what kinda recording gear are you using?
senn E835 microphone into garage band. dean hardtail guitar (almost always record with my ibanez) vox ad100 head, celestion vintage 30x2 speakers (also a first). raspy vocals.
if i may recommend some items to consider. (1) Tascam US122L and (2) Joe Meek JM37DP. around $200 and you will be a lot happier with your experience.
If you are using the internal soundcard on your mac you are using a device designed for playback and minimal recording capability. the card is also jammed in there with a gang of other devices (HD, CD-ROM, MB... etc.) so you will get a lot of electrostatic garbage recorded into you signal path. You may not hear it from the jump but it's there. the US122L is a external audio interface with built in preamps. far from the best but works for the price. you also get all of the right connections to turn you computer into a recording system.
The JM37 is a very sensitive mic designed for recording. i've had them used from rock to rap to video and everybody has really like them.
you may be performing right but missing the details of it. it happened with me for a while without me even knowing it. a lot of time spent when it was the gear that simply wasn't getting the details that i was looking for.
you'd be surprised what you can really do on your own. as with any job, having the proper tools deos a difference.
any questions i'd be happy to answer for anybody thinking about home recording.
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