Recording gear/tips for a beginner?
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Posted on Nov 28, 2009 02:43 pm
Armanno
Armanno
Member Since: Nov 28, 2009
Hey everyone, I've been playing guitar for 4 years, synth for about half a year, and have had a try at other instruments inbetween (bass, piano, drums etc). I've been using guitar pro to kind of write down songs I've written, which is cool to get to hear your song with all the instruments together, but I think it's time i finally started getting some real recording gear.
While I do want to be able to record guitar, another thing that i want to do is make some hip hop beats. I have a MicroKorg set up infront of my computer monitor with a midi in, out, and thru options, so I was wondering if I could use that to control new sounds from the computer, as the sounds it comes with are limited. What are some good programs to use for something like that?
Now, for guitar I was wondering if I should record directly out from my amp, or get a mic infront of it, and which would be cheaper/easier.
Also what kind of software/hardware should I look for? Good programs that could be used to record beats, and guitar? Also I would like to be able to add in drums, with a drum program. Do I need a new souncard, or purchase a preamp? A noob question, but what would a soundcard and preamp do? Will I need an external mixer?
My budget is around $1000 so I might have to leave some stuff out. Thanks for any help!
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CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Nov 28, 2009 03:18 pm There are so many options with how you can go about this. I won't say much as I don't do any sequencing but I will say $1000 would probably get you a very strong interface/software setup if you need no extra computing power.
Many interfaces (what we call soundcards to feel cooler) will have multi channel, midi, and pre-amps all built in the unit.
If you fill out your BIO with all your gear (PC Specs etc...) it is helpfull to determine what would suit your needs best.
p.s. Welcome to the HRC
ArmannoArmannoMember
Since: Nov 28, 2009
Nov 28, 2009 05:28 pm Thanks for the welcome. :p
Ok I updated my gear profile, my computer is kind of going through some virus difficulties right now, but that should all be cleaned up in time, so hopefully I won't have to make any computer upgrades.
Now, when you talk about interfaces, do you mean something like this? (www.guitarcenter.com/Mack...36-i1473217.gc)
Me and my Dad were looking at that, but I'd like to try to find something that has a pre-amp and midi built in. And maybe multi channels once I find out what thats for, lol.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Nov 28, 2009 07:43 pm Multi channel - if you have two inputs you can run two mics/inputs. I run 8 so I can track a whole drumset etc...
You could get by a heck of a lot cheaper than that mackie.
Line6 KB37 is the first thing that pops to mind. I have not used it so don't know how strong the midi support is but... 2 channels both with pre's and a 37 key midi controller. Just to give you and idea.
www.zzounds.com...item--LINPSKB37
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 28, 2009 09:45 pm Line 6 interfaces come with Pod Farm software, which has amps, bass amps, and even vocal presets i just found out.
Pod is great man, and to come as bundled software with an interface, its gold.
wont need a soundcard, and unless you have specific plans for a mixer, then i wouldnt worry about that either.
as Capn mentioned, your interface "is" the soundcard and they come with mic pre amps built in. most come with 48v phantom power now too for condener mics.
if your looking at micing up your cabinet for guitar, then a Shure sm57 is a good option and pretty much the industry standard.
to be honest, if you end up with Line 6 pod farm, its gonna be better than 99% of any tones you'll expect to get out of micing your amp, not to mention time saved with setting up.
Unless you go buy top end mic preamps, etc, etc, treat your recording room, etc, research this method, and that method the list goes on.
Ive got a decent mic pre and room and i think the pod tones are still heaps better and quicker, and with a big range of amps, cabs, mics and FX all there in front of you its easy and relatively painless, which means you can concertrate on actually getting something written.
As long as you have plenty of Ram then there are quite a few drum programs out there too, EZdrummer is good value for money and Easy to use.
Youve also got BFD and BFD2.
i dunno about the BFD, but BFD2 is a nightmare, a CPU hog and just a general pain in the ***. it'll also cost you an arm and a leg, and most likely to cause age from stress overnight.
recording software wise,
man there's heaps, ive used Cubase for a long time now, alot of people hate it, i like it.
Im sure someone will come thru and suggest some goodies.
hope some of this helps a bit.
Nov 28, 2009 11:45 pm +1 pod. Everyone here loves it :] As deon said, unless you've got top of the line equipment, the pod will sound better than micing a cab always. I made the mistake of buying my gear in intervals, getting the interface last. So i have all this equipment, now useless, that i need to sell.
I'd say get the kb37, but you already have a controller right there so that'll be cheaper. Get something like the M-audio uno for midi interface. ($40)
so, 300 down 7 to go. ;] we need to get you some drum software, and if you wanna jump on a deal S2.0 is on sale, half price for 2 more days ($150). Research quickly, make sure you either want it or don't want it before its too late.
Do you sing? If you sing well, a lot of people here love the Shure SM7b ($350 i think). I wish i'd gotten it instead of a condenser, but at the time i didn't wanna spend more money just on mics (but i bought a gtr cab mic, which if i had used that money i coulda upgraded from my condenser to that)
DAW. Um. i use cubase le4. I like it? I didn't know many people here were anti cubase lol. But trust what they say, others on here have probably had more experience with DAWs.
I didn't see a bass in there, might wanna get yourself one with the rest of your money. My advice would be get one that is VERSATILE. I love my schecter, it sounds awesome for hard rock but.. ah when i'm doing pop or something i really have to tweak to get it acceptable. And even then there's just something missing there :\
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 29, 2009 05:47 am actually i ended with Pod Platinum, dunno if normal Pod has bass or not but Plat does, as well as vocal gear and presets.
Nov 29, 2009 12:57 pm There's something else i forgot lol. You'll need some monitors eventually. You decide how those fit into the budget (no matter what, 1k will be plenty to get what you want. Its just a question of what pieces of gear you can "cut corners" on so to speak)
And i made the upgrade to platinum, something i'd recommend you doing in the future too. Theres so much to love! But regular pod farm has more than enough to get you by. I think something like 20 guitar amps models, at least half of which are modern high gain. You'll get a great tone. And 6 bass amps. 6 mic preamps for vocals as well.
Oh and another option for bass is actually using a VSTi. Personally i'd say if you can find a good bass to fit in your budget, get that instead just for sake of it being easier to play a bass than program one (i assume). But i watched some videos on youtube, and the bass VSTi's did sound quite good. And with those you'd be getting samples of multiple basses to use (which i imagine you could then run those samples threw pod farm's bass amps if you're up for some tweaking and seeing what you like best, but you wouldn't have to. they sounded great as is)
Just thought i'd alert you of all your options here.
ArmannoArmannoMember
Since: Nov 28, 2009
Nov 29, 2009 03:03 pm Thanks everyone, I'm learning so much about recording.
So, the pod sounds interesting, but is it an interface itself? Also, how much better is the platinum compared to normal?
For software I was thinking Pro Tools LE. The kind of things I'm looking for in the software is the usual, something that has a metronome click integrated, able to cut, copy, paste, and loop parts etc.
For an interface I wanted something with midi, but it looks like I could instead buy the M-audio Uno fragile suggested to narrow down my decisions. I also only need about 2 inputs, as I don't plan on buying a mic just yet (and I don't sing). I was looking at maybe getting one of the cheaper digidesign interfaces that comes with pro tools 8, is this a good idea?
edit: I was looking and found the digidesign mbox 2 (pro-audio.musiciansfriend...ace?sku=240479) It seems good cause it has 2 inputs, midi, and pro tools le included. This might be what I'm looking for, but what is the difference between firewire and USB?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 29, 2009 10:55 pm Well to be honest if you want to do midi and want to be able to use a lot of different VSTi instruments then PT is not what you want. Their midi to be truthful is completely worthless and only in there as an afterthought. And you will pay a high price for anything you want to add into it.
You will find that Digidesign is a very proprietary set up. Meaning nothing wil come from a third party for free. And it only works with what they allow and that is a very small amount of pluggins.
Nov 30, 2009 01:03 pm Yupp, the pod is an interface itself, and a good one at that! It works much better than my M-Audio fast track pro did. The drivers are always up to date. Super low latency. Its truly a holy grail. I know, it SEEMS like it should be a little more expensive. Almost too good to be true? But hey, line 6 might be taking the approach wal mart did, low prices high sales. And the 4 owners of wal mart are 4 of the richest people in the world haha. So maybe this marketing scheme works.
I'd seriously recommend getting the pod. Trust me, i made a big mistake by doubting the power of the pod when a salesman at guitar center talked me down from it. The pod will work much better than any other interface in the price range (though i will admit, a few less features such as midi. But M-Audio makes a $40 interface for that so you're good). Heck, i've heard noize say countless times he typically uses the UX2 when he has several other high end interfaces laying right beside it.
Plus the pod has amp modeling for guitars and basses and preamp modeling for vocals. It really sounds incredible, far superior to any tone you'll get out of an amp without a top quality amp (no offense to your vox, it probably sounds okay. But mic'ing it up is a different story) and tons o experience in mic positioning and layering. The vocal presents sound quite good as well.
Pod platinum may be worth it. I made the upgrade ($250 i think). And well, you can get by without it. On your budget you might want to consider leaving it out for awhile, simply because you need quite a few other things to get up and running. But down the road, i would recommend upgrading your goodies ;]
As for software, i agree with noize. Not from experience, but just from what i've heard and the logic behind it, PT is not good on a budget. They're money hungry, and make you pay for every little thing. I use cubase, i like it. I've heard some free programs such as reaper work quite well, you might wanna consider them for now, so you can allot your budget to other pieces for now. Then see how much money you have left over and upgrade to a better DAW. I've also heard good things about Re-cord.
ArmannoArmannoMember
Since: Nov 28, 2009
Dec 02, 2009 09:07 pm Ok, I'll definately look into the pod as an interface, does it come with the pod farm software for it?
What I'm looking for in software is something that has alot of options and sounds for midi, something I can hook my synth up to with midi, and something that does the other simple functions of recording, recording tracks and putting them over eachother, cutting and pasting or removing parts etc. Would you guys cubase is good for that?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 04, 2009 03:13 pm I'm a big reaper fan, though it's not toted as the best for MIDI. I use FL Studio for most midi work, drumsets, orch, synths, soundfonts, etc.
Reaper is shareware, so free to try, and is fully functional from get-go. 60$ for home license, but it's fully functional and not-hindered in any way. oh yeah, it's like a 4m download too. www.reaper.fm
Cubase is well established, and should do the trick just fine for you.
I don't know if they have a demo, but it's worth looking into.
Sonar is another heavy on the DAW scene. Been around forever, and works a treat for many on here.
There's also Multitrack studio, though I haven't looked at that for awhile.
ArmannoArmannoMember
Since: Nov 28, 2009
Dec 09, 2009 01:02 am Ok, So now I'm thinking of getting the PreSonus Audiobox USB that comes with Studio One for free. Will I be able to buy the pod farm software separately and use it with this interface?
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Dec 09, 2009 05:45 am yep, you'll need an ilok to make it work though.
unless you buy a line 6 interface in which case pod is free and works without the ilok.
ilok is basicly so you can store the license for pod so it can be authorised.
Dec 09, 2009 09:05 am Ya, what he said haha. Just look around and do the math, I think standalone is about $100, i'm not sure if that comes with the VST pluggin though, which is like another 50 (unless maybe you downloaded gearbox and just used that in your DAW), and then look at similar recording programs. If its about the same amount of money to get the audiobox w/ DAW, pod farm, and an ilok (iloks are $40) as it is to get a UX1 and a DAW, i'd still go line 6 though, just because i know for sure that its a good interface and has an excellent low latency driver. But hey, if you can save yourself some money go for it.
ArmannoArmannoMember
Since: Nov 28, 2009
Dec 09, 2009 03:57 pm Ok, my original plan was to get:
-Line6 ux2 interface w/ pod farm - $200
-M Audio Uno - $40
-Some sort of DAW
When looking for a DAW I found Studio One and really liked it, and it ran for $200 BUT I also found out that if you buy the audiobox interface for $150 you get the entire DAW program for free with it, so you're saving $50 and getting a free interface.
So I'm definately set on the audibox for that reason, but my question now is, do you think I should go ahead and just buy the line 6 ux2 for $200 that includes pod farm and have 2 interfaces, or buy pod farm and the ilok separately and save maybe $50. I don't know, having 2 interfaces seems like more than I need but maybe there's an an advantage to it?
Dec 09, 2009 05:14 pm Can anyone tell me how to post a question? All I can find is this reply. When I click on post a new topic, nothing comes up that I can write in.
My question is, does Cubase Studio 4 work with Garritan?
rsvp
hhammond
