 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2020-06-11 20:36
Hi all,
I am possibly looking to acquire an audio interface to record myself. Most of the websites which sell them and have selection tools are a little tech-y for me and focus more on guitar/vox/etc.
Does anyone here have any recommendations about number of inputs/outputs, best interfaces for clarinet recordings?
Thanks,
Katrina
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Author: Jimis4klar
Date: 2020-06-11 21:01
Hi, If you can afford the most expensive and best gear, I strongly recommend you the Babyface pro! If you want something around 200€ (midrange gear) I recommend Motu M2 and for the cheaper choice will be the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen but I personally would prefer Motu M2, It has better sound and more features the Scarlett..
Although! If you want the cheapest solution, I suggest the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd gen but you'll be able to connect only one microphone, choice is yours!
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Author: jcm499
Date: 2020-06-11 22:41
Hi,
There isn’t anything particular about an audio interface that would make it more or less suitable for recording clarinet as opposed to any other audio source. The choice of microphone and room will make a much bigger difference. If all you’re recording is solo clarinet, all you really need is one input. I assume you want to record for practice purposes, not to make recordings per se? I would recommend a Zoom H2, which is a versatile totally self-contained battery powered interface that includes multiple microphones and can be used portably, even without a computer. It is also dead simple to use (a lot of “professional” recording equipment is not very user-friendly) and cheap and cheerful as well.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2020-06-11 22:59
I have a Zoom H2 also and am trying to figure out if I should just keep using that...I'm not sure if its mics or the mic I got way way back in the mini-disc recorder days are better/worse than my SM 57 I use for live performance. I've seen a kit with a condenser mic that comes with one of the Scarlett interfaces that intrigues me too...
Thinking about adding effects and stuff too as well as experimenting with looping at some point...So that's what is upping my desire to get an interface.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-06-11 23:01
I have an old Scarlet which is USB and a newer 4 channel USB-C Scarlet. I actually prefer the sound of the thunderbolt based Zoom TAC 2R. The Zoom is basic, no bells and whistles and is "plug and play" (no software necessary). Oddly, though I don't do much recording of myself (only for testing equipment), I always liked the clarinet sound off the Zoom TAC.
Clarinet is an odd instrument to record. Finding equipment (and set ups) that make it shine is not easy. I might recommend the Telefunken M60 small diaphragm condenser mic (not hideously expensive but a nice warm sound). And you want to be at least ten feet away from the clarinet. If you can't record in a recital hall, a dry living room will work (with lots of soft furniture, carpets, bookshelves), then just add a little reverb and delay in post.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: jcm499
Date: 2020-06-12 00:27
The SM57 is a good mic, but it's a dynamic mic, and for clarinet you'd probably prefer the results with a large-diaphragm condenser mic, or even a ribbon mic, but the latter can be pretty expensive and delicate. Unless you're trying to make professional recordings, I've been pretty impressed with the Zoom. Using effects and looping live, if that's what you mean, requires a whole different barrel of gear, and is beyond my experience. But for that, I would look into the PiezoBarrel.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2020-06-12 07:56
The usual recommendation is to always get one more channel than what you think you might need, so if you only want to record yourself, get a 2-channel interface, etc.
The Scarlett is the one most buy as a basic interface. It's good, no real issues with it and pretty inexpensive.
I like the Roland Quad-Capture (what I have) more, it never had/has any issues (Roland is sort of known for being stable and "communicative"), but one disadvantage is there is no button to send output only to headphones. When I want to use the headphones only I have to physically turn off the speakers... which on mine is on the back... a little annoying. I think the Scarlett and some other interfaces have that option (not sure). I think they don't make this model anymore anyway and changed it to something else.
MOTU is good but I've never tried the small ones.
There are more than a few other good ones too.
Another thing to consider is how it is powered. Mine is USB only. Some interfaces can work with a PSU too and basically act as a mixer without a computer. Consider if you need that or not.
Consider the plug. Mine is pretty old (it might have changed by now) but works on USB2. USB3 just started when I got it and still had some issues for audio interfaces, but when I changed a computer I had to have at least one USB2 port for it to work. Something to consider whatever connection is on the one you get.
As far as using effects, do you mean physical pedals or on the computer?
If the former, some interfaces might have a loop like mixers... but not sure. Otherwise it makes no difference, you just plug it after your chain.
If the latter, I don't think the interface makes a difference either.
I use a pickup when I connect to effect pedals, which is better than my clarinet specific clip-on mics. Though I also take advantage of some of the "issues" with the pickups and use them on purpose.
I also have a Zoom H2. A good microphone positioned well is significantly better, but a bad microphone (or a good one positioned poorly) is not really better...
You could use the Zoom as a USB audio interface and hear playback from your computer headphones instead of recording straight into it.
Post Edited (2020-06-13 08:24)
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Author: jimk
Date: 2020-06-12 16:09
After doing some recording with a Zoom H2 as both a recorder and an interface, I bought a Focusrite Scarlet interface this spring. As others have said, I recommend buying an interface with more inputs than you need. I bought the 4i4, which is a lot more than I need (but provides midi interfaces for possible future use). I find it much easier to use than the Zoom. The Focusrite products come with trial versions of a couple audio workstation packages, which you'll probably want unless you already have something. I was already using Reaper, which is inexpensive and has some nice features.
I've used an SM57 mic for live sax performance, but I don't like using it for clarinet. I've been reasonably happy recording clarinet with an Audio-Technica AT2020. Be prepared to spend some time on finding the best place to put your mic. I recommend using an inexpensive boom mic stand.
If you are planning to playback through notebook computer's speakers, reserve a few dollars to buy some external speakers. Depending upon the type of speaker, you might be plugging them into your computer or into your interface.
Headphones or ear buds allow you to playback of half of a duet while recording the other half and using a metronome like a click track.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2020-06-15 07:17
Any 2x2 USB interface will work. FocusRite, Presonus, MOTU, Steinberg, M-Audio, etc. Below $200 there's not much difference.
I'll second the recommendation for the Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone. It's going for $79 right now and it is an absolute steal at that price. For most people recording at home, it will suit their needs perfectly--I've used it to record violin, viola, and clarinet and it does great. You'll need to experiment with placement and distance to see what raw recorded material you want to work with. Using two of them, and positioning one closer and one further lets you capture more detail to use in the final mix. Certainly it doesn't compete with the setup my sound guy uses (Apogee hardware with a pair of Coles 4038 and a Neumann U87), but those are thousands of dollars.
Cheap speakers aren't worth it. An inexpensive pair of in-ear monitors like the CCA C10 (around $40) will be much easier to get consistent results with. If you prefer over-ear headphones, the Audio-Technica M20x is $49 and will do the job, or get the Sony MDR 7506 for $99 if you have some more budget.
It's a deep rabbit hole to jump down...have fun.
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2020-06-16 01:16
Does it make a very big difference to have this level of equipment over just a conference mic like a Jabra speak, or similar (https://www.jabra.co.uk/business/speakerphones/jabra-speak-series)?
I'm just wondering because the ABRSM have announced that from this summer they will accept recorded submissions for music practical exams at all grades.
They said that the quality of the performance will be expected to be high, since candidates can take multiple shots at the recording.
I can imagine that this will cause people to start looking quite carefully at the quality of the microphone that they have on their PC.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-06-16 02:51
YES!!!!
At least this conference system is NOT acceptable for recording. The idea with this system is to record the frequencies of the human, spoken voice (limited). Then compress it so that you can hear the words even when modulated (some words or parts of words spoken softer than others).
But you don't have to go crazy with equipment to get decent recorded musical sounds. Someone mentioned the $100 Shure 57 or the Audio-Technica equivalent........those can work fine (not my favorite for clarinet but fine).
For me the big thing is to avoid COMPRESSION. If you do not move to a custom setting on a ZOOM recorder......you'll get compression there too! What you want is to start a recording session checking your levels so that your loudest sounds you are going to play do not exceed "-0 dB," or flashing yellow lines into RED. Once you go beyond the loudest your equipment is set to recored as you play, the recorded sound becomes distorted, or even percussive and often NOT a even a note at all. So you need to be familiar with basic recording techniques as outlined in your equipment's owner's manual.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: crusius
Date: 2020-06-16 03:38
Hi Katrina,
Most of what's important has been said already. My microphone is the AT-2035 which is a bit more, but does all I need.
Just adding a suggestion for a high quality audio interface that's not too expensive: the Audient iD14 is known to be a step above the cheap ones.
If you can find one cheap, the iConnectAudio4+ (I use this one) will also charge your iPad/iPhone. Don't know why others don't do this, it simplifies things a lot.
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