Jul 05, 2007 07:58 pm ok first do you want to record primarily on your computer or on a standalone portable device?
Newbie here..need some advice :)
Posted on Jul 05, 2007 07:49 pm
hybrid
Member Since: Jul 01, 2007
Hi all. I'm new to this forum and I've been reading some of the posts. I would like to record a few demos at home (me on the guitar and a singer). I am considering buying a Tascam US- 122L, one of the Xenyx mixers with USB audio interface (with or without fx) or Korg D4 -> www.korg.com/gear/info.as...p;category_id=3
I know recording can be time-consuming but I don't actually have a lot of time to fiddle with gear. So my question is whether the D4 as a standalone recorder would be easier to get a good sound with? And also whether the FX on xenyx is worth paying extra for?
I have minimal experience with computer-based recording using n-track studio and audacity, but I also had a lot of problems installing drivers for my pod xt.
Your opinions very much appreciated. Thanks. :)
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Jul 05, 2007 07:58 pm ok first do you want to record primarily on your computer or on a standalone portable device?
Jul 05, 2007 08:16 pm For the love of god don't buy the US-122! We also get so many questions about those Behringer audio interfaces, and they sound pretty unreliable. My 2 cents :-), but someone correct me if I'm wrong.
What are you going to be recording? Looking to do full bands in the future?
Jul 05, 2007 08:19 pm ahem...it's a tascam....
but i've heard manny horror stories about that exact model...i would hope they've got the bugs worked out.
Jul 05, 2007 08:21 pm Yeah, I bought one, took me a week to get it working and then the phantom power goes after a month! Did do some good recordings with that wee thing though.... but its soooo noisy!
Jul 05, 2007 08:39 pm re:whosyourdaddy00
I don't mind either as long as it works and is easy/quiet enough.
Yeah I've been reading horror stories regarding the tascam and behringer that's why I ask :p I don't have the intention to record a full band because it's gonna take me awhile to get things right with the singer before I would consider bringing in other band members/instruments. And if I do get a band together, I'd rather get things done professionally. Right now it's more of a singer-songwriter thing except that I get someone else to sing.
Does anyone have recommendations for similar budget stuff? Thanks heaps :)
Jul 05, 2007 08:45 pm Yeah, we have heard countless problems with that Tascam unit, I'd never buy one based on what we've seen here.
Jul 05, 2007 08:49 pm well how often would you wanna take your recording rig to someone else's house to write?
this is a deciding factor.....computer vs. standalone unit.
choose a path and we can go from there.
Jul 05, 2007 09:01 pm Re: whosyourdaddy00
Thanks for the advice. The recording can be done at my place almost always :)
Jul 05, 2007 09:34 pm then how is your computer situation?
if you've got anything P4 with 512Mb RAM then you're in good shape.
got firewire? usb 2.0?
oh, and i need a budget...how much money, tops, are you willing to part with?
do you have any mics? cables? mic stand?
you're also gonna need speakers to mix on....hows your speaker situation? willing to spend money here?
Jul 05, 2007 10:33 pm Yes my comp has 512 ram and usb, no firewire though. I have a Shure 57, cable and stand(I heard that it's not really deisgned for vocal recording, but I'll see how I go with that for now).
I am using computer speakers which aren't great, but I'd rather sort out the interface situation first. That alone, I am willing to spend about $200- $300 au, which is something like $150 or so us I think? Things are more expensive here though.
Jul 06, 2007 03:53 am nah, 57's are a one of the best all around mic's you can start with that just fine. keep in mind you will need to make a pop filter out of panty-hose and a hanger to keep the plosives under control.
as for interfaces...there's a few in that catagory...you want atleast two channels with preamps gooin' in (and anything else past that is bonus) and you're going to need a monitor output with a volume knob (unless you have a volume knob on the speakers themselves, not on the video monitor).
see what kind of connectors you're gonna need to get you speakers to your interface (most have 1/4" balanced outputs).
get any headphones you can to see how they behave. and any other audio system with a 'line input' prolly gonna be the red and white RCA style conectors.
i'm not too hip with what's out there in that price range...i'm sure others can though.
welcome to the pit!
wyd
Jul 06, 2007 08:36 am If it were me, I'd avoid the tascam and the behr, and get a line 6 UX2, it has two phantom powered inputs (you won't need it for the 57, but condensor mics do), plus it's got a bunch of modeling stuff in there too.
Price will definitely be a factor here, and I'd think the UX2 will give you most bang-for-the-buck (au buck, that is).
Oh yeah, headphones, you better work those into the equation too, don't want to re-record the click, or pre-recorded tracks.
Jul 06, 2007 08:38 am Just to clarify pjk's post, you CAN use the UX2 with the 57, it just doesn't need the phantom power, condensers do, but dynamic mics can still use the preamp models in the UX2 interface.
Jul 06, 2007 08:47 am heh, yeah, i think faster than I type sometimes =).
turn on phantom power when using condenser mics, leave it turned off for dynamic mics. You could use either type of mic.
and phantom power wont hurt dynamics mics, if you're using one of each.
Jul 06, 2007 03:18 pm I have the KB37, which is a UX2 with a MIDI controller as well, and it's awesome.
www.zzounds.com...item--LINTPKB37
Jul 09, 2007 07:28 pm Another vote for the UX or KB37. I use the UX-2 and love it. Although I have a fully loaded POD xt I find that I am using the UX-2 more for the wonderful mic pre sims and such.
Jul 11, 2007 11:11 am Re: Noize2u I feel a little stupid buying a ux-2 since I already have the pod xt despite all the positive comments I've heard.
I'm tossing up between Lexicon Alpha (or may be Lambda) and Ux 2... any comments? :) Lexicon Alpha's 2/3 of what a ux 2 costs and it's bundled with Cubase LE which I heard is better than Abelton that comes with ux 2 (correct me if I'm wrong).
Jul 11, 2007 09:48 pm While I will agree with Cubase LE being better then the Ableton Lite that comes bundled with the UX-2 I can't say I am all that impressed with the Lexicon units. Although I will state you get what you pay for with these. They are a good budget interface for sure. The cons on them against the UX-1 or UX-2 are the lack of good pre amps in the units. Even the standard UX-2 input stage for its XLR mic section is much cleaner then Lambda which is the only unit that will carry 2 XLR connections, the alpha only has 1. I think my biggest beef with the Lexicon units is the fact that their build quality suffered greatly after Harmon took the company over.
I will state in the price range they are better then some of the competition that is for sure. I am just not sure of them being worth what they are charging for them.
But all that said I would opt for the Lambda for the 2 mic inputs.
And I do know about the redundant thing as I also own a fully loaded POD xt. I do find myself using the UX-2 more often then the PODxt these days other then when I need to go to the extended amp and cabinet models in the POD.
Jul 13, 2007 11:34 pm Thx guys :) Um...doesn't the ux have 2 mic inputs as well??
Jul 13, 2007 11:38 pm The UX2 and KB37 has two with phantom power, the UX1 has 1 mic input without phantom...I think...
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