Mar 14, 2012 12:27 am What do you have, and how do you record?
Pretty new to this.
Posted on Mar 02, 2012 03:45 am
iknowledge
Member Since: Jan 21, 2009
I've done some recording in the past but only with usb condenser mics. I'm about to get the mxl 4000 microphone and I'm thinking about getting the mackie 402 mixer. Is there anything else I need to record? How do I hook everything up and what cables do i need.
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Mar 14, 2012 12:27 am What do you have, and how do you record?
Mar 14, 2012 06:59 am If you are talking about the standard Mackie 402 mixer with no USB or firewire audio output, you will also need some sort of audio interface. To match up nicely with a 4 channel mixer, an audio interface with 4 inputs would be nice...you could then record 4 tracks at once and keep them individual.
You'll also need the software to multitrack in. For inexpensive starters, look into Reaper.
www.reaper.fm
May 02, 2012 09:31 pm hey tim, I recently got a used mixer for 250 bucks, a slightly older soundcrafrt. Its fine for my needs, as it is for live jamming. When I was looking at mixers, the mackie onyx mixers definately caught my eye. They also work as a multichannel firewire interface. It also never hurts to watch some pros disseminate their secrets on tutorial vids, I use macprovideo because I got hooked with a free trial. Well worth it though even to check out the free ones!
May 03, 2012 03:23 pm I just have the outputs of my mixer going straight into my soundcard. I can only record 2 tracks at once, but it's fine for me.
May 03, 2012 03:24 pm Yes...I can't say enough good things about Reaper!
Jun 01, 2012 03:26 am why is reaper so good? Can you make some comparisons to pro tools or logic? I keep hearing buzz about it.
Jun 01, 2012 11:32 am Reaper doesn't cost an arm and a leg and does just about anything all the others do. Much more than someone new to recording would need. Reaper's trial version is 'cripple free' but there's never any harm in buying it if you're going to use it :)
Jun 01, 2012 11:38 am Yeah, I'll chime in for Reaper too...it's so good, in my eyes, because it'll do darn near everything your standard musician needs, and does it for $60! not $600 or more like the other big players in the field...I've been using Reaper for the last many months and it's been great...for audio, midi, mixing, exporting to other formats...with audio and midi I can cut, copy and paste apply effects and all that "typical" stuff. It's pretty intuitive to use (MIDI could be more logical, but it doesn't take long to get into the pocket)...
I could see where somebody like Lucasfilms or Alan Parsons might find some limitations...but for a guy like me, it's the bomb!
Jun 01, 2012 03:05 pm Reaper doesn't use a lot of resources either. That was a big plus for me. Tracking 16 channels with no issues.
Jun 01, 2012 05:41 pm I used to be a big FL Studio user a few years back, but I never liked how they implemented their tracking/audio recording. The midi editing was good, and there were some really nice bells and whistles.
Reaper has also come a long way with its midi editing capabilities. It's workflow is different, but not "klunky" or hard to get around. But mostly, I really like how the audio and tracking features are laid out. I've been using Reaper for a couple years now, and I'm pretty used to the interface, and general controls layout. I find it to be quite intuitive and easy to navigate.
Any DAW or other production software will have some type of learning curve. I feel that Reaper's learning curve is nowhere near as steep as some of the "big boys" out there.
Using VST/i is also very easy. You can set the VST folder (or sevearl VST folders) in the preferences, have it scan those, and boom, you've got your library, much like FL Studio does its scanning. You open the FX window, and insert what you want, or need. (Note: The window/tab/button says FX, but you can also load in soft synths, virtual instruments, or sample players, whatever you need)
But yeah, easy to learn, very capable for standard application, and like BH said, easy on the CPU. And the user community also releases various skins and button/layout/etc. if you don't like the default skin or look.
But yeah, it's a nice bit of software, and dirt cheap if you're not banking more than $20k a year off your audio work.
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