Do you think this is a good starting point?

> > > Do you think this is a good starting point?

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Got my eye on you
Member Since: Nov 02, 2007

I am just getting in to home recording after reading up on a few bits and bobs and decided on a few items to buy. Just wanted to get your opinions on this equipment and if you could tell me if it would be a good starting point. I have a good bit of cash to spend so any other ideas for extra gear would be great. I have some bits already but the items below are on my 'To buy' list. And I already have Ableton live and some other software titles so I think i'll be ok on that front.

*Behringer F-Control Audio FCA202
*Behringer Xenyx 1002FX Mixing Desk
*SAMSON C03 - Multi-Pattern Studio Condenser Mic

To get a better idea of what I already have please check my profile.

Thanks guys.

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www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005

Nov 02, 2007 05:15 pm

Looks to me like you are in pretty good shape. The only concern I would have is with the FCA202. It MAY be a weak area in your chain but I'm unfamiliar with it so I could just be talking out of my ***.

Oh, and how many instruments do you need to track at once. IE: are you recording drums at all?

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Nov 02, 2007 05:38 pm

Personally, I think that there are better entry-level condensor mics than what Sampson makes. Behringer, MXL, CAD, Studio Projects and AKG all offer good entry-level condensors. I'm not sure what all multi-pattern options they offer offhand but there may be a better bang/buck in one of those other lines.

Depending on how many tracks you want to record simultaneously, you might even try looking into PreSonus, M-Audio, or Alesis FireWire interfaces. If you just want 1 or 2 channels at a time, you might even be able to get away with a USB interface from Behringer, Line6 or Alesis.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Nov 02, 2007 06:03 pm

I'm kinda thinking that too, maybe a line6 ux2 instead of the mixer / interface. I've been using a guitarport lately, and it's super easy working right there on the screen, instead of tweaking outboard stuff. (imo, of course)

I also think I agree with Tadpui's ideas on mics as well.

I guess like mentioned, knowing how many simultaneous inputs you'll need, will kinda drive your hand. It'd be good to know if you're wanting to do any MIDI work as well. Software synthesizers, soundfonts, stuff like that.

ALso, will you need digital inputs? or just analog (mic/instrument/line).

These can all drive your purchasing decisions, at least for an interface.

Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002

Nov 02, 2007 06:10 pm

personally I've never liked behringer... and samson only has a slightly better reputation. the only piece of behringer gear I have is an 8x headphone amp and I get people in who complain about it.

I would suggest looking at used but 'nicer' gear off ebay or a local 'music go round'. It really depends what the budget is.


Got my eye on you
Member
Since: Nov 02, 2007

Nov 03, 2007 04:36 am

Well I have always been a fan of higher end gear as far as my guitar goes but I recently bought a couple of Behringer pedals (an EQ & a Tuner) to add on to my pedal board and have been pretty impressed with the quality. Low noise, quite sturdy and they don't colour the sound to much either. With this I decided that if I where to start some home recording I would use some cheaper stuff just to get in to it and maybe replace equipment as I the need came along.

On that note I think I will take some of the advice given as far as looking at a few different mic's and maybe going for just an interface and by-passing the mixer completely as I only need to record 1 or 2 tracks at any one time.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004

Nov 03, 2007 04:53 am

Quote:
With this I decided that if I where to start some home recording I would use some cheaper stuff just to get in to it and maybe replace equipment as I the need came along.

this is a fine line to walk...if you do just that, then you will spend X dollars on the better equipment PLUS the price of the 'cheaper' gear.....learn where you can cut costs, and where things are worth the extra money to avoid this...

generally, it breaks down like this...

your converter/clock is your first point where your 'sound' enters the computer....so the more money you spend there, the better it will reproduce EXACTLY what it's hearing, this also goes for what you plug your speakers into (usually the same unit)

but before that you have microphone preamps, so if you send a really good signal to a 'bad' converter it will degrade it, before the preamp you have the mic....so say you have a good converter, and a 'budget' preamp and mic' it will capture a good picture of a lesser quality signal....

budget plays a big factor, i understand (trust me)....ya gotta dance around gear selections (read: do your homework) and ya wanna get the best bang for the buck in all areas.

it's all give-and-take

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 03, 2007 08:47 pm

moriondor, I will have to agree with you on the Behringer stuff being pretty good. I use a good deal of their gear and love it. But if you search the forum for the FCA202 you may find that a good deal of trouble is being had by those using it. IT seems as though it does not play nice with many PC's and their USB hook ups.

On the side of the Line 6 UX-2 or even the UX-2 they do play nice with pretty much every PC on the face of the planet. I personally use the UX-2 here. Although I have a few higher end multi channel interfaces I find myself using the UX-2 very often. If you don't need more then 2 channels at once, which the FCA202 has as well then the UX might be a better ticket to go with in the end. Less headache trying to get it to run stable and with low latency.

Got my eye on you
Member
Since: Nov 02, 2007

Nov 04, 2007 06:14 pm

Thanks for that Noize2u ;) Yeah, the Behringer gear I have used has served me well, but I take your suggestion that the FCA202 may cause me a bit of trouble. Had a look about on the web and some others said the same.

I will be recording 1 track at a time so the Line 6 seems the better option at the moment. I will decide over the next few days and keep you all informed on whats happening.

Thanks all!

Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002

Nov 05, 2007 12:18 am


I'm gonna have to throw in that the Line 6 will save u money just from the fact that it has the Gearbox, and not just in terms of preamps. I use Gearbox's noise suppressor, desser, and compressor almost all the time and their very easy to use and help remedy alot of problems you might end up with from mics, preamps, room and what not.

Comparing any entry-level interface in terms of bang for buck, the line 6 for me will always give it that extra step.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Nov 05, 2007 04:52 pm

I know Guitar Jim is one of those user's who has pretty good luck with it. I believe though that he is using it on a Mac with GarageBand.

I have just found that here many of the user's with it seem to have a lot of problems getting their computer's to recognize it and keep it active all the time. It seems to just disappear from the listed audio devices at times. Then suddenly re appear.

> > > Do you think this is a good starting point?

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