Down and dirty recording for practice feedback?

Passacaglia

Wow, Angelo - I had heard your Zoom model bandied around DIJ, but never actually saw what it can do (forget his name, but one Canadian gent had the Q1, and the sound was really clear...didn't see what the Q3 could do). VERY impressive (playing as well!). This is exactly what I was looking for, a decent sound, and ease of use. Thanks.

BTW, we met - I'm Paul, hail from L.A. originally, we jammed. Forget the name of your partner in the first vid, but it was great to meet him as well. Hopefully, see you guys next DIJ, or another event.

Thanks again,

Paul

arjr

Hey Paul, I remember you.
The zoom is a nice tool to have as it's small enough
to carry around and easy to use.

I'll probably see you at the next Django in June.

Good luck,
Angelo

Passacaglia

Yeah, thanks Angelo - very impressed with this little thing, likely going that way.

Looking forward to DIJ already, hopefully, see you there.

Paul

Passacaglia

Just came up with a possible reason the presonus-MXL-line in isn't working well...a bad XLR cable. I switched the two cables between the 603S and 990 and sure enough, both mics gave almost nothing with the one cable, barely audible, even with gain cranked in both Audacity and the Presonus.

As I recall, these were inexpensive XLRs off Amazon. New cables?

Also, the presonus out is hooked up by 1.4" to RCA red and white, which merges to the mini into the line in of the computer. Might it be I need to try the XLR outputs, instead of the 1/4" outputs, adapt down to a mini for the line in?

Still looking at the Zoom, for a lot of reasons (weekly jam, etc.); but would love to get the presonus up and running properly. Thoughts? Recommendation on XLR cables?

Jazzaferri

Is yours the one with the two combi plugs on the front? The xlr outputs only prevent rf interference so as long as the gain isn't too high should be ok 1/4 phono to rca to mini. Best to check all cords by switching channels or gear to ensure they are all working as they should.

Just go with one mic( better the 603 IMO) and get that working correctly before launching into stereo world as two different mics in stereo can create all kinds of phasing problems that are really hard to pick out for the inexperienced.

Passacaglia

Thanks Jay -

Actually worked on just that last night, using the 603. Selected mono in Audacity and it's pretty nice on lead lines, OK on chords/rhythm, have to work for a better rhythm sound. Your suggestion was a good one - about a foot away, a glancing shot at the soundhole itself.

Thanks again,

Paul

ps: sorry, forgot to respond to the first part of your post. All the jacks are in the back. The outputs have two XLR and two 1/4", one of each for each channel. The ins just have two XLRs. I'm using the 1/4" outs, getting them down to mini for the line in on the computer.

Jazzaferri

Thats where I have one of my 603s. Mine works best a little ahead toward neck from the soundhole axis and as you so aptly put a glancing shot at the soundhole.

Glad you got it working. Zooms are great for the field but your setup will sound way better.

Harvey Gerst, an award winning Recording Engineer (google him) turned me on to the 603. Although he has a ton of mics in his studio, as a self confessed bottom feeder he loves a deal. The 603 is one of his fave acoustic guitar mics.

Passacaglia

For what it's worth Jay, it was your aptness in the placement suggestion - I played around, with a headphone monitoring, from about the 12th fret to the soundboard on the far side of the bridge, and the best clearly was at the soundhole, at an angle, per your suggestion. I really am very pleased with the sound when doing lead - absolutely agree with your assessments here and elsewhere, this seems a very sweet entry-level setup. The only issue is getting the sweet mix when doing rhythm work. I've got both Audacity and Reaper, so there's some stuff to play with.

I also got the Zoom Q3HD today, picking it up later. Excited to bring it to our weekly jam (and the odd event playing out).

Jazzaferri

What happens when you play rhythm in that setting?

Passacaglia

Just sounds a bit dirty, distorted. The lead is like a clear bell, but the rhythm has a bit of this quality. I tweak the gain in three places, on the Presonus, input volume slider on the Audacity menu, and the track gain itself. Thoughts?

BTW, got the Q3HD - Wow. This is going to be a lot of fun.