Total beginner, What do you think?
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Posted on Oct 29, 2005 01:14 am
wilcoaz
Member Since: Oct 28, 2005
Hey all,
Great resource here. Wish I would have found it a long time ago. Never the less, I am here now.
I used to play guitar in metal bands in high school. Dabbled with my guitar off and on since then (15 years plus since I graduated) but have not been into it for a while. I always have missed playing and decided I am going to get back into it and get better. I pretty much suck but like playing. My musical tastes have changed dramatically over the years. I need some practice.
Anyway, I have always wanted to do home recording. So I just purchased some software and gear to get me into it. I am curious to see what you guys think of my set up for a beginner with limited musical talent. I can play, but nothing real fancy, I just enjoy it. I can write hooky little rock tunes and I want to be able to lay it down in a multi track format, sing, play,guitars, bass, and add drums. I kicked around getting an electronic drum kit for the drums but in a need to save space I figured I will try to learn how to use loops and midi stuff for my beats and fills. Since I have NEVER touched recording software or a midi interface I thought I would ask what you all think I should expect and do you guys think I am missing anything in my set up that will help me. Here is my rig:
m power pro tools
ozone
m audio black box
behringer B1 mic
numark headphones
I have a couple guitars and a bass guitar.
Not knowing too much and with my limited research it appears as if this set up should be fairly dynamic for someone not looking to do very complex work. Anyway, I would love to hear your insights as it seems many of you know your stuff!!
Thanks,
Ross
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 29, 2005 02:09 am Welcome to HRC wilcoaz. It looks like you picked up the basics of what is needed, and it should work fine for what you are trying to do. The only thing you may find down the road is the need for nearfield moniters, but headphones will do for now.
Take your time and dont be afriad to experiment with your new stuff. Trial and error are great teachers, as well as the member here at HRC.
I would also suggest reading any of the manuals and or help files included with your gear. There is always a pretty good starting point in them somewhere. And when you get stuck or just need the advice your welcome here.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Oct 29, 2005 02:59 am Thank you. I have been poking around the site all night. I don't know if I am clearer on things or more confused. I must admit I am starting to get a little intimidated by the process but I am looking forward to the challenge. Does anyone have a recomendation for some monitors for my set up? I have speakers for my computer but I don't think they will fly. I like to buy in the mid price range. Not the best most expensive but not cheap stuff either. Any thoughts?
Thanks again,
Ross
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Oct 29, 2005 04:01 am Welcome to HRC Ross, as Noize said looks like you've got the basic's to get started. Can't help much with the monitor choice, I'm still on PC speakers myself. There'll be lots of stuff you'll want to pick up as you go, some must have's, and some just nice to have. :) Just dive in and have fun, ask questions, read articles and you'll be up and running in no time.
Dan
Oct 29, 2005 05:51 am I use my sony home stereo as monitors. The Tannoy monitors I have sit unsused. lol.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 29, 2005 02:39 pm wilcoaz, have a look here for some starters. www.homerecordingconnecti...st&cat_id=8 There is a fair variety of them. Otherwise you can go have a look at Musicians Friend as they have a large selection and prices are very fair. If you see a couple you like you can always ask about them here as well.
My set-up uses a not so cheap pair of nearfields from KRK, they are passive so I also use a seperate power amp wlong with it which is another expense. Alot of people go with the active moniters which contain their own amplifiers. This makes them easier to set up as well as transport from room to room or studio to studio.
Have alook and by all means ask about ones you might like.
Oct 30, 2005 09:11 pm Thanks for all the insight so far. I am really enjoying the site.
Another question though. I have read through a number of threads regarding software and the software I chose does not seem to pop up in the conversations too often. Nor do I see any talk of issues with the software. I could be missing it.
I chose to go with M=Powered Pro-Tools. I have not yet received it because it is being shipped so I do have time to change my mind. Be honest with me here, should I bail and go with a more popular software mentioned here? Cakewalk seems to come up alot.
Remember, from my first post that I am not striving to do anything super duper I just want to have some fun so ease is important.
Thanks,
Ross
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 30, 2005 09:27 pm PT is the minority around here for sure. But there are several here who use it and seem to think it works for them.
The only thing I can say from my limited experiance with the liter versions of PT's is that the midi implimentation is not what it is in some of the other apps such as Sonar and Cubase. But I have not had the pleasure of running the M-Powered version of PT yet so I cant give and honest opinion on it.
All in all PT was really an audio recording only application. Midi was added as an afterthought as they knew they needed it in there to compete with the likes of Sonar, Cubase, Nuendo and Logic. I guess my suggestion would have been to visit a local music retailer who sells those apps and have a look at them to see which one would suit you the best.
Apps such as Cubase and Sonar do give an advantage of a moer wide open use of differant audio loops and such as well as exporting to a few more varieties of audo formats then PT does. But as I stated, I have not really seen much of the M-Powered app so I cant give an apples to apples comparison.
Maybe one of the oterh PT users here has seen it and can shed some light on the subject.
sticadokid*sticado: short and LOUD!*Member
Since: Feb 25, 2005
Oct 30, 2005 09:50 pm welcome to HRC Ross
i got a demo of it but it says i dont have an m-audio device (and i do) but i need the latest driver. im just way too lazy to download a driver with my dialup... ill try doing it soon and post a forum on here talking about it sometime but, i only have the demo...
Oct 30, 2005 11:21 pm I use protools for recording/tracking and adobe audition for mixing. It is perhaps because i don't do much midi that I have found these two programs perfect for my needs - however they apparnetly both have midi capability too.
Nov 09, 2005 12:22 am 
Nov 09, 2005 09:02 am dB...you wanna take this one?
Nov 09, 2005 09:07 am hehehe, nothing to say to that, not an uncommon opinion. I completely an wholeheartedly disagree, but what do I know, I haven't been in a "real studio" in years...
I did however change the uppercase G to a lowercase g in "god"...
That said, I have heard very mixed reviews about M-Audio's Pro Tools, never tried it myself...
Nov 09, 2005 09:09 am :: smiles to self in a knowingly way ::
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Nov 09, 2005 11:14 am [quote]
If you can't seem to "afford" the m-box vs m-audio, then return ozone and find it on the black market for zero dollers.
[/quote]
Nobody here worth listening to is going to condone piracy. See the Flashman's postings, as well as Tadpui's about piracy, the worth of it, and the good feelings you'll get from rightfully owning your music tools.
You wouldn't feel right stealing someone's guitar, or microphone, and claiming it as your own, now would you?
Nov 09, 2005 11:16 am nice catch pjk, I didn't even get that far in the post since it didn't seem worth reading...
strike one, tough guy...strike one.
Nov 09, 2005 11:19 am That's what I was referring to... Thanks for taking care of it!! :-)
Nov 09, 2005 11:20 am sorry I missed it jim, I read half and got the ol' "oh, he is one of them" vibes and stopped reading...
Nov 09, 2005 11:29 am Good for you guys. I quit downloading music a while ago (since the Napster days) and now have only bought my cd's, it definitely makes you feel better about yourself too.
As for music tools, I don't like the idea of me creating something really sweet making tons of money off it (isn't that everybody's dream) then somebody investigating and finding out that I had a hacked copy of SONAR or something like that and get sued for all that money I made.
Nov 09, 2005 11:32 am I'm glad I added those little smart-*** banners to replace posts in various categories...they're fun :-D
Nov 09, 2005 11:34 am Lol...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 09, 2005 09:16 pm And besides that the guy is dissing the 2 most prominant apps in recording these days.
Hey kennth, besides who needs Napster or that crap anyway. You can hear more original music here and at other places and band sites for free these days anyway. If I hear something I like that the artist has put up for free I will usually buy their CD direct from them. The artist makes more money that way, and as you stated, I feel better about supporting the artist if I enjoy their music.
dB, ya them banners are the best. I doubt the day will come when I get to use one though as you guys are always on top of it before I even get home.
Nov 09, 2005 09:38 pm That's for sure Noize, the really crappy part about grad school is I have no freaking time to enjoy the other artist's music, let alone start making some of my own. My newly purchased M-audio 18/14 sits on my desk and looks at me like a forgotten puppy.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 09, 2005 11:49 pm I know the feeling all to well kenneth. Work can drag on sometimes. But now I am enjoying the little bit of extra time I have and listening to everything I can get my hands on. The only commercial stuff I listen to is when I'm in the car. Otherwise once I'm in here its all original stuff from HRC or site pointed to by peeps here.
