Hi,
I’m hoping to start a small recording setup for recording my dad playing violin.
I’ve been in the world of synths/electronics but never actually recorded live instruments before.
I’ve been recommended a microphone AKG C214, but now we need an audio interface.
I had been recommended the SSL 2+, but as it’s only 2 inputs I’m starting to wonder if something like a https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/zoom-livetrak-l-8 would be better suited and allow for expansion down the line (room mics, other musicians etc) Is this just my gear fiend mentality coming in and polluting this simple setup??
We’d then be picking up a laptop and a copy of the most basic protools to track it etc.
This isn’t intended to produce the next top selling album but something that could be released probably digitally with limited CD run for friends and family.
The SSL2+ I imagine has higher quality preamps for the mics, but as it’s only 2 inputs I’m thinking something like the Zoom LiveTrak would be good, but then I’m concerned the quality of the recording might be affected and if the extra inputs never get used it seems like a bit of a waste!
Are the LiveTrak preamps good, is the SSL2+ worth it or are you just paying for the SSL name?
I think it depends on whether you’re ultimately planning to use a DAW or mix DAWless (down the road. I understand for your dad’s violin, there won’t be much multitracking invloved). If you’re putting everyhing into a DAW, go for the SSL. If you’re thinking of going DAWless multitracking to SD cards…
There are an embarrassment of multitrack riches available right now. You’d do amazing things with any of them, but I personally probably wouldn’t go with the LiveTrack. It feels like a weird middle ground. If you want small and gigable, go with a Zoom R16 or R24. If you want something more akin to the mixing console form factor, step up to the TASCAM Model 12. The LiveTrack just feels like this weird set of half-way compromises to me.
Thanks, I think likely we’d be doing most of it using a DAW for ease of use (multi takes, processing etc etc)
But yea for 2 inputs I could see this increasing to at least 4 if we start having other musicians round to record etc.
I’ll maybe go with the SSL2+ for now and we can expand later!
Well … “smal setup” … “violin”, how much channels would be needed? ONE if you use one microphone, two, if you have two mics and want to record a stereo image of the violin.
A 1" diaphragm mic like the AKG and the SSL 2+ should do a good job recording any acoustic instrument. Important is the recording environment. The room should at least be treated to an extend that undesired acoustic effects will not degrade the recordings.
A multi-channel mixer would only be needed, if you want to record a couple of instruments in parallel, like a band (6-8 mics for the drums, 1 for each singer, mics for guitar/bass, if recorded in front of the cabinet, some for instruments like keyboards etc.).
Thank you! Yea at the moment it’s going to be just him. We actually have an amateur acoustic treated room in the house for my music stuff so he can use this and we’ll see how it goes.
I am leaning to the ssl now as an “entry level” while also having the high end pres etc.
Then we can expand to maybe something like a tascam model 12 down the line if he starts to have friends over to record etc.
General tip for recording strings: they don’t sound good when mic’ed very close. I guess 75cm is the minimum distance and most would say more. In this situation the sound of your room becomes critical. Think of it not as recording a violin but as recording a room where a person is playing the violin. If i had to break-down what will make a good recording i would say it was 50% performance 30% acoustics 15% microphone and 5% audio interface.
Asa side note, small diaphragm condensers are more common for recording acoustic instruments, though if you are only buying one microphone I would seriously consider a multi pattern, as a figure-8 and an omni could be useful in your situation.
