New At Recording . . . Could use plenty of advice!
Home > Home Recording Forum > Gear Gab > New At Recording . . . Could use plenty of advice!
Posted on May 23, 2006 11:47 pm
Sacrifice
Member Since: May 23, 2006
I am completely new to recording. My experience does not extend past my mothers old tape recorder. My band and I are interested in recording some half way decent stuff for promotional use(Internet, Friends, CDs, etc...). We play metal and have a bassist, a drummer, two guitarists, and a single vocalist. We do not need to record everyone at once. The main goal is to get a digital recording done cheaply.
My current computer has specs are:
Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz
768MB DDR Ram
74 Gig HD (Roughly 15Gigs Free)
and a sound card thats definately not up to par.
The laptop I will be getting in a month or so will be an Aurora m9700 made by alienware. Yes, I am a gamer so I cannot simply invest in an audio based laptop.
We are looking to spend as little as possible. I would really like to see whats available for us to record from 100 dollars 200 dollars and 400 dollars. An idea of the sound quality, and your personal input would be most useful.
Currently, I have been looking into Line 6 TonePort.
Thanks
[ Back to Top ]
May 24, 2006 09:28 am Will you be using any MIDI? It does not sound like it. If not, I would suggest something like the M-Audio Delta 44 for a sound card. www.homerecordingconnecti...udio+Sound+Card I suggest this because you can then record drums and keep the kick and snare isolated somewhat and mix the others into a nice stereo mix before recording to the PC.
The sound card and software should be your first effort. And luckily, software foten comes with sound cards, maybe lite versions, but they are still usable.
Do you have any other gear yet, mics, mixer, preamps, effects units or anything else?
May 24, 2006 09:40 am My friend scott has some guitar multi-effects unit. Although, I am not sure what it is specifically. We have a few mics, nothing specifically for recording. We are really on the beginning stage of the band so we are still creating songs.
May 24, 2006 09:45 am Well, it doesn't really matter if it's "specific for recording", the bottom line is you have some...so, that leads me to think concentrate on the things you don't have at all...
May 24, 2006 10:14 am Yeah, something is better then nothing I guess. The major factor for us is price. I was looking for decent recording, and was mostly wondering what options I had at 200 dollar mark and 400 dollar mark. We can get the 200 but the 400 is kinda something we could work toward.. Possibly a bit more... if the quality is worth the input.
May 24, 2006 10:16 am Oh, by the way. You don't have to consider software. I have a few friends that work for software business's, and I can probably get them dirt cheap. But, if you have suggestions on which I should get that would still be useful. Just don't include it when you lookin at the price.
May 24, 2006 10:20 am the $400 mark is good, decent sound card and software available in that price range...maybe even a small mixer for preamping...
** edit ** scratch software OK, just looking that much better, awesome.
May 24, 2006 10:32 am Could you possibly link some stuff for 200 dollar mark, and seperately for 400 dollar? That way I know the difference and maybe can read some reviews?
Thanks By The Way you definately a huge help.
May 25, 2006 12:15 am Anyone have any examples of what I can buy? For these two price ranges?
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
May 25, 2006 02:25 am A soundcard and a set of mics for $200 or $400 is pretty low. You could get a set of samson drum mics maybe, or similar, the kick mics in those sets are usually the weak link, but they'll do *a* job and double up on bass. Those kits start around £90 over here, though there are some cheaper ones but generally not with overhead mics included. Often those kits don't have snare mics, so i'd go for a 57 which'll double up on guitar amps, that's what, $70 over there?
Soundcards i'm less up on, especially in that price range.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 25, 2006 10:25 am I was just thinking about the yamaha mw12, but on zzounds, it says it mixes the signals down to a single 2 track stereo signal.
Anybody know if this is true? Seems to kill the appeal if you have to mix down to stereo pre-pc.
There's insert points, but you would still need to have a sound interface to do the A/D conversion, so it's not really helping, except when tracking only 2 signals.
Sounds like dB's got the skinny here, a delta 44, with a small mixer to provide preamps.
Mics and cables will probably push you up around the 400 mark pretty quick.
maybe borrowing mics for a few weekends, till you get the tracks down.
I don't think the 200 mark is going to cut it for you. If you wanted to mix all tracks pre-PC you could do it, then record the stereo track through your onboard sound, but I'd only recommend that if you had no other option. You'll be much (MUCH) happier with the recording interface (delta44 or similar).
I suppose you could get a small mixer (behringer - 70-100$), then a audiophile 24/96 (100$). You'd have to mix the drums down to stereo, then record it into the computer via the AP24/96. Then re-track all the other parts, one or two at a time. You'd need cords too, so figure some $ for that if you don't have them already.
That would work.
Course, then again, ebay can fetch some low-price treasures too, so there's that option as well.
May 25, 2006 12:34 pm Thanks I think I'm getting a bit of a better idea. What about thie line 6 toneport thing for 200 dollars?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 25, 2006 01:05 pm pretty well reviewed on here, dB and Noize2U both useing one, and liking it.
2 tracks, so you'd have to track drums with 2 mics, or get a mixer and mix whatever number down to stereo and then send it in through the toneport. Not a bad solution, as you'd have guitar modelling, plus bass, and vocal stuff too, I think.
Note: this is regarding the UX2, not the UX1. UX1 is only 1 channel, so no stereo drums.
So if you want to track with 4 mics, then you'd need a mixer with 4 preamp inputs, then send the output of the mixed signal into the toneport channels. Left channel into TP input 1, and right channel into TP input 2.
Course, you can certainly track drums with 2 mics as well. Just be thorough with your mic placement, and I think it could be pulled off.
That would get rid of the mixer requirement. You can just use the preamps in the toneport to step up your mic signal.
What mics do you have to work with?
(filling in your profile helps us know what you have to work with)
Software wise, I'm using n-track. very easy, and full functioned. And cheap.
Lots here use cubase (of different versions and levels), while some use sonar, of different levels.
There's krystal audio engine, for free. I dabbled with it shortly, but didn't work much with it. Tadpui's the resident expert on krystal, having used it for a year or so =).
There's traction (one and two) for pretty cheap. Different interface, but lots of people use it quite well.
There's Multitrack studio. Good reviews, easy to use. may not have the high end add-ins like sonar, but good for startups.
I didn't include some of the high priced, boutique products, as I didn't think they'll apply.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 25, 2006 01:08 pm oh yeah, there's also cakewalk home studio, and guitar tracker, or something like that. I don't know much about them, but they're used some by people here.
Check out some people's profiles (bottom of each person's post) to see what they're using. That can help you out with some research ideas. THen check them out online. Most have demo programs.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 25, 2006 08:21 pm If you are going to use it with both the laptop and the desktop PC you might want to look into the USB type interface. Here is a good selection from our zZounds link. www.homerecordingconnecti...udio+Interfaces
I have several high end interfaces and also use the Line 6 UX-2 as well and love it. But as dB stated above you might want to look into something like the Delta 44 as it will allow you to get a little better drum recording by giving you 4 channels of seperate input.
May 25, 2006 11:04 pm My plan was to use the UX2 USB interface. What microphones would you suggest? Ours are very cheap.
Delta 44 or Line 5 UX-2
Thing is UX-2 is cheap, and I can move between computers. Comes with stuff for vocals, bass, and guitar. Seems very simple? All I would need is a few better microphones. I am fine with dual mic drum recording. Like I stated previously it's just to get some digital music recorded. Doesn't have to be top of the line, just as long as it sounds decent.
I think I am going to go with: Line 6 UX-2 USB Interface, software(Need to look into that a bit.) and better quality microphones.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 26, 2006 07:51 pm Well as for the microphones, do you want something you can use as an all around type mic. Say for vocals and then hang them up for recording the drums as well?
IF that is the case a couple of the same large diaphram condensors would be optimal for that kind of thing. There are some good ones in a wide price range. What kind of price are you looking to stay around for microphones?
And I do agree the UX-2 and its price make it very appealing indeed. AS I stated above, I find myself using it more then I thought I would. And I allready own a fully loaded PODxt so the guitar rig part is a bit less then I allready have. But the bass amp emulations as well as the mic pre emulations made it well worth it in my book. And besides, for $99.00 I can load it up with everything my POD has.
May 26, 2006 07:57 pm I thought is costed 200 dollars? Anyhow, all around mics would be nice. Could you link suggestions? I am not exactly sure how much we are willing to spend on them.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 26, 2006 08:43 pm Yes the UX-2 is $199.00. I am talking about the model packs that can be added to increase it library of amp, cabinet and FX models is $99.00.
As for microphones, have a look here. www.homerecordingconnecti...ser+Microphones Large selection to choose from. If you have questions on something that you might like ask away.
May 26, 2006 09:57 pm Those are a bit more then I expected? Are they worth the price? Should I attempt to get one of the cheaper models used?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 26, 2006 11:23 pm Well there are some at the $99.00 level and below that even for a couple of them. But yes, if you have a reputable dealer near you used ones will work just fine. I would suggest trying to buy 2 of the same model so they work well together when recording the drums with just 2 mics. I have done it many times, but it does really work best if they are the same mic's.
And bottom line, yes the Large Diaphragm condensor mic's are well worth the money for the sound you will get.
