New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Get that song on tape! Errr... disk?
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HNB
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New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:17 pm

I keep using my cell phone for demo's and the audio just is crappy so I decided to get a mic and usb interface to try to get my video sound to be more like it sounds in real life. After reading through this section, I picked up a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface, a Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone, a desktop mic stand, and mic cable. I am thinking I can use my OBS Studio program to record the audio and video now and it should work? Thoughts? Did I do ok? I am not looking to record music or anything. I just want my demo's and stuff to have better audio quality. That way the only part sucking would just be my playing. ;)
Christopher
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by marqueemoon » Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:49 pm

Sure. That's plenty good to do what you're doing.

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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by stevejamsecono » Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:51 am

I did my first 15 years of demoing on a setup virtually identical to what you have and was always really happy with it. It got my ideas down and it sounded pretty good.

Hilariously I bought about a grand or so worth of new mics and equipment in January and have barely touched them so far because it's such a hassle to set up. :fp:
And you find out life isn't like that
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam

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COYS

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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:22 pm

LOL

I hope to have it just setup on my desk all the time so if I want to do something, it is already hooked up. I might need a bigger desk.... LOL

Where do you mix your speakers? Trial and error or is there a normal spot people use? How close do you put the mic? Also trial and error?
Christopher
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HarlowTheFish » Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:21 pm

HNB wrote:
Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:22 pm
LOL

I hope to have it just setup on my desk all the time so if I want to do something, it is already hooked up. I might need a bigger desk.... LOL

Where do you mix your speakers? Trial and error or is there a normal spot people use? How close do you put the mic? Also trial and error?
I like starting dead center, on axis, then either turning it outward off-axis (keeping the mic in the center but angling it away from the cap) or just moving the entire thing outward and keeping it facing directly into the speaker. Depends on the guitar and the style of tone, but you start getting a feel for what you'll lean to for dirt vs. cleans, or this or that guitar pretty quick. Distance-wise, I start maybe 4-6 inches out from the speaker (my amp's grille gives me 2 inches, so I back it up another 4ish) for my general-purpose stuff, but if I need something a bit more direct then it's either on the grille or I take it off (velcro) and stick it like an inch from the speaker.

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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Tue Jun 15, 2021 2:02 pm

Thanks! Those are good tips. I have seen people put tape square marks on cabinet fronts for micing. Sine this mic is pretty directional, I will shift it laterally once I get it on the desk stand until I get the sound I am looking for.
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by Embenny » Tue Jun 15, 2021 2:33 pm

A Scarlett and 57 are pretty much the best bang for your buck you could possibly have gotten. That'll be an absolutely dramatic improvement in demo quality. There's no amount of money you could throw at a setup that would give you the kind of improvement over your new gear that your new gear will give you over your cell phone.
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by marqueemoon » Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:34 pm

stevejamsecono wrote:
Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:51 am
I did my first 15 years of demoing on a setup virtually identical to what you have and was always really happy with it. It got my ideas down and it sounded pretty good.

Hilariously I bought about a grand or so worth of new mics and equipment in January and have barely touched them so far because it's such a hassle to set up. :fp:
It took me years to realize if things aren’t already set up or VERY easy to set up nothing happens with recording myself.

Nothing gets me out of a creative mood faster than messing with some stupid technical problem.

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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:35 pm

I am kind of the same way. I don't want to run around to set stuff up. I just like it being ready for if I want to use it.

I got my mic and interface choice from the forum. I used google and searched OSG's recording section for low budget mic options and read someone say instead of spending $150 on a USB microphone to record at home, it was smarter and pretty much the same cost to get that mic and that usb interface. Since those seem to be more durable and better for the money, it seemed like an easy choice. :D

OSG has loads of helpful tips. :D
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by BTL » Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:15 am

Congrats! I'm interested to see what you come up with.
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Mon Jun 21, 2021 2:54 pm

These are my first tests. Any feedback on if they sound ok? I think I had the Focusrite input gain a little too high, so I did turn that down a bit.

https://youtu.be/f9KCNd7Dc8M

Also is there any easy way to put videos on instagram? When I go there on my computer, it doesn't give me an option to add media. I would rather not email the file to my phone and do it if there is an easier way.
Christopher
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Mon Jun 21, 2021 3:21 pm

In this demo I accidentally turned my camera mic off totally, but it does give a sample of how the mic and Scarlette 2i2 work.

https://youtu.be/BvhENjtGoYc
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Mon Jun 21, 2021 4:02 pm

I think I got the levels set up now. New problem is my camera mic is way too sensitive and is getting overloaded with the amp sound. I believe these types of mics are condenser ones? (Ones that pick up everything.) Is there a good desktop speaking mic that is more directional so it doesn't pick up all the background nose?

(I am guessing a second Shure SM57? LOL)

https://youtu.be/14I4UazvkUE
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by HNB » Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:00 pm

Read more threads in this section and decided to try out a MXL 603 for vocals. That should help cut down on background noise. I am glad I got the 2i2 or I would be out of luck with just one mic port. LOL
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Re: New (Better) Demo Equipment Coming In

Post by jorri » Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:46 am

HNB wrote:
Mon Jun 21, 2021 2:54 pm
These are my first tests. Any feedback on if they sound ok? I think I had the Focusrite input gain a little too high, so I did turn that down a bit.

https://youtu.be/f9KCNd7Dc8M

Also is there any easy way to put videos on instagram? When I go there on my computer, it doesn't give me an option to add media. I would rather not email the file to my phone and do it if there is an easier way.
Yeh, they can appear as Reels
And for adding from pc go to chrome developer tools and there is a phone emulator that allows to add (may need some random refreshing to show the + symbol)

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