Do I need a mic preamp?

[xXxGhotimanxXx]

I was just using my Macbook to record. The sound was being colored, so I figured I'd get a good mic. I bought the Shure SM57 with USB adapter, mic stand, cable, etc. However, my problem is that I want the mic to not only pick up the sound of my amp, but also of the backing track coming from my PA system. If I position the mic close to my amp, I can't hear the backing track in the recording. If I position the mic close to the PA speakers, I can't hear my amp in the recording. If I position the mic at a good distance between the two, I can hear both in the recording...and it sounds great, but the volume is low. Help please.

I was thinking of this based on my research...
Buy ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp | Microphone Preamps | Musician's Friend

J

 

[Bing17]

A preamp isn't going to help you when your mic choice is an SM57, which is a unidirectional mic. An SM57 is great for picking up a single source situated in front of its capsule. What you need is an omnidirectional mic and even then you will primarily pick up the source it's placed closest to.

 

[Kølabrennern]

Now why in the world would you want to record both the backing track and the amp at the same time?

 

[Freddy G]

Now why in the world would you want to record both the backing track and the amp at the same time?

+1 agreed. I stayed out of this one because I thought the same thing

xXxGhotimanxXx, what you need to do is isolate the amp. You've already got the backing track recorded...no need to record it again. Listen to the backing track with headphones while you are recording the guitar and then mix the two afterwards.

 

[xXxGhotimanxXx]

A preamp isn't going to help you when your mic choice is an SM57, which is a unidirectional mic. An SM57 is great for picking up a single source situated in front of its capsule. What you need is an omnidirectional mic and even then you will primarily pick up the source it's placed closest to.

Thanks.

Now why in the world would you want to record both the backing track and the amp at the same time?

Sorry for the noob question. This is just how I've been doing it. When I play a cover for myself or anyone else live, that's how it's done. I start a track and play over it with the volume of my guitar raised high enough to hear over the backing track. I just wanted to record it that way...so that watching the cover is the same as if you were in the room. I know that the end result won't be as polished as some of the covers out there...but I really don't like the "line in" or "direct" sound. It sounds a bit too mixed, fake, studio, etc. for my taste. I like more of a raw, straight, no fooling around sound to my covers...this is me playing and nothing fancy. Hope this makes sense to somebody besides me .

xXxGhotimanxXx, what you need to do is isolate the amp. You've already got the backing track recorded...no need to record it again. Listen to the backing track with headphones while you are recording the guitar and then mix the two afterwards.

I've tried playing with headphones on before, but I always do poorly because I can't hear myself play. It's like trying to talk when you're deaf...you need to hear what your saying. How do people do it? Can you hear yourself in headphones as well as the backing track? My USB adapter does have an input for headphones...that would allow me to hear myself, but not the music...another problem. Again, sorry if I sound like an idiot...but these are the issues I've been having and see no reason to sugar cote it, I'm not that proud . Another thing, if I were to do it this way, what do you use to mix the two?

J

 

[Freddy G]

I've tried playing with headphones on before, but I always do poorly because I can't hear myself play. It's like trying to talk when you're deaf...you need to hear what your saying. How do people do it? Can you hear yourself in headphones as well as the backing track? Another thing, if I were to do it this way, what do you use to mix the two?

J

You need an interface that has full duplex. Meaning that while you are listening to the backup track you can also hear the microphone on the guitar amp at the same time. This is the most basic and classic recording technique called "overdubbing".
To mix, there are free programs like Audacity that will do a fine job.

 

[xXxGhotimanxXx]

You need an interface that has full duplex. Meaning that while you are listening to the backup track you can also hear the microphone on the guitar amp at the same time. This is the most basic and classic recording technique called "overdubbing".
To mix, there are free programs like Audacity that will do a fine job.

Ok. Thanks...back to research .

J