New homerecording studio

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BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member Since: Dec 31, 2008

Alright folks, I am new to the homerecording, but I have been playing music for over 15 years. First off, I am wanting to build an inexpensive recording studio(less than $2,000) for a casual hobbyist. What all do I need, let me start off what I have.
I have the PC, the guitars/bass/drums, mics(X2 Shure 58, and purchased a shure condenser mic) I also have an 8 track recorder(Roland BR900CD)...but thats pretty much all I have. I have been talking with Noize on software, and also pre-amp(going with a DMP3) so what else would I need? Thank you for help!

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 19, 2009 07:21 pm

Do you have an audio interface yet? If not how many channels will you want to be recording at once with it?

Will you be needing a mixer at all, such as recording more then one source at once that needs to run through the mixer? Or simply a one man band thing?

BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2008

Apr 19, 2009 08:16 pm

nope, dont have an audio interface..I am not sure how many channels, whatever would work for me I guess, so I will be adding that to the list I guess...for the mixer, I do have the BR900CD, its an 8channel, but not a mixer, but for a mixer, I am the only one that will be recording, since I can play the instruments, but looking down the road, I wouldnt mind to be able to record multiple tracks at once, but for right now, it will just be one at a time(to be on the safe side, anything that would be useful for right now, and also later down the road).

BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2008

Apr 19, 2009 08:22 pm

I was thinking, do I even need an audio interface? Can I just use a mixer instead? Cause, if I get a mixer, and it has phantom power, I could bypass the pre-amp.......but what would be the use for my BR900CD? I dont know, im a little confused...what do you suggest? I would like to use the BR900, since I spent 400 dollars on it lol.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 19, 2009 08:25 pm

OK, so you want to use the BR then instead of recording directly into the PC?

In other words, record to the BR and then dump the tracks over to the PC to be edited in like Sonar, Reaper or what have you?

BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2008

Apr 19, 2009 08:34 pm

lol if thats the case then thats all? But lets say I wouldnt want to use the BR, do I need an audio interface, could I just use a mixer? but I am assuming that the audio interface, would be USB based to use with a PC, or even a new sound card that has ASIO driver, since my current RealTek card does not support ASIO...so, what all would I need..basically, someday, I will drop the BR, and go with more advance(sorry going in a circle, this is why I come here for the help)...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 19, 2009 09:15 pm

Well yes you would need an interface. Either USB, Firewire or PCI based. Something to work at a higher level then the Realtek as a dedicated interface will allow full duplex recording and playback.

A mixer can't do that all on its own.

You can easily start with a simple 2 channel interface and then work up to something bigger if you ever need it.

BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2008

Apr 19, 2009 09:28 pm

can you recommend me something? I would really appreciate it..you have helped me a lot.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Apr 19, 2009 09:48 pm

if you wouldn't want to use the BR you would want a decent audio intertface...myself, I like my Line 6 stuff...USB, easy to use, good sound quality...

this is what I use www.homerecordingconnecti...oduct=LINPSKB37

BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2008

Apr 20, 2009 11:11 am

that line 6 is pretty sweet, so it has all those features from the extra pictures? What else would you recommend.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Apr 21, 2009 11:51 am

All those extra features are built into the software control panel (podfarm) which allows you to dial in tones and chain effects together for whatever you happen to be recording.

Honestly, I wish you didn't have the BR900CD as it would be much easier to reccomend something.

If it were me (with 2K to spend) and I wanted to record drums, guitars, vox, bass etc... I would dump the Roland and pick up something from Echo or Motu with 8 xlr pre-amp channels, spend a bit more on cables, stands and some instrument/drum mics.

I would not want to record to the Roland then route that to the PC (although it can be done) for a couple reasons. By getting a two channel interface and simply recording a stereo out from the BR then you still end up editing on the BR to send a good mix, might as well just finish it up on the BR. If you get an 8 channel interface there is no point in using it in the first place. Alas, if I had no money to spend I would happily record, mix and burn CD's straight from it though.

Another thought, keep your PC setup stationary and use the Roland for recording practice, jam sessions etc... It's not a bad piece of gear, but if you have some $$$ to spend you could do much better imo.

Last but not least, maybe sell it off cheap to some poor soul who is recording using his realtek integrated soundcard. You would probably hate losing money but may feel good about helping a young musician :)

Just my long winded opinion...

BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2008

Apr 22, 2009 09:37 am

well lets say I dont have BR....what can I get?

also, you mentioned you wouldnt route the BR to the PC, but you can do that, and edit the music as you would like, and send it back to the BR all in stereo...because you actually have to EXPORT the file to the PC...

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Apr 22, 2009 12:11 pm

I would not "want" to route the BR to a PC as there is not alot of editing power when presented with a single stereo track. I like/need more control, that is a major point of having an 8+ channel interface imo.

I notice it has a USB port, does that send all channels seperate or as a single file? From what I read it seems it seems to do one stereo track.

Me personally, if I had your current gear and two grand to spend I would buy a decent 8 channel interface (500-1000), some monitors (I use m-audio BX5a for ~$300) and spend the rest on enough SM57's (work well ror toms, snare, guitars, vox, etc...) to mic the majority of your kit. Add a kick mic, overheads, cables and stands (or drum mounts) and you should be able to track just about anything.


BEAST MODE [ON] OFF
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2008

Apr 22, 2009 02:05 pm

you export as a single file....in order to do stereo, you have to press 2 tracks at once, like 1&2 2&3 and so forth...

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