Recording Setup

Posted on Feb 11, 2008 10:27 pm
brntbow
Member Since: Feb 11, 2008

Hi folks,

I am new to home recording and I want to get all set up, not for anything professional, just for some decent recordings of my own material. I have some questions for you fine people.

I will be using a PC to record, so I'll start from there.

What would you recommend as far as recording software goes, I am a beginner so I am loking for something easy to use, but not basic, you know what I mean? I have time and patience and can learn a program if it is user-friendly. I will be recording guitars, both acoustic and electric, bass, and I have a Yamaha DTXpress3 electronic drum kit that I will be recording as well which leads me to my next question...

Does anyone know how I would go about recording this instrument? What do I need to hook this up to the computer? Once I have it hooked up to the computer and the recording program is loaded will it just automatically recognize these drums? I have read the manual that came with it and it may as well be a different language...I just don't understand.

What do you recommend as far as mics go for recording the instruments? I've been seeing a lot of USB condenser mics out there, what exactly is a condenser mic, how is it different from a normal mic (if at all) and are these recommended for recording instrumens or just vocals?

I think that's it, I would appreciate any help you might have for me on this. I realize that I am asking a lot, but I know very little and am DYING to get some of my tunes recorded.

Have a great day!

Brent

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pjk
Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Feb 12, 2008 07:03 am

Hey there brntbow, welcome to the HRC.

And welcome to the nifty world of home recording.

I use a PC, as most here do, so you're in good company. Software is a sticky area, as many people use many different things. But we all get our stuff done, so it's all good in the end, whatever works, works.

That said, there's a few free ones, you can try to get started:

Kristal (somewhat limited)
Reaper (shareware, but fully functional)
Mu-Lab (free version limited, full version cheap)

I'm pretty set with Reaper, is cheap, but very nice for audio work.

Moving up in price, there's traction, sonar home studio, and I think some cubase light version. Sonar is a real heavyweight in the home recording, and in a lot of pro studios as well. The lower versions will let you upgrade to the higher, more capable versions (i think).

I think the majority of people on here use Sonar, in some form or another.

Dynamic mics are good at close micing, while not picking up a lot of surrounding sounds, whereas a condensor will pick up a lot of ambient sounds, and room noise. Condensors are also (usually) more detailed, and 'airy' than dynamics. Condensors require phantom power, where dynamics don't.

The drum kit will probably only give you stereo out (L & R) so you have to record it via those. Plug a cable between your drum brain, and your audio interface, and arm the two tracks for recording. Press R.

You'll need to think about an interface. The built in sound cards aren't really up to recording duties. You will prob want to move up to a recording interface of some sort (PCI, USB, FIREWIRE). This will give you much better A/D conversion, plus possibly give you decent preamps.

You WILL need a preamp of some sort, as MIC level signal needs to be boosted up to LINE level, so your PC and other devices can work with it.

Some people here use a mixer for it's multiple preamps (like me) and others use standalone preamps. They both work, and they both have their pros and cons. Research will help you decide which is better for you.

Check in the TIPS section, there's a ton of articles regarding getting started, setting things up, microphones, interfaces, etc.

Oh yeah, personally, I wouldn't spend $$$ on a USB condensor mic. I get the feeling they're built cheap to catch the podcaster market quickly. I doubt they're really built up to decent audio specs.

my .02$us, of course. ymmv, etc.

brntbow
Member
Since: Feb 11, 2008

Feb 12, 2008 02:34 pm

Wow pjk! That is excellent advice, thank you so much! I figure I have a pretty good handle on it except for the drums, but I can always call Yamaha and quit being lazy about it, I'm just worried about the tech language they would speak that I most certainly won't understand.

As far as the USB mics go, I did some more reasearch after posting my message above and almost every one I looked at mentioned something like "perfect for podcasts!" so I'm sketchy of those and will be careful for sure.

All in all you put everything into a great perspective for me and I would not have thought of using a preamp so that right there will save a lot of headaches down the line.

Thanks again and have a great day!

Brent

pjk
Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Feb 12, 2008 03:20 pm

Yeah, there's a few posts on and again, saying 'my recording level is very low', then they get around to saying they don't have a preamp. If you're using microphones, then one is necessary, as opposed to 'a good idea'.

The USB Line6 UX2 has gotten a lot of good press, and many on here use one. It offers mic and preamp modelling, as well as other line6 models of stuff (guitar FX, bass cabs, etc). It's 2 bills, but not bad for getting preamps, interface, and effects all in one.

This will also record your drum kit (2 channels) for you, just not at the same time as anything else.

For mics, I think MXL has a combo deal, getting a large condensor, and a small condensor in one pack, for like 120$ or so. Not bad to start with. You'll want to upgrade eventually, but it's easier on the wallet for getting started.

You'll want headphones too, so you can hear previous takes, while recording new ones.

Have fun, and good luck.