Hello. Is this an adequate recording setup?

[WhiteSummer]

Hello,
I am 15 years old and don't know too much about recording, but was hoping to learn some stuff from the internet and somehow found this place. I do nothing but play guitar and sing in my spare time, but sometimes I like to modify my guitars, amps, pedals, etc until they break. Last night I looked around for a few minutes and you people sound pretty knowledgeable! I feel lucky to have this chance to learn and hopefully contribute the little information that I do know.

Firstly, I might ask if this is a decent setup, and ask for suggestions on how to make it better. Of course I am going for a studio sound, and any advice on updating, upgrading, or redoing this setup would be greatly appreciated. I have actually been recording for two or three years now, but the process has grown in stages from running the Preamp Out of my Hot Rod Deluxe into this current setup. I usually run
Guitar>Amp (sometimes effects)>SM57>Peavey PV6 mixer (analog)>Soundblaster X-Fi soundcard>computer running ASIO4All


For recording bass I just run it strait into the mixer, and for vocals, I usually use a Senhieser e935. I am considering building a vocal booth type thing and getting a tube mic pre-amp then maybe building more permanent sound traps. Would this be a good next step? What should I do to this existing setup to make it sound better? Right now the room has very little echo when I clap.

[richiebee]

I would think the next step would be to replace your SoundBlaster with a decent interface - possibly with pre-amps built in which can replace your Peavey mixer and the soundblaster. From the look of the room you're in, you should be able to get a decent vocal sound without a dedicated booth.


R.

[WhiteSummer]

Thanks for the advice. Come to think of it, I do remember someone mentioning that the soundblaster would need an upgrade. I am assuming that interface you speak of would be one of those firewire boxes? My bassist's dad worked for presonus and he has some sort of firewire contraption. We used it live once on his laptop with some great results.

[Electriclight]

An audio interface could be a PCI card , USB, or Firewire. They are all fine, that's not the issue. Use the Soundcard Wizard on this site to help you select one.