Criticize my guitar recording

[Thared33]

I'm aware that this recording is absolutely, godawfully terrible, but that's why I'm here =)

I don't have much to work with.

Presonus Firebox
SM57
SM58
Line 6 Spider II HD150 halfstack


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=890753&songID=7044369

I miced the left side of my cab with the 57 pointing almost directly at the center of the speaker, and the 58 is micing the right side of the cab, pointing to the outside of the speaker. The 57 is panned 100% left, and the 58 is panned 100% right.

The 58 has a little buzzing in it, but I'm thinking it's because it's old. Also, I have to turn up the pres on the Firebox to 100%, and have the extra +12db button on to get a decent gain level. Weak pres I think.

I also have no idea of what I'm doing half the time

The first things that I WOULD do is get a new amp (a Boogie or something) and then get a new recording preamp/interface. But for now, I need you guys to criticize the hell out of it so I can finally get off of my hiney and learn how to record.

Tell me what to do it. Mic placement, EQ, compression, double tracking, etc. Just tell me what on earth to do to improve this and I'll be back with updated recordings in a jiffy

 

[CAlexanderParra]

I have to deal with my Line 6 Spider II 30 watt here at home when I'm practicing.
I'd suggest recording it directly, lowering the drive to Noon, lowering the treble to Noon or lower, and turning up the freakin' Mids!
Double tracking is good too.
That's how I usually record when I wanna record a song idea or something.

 

[ahjteam]

The 58 has a little buzzing in it, but I'm thinking it's because it's old. Also, I have to turn up the pres on the Firebox to 100%, and have the extra +12db button on to get a decent gain level. Weak pres I think.

My best bet would be that you don't have enough volume on the amp. But the +12dB button has to be pressed down, it means the input is mic level, not a line level, signal

edit: wtf, presonus firebox doesn't have a +12db button? Where do you see this?

 

[Thared33]

My best bet would be that you don't have enough volume on the amp. But the +12dB button has to be pressed down, it means the input is mic level, not a line level, signal

edit: wtf, presonus firebox doesn't have a +12db button? Where do you see this?

I've used another preamp and I was able to record at a much lower volume, which is preferred by me. It seems the general consensus is that Fireboxes have really weak mic pres.

It's the Firebox control panel.

 

[Thared33]

I have to deal with my Line 6 Spider II 30 watt here at home when I'm practicing.
I'd suggest recording it directly, lowering the drive to Noon, lowering the treble to Noon or lower, and turning up the freakin' Mids!
Double tracking is good too.
That's how I usually record when I wanna record a song idea or something.

I'd honestly always record with a mic since I think it's better. I've got a couple of mics, so why not make use of them? =)

 

[Thared33]

I'm going to make a really simple recording soon along with some drums so I can get some feedback on what needs to be changed. I think actually -doing- this will be better than talking about it. Experience.

I'll have something soon and upload it to see what I can do to improve on what I've got to work with.

 

[TheWinterSnow]

For basic starter's recording, you really shouldn't worry about using dual micing, and if you do, the fredman technique is the way to go. You don't want to hard pan your mics away from each other you want to pan them together and fix any phasing issues that might be present, again this is a more advanced technique, single micing is great, its what i use and i have been pleased with the results. For future reference there is never a need to mic the edge of the speaker, too much bass, unless you turn your bass all the way down, the bass on the edge is unusable. Half way between the edge of the dust cap and the edge is a good place to start, and you can move it all the way to the edge of the dust cap, and everything in between, play with axis and off axis and use what works best.

and get your mids up!

Try dual tracking, becuase its a better way to hear how your guitars will sound as a core in your recordings.

 

[Thared33]

Thanks for the tips =)

I'm going to get a couple of very short, basic clips up and use this thread to learn a bit. I think lurkers here will appreciate that.

I'll be back in a jiffy!