tzinho - Posted - 02/06/2024:  13:21:54

My son is interested in putting together a home studio to start recording his banjo playing. I've been playing plucked string instruments (including clawhammer) for nearly four decades, with a fair amount of studio recording experience, all of which occurred a LONGGGGG TIME AGO in the pre-computer era.

So, I'm looking for advice on the following:

1. Recommendations for a multi-track recording system that is portable, i.e. something that is not "glued" to a PC, but that can of course download content to a PC once it's recorded. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, just something solid and high-quality for recording banjo, possibly accompanied by other acoustic instruments.

2. Recommendations for a good microphone to pair with this recording system.

3. Recommendations for post-processing software... again, nothing super fancy, just something with basic functions/options for slightly enhancing the sound of traditional acoustic instruments.

Thanks in advance for your advice, which is much appreciated!

KCJones - Posted - 02/06/2024:  13:34:10

Laptop computer + USB Audio Interface (e.g. Steinburg UR22C) + SM57 microphone = ultra-portable music studio.





Using a proper audio interface allows you to use actual studio equipment (e.g. SM57 mic) rather than being stuck with USB mics which are almost universally low quality. You can get them with any number of input channels/tracks you need. 



Most any decent USB Audio interface will come with software like CubaseAI or similar. Alternatively, Audacity is the "goto" free option and it works very well. The new studio software is amazing, you can have basically a full-fledged production studio on your computer. 



You can also check out the new digital soundboards that work pretty well. I used a Zoom LiveTrak with a band and while it was a bit clunky it worked decently enough once we figured it out. The advantage is you can record to an SDcard without a computer. The downside is that a small USB audio interface and a laptop is arguably more portable than a full-fledged digital mixer.

Edited by - KCJones on 02/06/2024 13:35:53

ClawJam - Posted - 02/06/2024:  18:43:09

i have one of these. i can't tell you much about it because i've never really used it.....but it's in like new condition in the box. i'd sell for $100 plus shipping. if the link doesn't work search for Tascam dp-008ex digital 8 track pocketstudio....i got it from musicians friend

musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/...YEALw_wcB

banjoak - Posted - 02/07/2024:  05:23:09

Goals are are a bit vague... especially about need for portability.  

As mentioned, can just use old small laptop and interface (or USB mic) for pretty good portability. Doesn't need much horsepower for tracking. As well they make interfaces/mics that can connect to ipad or phone... even more portable. Can use these same interfaces/mic into desktop computer in home studio. Another alternative, is a small mixer with USB connection; which can double as PA mixer for playing live.

But if want a separate stand alone recording device... it will cost more; but might look into; Zoom H4n Pro   or TASCAM DR-40X  Both are pretty popular for portability. Really small, has built in XY mic, or can plug in 2 XLR mics (or line input). Also make 4 XLR in version Zoom H6 . These are great for portable capture, but can be bit more difficult to navigate and use thru LCD screens and small buttons when comes to home recording; compared to DAW. That said, can just use as an audio interface direct to computer when at actual home studio.

As far as the old school Roland or Tascam portastudio type as Dan pointed to; not sure if make much any more; as they don't have much advantage to them. Most folks were not using it for portable recording, but simply as home studio work station. Of course some folks just like the old school work flow, visualization, physical knobs and sliders. (there are other physical mixer solutions to that end). Again, the small LCD screen can be a pain to navigate; a DAW has much better visual user interface and workflow IMO. 

....just something solid and high-quality for recording banjo, possibly accompanied by other acoustic instruments.

Most all home recording equipment on the market, whether USB mic, interface, PCI, or stand alone unit as above... is not much going to affect the quality of recording. Each has a built in preamp(s); and analog to digital converter converting it to 0s and 1s... which is what gets recorded. For home recording market; most are pretty good and not significantly different quality. 

2. Recommendations for a good microphone to pair with this recording system.

The microphone isn't particular unique pairing to any recording system, interface device or DAW. Mic choice will have more of a noticeable affect than above devices in what character of sound is; but also depends an many factors, including instrument, player, mic placement, room, treatment... and subjectivity. That said, lots of decent mics to fit most any budget, even $100-$200 should get reasonably good results; and good place to start.

3. Recommendations for post-processing software... again, nothing super fancy, just something with basic functions/options for slightly enhancing the sound of traditional acoustic instruments.

There are plenty of free DAWs  - They all more or less work similar functions and editing/mixing/fx plugins. Differences are more in user interface, workflow. On a Mac comes with Garageband, works fine... on PC Cakewalk is really good full DAW; similar Reaper, Waveform, Ardour work well (mac, PC, Linux); and even free lite versions of Studio One, Ableton, Cubase, PT; are fine for these projects. They all have basic plugins (EQ, reverb, compression, and more) that will work; as well can load in others (plenty of free or inexpensive ones).

banjooud - Posted - 02/07/2024:  12:06:08

I wouldn't recommend a Sm-57 for banjo recording. But a more small-diaphragm microphone. (i have Oktava MK-012 , great microphone ! )
Reaper is a great DAW

banjoak - Posted - 02/07/2024:  15:58:20

Didn't want to delve too much down rabbit hole of mics, as no objective "best" mic.

There are lots of videos that ask if only had limited x budget, what would be on list; and the SM57 is often mentioned. SM57 is deemed a pretty utilitarian workhorse staple in even big studios... that every studio likely has. Because can work with for almost any instrument, won't sound bad. It is especially good for many home recording folks with poor room, acoustic treatment. Work for live gigs. Built like a tank.  Just buy one.

That said, I do find SDCs work great on lots of acoustic instruments; gives more definition, detailed sound (though might not be what after).  Many in the $100-250 range, (like sE7, or Rode M5, or Golden Age Project FC4, or Lewitt LCT 040), and many come as matched pair in budget; which opens up various dual mic placement options. (love it on guitar).  

Speaking of mic budget for home recording, if needing some versatility of different sources; rather than all on one mic... might get more bang for buck by getting 2 different sounding mics; for example LDC and SM57; or LDC and pencil mic. 

Edited by - banjoak on 02/07/2024 16:00:49

mikehalloran - Posted - 02/21/2024:  09:33:34

The impedance mismatch makes the SM57 one of he worst mics for all-around recording unless you use a variable impedance preamp or something like a Cloudlifter that makes the impedance a non-issue.

There are a number of great, inexpensive condensor microphones out there.

Unfortunately, your requirements are too vague to really get a handle on what you need. How many channels?

If looking for a portable recorder that can also function as an interface, Zoom offers a large number. Record to an SD card or your computer (or both). Here's an overview:

Zoom- Audio Recorders

I have a barely used Zoom R24 if interested. Though recently discontinued, these have features and functionality not found in the current offers above.

TimFoster - Posted - 02/21/2024:  20:15:13

I’ma go against the grain — if I didn’t have a well treated room and needed one reasonably-priced desert island mic… I’d bypass most cheaper condensers and go with a Shure sm7b all day long on midrange-focused sources.

You do need a quiet high gain preamp, but cheap modern opamp-based designs have come along way.

All that high frequency content you think you’re missing is tricky to capture in practice until you get to a certain level of gear, and far less useful in context within most mixes. IMHO of course.