Recording in my room
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Posted on Aug 22, 2002 05:07 pm
Raph
Member Since: Aug 22, 2002
Hi there !
I just finished reading the articles on do-it-yourself and cpu recording. I am a one-man band and my drum is a v-drum, so it's that much easier to record it properly.
The thing is that I don't know exactly what I should buy to get going. I am on a very limited budget because I'm beginning my first year of University in a week. I already have a powerful cpu (1.4 ghz 512mb ram) and a bunch of cables that I've been playing around with. The sound quality I get right now (from direct rec. on my sound card, no mics, just cables) is pretty bad.
Can you offer some advice as to what I should look for to improve my recordings ? I can afford to spend some bucks, just not a thousand of 'em :)
Thanks a lot in advance,
Raphael
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Aug 22, 2002 05:29 pm There are many posts in this forum about this very thing...and the thing people never say is what gear they have now, so I am assuming you have nothing other than your PC that you mentioned.
First you need at least one mic, since you are on a limited budget, I would recommedn (As would many here) a Shure SM57. It's durable, inexpensive and can do a decent job at most any task, the only thing I don't think it should be used for is stuffing inside a kick drum, but since you use a drum machine, that makes this mic a perfect solution. Check it out at service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear
Then you need a compressor, this will make many instruments much easier to record and for vocals it is an absolute must otherwise the vocals will be very inconsistant and very "out in front" of the mix and there isn't much you can do about it later. I have been very happy with my dbx 266XL for a for a few years it has given me solid performance and is reasonably priced, see it at service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear
Then you need a sound card. You are like me, a one man band, so you lay down drums from your machine, then record you over it, then record you again over that, etc. That means you only need a one or two ins at any one time. This will save you a ton of money, as people that record many instruments at once need 8 or 10 ins at a time, then cards get costly! You mentioned nothing of needing a DAT interface or anything like that, so I will assume you need just 1/4 inch ins (maybe RCA?) Also, to get good sound to your sound card you will need to preamp your microphones...well, this is your lucky day, M Audio, one of the finest card makers around, makes a decnt priced sound card just for you and peeps like you, the "AudioSport Duo" service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear it has two in and outs, MIDI and more for $259 (USD) currently. That is a great price for a good sound card WITH great preamps built in. If you can afford more than that, DigiDesign makes a snazzy little unit as well for a bit under $500 (USD) which is a bit more, and I would recommend the M Audio card first myself, anyway.
I think that is really all you need for starters unless someone else here saw me miss something.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 05:42 pm Heres what you're going to need to start recording: A decent Mixer, Behringer makes great mixers and almost all of us here use them, check em out at musicians friend. Also, you'll need some software to record on. If you're low on cash you can get N-Track Studio for cheap, or if you want to spend some money you should go with cubase, nuendo, or sonar. Aside from that you'll need a good soundcard, M-Audio makes great soundcards, some of them not too expensive. Echo's cards are also good, but I've heard of them having problems. From then on it's just get it when you need it. If you're going to be doing vocals you'll need an outboard compressor too, but just focus on the mixer, soundcard, and multitracking software for now.
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 05:50 pm Sorry about that.
I own a 1.4ghz 512mb ram computer. No mics. Lots of cables. Two guitar amps. A v-drum (which is not a drum machine but an electronic drum).
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 05:56 pm thanks ! now a couple of questions...
do I mic my guitar amp (mic in sound card line-in) ?
can I plug my v-drum out in the line-in to record it ? or is there another setup ?
Aug 22, 2002 05:58 pm ah, OK, electronic drums, same thing, you will still reocrd it to a stereo track right? or are you looking at keeping each drum on an individual track?
<warning>
Careful how you answer that, the price for your venture may double if you answer "Yes, I do want to keep each drum on a separate track"
</warning>
Quote:
can I plug my v-drum out in the line-in to record it ? or is there another setup ?
Yes, just line out to line in...
And yes, I forgot about the software part, which can be costly, but doesn't need to be. And with many sound cards they bundle "lite" version of software that are feature limited but still can get the job done.
Loki brought up another good point, the mixer, since you are doing the one-man deal, you can get by with a very small mixer, and the Behringer 602 (6 channel) just happens to be on sale right now at Musician's Friend for $59 (USD)! see it at service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear you will need a mixer because compressors should be used via an effects loop on a mixer rather than pluggin a mic straight into it. As an added bonus, the Behringer mixers have pretty nice preamps too, so you wouldn't need them on your sound card so you can save about $80 on a sound card and go with something like the Audiophile 24.96 service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear which, ironically I just ordered for myself today ;-)
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 06:01 pm one stereo track is great for me (drum)
again, do I use the mic to record my guitar from the amp ?
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 06:08 pm Alright, to record your guitar you're going to plug a mic into a channel on the mixer, not directly into the soundcard. When you get a mixer it will be the only thing going directly into your soundcard, all the signals and such will enter the soundcard by first going into the mixer. Make sense? I hope so, if not I'd be happy to elaborate
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 06:17 pm Is musician's friend really te way to go if I live in Canada ?
I have very little knowledge in recording .. other than playing my instruments :)
So I might need some info on how to plug the mixer with the compressor,mics,card,etc.
I would probably figure that stuff on my own with the equipment in hand, but since I have nothing yet .. hehe
Thank you in advance ;)
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 07:10 pm Don't worry about losing the ref fee, I'll be happy to donate something to the community if I can get some good help :)
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 08:25 pm hay ralph we all started some where and some of us started right here asking the same questions as you , this place has helped me a buch and the more i learn the more i may be able to return the favor. all I can say is check out behringer , they make some great equipment , most of the gear in my studio is by them from compressors to mixers , a great start and they are at a very good price I also recomend M audio being that I have the same sound card as db mentioned above.
and Musicians friend is a good deal I've ordered many of thing from em , and i do belive ther are a fewe people from canada on this forum who shop there.
Aug 22, 2002 08:53 pm Ya, there is a few of you Canucks shopping at Musician's Friend from this website ;-) It's not all about ref fee's (though that's nice too) they also generally have the best prices and right now they have a free shipping deal going on if you order over $199 (or something like that)...
As for recording guitar, there is also the option that many of us use, and that is using an amp sim, like the Line 6 POD, then no mic is needed. Some peeps hate those things, some peeps love 'em...
For setup and stuff, just come back and ask, that is what this forum is all about. Like Geoff said, we've all been there.
bigalMember
Since: Aug 07, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 09:19 pm Hey Raph. I think I'm at the same stage of wisdom when it comes to home recording. You could refer to some questions I asked in a post a couple of weeks back called "another start up". It may help.
Can you tell me if you order something from MF. I also am from the Great White North, and I'd like to know how easy it is to buy stuff.
bigal
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 10:12 pm Yes, for the most part, a lot of us have started using MF. I still shop for used gear, but when I buy new I will go there. And don't worry about learning quickly, take your time and absorb what you need , when you need it.
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 22, 2002 11:08 pm I wasn't implying that MF was not the right choice .. but this is what I found in their FAQ...
Question
Do you ship Internationally?
Answer
Due to manufacturer restrictions, we are unable to ship outside of the United States.
Exceptions to this policy (some restrictions apply for these destinations): Puerto Rico, US Military addresses (i.e. APO and FPO addresses), locations outside the U.S. that use a U.S. Postal ZIP Code, such as Guam and The Virgin Islands, etc.
---
So that's why I was wondering if there were other options that you guys knew about.
Aug 23, 2002 05:05 am Whoa, ya, that is sure enough to through up a red flag, eh? I can totally understand your concern on that one!
I know there are many folks from Canada in this community and I am almost positive I have heard mention of shopping at MF...I might be wrong, but I don't think so...you can always call them and ask.
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 23, 2002 08:49 am I just called MF and the cust. service told me they couldn't send anything to Canada except in-house products, which do not include any of the equipment you recommended me :(
If there are other canadian musicians around here, I'd be very happy to hear from you.
Aug 23, 2002 08:51 am Really, what are "in-house" products?
That is really lame...I am sorry to hear that.
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 23, 2002 09:02 am We can ship four brands outside the United States at this time: Rogue, Pulse, Ram and Axman
Aug 23, 2002 09:04 am That so totally sucks...sorry about that, Iwas not aware. I was so sure some Canadian folks used MF...
Well, none-the-less, the gear did recommend is great stuff, I guess you will have to get your stuff form a local store or something...when you do get it, be sure to stop back, we will still help you in your journey...
Thanks for the info about MF, it's good to know for future reference.
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 23, 2002 09:17 am Thanks a lot :)
I'm looking for some online canadian retailers right now. If I find any worth mentioning, I'll let you all know :)
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 23, 2002 09:37 am www.ktjmusic.com
They will ship worldwide, but I'm worried about the customs... might have quite a surprise there.
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 23, 2002 09:56 am Okay here's what I found in a Montreal store...
Shure SM57 : 90$ US
DBX 266XL : 147$ US
Duo S.Card : 160$ US
Behringer : 90$ US
Any good ?
Aug 23, 2002 10:02 am it's good stuff, but to my US Dollar mind they seem pricey...but if the money works out well, I say go for it.
RaphMember
Since: Aug 22, 2002
Aug 23, 2002 10:05 am Okay, weird stuff here.
The local store I contacted is selling the Duo for less than the Audiophile.
Duo 250$
Audiophile 260$
I don'T quite understanf why.. but should I go with the Duo even if I don't need preamps on the sound card ? which card is better ?
Aug 23, 2002 10:09 am Either would work just fine, I was tossing up between the two and I chose and ordered the Audiophile yesterday because the audiophile has S/PDIF and the Duo doesn't, plus the audiophile S/PDIF supports 5.1 surround as well. Plus the audiophile has MIDI, which I don't use very often...but as long as it's there. For the Duo, it's got preamps and it's portable.
So the question is what is more important to you, you don't need preamp, and if you don't need portability, you could spend an extra 10$ and have 5.1 capability and MIDI, which you may not use, but you never know, the day may come when you want to.
It's all what is best for your situation.
