Yes, I tried the different settings. Strange but the I-pad does a better job with the tones but wasn't looking to go that route - ha, since all of my music is in the i-pad & garage band & such apps are on my laptop, it would take a bit to use it.

No worries, it's not my playing I am trying to record but the sounds I have created, some just go with the different songs so well, it's exciting to hear them.

I'm sorry to hear that, Marg.  Did you try the different settings?  It might be that the omni-directional setting is not what you want.  You can change it so that it only picks up sound from one side. There is a third setting that will help eliminate surrounding noises, but that might not be good if you have two sources of sound.  Also, make sure you listen with headphones; don't trust the speakers on your computer unless they're high end audio speakers.

Dusty,

Disappointing outcome, I tried the (   Samson Go  mic)  the morning.  It worked better on the GT-1 sound but really didn't work well & it sounded like I was in a drum or a can.

I guess my next try is one of the Zoom H's. Until then will keep doing what I can & learning a I go

Thanks Dusty,

I did post in the recording groups you listed, one several months ago about the GT-1 - no replies & again tonight on  'Recording a programed GT-1 sound' 

I will see if Best Buy or someplace has any info. It would be good if a mic was designed for music - what I have isn't working so - we'll see - learning as I go.

Marg, yes the H4N is more expensive because it is not a microphone, but a portable, multitrack recorder. It has two instrument/microphone inputs and also its own set of stereo mics. It records at CD quality while running on batteries and allows for multitracking.  It's a pretty fancy device whose potential I have not yet begun to scratch.

Between the Snowball and the Samson Go, I don't think either one is designed specifically for music, but they both would work pretty well for your purposes, I think.  (I say "I think" because I am not familiar with the GT-1.)  Both are more powerful than you might think, so they do not need to be too close to your instrument and can be placed in a central location in a room. For that reason, they would both be good at picking up multiple sources of sound.

HOWEVER, you might try posing a question in one of the recording groups here at FOTMD.  There might be a microphone specifically designed for music that would be a better option.

Thanks for the info Dusty on the mic's.

I looked at the ones you mention & I learned there are different pickup patterns (I didn't even know that much). It looks like the Snowball & the Samson Go can either pick up in front, cardioid or also around the room omnidirectional. The Zoom H4N does look like the best but is also the most $$. 

As far as (getting a device that lets you plug directly into the computer rather than relying on a microphone. ) I have the programed sound coming out of the amp from the GT-1 but I am also producing sound from my dulcimer, so I am after picking up both places the sound comes from. The more I learn, the more I am learning toward a mic that gives you a choice and one that would be good for both picking up the created  GT-1 sounds and straight dulcimer strums.

Between the Snowball & the Samson Go (that you said you really liked) would you say they are both about the same or would one be better for picking up 2 places of 2 different types of music - Reading their info, it sounded like the Snowball would be better for something ('like an orchestra') I took that to mean different sounds from different areas.

Between you and Dan I have been able to understand what it is I am after now - and that is a mic that can pick up the created sounds (clear not muddy) from one direction and the dulcimer strums from another direction. Plugging in would not allow the dulcimer to sound also and that is part of the layer sound I am after. Volume wise, the laptop does fine - it just can not understand some of the GT-1 programed sounds therefore can not reproduce that tone/sound. 

I will check Best Buy tomorrow -  Snowball & the Samson Go - or is there yet another one that maybe better for what I am after?

Thanks for listening, Dulcinina.  The tablature shows pretty accurately what I'm doing with my left hand, but it doesn't capture the extra picks and strums I add with the right hand.  Most of the time I try to keep my tab as simple as possible so that it's accessible to everyone in my local dulcimer group.  One of my golden rules is that as long as your left hand is fretting a chord, your right hand can hit any string and it will sound OK.  So if you add little picks and strums not in the tablature, as long as you stay in rhythm, it will sound good.

Marg, I am no expert on this stuff so you might get better results asking your questions in either the Technology/Software/Amplifying Group or the Home Studio Recording Group .  What I can tell you is that I've always had problems with the microphone that comes built-in to my computers.  Even if you're not amplified, a chord strummed with extra gusto will get distorted.  You might consider getting a good USB microphone. For a while I used a Blue Snowflake mic, which is a smaller, portable, and less powerful version of the Blue Snowball .  Blue also makes higher-end mics, but I found the snowflake was OK for my purposes.  I also got a Samson Go mic, which I really like.  But as I mentioned, I now use my Zoom H4N as a mic.  An audio interface is merely whatever device you use to feed the audio to your computer.  You might consider getting a device that lets you plug directly into the computer rather than relying on a microphone. I'm sure the people in those two Groups I link to above could help you figure that out.

Beautiful, Dusty.  I have your tab and watched your video (or is it vimeo) several times to watch your picking/strumming technique.  Thanks for posting this. Dulcinina

Dusty,

( laptop to record, but instead of the built-in microphone I'm using my Zoom H4N as an audio interface.)

I am using my laptop also but some of my tones I have with using the GT-1 will not pick up. The volume is there, not the correct tone signal.

The trick is to find what would be best for me without buying lots of different types of mic's or recorders or I don't even know what an audio interface is - if that is what I need.

Dan even mention what he uses but I'm afraid I still don't understand what I should look for.  Do you know if there is a discussion anywhere in the forums that address this - what is the best for picking up elec. dulcimer tones with a laptop?

Thanks so much, Robin, Strumelia, and Gail.  Happy New Year to you all!

Marg, I am just using the webcam on my laptop to record, but instead of the built-in microphone I'm using my Zoom H4N as an audio interface.  The H4N can record on its own, but in this case I'm just using it as a microphone.  Someday I'll learn to record separate audio and video tracks and then synch them up together, but I have no idea how to do that yet.

 Beautiful, Dusty!  Happy New Year to you.

Really nice, Dusty!  

That's just lovely Dusty   The chords take the tune in some unexpected directions - wonderful.

What do you use to record?

Marg, Paula, Sam, and Lexie, thanks so much for listening and taking the time to comment.  It means a lot.

Paula, I am plugged into a Fishman Loudbox Mini amplifier in this video.  The twin spot pickups that terry uses are phenomenal.

Sam, this arrangement makes use of several minor chords that add a lot of flavor, I think.  I posted a link to the tab in case you want to learn it.

Lexie, the shirt is a Gourd Music shirt that I got several years ago at the Redwood Dulcimer Day.  It depicts several dulcimers, one of which has a duck head that Neal Hellman still owns.

Happy New Year, everyone!   

Love Your shirt Dusty! 

Beautiful playing, thank you!

OH MY, what a wonderfully done rendition. 

Beautiful playing!    Love your McCafferty!  I have one as well, good volume and sweet!

Nice, yes very nostalgia. 

A Happy New Year to you also.