Simple, minimalistic recording setups

[Alan L]

Hi gang,

I’m looking for brainstorming ideas. I want to explore recording options that are a step above built in device mics, but are still relatively simple and easy (both in terms of equipment/cost, and in terms of time spent on setup, editing and processing.)

I’m pretty familiar with DAW multitracking, not so much video editing. I really want to preserve the “live performance” feel, and also not get sucked into spending tons of time editing (as I don’t have much to spare!) I also play in a small sunroom, so it’s hard to leave gear set up. I kind of need options with the least amount of gear to move around…

I appreciate you sharing what you use!

I have 3 basic ideas in my head of ways I might go about this:

1) backing track and guitar through a single speaker; mic that with an external iPhone or Mac-compatible mic and use a basic video app to capture in one go. Seems like the simplest solution, though may not be best sound quality. Balancing levels may also be tricky, I’d have to get it right at the start.

2) Amp and backing track into interface (I have a 2 track already.) record with video app. Seems like better control over levels and sound, though I’d need headphones and setup time on this idea seems more complicated.

3) Capture video and scratch audio, process in GarageBand, retrack and adjust levels as needed. This seems like a pretty popular approach, best for sound quality, but most time spent in post production.

I appreciate your input! 🙂

[sunjamr]

Hi Alan – those options are not mutually exclusive. I’ve done all 3 of your options many times before, and could do any one of them anytime today. In fact, there are advantages to each method, and times when you might want to use one vs another. So I would get familiar with each method and then – based on what you are wanting to record – decide which is the best option. For example, if I want to make a backing track and build in a lot of effects, I’d go for something close to your Option 3. Or if I just want to go sit on my deck and play a fingerstyle blues solo, I would just put my iPhone on a tripod about an arm’s length away, and press Record on my camera app.

BTW, you didn’t mention the question of direct input vs miked input. Looks like all your options involve miking an amp. You also didn’t mention whether you prefer to build your own backing tracks, or use a downloaded one.

Sunjamr Steve

[Alan L]

Thanks Steve! Good points about goals dictating methods, as well as just experimenting with all the options

Option 1 would be miked, I was thinking “raw live performance” and probably best aligns with what I’m thinking of

For Option 2 , I was thinking use an interface to bypass the internal mic, and use something like QuickTime and use an amp line out to get my guitar tone (as opposed to DAW.)

Option 3 would be direct guitar to interface, using DAW plug ins. Im pretty good with GarageBand but the video part is new. I’m kinda feeling if I want that level of audio control, I’d probably just make an audio only project.

And as for source of backing track- any and all! Download here, rip from YouTube, make my own… or lately my go to has been band in a box.

[Bill]

I had the GO interface by Roland for a couple of years and worked for easy recording into my iPhone.

Nowadays I have a 2 input interface with a usb c into my iPad for GarageBand tracking. I can load a backing track into it and listen and play with headphones. Good amp sims in GarageBand. Then I explort as an mp3 or wav and attach it to my video in iMovie. Works pretty well.

Lots of times I get lazy and just record standalone guitar with the iPhone mic and it comes off good enough for this.

[Bill]

Here’s a post I wrote on it last year when I was traveling full time and recording.

Mobile Recording

[Alan L]

Thanks bill! Both my iPad and iPhone are older lightning port and equipped- but I think I can get a usb-b to lightning adapter to use my interface on those. Not that I mind recording on the laptop, or I could always do video on the phone and audio on the laptop, and splice that together…

But even when we feel “lazy” and just use phone mic, it comes out surprisingly decent!

PS Thanks for that link, good stuff!

[Alan L]

I got a USB condenser mic to try out. Also got a Yamaha THR5, mainly for practice but it does have a USB out so it can be used as an interface. Options expanded! 🙂

[Richard G]

I used an iRig HD 2 Microphone (USB Mic) connected direct to a mobile phone and also an iPad for a while. The sound quality was pretty good. It was simple but effective.

Richard

[snakechisler]

I use Audacity to record
and DiVinci resolve for video

I put the backing track onto Audacity and record the play along track through a mic while using my android phone for video

I mix the audio with effects if need be then replace the video audio track with the Audacity track

I’ve gotten quite quick at it over the years and creative

[Author]

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