recording myself

[Brent Gremillion]

Forgive me if this should have been posted in the recording group; but, as a beginner I'm not interested in high level multi track recording devices, mixers, and high dollar mics and pre amps.  I just want to listen to myself practice so I can hear my tone during my exercises and with play-along tracks to hear my timing and phrasing.

I can't decide if I should get a zoom like the H4n or get a relatively cheap audio interface and a mic.  I have access to two shure sm57's.  I've tried recording myself using my imac with the internal mic going straight into garageband and I sounded like charlie brown's parents on the playback.

any and all suggestions welcomed!      

Thanks,

Brent

[Doug Lindhout]

Brent,
I have both a Zoom H2 and a Tascam GT-1. Neither are very expensive and both create good quality recordings from their built-in microphones. I've fooled around more with the Tascam for practice because it will allow you to loop, change tempo, overlay another recording, etc. For straight loop practice, the best combo I've come up with is to make the recording, then move it to the computer and use a slow down product (I use SongSurgeon.) because the loop setup is visual and it is easier to set stop/start points.

[ganon]

Here is an interesting alternative suggested by Jim Wing:

What I have found useful is the JamMan looper:
http://www.digitech.com/products/Pedals/JamMan.php

I haven't used it myself but you can find Jim's comments ~3/4 of the way (3rd page?) through the discussion:

http://flatpick.ning.com/forum/topics/apathy-picking-up-the-pace?gr...

I think there is also an performance example at the very end of the discussion (4th page). I can imagine that it becomes a much more natural playing partner when you don't have to use you fingers to run it . . .

[Brent Gremillion]

Thanks guys. I have a Tascam device that I use to loop tracks, slow tracks, etc. I'm looking to record myself and listen back to what I sound like in a jam setting. Any ideas on that? I'm leaning toward a Presonus firewire audio interface with the sm57's.

[Dave Wells]

I have been using the zoom h4n 299.00
Acoustic guitar mag had an article a few months back
comparing several and this had everything on my list + 3 I didn't think of
I had the chance to sit and listen to the Kruger Brother in NC
and recorded it and the quality was sweeeet.
I also use it to record during my Lessons