[S.T.C]

With out getting to technical , what`s the method used to get clear,crisp sounding recordings....is it down to good quality mic`s...or done at the DAW .

Is there a simple way of doing it..do i have to buy something..some software...which isn`t a problem.

[Ramshackles]

With out getting to technical , what`s the method used to get clear,crisp sounding recordings....is it down to good quality mic`s...or done at the DAW .

Is there a simple way of doing it..do i have to buy something..some software...which isn`t a problem.

NEVER 'done at the DAW'. You can't fix a bad recording.

Get the recording right, the rest will follow...
The room, mic placement, mic choice, preamp choice...

[S.T.C]

With out getting to technical , what`s the method used to get clear,crisp sounding recordings....is it down to good quality mic`s...or done at the DAW .

Is there a simple way of doing it..do i have to buy something..some software...which isn`t a problem.

NEVER 'done at the DAW'. You can't fix a bad recording.

Get the recording right, the rest will follow...
The room, mic placement, mic choice, preamp choice...

Ok i`m glad you`ve said that..i think i need to make some sort of booth and get a better mic..

[Ramshackles]

You can make excellent acoustic panels mostly using stuff you can buy at B&Q, I've just built 6 (works out less than £30 for a 120*70cm panel). I can post details here if you like.

My mic of choice at the moment for maximum fidelity and accurate capture is my own creation of a vintage neumann u87, running into a focusrite ISA preamp
You can hear more about that too if you like.

SDC's like the Shure SM81 and possibly MXL603 or Oktava MK-012 can also work well for clear & crisp recordings.

[Stephen Palmer]

You can tweak, improve and sophisticate sound with a DAW, but you need a good recording to start with. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

[Neil C]

Agree with the previous comments. A few things of the top of my head:
Get the volume right, not too quiet or in the red.
Listen back to the a test recording of a track on its own
Record things without reverb or fx's, you can add them later
Get everything in tune and in time
Acoustic recording: stop extraneous noises, I found I make a lot of tapping noises on an acoustic guitar, the number of times I leave my mobile on aaah
In terms of production use the stereo imagine and the whole acoustic range to 'place' tracks to give them some space. Also use fx and tools such as hi and low filters, compressors and channel strips. I also cut out quiet acoustic sections.
Listen to some productions you like, compare and really listen to what you've recorded.
There are also lots material and resources out there.

Neil

 
 

[S.T.C]

I think iv`e improved things somewhat by re-positioning my mic..and cobbled up some sort of sound dampening for the moment....thanks anyway.

[Saeed AlSuri]

I My experience the mic carry the sound form acoustic to electric current .. to the pre Amp which convert the current to something you can record to tape in the old days or to a digital recorder .. DAW standalone what ever ..

and the conversion must by class A .. there is a say among us recording engineers .. " BANANA IN BANANA OUT " .. 

the pre amp must be very good to get the great fidelity of the recordings ..

not very expensive mics can do a great job if you have good mixer with good pre amp .. most of what i"ve posted here I recorded with Zoom R8..

I Pro recording is what you are after go to pro studio and never bother with these details ..

cheers

[Alan Starkie]

You can pick up a large diaphragm condenser mic and mini mixer/pre amp for around £100 these days. Use them wisely and you'll get great results.

[Boydie]

You can pick up a large diaphragm condenser mic and mini mixer/pre amp for around £100 these days. Use them wisely and you'll get great results.

+1 to that ALAN!

If you haven't got a large diaphragm condenser mic this would be where I would make my first investment to achieve that "professional sound" as it will transform the sound you can get from an acoustic guitar and vocal