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Post by chelonian on Nov 5, 2020 16:58:18 GMT
This is kind of a hybrid question--audio interface and acoustics--but I'm posting it on the acoustics thread because that's the fact I can't fully control and just have to deal with. I currently live in a rented house and the most convenient room for recording my music (which will include singing and quiet acoustic guitar parts, among many other types of sounds) is small. It has the following properties: - 10' x 10'5" x 7'6" ceiling, with a boxed-out area where the door is.
- Carpeted.
- Has a roughly 4' x 3' window with blinds as well as a small closet.
- Plaster walls and ceiling.
Until recently, I didn't realize that such a small and boxy room would present any problems with recording. However, a friend mentioned it would. I've since researched this online and now understand.
More importantly, the friend essentially suggested that it doesn't really matter which digital audio interface I buy given what will dominate in my recordings is the poor acoustics of the room.
That's the question: For singing and acoustic guitar playing in this room, will I even be able to hear noise floor differences or other issues in various audio interfaces?
For now, I plan on mixing through headphones only. I know that's not optimal either. I have a Shure SM57, and Audix SM58 type mic, and a condenser mic.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2020 18:22:17 GMT
Yes. People nowadays go really overboard with the gear in a 9m2 cube sized room. You just can't break the laws of physics(hope "aliens" or someway we well be able to do so in the future, LOL). The room is EVERYTHING if you record real instruments or wanna do critical listening.
Your best bet is probably to do "booth" out of movable panels. Ideally 30cm and thicker. You might be able to get pretty ok vocal tracks this way. If you make the panels, leave the both sides absorptive.
Anyways, about the interface, if you don't need many channels, you'll do fine with 1-2 mic preamp interface. I wouldn't buy the cheapest, even in your situation, but wouldn't get the most expensive either.
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Post by rock on Nov 5, 2020 21:26:41 GMT
If you make moveable panels, consider building stands for them. Here's what I did You don't have to worry about the noise floor; I believe that's a thing of the past. I've had accidentally recorded tracks 40 dB below full scale and later normalized the level in the daw and don't think I could tell the difference. And right, don't get the cheapest interface but consider the way you'll record. I have 16 analog inputs + MIDI (Tascam US 16x8 but no digital ins) because I often record the my whole band live, usually just to hear the playback. The vast majority seem to get by with 2 inputs but when choosing an interface, it pays to think ahead.
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Post by Hexspa on Nov 18, 2020 0:56:54 GMT
When in doubt, buy the second-cheapest that has the features you *need* but not necessicarily all the ones you *want*.
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