Recording guitar with the POD


Bob McCarthy
Registered User
Joined: 09/21/04
Posts: 1
Bob McCarthy
Registered User
Joined: 09/21/04
Posts: 1
09/23/2004 8:57 pm
Howdy!

I decided to start recording songs to my computer, so I got the Line 6 POD 2.0 (based on the advice in this forum) and a nice mic. Now what I need to know is how to get the maximum quality out of the recordings...

The POD is connected to the PC with a 1/4" - 1/8" cable into Line In. I've been recording with Windows' Sound Recorder set at 44.100 kHz, 16 bit, Mono. Using Volume Control, I lowered the Playback and Recording volumes for Line In to where I think they sound pretty good. I then compose the songs in FL Studio 4.

But I don't really know what I'm doing.

Basically, what can I do to make the recordings the best possible quality? Should I use a different type of input apart from the cable straight to Line In, is Sound Recorder not good enough, are there certain settings I should change on my computer, do I need any extra hardware, etc.?

Any/all help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

- - -

P.S. - I'm still waiting for the phantom power supply for my mic to come in, so I don't have a clue how it's going to sound yet. Any advice on that is welcome, as well.
# 1
Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 07/06/02
Posts: 5,021
Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 07/06/02
Posts: 5,021
09/23/2004 10:50 pm
Sounds like you are all hooked up. Now the hard bit, setting gain stages. All you need to do is get the signal as hot as you can with out it clipping (over loading your input) and once you do that it is just a matter of getting a sound you like out of the pod (and rebalancing your gain stags).

As far as mics are concerned, well that is a lot more tricky. It may eventually be more rewarding however it take much more perseverance and experience to get a nice sound live with a mic.

a) what type of mic is it ? I am presuming it is a large diaphragm condenser as you mentioned a phantom power supply ! Dynamic mics like SM57s / SM58s don't need phantom power however you will need to crank your amp harder as they are less sensitive the condensers.

b) How do you intend to attach this to the computer ? What sort of preamp are you going to use ? The one built into the sound card ? What sort of sound card is it ? This type of info will help identify the weakest link in your set up. You may have been better off getting a cheap preamp with a line out rather than a phantom power supply !

c) Where are you going to record ? The acoustics of the room are all important. Recordings done in the bathroom will sound very different to ones done in the living room !

d) Where will you place the mic ? On axis off axis, makes a big difference to the sound ! A neat trick is to be able to monitor the sound you here going down onto tape using a pair of isolation headphones. This takes a lot of the guess work out of mic placement. Many people like to place an SM57 pointing directly at the top left edge of the speaker right on the grill. This is a starting point and you will have to wiggle the mic a bit to find the sweet spot !

e) what volume to record at ? remember to rebalance your EQ as you bring your volume up and down !


These are just some of the things to think about when recording with a mic, direct is much easier !

Oh yes and f) remember to enjoy your self !!!
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
# 2

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