new to recording properly at home... please help?
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Posted on Feb 12, 2007 05:14 pm
barney
Member Since: Feb 12, 2007
hi,
i'm new to this forum because, although me and my band have been playing for quite a while, we're all relatively new to recording half decent demos! So i've researched the topic a fair amount and have a fair idea of what i think would be worth getting, but i am here to ask for your advice on a couple of queries as well as any suggestions. We have a PowerBook G4 (for those who don't know - two USB ports and one FireWire port) and i'm thinking of getting some software for it. I like the look of both Logic Express (a program that i have used in school before and am a fan of) as well as Pro Tools M-Powered. Would there be any point in getting both? And, if not, which program would you suggest is most apt for recording a full band? As for an audio interface I think the M-Audio FireWire 1814 seems good, but I was wondering if this interface plus some decent aforementioned computer programs would be enough to record a band with a 7-piece drum mic set, a bass, and two guitars, and then be able to tweak each track seperately later once recorded (e.g. increase the amount of snare in the mix or add reverb or something)? Finally, i'll assume i will need a decent sound card? If you could help with this it would be much appreciated. I am relatively inexperienced in home recording but am quite knowledgable about techy stuff in general. My budget is fairly large and i am open to suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help!
Barney.
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Feb 12, 2007 07:14 pm Welcome aboard Barney.
First, the maudio device would fill the need for a soundcard, so you won't need both, just the one.
Now, maudio is a pretty well respected company, so I don't think you can go wrong there. Good choice for the beginning, and intermediate digital recorder.
Between Logic and PT-MP, I've not got any real direction, as I've seen neither. If you've used logic before, then I'd steer in that direction.
The 1814 has 8 analog inputs, and of which 2 are preamp inputs. Preamp inputs are what you need for the microphones. Guitars and bass can go direct in, but may use microphones as well.
I think an important part of this equation you've not run into yet is preamps. You'll need a preamp for each microphone you use, so if you're recording 7drum, 2g & 1b, that's 10 preamps, and 10 inputs into your interface. It can be done this way, but it gets more complex. You'd need some sort of preamp for your analog inputs (mixer works well here), plus a second preamp device that outputs lightpipe, and/or 2 on spdif.
It's doable, but probably not the route you're thinking.
I'm trying to find a way to do 10 or so inputs, without getting into lightpipe, or ADAT, but it's not easy. Most devices only offer up to 8 (or less) analog inputs, so you may need to look into getting a preamp that outputs lightpipe, which can get spendy.
I'm keeping the firewire connectivity in mind.
Another option, is to submix parts of the kit down, and then have 5 total for drum kit, 2g & 1b. that would be 8 and get you into recording a whole lot easier. this could be done with the 1814, and a smaller mixer, like the mg16/4 or similar behringer.
Lots can be done for drums with 4: 2oh, 1s & 1k. You could even add 1 for toms.
Hope this helps some.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Feb 12, 2007 07:20 pm I just thought another thing: if you're recording in the same room, you'll be recording other's parts into your mics, unless you keep things pretty separate.
If you record part, then record over other parts, then you can get away with less inputs, as you'd be doing the recording in waves.
oo, i made a pun =)
I'll let you know, this can get pretty complex pretty quick. Recording a decent demo ain't as easy as it would appear at first. I haven't even touched on the vocals yet.
It is fun, but can be frustrating. Fear not, though, as we've all been there.
Headphones become an issue, as do speakers for monitoring. Something to think about, as you want to hear the mix in good fashion, lest you mix poorly.
Feb 13, 2007 05:13 am Behringer ADA8000 has 8 line ins and are all preamped with a gain control you can go xlr or 1/4 inch also has 8 outputs and an optical I/O
Withtimeclock sync
barneyMember
Since: Feb 12, 2007
Feb 13, 2007 08:37 am Thanks for your help! I feel as though i know a bit more about home recording already!
So... would it be possible to feed the microphones (i agree that maybe down-sizing the amount of drum mics to 4 would be a good idea, though i still feel that using microphones for the guitar and bass would be more suitable for my needs than feeding the guitar lines straight into the mixer) into either the Behringer ADA8000 or Yamaha MG16/4 mixer (both of which look to be good products for my needs) which could act as a pre-amp, and then feed those outputs into the M-Audio FireWire 1814 inputs which would then plug into the firewire port on my laptop, into a decent program (i was think, as i said earlier, of logic express or pro tools m-powered... but what would you suggest just out of curiosity?) ? Would i then be able to mix each microphone track seperately and add appropriate effects etc...?
Again, thanks for your help! :)
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Feb 13, 2007 09:46 am Most would agree that mic'ing the guitars is the way to go. Bass is an either/or kind of thing. DI bass can be very good, compared to trying to get great bass via mic is hard unless you have a large room, good equip, etc.
Sounds like you've got the basic idea, mics --> preamps --> interface --> PC.
You will have the tracks independant, inside of the software, like you want, and can then add whatever you want, effects-wise, and twiddle the sounds around to your liking.
Justin @ Reaper is making a Mac port for the Reaper code. It's in beta right now, but Reaper is worth looking into.
Preamp vs mixer: mixers give you some routing flexibility, that preamps don't. fer instance, i route the outputs from my interface, back into the last two inputs on my mixer, then I can listen to the incoming signal, plus the pre-recorded signals, all from my mixer. Gives me more control of things.
That may not be an issue, but it's handy if you need it.
Feb 13, 2007 11:52 am well when it comes to the software, i would'nt recomend eithor. but some would ofclourse, i would sya stay away from pro tools becase, and im sure some will agree and some will disagreee with me where, they have just been outdated for a while, compared to all of the new stuff out like sx3 and sonar 4-6.
ultimately for beginers, like yourself ;), dont worry we've all been there ;), i would recomend one of my favorite simplistic programs, mixcraft, its not complicated or nething, its great becasue its the perfect introduction software, better than the cubase le and the like, i would highly recomned that, i started on that and it gave me a good introduction into the software im using now, sonar 4, which is great for the experianced, but kinda gets complicated with settin up everything right and the millions of options, i still dont know everything about it ;), and even with a great program like sonar i still go back to mixcraft when i wake up in the middle of the night with a song idea, and neone who writes songs knows it will be gone by the time u wake up and the rythm u wont remember n ack! its enoying, so ill use mixcraft to do i quick recording for me to go back to in the morning. i hope this really helps you out and welcome to HRC;) ill provide the url for u to look at mixcraft at the bottom, it comes with a week + 3 days trial, its atleast worth a try,
www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/
Feb 13, 2007 11:54 am o and btw if u ahve msn plz add me ;) especially if u have questions about the program, cuz im really well versed in it, but its pretty simple ;)
[email protected]
barneyMember
Since: Feb 12, 2007
Feb 13, 2007 01:00 pm hey thanks for the relpies everyone! i'll make sure i come on this board alot and help people out like you've done for me... if i can anyway! and yes i'll add you on msn in a minute,
barney
