web for information relating to digital recording. There is a mess of information out there to sift through, before you will understand how it works and what you really need.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks, that was really informative and also discouraging (the prices! haha) I'm starting to have second guesses about recording since the price is so steep, I was looking on musiciansfriend and I came across a few cheap mixers (8 channels, $50) would those work? and if so what would i need to connect the mixer to my laptop? just a simple auxiliary cord?

Hey man,

I'm using a Tascam US-1641 has 8 mic jacks and a bunch of 1/4 inch on the back, works like a champ on a budget. Got it on payments cause I'm REALLY on a budget, works good sounds great and easy to use. Only complaint is the knobs are plastic, but anymore unless you spend over a grand that's what ya get. Anyway, I have one, and like it, check it out...

Tascam 1641

P.S. I'm running it on a laptop, AMD 1.6ghz X2 with 1gb ram 100gb hard drive, XP pro. Handles all channels fine.

Sorry to discourage you. If you have the budget for a cheap mixer, you could start with that. Run your mics to the mixer channel inputs, and run a main out (mixed "stereo" signal) to your computer's line input. I run a stereo "y" cable, from both of the 1/4" main out jacks on the mixing board, that connects to the computer end with a 1/8" stereo plug. You wouldn't be able to make any eq, level, or any other channel specific adjustments after the recording is made, so taking this approach will require you to get your sound fine tuned before you record, since you would be recording the entire mixed set of signals onto one track on your computer. You should also consider different mic placement techniques, which may allow you to use less microphones to record the entire kit (less mics + smaller mixer = more affordability). Sometimes the right placement of an overhead mic (or two), and a kick drum mic, will sound just as good as anything else, and it's less complicated to work with.

Assuming that you are working with some sort of multi-track recording software, this approach will allow you to record a complete mixed drumkit to one track on the computer. Then you can add guitar, bass, vocal, accordian, pan flute, tuba, or whatever other instruments you want to include on other tracks, each individually recorded, thereby allowing them to be mixed within the multi-track software, and played back simultaneously. You can find some pretty reasonably priced multi-track software, just to start out. I have seen some at Best Buy for less than $100.00.

I hope all of this makes sense. You will just have to expirement to find what gives you the results you need, with your available equipment.

Check out the MOTU 8pre.

For a little less check this out.

drumfreak's interpolation on the computer recording scheme is a bit over-dramatic. You don't necessarily need a fast processor or tons of RAM to record and mix music. Any intel celeron or better, or any AMD athlon 64 or better system with at least 512mb (1GB is the recommended amount these days) will handle audio processing just fine. You really only need a fast computer for mixes with high track counts (24+), high sample rates, and with lots of plugins being run simultaneously in real-time. 8 tracks at 44.1 or 48kHz with no plugins will be fine and dandy on most any modern (2004 and later) system. Also, bugs and viruses aren't really an issue unless you really don't know how to use a computer, they're easy to take care of.

You do however need to invest a little bit. IMO save your money or go on a trade-in with something and get something "good" first. The 8pre is a solid basic recording interface which in my opinion is the best option for you. It's a few bucks yeah but it's where you'd wanna start. The great thing is it's expandeable... if you want 16 channels later on then you can just pick up another 8pre (or any 8 channel ADAT converter) and plug it in... no sweat! If you'd rather not spend that much and wanna go for an 8 (or more) channel mixer (make sure the mixer has at least 8 mic channels... with mixer channel lingo these days a "14 channel mixer" really can only have two useable channels...) then that's your choice, you can get entirely acceptable recordings no sweat but it takes a bit of work.

EDIT: The tascam unit boxofrocks linked looks great and is less than the 8pre! That'd be a great alternative. Same sort of deal looks like but I haven't had very good experience with Tascam products, seem to have a lot of problems and their customer service isn't up to par. boxofrocks hasn't seemed to have had any problems though so check it out.

I have a Yamaha MG102C. They're $100 online. It's enough for snare, bass and two overheads. Plenty I'd think for most situations.

Find a good mixer just for your drums, but if you're working alone, plan on spending a lot of time to get the right mix....then get a 1/4 to USB plug to go into your computer.

What kind of music software are you going to use. I like to use Tracktion 2...it's simple, cheap and it works great.

Yeah man, I had an Alesis IO/26 and it fried within 3 months, Alesis was wanting to charge me for repair (even though it was under warranty) so I put it on eBay and replaced it with the Tascam. No problems so far, was looking for cheap get the job done kind of thing, and I'm happy so far. The EZ payments at AMS really helps too..

I'm going to toss out a different kind of suggestion. Instead of getting 7 mics and either a mixer or sound card that can handle that many inputs, get something smaller/simpler to start with. There are USB interface boxes that only handle a couple of inputs. I know the Tascam US-122 is like this. There are others. Many come bundled with software.

I suspect you're probably underestimating the learning curve on how to use this stuff. I know I did. Start with only 1 mic or two and learn how to record with that and what all the variables of mic placement, eq, effects, room dynamics, etc. have on the recording. Then when, comfortable (probably years down the line), get something more sophisticated. I'm afraid with that many mics, threre's gonna so many variables you don't quite understand, you won't know how to tweak in a good sound.

Also, read this site: http://tweakheadz.com

Unless you're trying to compete with Abbey Road or the Power Station, you should be able to get a very good drum recording with a modest investment and only a few mics.

Yeah i wouldnt mind scaling down the number of mics, i just got a sweet deal on 7 mics for $70 with shipping (

Thanks for all the help guys, they all really helped