New at this, anxious for some advice on gear
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Posted on Jun 08, 2004 09:33 am
LordAccord
Member Since: Jun 08, 2004
Ok, I have been planning on recording now for quite a while, but it never occured to me to do it on my own until a few weeks ago when a few different people suggested it to me for my project. So now I'm looking into it as a real viable option.
This is going to be very straightforward recording: accoustic guitar and voice, or piano and voice. Nothing else right now. The vocal mic and instrument mics I have covered, and my guitar (Washburn D-10-CE) is actually accoustic / electric and I should be able to capture a decent sound from it, but we'll see.
As far as computers go, I have that covered. I build my own stuff, so I can put in / take out whatever I need to make it work. Plenty of power and speed there. I also have good software.
Beyond this point, I am unsure exactly what I should buy to make this work. I am not looking to have the best CD ever made, but I have lots of requests already for the album when I get it done, so i do want to sell this and not have people complaining about its sound quality. Also, if this works out, I will be doing it again in the future, so I need equipment that will last and be versatile. But I am really just unsure of the best way to go about it. Like the best sound card for my project, or what I need in the form of a mixer. Or even... is this feasible with a max budget of $1,500.
So, any advice you all could offer would be wonderful, even a reference to a post I didn't find. I didn't see too much that isn't doing electronic music or band-ish setups... but what I'm doing is just accoustic guitar / piano and voice. I want to make sure I get the right advice for the project =)
Thanks,
Kory
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Jun 08, 2004 09:35 am Oh I should add that I have a few friends that have done home recording before that are going to help me out with a lot of this, so whatever I buy we'll figure out how to use, I just want to make sure I get the best sound for my $
MauzgrrrrrrrMember
Since: Mar 29, 2004
Jun 08, 2004 11:55 am "This is going to be very straightforward recording"
Well - as far as I'm concerned there is no straightforward recording. There is always something unexpected that crops up. I started off recording about a year ago with sort of the same intentions that you have. One thing that is ogod is that you are not planning on doing drums which are hard to record with.
I would suggest the following:
-a good audio interface that matches your needs. Save yourself some headaches and get firewire or internal. Something from m-audio should do the trick. Cheap and high quality.
-choose software. I like adobe audition because its cheap and easy to use. Maybe start off with a something even more simple. Whatever software you use make sure that you know it well.
-Remember to configure your computer for optimal performance. Jam it full of Ram and run a lean machine.
-Get a mixer. These always come in handy. Behringer seem to be a popular choice as they are good and cheap. I have a yamaha which works fine. You should get one that has phantom power to power your condensor mics.
-Get some mic stands and cables and learn the differnece between balanced and unbalanced cables. I learnt about this stuff when I bought my mixer.
-Make sure your mics are OK for your project. You can get a really good sound by getting high qualitymics so even though your production might not be top of the line your sound quality will be good. I would suggest an 1 or 2 SM57 all purpose, two condensor mics for recording acoustic and anoter condensor for recording voice. Or try to find mics that can cover all tasks. Chek the ones you have but save some money for an upgrade if you want to make a difference. A pre-amp with a nice sound is also a plus.
-Last but not least get some studio monitors that you like. Take a mix you know well to the store and see if you can hear all the parts. Buy them, learn about mixing, practice and then cut your track!
-consider getting a compressor like the FMR RNC which can make all the difference in obtaining a professional sound.
I am running out of steam. This is a few things that might help. Take a look at my gear. I dont have the best stuff, but for what you are doing it would work. I am missing a good vocal mic and pre-amp and monitors which will set me back another 7-800 euro. You can definetely get some good stuff for 1500. I would recommend researching the stuff and then buying it on ebay or second hand to save. I bought a mic on ebay from the US then decided I didn't like it and ended up selling it here in Europe for more! One thing you generally dont have to worry about with this new hobby of yours is depreciation of microphones so why not get some really nice mics that will make you love recording every time? The rest will fall into place...
Jun 08, 2004 01:14 pm yeah the computers aren't going to be a problem =) the main system is a stripped down XP2000+ with 1gb ram and an 160gb ata raid-0 array for the main drive... it should be just fine =)
I'm going to be working with software that the friends helping me know backwards and forwards
and I have 2 SM57's available =)
so the sound card, condensor mics, mixer, preamp, compressor, cabling, and studio monitors are what I need to research for purchase.
Thank you for your help Mauz!
guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jun 08, 2004 02:27 pm Great to hear about your project L.A.!!!!
one simple rule of the "list"...
Mic pre
Sound card
mic itself
flat response monitors.
Those are the four most important things, you can even get by on biscuity software, if those things are covered. (your machine is already covered, or their may be 5) LOL!!!!
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 09, 2004 09:14 am I'd suggest:
m-audio delta 44 for 229$us 4 analog ins & outs
a yamaha mg10/2 stereo mixer for 99$us
hosa 8 cable snake for 25$us
I suppose mic stands should be included in there as well.
I purchased the tannoy reveal passive monitors, and am so far very impressed and happy, though i haven't done much real mixing with them though.
320$ passive
over 800$ active
There's the gear bag section on the left there that has a bunch of monitors and some reviews.
Seeing as how you already have the PC, and the microphones, you should be able to come in under $1k without much problem.
