Trying to record.

Posted on

Member Since: Mar 05, 2008

Hi Guys,

Much like the previous poster, I am a total newb when it comes to recording. I know zero.

I know what I want, though. I want to be able to record my Roland V Drums T12, and guitar tracks from my Line 6 Spider III 75 amp.

Is it cheaper to do this PC based, or through a multi track recorder? I know zilch. What would you guys get.. I want quality gear, not top of the line stuff that costs an arm and a leg.

Any suggestions?

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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 05, 2008 10:35 pm

PC offers lots of flexibility. You can add effects, new programs, etc. whenever you want.

I don't know much about deck recorders, but it seems that if you want to grow, you're kinda stuck.

But, many people like the set amount of ways to do things. Like, too many options start hurting productivity.

It depends on how you work, and what makes sense to you.

Personally, I'm a PC guy, have been for years. The T12 should have 2 channels out (maybe more, i'm not sure), and the spider should have line out. Both of these will plug into a recording card without a preamp. If you want to record vocals later, you'll need a microphone and preamp of some sort, either in a mixer or standalone, like a maudio buddy thing.

Do you want USB, Firewire, PCI? Do you need MIDI?

What type of budget you got to work with. that makes a large difference too.


Brother Number One
Member
Since: Jan 22, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 07:54 am

Depends on your budget and if you are working alone or with a band.

I'm working alone and am totally happy with using REAPER (V. Cheap and now I am used to it in finding it intuitive too) as my recording software and sticking my guitars/bass through a Line6 UX2 TonePort (again really intuitive and easy to use) which is about $200/£120.

I'm not sure if you can or how easy it is to get your drums to go through a TonePort though. I use loops

If you are recording a whole band 'live' then I suppose you will be arsing about with lots of different mics, preamps and mixers which I know bugger all about.

But basically, you can get yourself set up to do decent quality home recording for a little over $200 providing you have the PC of course.

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 12:26 pm

My budget is probably somewhere within the 6-7 hundred dollar range for everything.

I have a PC, but it would be a pain to bring it to the studio room and back.. it's the home office PC. I will probably end up getting an e-machine or some cheap computer that works well, if PC recording is the way to go.

The spider does have a Line Out. The Td12 has two channels out, I think.. it hasn't arrived, yet.

Firewire, PCI, MIDI.. all this is like greek. Is this like an either/or deal? MIDI or PCI or Firewire? Don't know what any of them really do.


Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 12:26 pm

Oh, and thanks for the help thus far. Definitely appreciate it!

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 06, 2008 01:45 pm

wiki will help you a ton on what parts and pieces are.

Also, you can surf though zzounds.com, or something like that to get some ideas of what's what. More research the better, before you start shelling out $$$.

PCI is an add-in card, offering great bandwidth, solid stability, but not very portable between different PCs.

Firewire is external soundcard, and so is USB. They both have their pros and cons, Firewire being a little more hi-end, but more spendy.

MIDI is a way for computer to play music from electronic files. So I can program an orchestra for me to play against. Or drums, or whatever you can find or buy.

6-7h $ is pretty light. I spent around 1k$ for my audio PC. Though now-a-days you can probably get a pretty decent one for 500$. Less if you build it yourself, and are frugal (scroungy).

An interface will start around 99$, and go up from there, but not much for a 1-man band type of setup. figure between 100 to 200 for 2 channel interface. Some are a little more, but most fall between those two numbers.

You can pass on microphone / preamp setup, that'll keep the spending down. Headphones will be a must though, so you can hear previous recordings, to play against.

hth

Brother Number One
Member
Since: Jan 22, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 04:22 pm

I'm assuming that you already have a guitar and leads of course. But basically my total spend since I started getting my recording stuff together again in the last couple of months has been

£350 on a computer. Not great but it does for me.
£0 for REAPER, I do like it so will be paying for it but that can wait till another pay day.
£120 for a UX2 TonePort. You can always get a UX1 if you are starting to touch the top of your budget!
If you cant stretch to a decent pair of headphones just use a shitty pair that you have around for now and upgrade them later. Fortunately I have a set I've had for years.

You dont need to worry about all that complicated stuff you dont understand to start with (PCI, MIDI, FireWire), I dont know what any of it means either. Just connected the TonePort to the USB port, download REAPER, plug your guitar in and you are away.

I know, that set up (and probably me by inference) might sound a bit spit and saw dust compared with the gear some of the guys on here have but its a start. You cant get it all at once! Build it up over the months and years! Recording is actually tricky to start with. By the time you can afford better stuff, you'll be well practiced enough to use it!

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 06, 2008 04:40 pm

That's some good mojo, JDOD.

Now if we could just figure out that funny 'L' shaped character =/.


Brother Number One
Member
Since: Jan 22, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 04:51 pm

Ah, you mean this "£" one. ha ha

Basically 350 quid is about 700 bucks. Roughly 1:2 ratio. I remember thinking everything was very, very cheep when I was in the states recently!

But the cost is offset 'cos everything you get in the states is cheeper anyway. e.g I payed the equivalent of $240 for a UX2 TonePort but I know you can get the same one for 200, a UX1 even cheeper

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 04:51 pm

Awesome guys. I really appreciate the insight.

I guess if I know what I have to buy, I can budget around it. I thought 6-7 hundred dollars would be reasonable. Guess not!

Yeah, I have a crap load of guitars, man. Looking into a bass, as well.

One question.. with TonePort, can I play out of My Spider III with the setting I have dialed in on the amp through Line Out?

Brother Number One
Member
Since: Jan 22, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 04:58 pm

There are Line Inputs on the back (I just looked) so you should be able to. I haven't used that fuction yet though. You can also just mic the amp up and stick it in the mic jack if you have a mic handy. To be honest though, you dont really need the amp even, you can just stick the guitar straight into the TonePort. Load up a few presets to start with and then start using them as a base for your own tones. I've already made quite a collection of my own tones and I've not had it a week yet.

At the moment I dont think I'm using any fuctionality I couldn't get with a UX1. The reason I have the UX2 is that I plan to try some more complex techniques in future.

I dont know how much you guys have to pay for a workable computer, but I recon you'd only have to stick about 150 dollars on top of it to get a UX1 initially, then get round to getting decent headphones and actually paying for REAPER at a later date when you can afford it.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 06, 2008 04:59 pm

Yep, the toneport can act as just a 'input' to receive your sound, convert it to digital, and send it to your software. Plug from spider line out, over to the toneport line input, and you're set.

You can also use the modelling of the toneport too, instead of the spider.

Either / Or, i guess.

The UX2 has 2 inputs, so you could send the TD12 L & R over to the toneport as well. That'll keep the drum kit stereo, if it is already.

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 05:09 pm

Alright. These are steps in the right direction. I know what I need, and will definitely start down the path of building my little recording lab.


I really appreciate your feedback and advice, guys.

I would buy you guys beers if I could!

Brother Number One
Member
Since: Jan 22, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 05:14 pm

Dont worry about it, I started a similar thread about 3 weeks ago called "connecting my mic to my computer" assuming that I'd hate all these digital things like TonePorts and I've turned into a bit of a TonePort evangelist.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 06, 2008 05:17 pm

Quote:
I would buy you guys beers if I could!


*ahem*

www.1800microbrew.com/

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 05:54 pm

You have to buy a membership and everything for that!

If any of you guys come to the SF Bay area, let me know. First round is on me.

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 06:04 pm

Does the Toneport UX2 come with recording software, or is this just the hardware to get the job done?

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


Mar 06, 2008 06:18 pm

Hmmmm, you could buy Coolo and Geoff enough beers for all of us then. They are our resident bay area representatives :)

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 06, 2008 06:19 pm

I just purchased my $900 plane ticket from Alaska to Cali so I can get one of those beers.... even though I didn't offer any suggestions ;)

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 06:33 pm

you guys are somethin' else man.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 06, 2008 06:35 pm

I think Geoff is in Guam now, putzing with his Variax =).

< pulling back to the original track >

Yes, the toneport comes with software,

# Line 6 Edition of Ableton Live integrates seamlessly for simple, latency-free recording

that's from the MF site, as ZZ doesn't list included software.

Ya may want to give reaper a look-see, as the included software will be a restricted version of live. I don't think too many people use live as a multitracker, though I could be wrong. reaper is open, and free to try out.

* edit *

hey, what about us -not drinking anymore- guys ? ? ?

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 06:45 pm

I work for an open source software company, so Reaper sounds attractive. I will check it out!

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 06, 2008 06:53 pm

Ha! Good deal. love the open source.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Mar 06, 2008 07:11 pm

Quote:
hey, what about us -not drinking anymore- guys ? ? ?


That's your problem!!

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 06, 2008 07:12 pm

heh, not anymore it's not! =)


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Mar 06, 2008 08:05 pm

what open source company is that, I have contributed to open source myself...

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 06, 2008 10:59 pm

INGRES.. an open source database company. Actually, it was the first relational database created..

We actually launched the worlds first open source Business Intelligence appliance recently, as well. Cool stuff!

Brother Number One
Member
Since: Jan 22, 2008


Mar 07, 2008 04:53 am

Yeah, the UX2 comes with some recording software but TBH, I've never even tried it. What it does come with TonePort is some amp modelling software called GearBox which lets you choose between loads of different, amps, cabinets, effects a few mics and mic positioning. Then you get to twiddle all the knobs on the amps. I might get my first song into an uploadable state by the end of today so you can see what can be achieved by a complete TonePort and REAPER beginner

Member
Since: Mar 05, 2008


Mar 07, 2008 11:56 am

Awesome. I'll look for it!

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Mar 08, 2008 11:38 pm

Yep, I'm a Line 6 user for their first POD. I now have a fully loaded POD xt and the UX-2 and love it. In fact in recent months the UX-2 gets more use then my bigger more expensive multi input interfaces. I simply love the quick set up for the UX-2 and its converters are pretty dang fair in my book.

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