Many thanks VideoTrack Would you be able to recommend a good mid-price mic. Could I use a USB mic., or if not would I need additional software do you know? Also, could I load a backing track into BIAB and record live sax over the top
Many thanks VideoTrack Would you be able to recommend a good mid-price mic. Could I use a USB mic., or if not would I need additional software do you know? Also, could I load a backing track into BIAB and record live sax over the top
(That's a lot of follow up - sorry )
e: Mic recommendation, definitely a USB microphone is suitable and would be satisfactory. The Beta 98H/C which clips to the bell is a very suitable option. Also, don't dismiss the Shure SM57. There are others here more expert in recording brass woodwind and they'll chip in, I'm sure.
You shouldn't need additional software, except maybe a mic pre-amp depending on the microphone used.
re: load backing track into BIAB and record live sax over the top Yes, but perhaps RealBand might be a better option for you to do this. What format is the backing track in?
Last edited by VideoTrack; 08/14/1701:57 PM. Reason: corrected the class of instrument.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Usually loaded from Aebersold or Hal Leonard CD's (bit old fashioned in our house). I'm starting to compose my own stuff to perform and had been looking at DAWs like "Studio 1" but I have had BIAB/RB for a while but never really used them. For my exams I could get by with backing tracks on CDs - if I go further I will need a band or my own tracks (just got my LLCM diploma). Quite steep learning curves as I'm not a techie, but there is a lot of support for BIAB.
I'm a jazz saxophonist - perform loads of Charlie Parker (the faster the better ) but also some soul,blues, and R&B.
If the music is currently on CD, you probably need to convert it to audio first (e.g. WAV file) to make it native to BiaB or RealBand. This is a technique known as 'ripping'.
Windows Media Player can do this, but there are also plenty of free tools on the web.
Do a little research to find one that has good reviews and doesn't come complete with bloatware.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
One question that needs to be answered prior to suggesting a mic is are you going to use the mic for more than recording your sax? Will you be also recording vocals, or guitars, pianos etc?
If only for the sax then get a mic that clips onto the sax's bell like one of these:
I have experience recording brass, however sax is not 'brass'.
I'll put a third vote in for the SM57, even for sax. I've recorded alto, tenor and soprano with it many times. You can also use it for brass, vocals, even snare drum. It's a workhorse and stays healthy through a lot of use for a lot of years. It's hard to kill one.
That said, as mentioned by others above; you'll need a pre-amp. Focusrite was mentioned and is fine. Good stuff.
So is StudioProjects, which offers a litle more in the way of actual preamp options at the price point (like swappable tube, solid state/tube mix, tube drive) but it would require a way to get the (audio) signal into the computer from the preamp. This is OK if you already have another decent soundcard/interface. If not, the Focusrites are good audio to USB units and likely the best cost-effective solution.
Be aware the entry level Focusrite unit (2i2) usually does not include a mixer applet for the computer, so going just one step up may offer valuable features not realized by a first time purchaser. One thing to note with this 2i2 unit; if you plug a mic into channel 1 (the Left side) you hear it in the left speaker. This can be annoying .. sure I can drop one side of the headset (which is 'kinda' common when recording vocals), but if I plug a bass in and only hear it the left side it can be a bit disconcerting while recording, so thought I'd mention to a potential purchaser.
And yes; RealBand is likely a better way to go (or some other DAW you are comfortable in). BiaB CAN record audio, but RB can record 40 additional tracks of audio. Biab is a bit restrictive in this way. You don't have to delete a take in RB to record another one (then mix parts these extra parts together) .. BiaB is limited in how many 'takes' you can work with.
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