USB microphone vs std microphone and audio interface

[pullshocks]

When it comes to recording, I am really at the level of "I don't even know what I don't know"  I just want to record some sound clips demoing amps I have built, and backing tracks for myself to  play along to.  Without going nuts buying equipment.  Not looking to make records, though I do want to be able to record a rhythm guitar part and record a solo with it or over it.  My assumption is I want to mic the amp/speaker combination, but I guess I would consider a Red Box or Friedman Mic no More or something like that.  Like I said, I don't know what I don't know.

It seems I can just use my iphone and built in mic, but good mic positioning may conflict with being able to reach the screen to hit the start and stop buttons.

Another option is to get recording software such as Cakewalk or Reaper or Mixpad on my PC, and head down the rabbit hole of mics and audio interfaces.

I notice Shure and others  offer USB microphones that have headphone jacks for direct monitoring.  If I understand right, this would eliminate the need for an audio interface, but would have much less functionality than an audio interface.  Some also have cords for plugging into a iphone. I wonder if something like that would be adequate for what I want to do.

Another idea I had which is kind of rube goldberg-ish would be to record the rhythm track on a looper (I have never used a looper) and play it back through one amp and play my solo through another amp, while recording.  Instead of getting in to the intricacies of multi track recording.

Thanks in advance for any info on these questions.

Pullshocks/Mark

[acheld]

Tough question to answer, because it really depends on what you want to do.

Last year I had to record my work for a class I was taking.  I started with a looper and the mic on my Mac.  While there are most assuredly people who can record with a looper, it is not me.  I just didn't have the skill level to do well. 

Long story cut short -- I ended up with a couple of mics, an audio interface, and recording software. This combination allows complete control, and you can cut and paste with ease.  Downside is that it takes time and effort to learn all this stuff, and of course it is not cheap.

I will say that USB mics can be very good indeed.   I have a Blue Yeti that is remarkable; it was purchased for voice recording, and is great for that, but I have also used it for "the room".   That said, for instrument recording, it is tough to beat a Shure M57 and an interface. 

My main bit of advice is to define your needs, and know that it takes time and practice to get it right.  Jeez, where have you heard that before??

[EL34]

tubenit may have some info.
I know he records with a mic


I record direct out of my Kemper, so that is of no help to you.

I have a USB mic on my PC and it works great, but I only do voice recording for Youtube clips.

For recording software, I use Mixcraft
I have been using it for maybe 20 years?
Very reasonably priced
https://acoustica.com/mixcraft

[pullshocks]

Thanks for the replies.


I found a good deal on an interface+mic+headphones+DAWsoftware package.  Watching tutorials for the software and will try my first recording soon.


I think it was ZZ Top that had a song "Arrested for driving while blind."  I will be "arrested for recording while deaf."

[pdf64]

…
It seems I can just use my iphone and built in mic, but good mic positioning may conflict with being able to reach the screen to hit the start and stop buttons.

…

Edit out the beginning and end on the recording app, Voice Memos or whatever.
The mics etc on more recent phones are really good.

[tubenit]

I use a Shure 57 into an audio interface  (E-MU pretracker that is no longer made).  The audio interface goes into a USB port.


I use Mixcraft Acoustica like Doug does after hearing the high quality recordings he was making (even prior to his Kemper).  My son uses Audacity which is similar to Mixcraft in some ways and is FREE.


Having said all that .................  I was so impressed with the recent RedBox cabinet emulator recording I did recently, that I am thinking that may be a "better" system than using the Shure 57 mic.


The downside with the mic is getting a good recording when overdriving the amp.  I place the mic slightly off center of the speaker.


with respect, Tubenit

[Grees01]

I use reaper or Ableton live as a DAW. Reaper is free to try and cheap to buy. I have a Focusrite scarlett 2i2 interface. I either mic the amp with a shure sm57 or use the line out / cab clone feature on the Mesa Boogie Triple Crown to the interface and record that way. Find a backing track you like and drop it into reaper or Ableton. Create a new track and record your lead track. A little learning curve to deal with but not horrible. Plenty of videos available to help you get up a d running.
G.Rees