Essential recording gear?
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dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Essential recording gear?
Besides the obvious computer and DAW software, you can get by with just an interface (most have at least 1 preamp) and a microphone. When I first started all I had was my old PII laptop from college running Audacity on Windows 2K, a simple USB interface, an SM-57, and a pair of headphones.
Fast forward four years and I've got a Mac Pro running Logic, a Motu 828 Mk. II, a couple pair of AKG headphones, a set of Alesis studio monitors, and a decent collection of mics. The next piece of gear I'm really GAS'ing for is a Chameleon Labs 7602 mic preamp to liven up my guitar tracks a bit. I've also heard that it's pretty good for snare drums too. As always, I'm looking for more mics too.
Besides the obvious computer and DAW software, you can get by with just an interface (most have at least 1 preamp) and a microphone. When I first started all I had was my old PII laptop from college running Audacity on Windows 2K, a simple USB interface, an SM-57, and a pair of headphones.
Fast forward four years and I've got a Mac Pro running Logic, a Motu 828 Mk. II, a couple pair of AKG headphones, a set of Alesis studio monitors, and a decent collection of mics. The next piece of gear I'm really GAS'ing for is a Chameleon Labs 7602 mic preamp to liven up my guitar tracks a bit. I've also heard that it's pretty good for snare drums too. As always, I'm looking for more mics too.
no more no less. get entry level stuff and start postin' ur recordinsRe: Essential recording gear?
Decent PC (doesn't have to be top of the line but you dont want to crapping out running more than one effect at the same time) Wealth of software is out there, I like Tracktion myself. Reaper is popular as well and sort of "free"
Audio interface. I personally think the Toneport GX can't be beat for the money, its like $79 or something and sounds great.
Microphone. MXL 990 is a really nice sounding and versatile large diaphram condesor you can get for $50 at MF on sale. It works well for acoustic guitar, vocals, overhead drums and guitar cabs. Doesn't excel at any of them but it works and its dirt cheap
Mic Pre. Art Tube MP Its nothing fancy, the tubes a bit of a gimmick, but its $29 at MF and works great
XLR mic cable and stand with boom arm. You can pick these up for about $10 and $15 respectively, don't want to handhold your mic afterall. Also get a pop screen, well worth $15
Im not a drummer nor do I really know any these days so I too use EZDrummer. $99 I think and its got a ton of pattersn and fills etc. Basically anything you'd ever want drum wise it can do and it really does sound good as well
So there you go, assuming you've got a PC already, for about $300 you can get everything you need to lay down some vocal tracks or acoustic instrustments, record your guitar, either via software models on raw tracks or mic'ing the cab, and adding some drum tracks.
The DAW's will let you mix it all down, add effects and master it, and you'll have a finished product
Doesn't mean it will sound great but what you can do on a budget these days is out of this world!
When I started out all we had were 4 track tape recorders lol
Decent PC (doesn't have to be top of the line but you dont want to crapping out running more than one effect at the same time) Wealth of software is out there, I like Tracktion myself. Reaper is popular as well and sort of "free"
Audio interface. I personally think the Toneport GX can't be beat for the money, its like $79 or something and sounds great.
Microphone. MXL 990 is a really nice sounding and versatile large diaphram condesor you can get for $50 at MF on sale. It works well for acoustic guitar, vocals, overhead drums and guitar cabs. Doesn't excel at any of them but it works and its dirt cheap
Mic Pre. Art Tube MP Its nothing fancy, the tubes a bit of a gimmick, but its $29 at MF and works great
XLR mic cable and stand with boom arm. You can pick these up for about $10 and $15 respectively, don't want to handhold your mic afterall. Also get a pop screen, well worth $15
Im not a drummer nor do I really know any these days so I too use EZDrummer. $99 I think and its got a ton of pattersn and fills etc. Basically anything you'd ever want drum wise it can do and it really does sound good as well
So there you go, assuming you've got a PC already, for about $300 you can get everything you need to lay down some vocal tracks or acoustic instrustments, record your guitar, either via software models on raw tracks or mic'ing the cab, and adding some drum tracks.
The DAW's will let you mix it all down, add effects and master it, and you'll have a finished product
Doesn't mean it will sound great but what you can do on a budget these days is out of this world!
When I started out all we had were 4 track tape recorders lol
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Essential recording gear?
this is a cool thread as i'm also building up an amateur recording setup!
anyways, based on you're mic reccomendation, i looked it up. however, in your opinion, which one is probably better what are the pros and cons of each?(i'm assuming the one without a case since it costs more for less stuff, but i wouldn't really know)
990s:http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-990s-Condenser-Microphone?sku=273103
990 w/case:http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...ndenser-Microphone-with-Shockmount?sku=273156
this is a cool thread as i'm also building up an amateur recording setup!
anyways, based on you're mic reccomendation, i looked it up. however, in your opinion, which one is probably better what are the pros and cons of each?(i'm assuming the one without a case since it costs more for less stuff, but i wouldn't really know)
990s:http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-990s-Condenser-Microphone?sku=273103
990 w/case:http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...ndenser-Microphone-with-Shockmount?sku=273156
ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Essential recording gear?
I can't comment on what you need for a professional studio, but here is what I use for my amateur recordings.
Guitars, Bass, Misc percussion instruments, etc
Sony Acid . something- I find it very simple to use
M-Audio preamp/sound card
Pod XT with bass pack
Sure SM57, mic boom, and wind guard
Simple an easy to use.
I can't comment on what you need for a professional studio, but here is what I use for my amateur recordings.
Guitars, Bass, Misc percussion instruments, etc
Sony Acid . something- I find it very simple to use
M-Audio preamp/sound card
Pod XT with bass pack
Sure SM57, mic boom, and wind guard
Simple an easy to use.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Essential recording gear?
Conrad Uno says: "All you need to make a record is some magnetic tape and a micrphone...and maybe, just maybe some bad reverb"
Conrad Uno says: "All you need to make a record is some magnetic tape and a micrphone...and maybe, just maybe some bad reverb"
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Essential recording gear?
is conrad uno the guy who recorded drums in most pop 'n' hair metal in the late 80s? that's gotta be the biggest example of bad reverb right there.
is conrad uno the guy who recorded drums in most pop 'n' hair metal in the late 80s? that's gotta be the biggest example of bad reverb right there.
innerdreamrecords.co
TrippyVinylologist
Re: Essential recording gear?
You can do a lot and very well with a Toneport and a SM57.
You can do a lot and very well with a Toneport and a SM57.
C-Martin
New member
Re: Essential recording gear?
Heres what i use and i find it pretty decent for a home studio setup.. i just need some "real" main reference monitors to have a complete and workable setup.. maybe add a little FMR RNC just for luxury when recording lol you can hear my clips on my soundclick for the results.
Custom PC, Intel Quad Core built for silent operation and performance recording (quad core helps allot (for RTAS/VST and plugins), fast hard drives with lots of cach and the most ram you can get! And dont underestimate and forget a good silent case...)
M-Audio Delta 1010 rack unit sound card (not the cheap LT version.. this one actually has AD/DA converters that are equal to the Digi 002 and are pretty good imo)
Presonus HP40 (Monitor and headphone control, cheap but works)
FMR RNP Preamp (Best preamp out there for 500$!)
ProTools 7.3.1
Audition 3.0.1 (Edit, mix, master, re-master, etc.. real quick with this, i prefer this for that stuff but for tracking and AD Pro Tools all the way)
Addictive Dums 1.1 (The best drum emulator i know)
Mics: Sennheiser MD-421, Shure SM57 (Altho i've become quite fond of how the 421 sounds.. rarely use the 57 really)
AKG 240 Studio Headphones (To mix and track)
M-Audio AV20's (Cheap piece of crap monitors that are portable, sound "ok" that i use just for secondary reference monitoring, im gonna get me a set of genelecs or dynaudio soon for main reference)
Heres what i use and i find it pretty decent for a home studio setup.. i just need some "real" main reference monitors to have a complete and workable setup.. maybe add a little FMR RNC just for luxury when recording lol you can hear my clips on my soundclick for the results.
Custom PC, Intel Quad Core built for silent operation and performance recording (quad core helps allot (for RTAS/VST and plugins), fast hard drives with lots of cach and the most ram you can get! And dont underestimate and forget a good silent case...)
M-Audio Delta 1010 rack unit sound card (not the cheap LT version.. this one actually has AD/DA converters that are equal to the Digi 002 and are pretty good imo)
Presonus HP40 (Monitor and headphone control, cheap but works)
FMR RNP Preamp (Best preamp out there for 500$!)
ProTools 7.3.1
Audition 3.0.1 (Edit, mix, master, re-master, etc.. real quick with this, i prefer this for that stuff but for tracking and AD Pro Tools all the way)
Addictive Dums 1.1 (The best drum emulator i know)
Mics: Sennheiser MD-421, Shure SM57 (Altho i've become quite fond of how the 421 sounds.. rarely use the 57 really)
AKG 240 Studio Headphones (To mix and track)
M-Audio AV20's (Cheap piece of crap monitors that are portable, sound "ok" that i use just for secondary reference monitoring, im gonna get me a set of genelecs or dynaudio soon for main reference)
