A Christmas Present 'Emergency' - Page 2

carol m · December 8th, 2006

This is a bit of an 'emergency' - I've just been asked what I want for Christmas, and obviously I want a microphone. I've been meaning to research it but haven't yet so......can anyone help quickly? I have a computer, a guitar and a power supply. I want a general, easy to use, not too expensive mike and I'll work out the 'set-up' later. If I get a mike, do I need anything else to start - I've heard people talk here about sound cards - do I need one, and is it different to the sound card that is part of the computer? Any ideas, anyone? What do I need to tell them to look for - they have less of a clue than I do!

carol m · #16 December 9th, 2006

I know the tune but I didn't think Metallica played in that style - there you go, you learn something everyday...I'm going to try and track down the Metallica version and listen to them properly (never really have before).

Magnatude · #17 December 9th, 2006

Yup its pretty much that way... it's actually one of the first songs I learned that I can still remember how to play.

carol m · #18 December 9th, 2006

I've just done a quick sampling of Metallica tracks and as far as I can find 'Nothing Else Matters' is the only song I found in that style (the rest were kind of what I expected and not the sort of music I generally listen to much). You seem to know their music well, Adrian, so do they have any tracks in a similar (less heavy metal) style that you know of?

Magnatude · #19 December 9th, 2006

Hmmmm well... Fade to Black jumps to mind, although it does have a bit of metal to it, it is a ballad. Call of Ktulu is a good one, all instrumental but kind of gets a bit boring after a bit. Mama Said is definatly acoustic, and Hero of the Day is a bit of both. Theres not much more of thier music that is acoustic and as nice to play as such as Nothing Else Matters tho. Although one of my favorites is To Live is To Die... it's heavy, but then right in the middle is this cool figerpicking kind of riff it fits it so well. Fade to black is fairly easy to learn as well just a few chords, and is best played finger style. Good luck with it, and let me know if you like these songs.

carol m · #20 December 9th, 2006

Hi Adrian, I just realised that you are a very new member here, so welcome.
I went to the attic in search of the webcam and found....a headset/mic set that was used by family members for gaming ! - naturally, I pinched it, and have succeeded in actually recording voice and guitar onto my computer. Unfortunately it sounds like there's a gale force wind happening as well, but tomorrow I'll explore the Help section and fiddle with it. I'm still going to go for a proper mic for Christmas though. Thanks for all your help.
I'll check out those Metallica tracks as well. How's the weather in New Foundland? We're having 28C and sunny!

Magnatude · #21 December 9th, 2006

Thanks for the welcome

At least now you can say you've tried the computer mic, and it's just not good enough, so you need new gear for christmas

. As for the weather here, it was raining all night, but on the plus side it cut through the snow we had. Its sunny here now, and I'd guess around the 1 to 3 degree mark, which is nice for 9:01 Saturday morning, after cramming for exams all night. I do say that I would like some of that 28 degrees lol.

fly135 · #22 December 9th, 2006

Mangatude, that was some nice playing. Good job.

Carol, I mentioned mixing CD, etc... because you may want to play along with backing tracks or even the actual song. So you might put backing tracks on a CD or play them from the computer. You might have a Casio keyboard for example that plays rhythm, that you could plug into the mixer. I have a little Yamaha electronic drum that I bought off eBay for $20. It has pads you hit with sticks and about 80 built in rhythms. I can plug it into my mixer. And if you want to sing with your playing or have a friend sing along you can get another mic.

The UB802 I mentioned has two low level inputs. When you get a mixer it's important to anticipate the number of low level inputs you need. Both guitars and mics need low level. Other inputs like CD will use the high level (also called Line level or Line-In). If you run your guitar through an FX box (especially multi-fx) then you could free up a low level and use line. Most of the Behringers have more line than low level. Especially if you count stereo as two inputs.

carol m · #23 December 9th, 2006

Hi Adrian, is that 1-3 degrees Fahrenheit or Centigrade? Also, I was wondering why you were up all night.....exams, eh...yes, that can do it. Nothing like the need to study to drive you to the chat room!

OldG · #24 December 9th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by carol m

do they have any tracks in a similar (less heavy metal) style that you know of?

Carol,
Check out Tuesday's Gone for a real campfire jam feel - I believe it's their version of a Lynard Skynard tune, mighty good...

carol m · #25 December 9th, 2006

Hi fly, that all sounds a bit confusing, but when I research the mixers available I'll bear it in mind, and then it'll make sense. Funny you mention a Yamaha, on my trip to the attic to look for the webcam, I came across a Yamaha PSR - 225 GM in perfect working order (looks like) and probably just needs some plugs and leads. No instructions though and lots of buttons! I'm going to be so busy I may need to cancel Christmas this year.

carol m · #26 December 9th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldG

Carol,
Check out Tuesday's Gone for a real campfire jam feel - I believe it's their version of a Lynard Skynard tune, mighty good...

I'll check it out tomorrow, Old G - I've had a big day and learned heaps...need some sleep now. Thanks for thi info.

Rockerbob · #27 December 9th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by carol m

Wow, very nice but $1000 each! I've heard you sing and play so I know that for you they would be worth it....but me? I don't think so - not just yet - maybe when I become a star (probably take a couple of weeks) maybe then I could dig deep and stun the world with my efforts.

Thanks for the suggestion though - when you need to know something guitar-related, there's only one place to go, no question - right here at GFB&B. Thanks everyone

I was really kidding. Although I think these are really great mics, I recorded and performed through many much less expensive mics for many years before I upgraded. I still use an SM58 to sing through when I perform live, which is rare these days.

Magnatude · #28 December 9th, 2006

OldG, I forgot all about that one!! Wasn't thinking of Garage at all!

Carol, it's celcius, and it's actually more like -5 plus windchill.

Fly, thanks. I'm glad you liked it!

GT · #29 December 19th, 2006

Go for the Shure SM-57. Really. You wont regret it. Its a very standard TOOL for recording that every kind of level musicians use. The 2 recordings i did yesterday (uploaded here) were made with just that Mic and my amp. A cheap one wont give you the quality your gonna be looking for sooner or later.

Stratrat · #30 December 20th, 2006

Did you settle on one yet, Carol?