Using Garageband For Recording Real Instruments Options

[industrialplaid]

Over the past couple weeks I have been working on recording quite a few songs using my Powerbook G4, Garageband v1.1.something, a shitty SM-57 ripoff vocal mic, the iMic USB device, and a variety of guitars, my voice, and a bass. I understand that the quality of my end-product is going to be severely impaired by my shitty equipment (especially the mic), but my goal is just to record some serviceable versions of my original compositions fully intending to do a much better job at a later date (hopefully with other musicians).

That being said, I'm trying to figure out how I can do the best job I possibly can with what I have. I have two problems right now with the setup I've been using, and I'm not sure how to solve them.

1) The levels are extremely low on my songs even when everything is cranked up to the max (the master volume and the individual track volumes). I have to set my speakers to volume levels twice what I would use for a typical CD to be able to hear my songs at an acceptable level.

2) There is a lot of white-noise on all my tracks, due I assume to the shitty mic I was using.

Is there anything I can do with my current setup to correct these issues? I'd like the songs to be audible and less "noisy". If Garageband isn't capable, can you guys recommend any freeware programs out there that might be?

Thanks.

[minskybabs]

Hi there, Garageband should be capable, but maybe your mic interface isn't? The imic doesn't seem to get very good press on this forum. Not having used I couldn't say for sure, but low levels and large amounts of background hiss, sounds like a preamp/interface problem. I would say first things first spend a bit on a pre amp, you can decide how much it is worth for you, but you should be able to get away with £100-200 UK. Look for Mackie or Presonus Tascam or something, or even second hand on ebay, though I would imagine it would be worth buying new if you are not an expert, as it is hard to tell if these things work properly until you know what you are doing!

A good interface will have a better preamp than your imic, which will make even a bad mic sound better, it will offer you more boost and a clearer sound, and possibly have lower latency (the little delay that is sometimes heard when you play into the computer with digital devices). It will also help you when you come to mixing.

It is such a big world out there in terms of recording, you can spend a fortune chasing "better" sound. At the end of the day you have the right idea, in that you just want to get something recorded, but perhaps you are starting a bit to low fi if the results are not acceptable. I would blame the interface before the mic. Although Mics can make a difference a crap interface will make a good mic sound bad!

If you dont want to spend any money then you will need to experiment with placing the mic in different positions to see what is best. Normally you need lots of level going in then your hiss will seem less. But be warned you mustn't overload digital recording, unlike some analogue or tape stuff it doesn't work at all and sounds awful!

Good luck.
Minskybabs.

[deaconblue]

industrialplaid,

Try picking up a low cost mixer to add in between your mics and the iMic. There are quite a few mixers that won't break the bank out there today. Behringer offers some decent products for demo level work that you can route to the stereo inputs on the iMic to get you started with a higher Signal level into GarageBand, plus it will give you two mic pres that will allow you to use either the 'less than high quality SM57 ripoff' mic or a better one to get your sound in. It also has a couple of line inputs if you wanted to record some of your other gear direct via a DI box or headphones out on an amp, etc. As stated previously in this thread, it won't be master quality recording with your current interface, but it will get you much, much closer than what you are running right now.

A true DAW interface like those mentioned by minskybabs would get you a whole lot closer, but I do understand the financial wall we run into on purhcasing gear for our studios. Presonus Firebox, MOTU 828 MK II, the list goes on.

Good luck with capturing your tracks and building your tunes. The journey has begun!

peace.