X-Mas ideas for augmenting a 4-track
- Snarl 12/8
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X-Mas ideas for augmenting a 4-track
Hi Esteemed TOMBers,
My 16 year old daughter recently made her first 4-track recording. It was just layers of herself singing, although I know she has higher aspirations. She doesn't play any instrument. I want to buy her a couple things to make it funner and more rewarding for her to record on the 4 track. I was going to get her a pair of Sony 7506's since she loves mine and an inexpensive interface [M-track?] so she can mix down to her laptop and share her creations.
I might just stop there, but...
I also wanted to get her a microphone that was a step up from what she's using now, but I'm not sure exactly what that is. I loaned her one of my AKG D321's that I bought new in 1986. I guess they sold it to me as a more versatile version of the Shure SM58, and I've used them with varying success over the years on almost every source you can name. She sounds OK through it.
Is there such a thing as a "sure fire" vocal mic for a 16 year old girl? She has a very "girly" voice, most of the time, but she has some range too. Maybe I should just give her access to my [very limited] "mic locker" for a while and see what she gravitates towards. I think if I get her that M-track she could even try my condenser mics by using it as a preamp.
My other idea was to get her some sort of effects unit or looper. Is there anything super simple, but fun, I should look for, perhaps used, in the $100 range that seems to be a good thing for a vocally oriented, young 4-tracker? I was looking at the TC Helicon "Mic Looper," but not sure what that really gets her.
I also don't really want to go too crazy on this, in case her first recording is her last.
Any ideas? TIA.
My 16 year old daughter recently made her first 4-track recording. It was just layers of herself singing, although I know she has higher aspirations. She doesn't play any instrument. I want to buy her a couple things to make it funner and more rewarding for her to record on the 4 track. I was going to get her a pair of Sony 7506's since she loves mine and an inexpensive interface [M-track?] so she can mix down to her laptop and share her creations.
I might just stop there, but...
I also wanted to get her a microphone that was a step up from what she's using now, but I'm not sure exactly what that is. I loaned her one of my AKG D321's that I bought new in 1986. I guess they sold it to me as a more versatile version of the Shure SM58, and I've used them with varying success over the years on almost every source you can name. She sounds OK through it.
Is there such a thing as a "sure fire" vocal mic for a 16 year old girl? She has a very "girly" voice, most of the time, but she has some range too. Maybe I should just give her access to my [very limited] "mic locker" for a while and see what she gravitates towards. I think if I get her that M-track she could even try my condenser mics by using it as a preamp.
My other idea was to get her some sort of effects unit or looper. Is there anything super simple, but fun, I should look for, perhaps used, in the $100 range that seems to be a good thing for a vocally oriented, young 4-tracker? I was looking at the TC Helicon "Mic Looper," but not sure what that really gets her.
I also don't really want to go too crazy on this, in case her first recording is her last.
Any ideas? TIA.
- Gregg Juke
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The Korg stuff is a great idea; analog synths from $50, Kaoss Pad mini's from $150, and of course, you could spend a lot more if you wanted to on lots of their other fun, tweakable stuff.
Also, the Roland voice-changer might be fun for her.
A new mike is an easy no-brainer. Maybe a battery-operated condenser, or just another dynamic with a different sound.
As far as the apps kslight mentioned, there are so many it's unbelievable, but a fun, _stable_ app that I've used is BeBot: http://www.normalware.com/ ...
I'm getting my oldest son his first turntable (a Numark USB number), and a couple of albums to get his vinyl collection started; he likes Coldplay, and so far, almost anything Blue Note...
GJ
Also, the Roland voice-changer might be fun for her.
A new mike is an easy no-brainer. Maybe a battery-operated condenser, or just another dynamic with a different sound.
As far as the apps kslight mentioned, there are so many it's unbelievable, but a fun, _stable_ app that I've used is BeBot: http://www.normalware.com/ ...
I'm getting my oldest son his first turntable (a Numark USB number), and a couple of albums to get his vinyl collection started; he likes Coldplay, and so far, almost anything Blue Note...
GJ
Gregg Juke
Nocturnal Productions Music Group
Drum! Magazine Contributor
http://MightyNoStars.com
"He's about to learn the most important lesson in the music business-- 'Never trust people in the music business.' "
Nocturnal Productions Music Group
Drum! Magazine Contributor
http://MightyNoStars.com
"He's about to learn the most important lesson in the music business-- 'Never trust people in the music business.' "
- Nick Sevilla
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Why buy her anything?
Buy the mic you wanted to buy for yourself, and let her use it on occasion.
See? It is not too hard to get to the bottom of things.
As to buying her a copmuter audio interface, I think she should stick to that 4 track. Less time to think about edits, and more about committing to an idea.
Cheers
Buy the mic you wanted to buy for yourself, and let her use it on occasion.
See? It is not too hard to get to the bottom of things.
As to buying her a copmuter audio interface, I think she should stick to that 4 track. Less time to think about edits, and more about committing to an idea.
Cheers
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.
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- Snarl 12/8
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