In getting old and new technology to be bosom buddies has been the issue over a couple of days. Back in the 1970s and early 1980s we recorded songs in a completely different way to how it is happening now with my newly owned home computer system. We had microphones on the actual external sound source. Microphones recording guitars plugged into amplifier/speaker cabinets, surrounding the drum kit and vocals through speakers. That’s how we captured our songs. With the equivalent of large studio ‘cassette equivalent’ tapes to capture the sound.
The Apple computer set up above is a bunch of different leads into various choices of USB, USB-C, lightning, thunderbolt, etc. ports. My old Shure SM58 1970s microphone has a XLR to jack plug lead which requires an ‘interface’ to plug into for the computer to accept it.
The ‘interface’, in my case, was the bridge between the source of microphones recording instruments and vocals to the computer. Below photograph.
It didn’t work. I read that Bluetooth connections and a variety of other ‘stuff’ has problems with compatibility and delay and I had to find a remedy. When I played a quick acoustic 40 seconds strum into the microphone over an inherent drum beat in GarageBand (an app that allows you to record music) it caused something called ‘latency’. A delay in the microphone picking up the guitar or vocals sound with the result of it playing out of beat/rhythmic time. The guitar/vocals trying to catch up with the GarageBand drum beat.
The other day, I uploaded this below. The Shure MV5 microphone used for both guitar and vocals.
This required no ‘interface’. It was recorded on a Shure MV5 microphone with a USB connector. It could be directly plugged into the M2 desktop computer. Therefore, no technology between microphone and computer. Which meant no delay. But not my desired microphone choice. Too clean with no iconic vibe. I knew instantly that I wanted the original microphone from my 1970s days. Warmer and an iconic recognised sound. Trouble is…that iconic microphone was producing a background ‘humming’ sound. Too much enquiry really to describe events.
Yes! I do love the word iconic. As much as the word vintage. Not quite antique. Yet! Older years of age is…..as older years of age remembers.
I now realise!! Just typing up this complicated description up to now, it has a bewildering nature. Blows the mind. So let’s to cut to the chase.
There are so many choices of connections to connections of different nature that it is a case of looking out there on internet land to get what you will need to get systems interconnected. And most of the time you will find it. Luckily I had a little bit of equipment called a ‘sound card’. My brother bought me a microphone for podcasts. It had a lead which allowed the plug in between an old XLR microphone connection to a jack and then onwards into a USB connector allowing old microphone to new computer compatibility. Yay!
No more delays of any chosen microphones for source sound. Finally the ability to record with both old and new microphones.
Here below is a quick result today. A bit of new strumming on acoustic guitar. The comparison between the acoustic guitar sound I played on the audio above to this one I played below is very much worth a listen! The old Shure SM58 below. The newer Shure MV5 above on the vocal and guitar tune.
I want organic sound. People actually playing their instruments into good old fashioned microphones that are compatible. Microphones are complicated too. They all pick up sound differently. So getting the right choice is vital.
Anyways. Technology requires a bunch of nonsense writing. I’ve written enough nonsense now and my brain hurts.
So just to say…..solution found. No ‘background hum’ anymore. And using my old beauty of a microphone from youthful days. Here is, again, the quick strummed result through the Shure SM58 from bygone years.
JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED. BELOW. The result of direct to computer microphone recording on a vintage microphone …..now with no ‘background hum’.
Gray Summers 
No latency and organic – now that’s a formula. Man am I impressed. If I was in your neck of the woods I know who was recording my next (third) single. Yes I have plans. Cheers the Ol’ Dawg
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to smile when I thought of technological latency. Usually it’s a bass player struggling with the timing. Not an interface. And if another bass player reads this and takes umbrage? I am a bass player. 😊 Really looking forward to your second single Shep. With a third song you’ll be on the way to an E.P. Actually, I think you can still produce vinyl. But at what cost!
All I’m doing Shep is capturing basic sounds and start little sessions by singing ‘Getting to know you. Getting to know all about you’ to the computer. I haven’t a clue how to dial in or out compression, echo, reverb, etc. Or cut and paste, etc. Not even sure I have an audio mind for mixing and producing a decent result yet. I reckon I may need assistance in that area. But that’s for another day. Cheers for your ever thoughtful comments Shep. Very appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m in awe, still. it all sounds really amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers cookie. It’s really exploratory investigations at the moment isn’t it. Showing that there are ways of getting to what you want to go on and use for properly finished songs. When I have problems and Google for answers, sometimes I get the answers from very small sources. So that’s why I’m putting this stuff into words. However. I think it will be nice to start in earnest really now. And with a bit more ‘organic’ recording from people. Sitting in front of the microphone as you do, and building a song with an outpouring of both human emotions/soul and having motivational fun/enjoyable times too. And yes, I am amazed at this sound quality to the M2 base for recordings. I used the Italian made early 1970s Eko dreadnought/jumbo acoustic on this E, A and B7 thing, strung with Elixir strings. So it is basically only one track of guitar on top of the drums. I was pleased with the rich, full quality of sound when I put the volume up quite loud into my headphones. 😊 All the best cookie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eko? I’m not familiar with it. must be so cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought it from a Freeman’s Family Catalogue for £50. A lot of money in 1972. Five weeks wages. I earned £10 a week. I paid for it over one year. It was advertised as having the same sound as a Gibson equivalent. They weren’t wrong. Beautifully rich and deep tones. The Elixir strings are bright and coated for longevity. Cost about £18. So more than normal strings. But I love the sound. I put two photos in the blog of the Eko and Guild. Yes. It is a cool guitar. I’ve written every song I have ever put together on it. So it is my best 52 year old buddy. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can definitely hear the difference between the older old Shure SM58 and newer mic. And I understand the latency issue too (from making YouTube videos years ago and trying to match vocals to animated mouth motions).
Enjoying the progress you’re making, Gray!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sheila. It must have been frustrating for you recording out of sync. Then hunting down the reasons why. I still see live YouTube and other videos out of sync in modern day now. Bluetooth equipment like microphones and speakers seems to be a major issue. And poor interface connection systems matching up with faster inherent Apple, etc. technology.
I just want to find a Summers constant of knowing fully and using an external system to record real people. A system that marries everything technically by capturing with the use of decent microphones. As it used to be. Then this modern inherent computer technology to capture, with emotional and instrumental clarity, and then mix the results properly. All the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Syncing stuff can be frustrating when we don’t understand all the intricate underpinning of these things. I used the Apple movie maker app and tried every setting applicable for YouTube (at that time), but nooo… haha! It never synced properly. I left the video up but it still aggravates me to watch it.
I’m too serious for art sometimes I think. Thank you, Gray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe in your application and investigations to getting it right Sheila. You could never say you are too serious. Art? Art can be fun. But when any of us put ourselves onto a public platform it is nice for people to understand specific processes and results. These bits and pieces I do are showing work in progress. Hopefully, my mistakes and seeking answers, encouraging others to do their own thing too. But if I were to put out a finally realised song? Or your equivalent of the YouTube video presentation. I would be like yourself Sheila. Serious of capturing a result to actually present to the listeners/viewers.
If you did the same idea again, I bet you would overcome the original technical blips. Maybe that new Mac of Richard’s will provide answers. All the best.
LikeLike
I played the song to my wife. I have been showing her the earlier recordings when you were just getting the sense of what the song requires and the equipment you will need. She now likes your sound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a nice comment Steven. It is strangely comforting presently. The song you speak of here is the beginning of seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Long way to go, but the first time I have felt that the project is getting off the ground. All the best. And a huge thank you to your wife.
LikeLike