Some advice on recording equipment??

Age : 22 Joined : 04 Jun 2007 Posts : 1477

Ok guys, I've been playing guitar about 2.5-3 years and INITIALLY, I
had wanted to do a two man project a few years ago. Anyhow, I recorded
a couple tracks using CoolEditPro 2.0 (I think) but that project never
left the ground.

Basically, it has been a few years since then, and I have always wanted
to do one, two, (possibly three)-man studio projects ... just to get
some music out there and on to CD. I mentioned the above in order to
indicate that I do have some BASIC experience with recording and
layering ... but not much. Like I said, we worked with a few basic
tracks and layering but never got to the mastering stage.

What I am asking is this: I am really very interested in picking up a
project again, instead of just practicing and playing all the time, I
want to make some recordings. Of course this is a low-budget "demo"
quality endeavor ... what would you guys suggest I pick up in order to
learn to record, mix, and master my own stuff? I've got guitars, amps,
bass, etc ... I'm just wondering how you guys would suggest for a
newbie like me to get into the art of recording. I've got so many ideas
in my head, that I really want to get rolling on some of them.

I just reread the above and it may seem slightly ambiguous silent

as to what I am asking. What I am asking is what kind of mics,
low-budget soundboards, should I invest in ... if any? Should I just
use
a mic and computer? When you guys record demos, how do you do it?? I
would like to be autonomous in my demo-recording process ... i.e. not
relying on someone esle's equipment/studio time, etc. I just want to create in the comfort of my own home, so to speak Wink

Ramble ramble ... props to anyone who can make sense of this and thanks in advance for feedback!
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Joined : 04 Sep 2007 Posts : 37

Im building a home studio now. It really depends how much you want to invest.

PC recording is just the best way to go for home recording these days. There are some OK standalone units out there but they will never be as flexable/upgradable as a PC. Once you buy a standalone unit there is very little expansion. Then you have an ivestment on your hands that depriciates very quickly and can only be used for recording. So I would give my endorsement to PC

Personally I prefer cubase for home recording. Its a great interface and is compatable with most hardware. I mean it may be more then you need at this point but if you care about your music at all you might as well have a serious platform.

Make sure that your PC can handle it first. Your gonna need a fairly good sized hard drive to hold the multiple wave files. Your PC may need upgrades but most likely it will be below what you would pay for a standalone unit.

You said you were recording a demo. If your gonna use real drums. I would reccomend no less then an interface/soundcard with 8 inputs. The presonus FP10 is an excellent choice and can be had for round about 350$ or so. Very clear sounding and wonderfully dependable. You can also daisy chain this unit should you ever wish to add more inputs.

There will be others that reccomend smaller interfaces but it really depends on the drums. If your gonna use drum sequencers, then its a whole nother ball game.

Mic's

Guitar mics - For guitar mic's I just stick with the tried and true SM57. Its an industry standard workhorse that gets the job done. There are some other choices out there but this is an awesome mic to get your collection started.

Drum mics - There are as many opinions about drum mics as there are stars in the sky but I like The top of the line shure drum mic set. The model names escape me at the moment.

Vocals, vocal mics are probably the most expensive mic's your gonna have to deal with. Although I have been using the uber cheap MXL 990 condenser and its getting the job done with a good tube pre believe it or not

Bass mics - Bass alot of times you can just record direct but ive found that the bass drum mic on a nice set of drum mics works great for bass.

Im sure youll get a million more opinions on mics but thats just a few cheaper suggestion that will get IMO a decent result but not break the bank.

Age : 37 Joined : 02 Jan 2007 Posts : 466

Good responce forged. Can you give us some details about your computer dOOm? If you are planning on drums then forges suggestion for a sound card is one of the best.

Subject: Re: Some advice on recording equipment?? Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:15 am

I have been going back and forth on recording styles as well. I'm new to this whole thing and I talk to a few ppl who love stand alones and then there are ppl who love the pc version. With me not being very computer literrant, Im going back and forth in my head which one I should go with. I still haven't made up my mind

Age : 37 Joined : 02 Jan 2007 Posts : 466

If your not very computer savy I would suggest a stand alone. Smile

A Mere Peasant Age : 30 Joined : 08 Dec 2007 Posts : 4484

I miss the good ol' 4-track cassete recorders... plug in some good mikes and go for it. The best.
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Age : 18 Joined : 31 Dec 2007 Posts : 359

I use a 12 track standalone in conjunction with my pc running audacity (free audio editor). The main out on the standalone goes into a 4 channel mixer then to monitors. If I need more simultaneous tracks, I run whatever I need into the mixer and then into the standalone. I use as many live effects as I want (or are possible) Then put the tracks on my pc to add digital effects, etc. However, when recording some acoustic tracks, I have gotten almost as good a sound by using a quality pc mic into audacity.

Subject: Re: Some advice on recording equipment?? Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:28 am

The only thing I want to do is put down some acoustic tracks for some songs i have written then put down the vocals on top of them. I dont think i need a big set up just for that...do i?

A Mere Peasant Age : 30 Joined : 08 Dec 2007 Posts : 4484

Mission Of One Age : 38 Joined : 03 Jan 2007 Posts : 5408

Age : 37 Joined : 02 Jan 2007 Posts : 466

I would suggest this unit. Tascam-DP02FXCD-Digital-Portastudio
I would also suggest this mic. Audio Technica AT 2020

Very Happy

Subject: Re: Some advice on recording equipment?? Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:42 am

thanks for the help..I'll let you guys know what I get.

Subject: Re: Some advice on recording equipment?? Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:48 pm

Did you get your stuff, Ken???

Arttie
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Subject: Re: Some advice on recording equipment?? Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:11 am

not yet..taxes are due in the 12th...

Subject: Re: Some advice on recording equipment?? Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:01 am

I ordered a Boss BR-600 from a local music store in town. I took alot of time to research my options and I just hope i made a good decision.

Mission Of One Age : 38 Joined : 03 Jan 2007 Posts : 5408

Nice unit.

Here's what I'm currently using in the Batcave:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Korg-D3200-32Track-Digital-Recording-Studio?sku=242061
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Subject: Re: Some advice on recording equipment?? Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:18 am

I'm wondering If there is software that anyone would reconmend. I have a lab top and I would like to use that to help put the songs together, But being new to this I just dont know what to look for.