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tenspeed - Posted - 02/13/2011: 20:59:52
Working on a small scale home studio set-up (and by small scale I mean a USB Mic and Audacity, maybe a MIDI synth) to record some songs I've been working on. Wondering if anyone knew some basics about how best to record a banjo?
Got a Deering GT2, I've been told that resonators sound great with a condenser mic. I've used Blue's microphones in the past (bluemic.com) and have no complaints, but it's the only brand I'm really familiar with. What do you use? Anything affordable on a home-studio budget? (>$200?)
bigcraig - Posted - 02/14/2011: 11:29:44
I use a Samson C01U which is a fairly inexpensive condenser mic (<$100) that plugs directly into the PC. I use the free Audacity software for my recording (not that I ever seem to do much.....) It's an inexpensive setup that does the job for me. I got this mic about 5 years ago. I think there are a lot more USB mics around these days.
Banjophobic - Posted - 02/14/2011: 12:23:43
I currently use the Blue snowflake for my Skype lessons and the LOTW vids. Its a great little USB for the money(about 60 bucks). The "snowball' is a more serious mic for about 100. The AT 4040 is a premier USB mic too, as is the Sampson. Lately, Ive been using the Zoom H2 as a USB recording mic and well, its awesome, to be blunt. 
hum - Posted - 02/14/2011: 14:54:14
Thumbs up - I also use the Zoom H2, it's a great usb mic and also acts as a soundcard for my laptop if i'm going to record on the move into some music software.
Wes Lassiter - Posted - 02/15/2011: 05:11:26
Not to be dense(trolls don't eat me up} but how do you use the H2 as a mic? That sounds like a good idea
Banjophobic - Posted - 02/15/2011: 06:41:30
Wes
Its easy as pie. You connect teh Zoon via USB cable and that powers it up. You tehn choose 'connect' and it will ask you to set the frequency (48 vs 44) and then you simply activate it in that menu. You applications will all recognize the Zoom as a mic now. Dave will agree with me again, I'll bet, that the quality of sound when using the Zoom as a mic is about as good as you can get, for the money. All of the sound files Ive sent into the hangout over the past few months has been recorded on Audition software and just this zoom, as a USB mic. There are many extra settings like lowpass filters,compression settings and level controls,etc, but Ive never had to use them myself for recording here in my recording space. Im very happy with this thing.
hum - Posted - 02/15/2011: 11:19:14
Yeah John's right - It's a cool mic, I'm working my way through a second solo CD and recording all the acoustic instruments through the Zoom H2 into the laptop along with music software - the computer recognizes it as soon as it's connected. easy! It sorted out some latency problems I was getting with a previous soundcard so I'm chuffed with that, you also get 3 different mic gain sensitivity settings and as it's battery or mains you can record ambiently or connect a line in or external mic into it to record straight onto the SDcard then upload to your computer - so if you are and about and want to record on the move it's perfect - no complaints yet!
Here is link to find out more:
zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/
van dorn - Posted - 02/15/2011: 18:06:44
Shure builds two USB microphones as well as a USB adapter. The adapter works with any microphone that you own and there's no extraneous noise as there is with other adapters. Their PG27 USB is reasonably priced microphone. If you're interested in the specs, here's the website:
shure.com/americas/products/mi...icrophone
Wes Lassiter - Posted - 02/16/2011: 09:25:17
Yup works like a champ!! Thanks John and everyone!!!!
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