Improving live instr. recording

Question

I am a serious amateur French Horn player. Am using a Snowball USB mic. Having trouble recording without distortion: present on headphones, worse via Soundsticks. What microphones might improve this? I am totally new to recording (classical geek, ya know), so need advice about the whole set-up (adaptors, "mixers", cables, etc.).
Budget wise, I'd be willing to consider set-up costs up to $1000 if that's what it would take, but I don't even know where to start.....
Also, any speaker sets you'd recommend for this use?
Thanks
g5 dual core 2g   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  
g5 dual core 2g   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

Answer 1

First of all I commend you for even playing the French Horn. A difficult instrument to master.
As you may well notice as you embark on researching options for quality recording, there are many opinions and many options available.
If you wish to upgrade your signal path I would definitely recommend taking some time and researching what's available within your budget. And checking into various forums for recording. As there are a multitude of options and they can and will impact your final product; the recording.
As you may know the Snowball is 16bit 44.1KHz. As is GB. If critical you may want to record at better resolutions then either will provide.
I would not personally recommend an SM57 for a French horn.
Of course fidelity can be subjective. It may suit your needs just fine.
And it's true an SM57 is virtually in every studio and is a veritable standard mic to own. It is a great mic. But is it the right tool for your needs?
If you need a good mic for a French horn application I would look at large diaphragm condensers.
And while the Inspire has a great price point for a little more you can find interface's with audibly noticeable better sonic's.
Speakers again, very subjective. Plus budget.
I would be hard put to find a interface, a decent mic and monitors for a grand. And as you can see another will think that is more then you would need.
In my viewpoint $400.00 for a decent mid priced interface and mic equals $800.00. Just enough left for some headphones.
And then save up for some good monitors.
However, having said that.
I would as suggested try working with what you have to see if you can find sufficent improvement first.
As distortion can occur with the best gear and may well mean you are recording too hot. Or something is faulty. Tried tracking at lower levels?
By the way where are you placing the Snowball? Do you record for reflections also or do you have the mic very close to the bell?