interface? Mixer???

[Grizzly_Diesel]

So i bought a computer. i wanna start recording my own riffs and ****. whats everybody's opinion on a good interface and mixer brand or style? im not to familiar with all this gear. I have tried talking to the guys at my local guitar center and there just steering me towards the high end equipment. Im not looking to spend thousands on this stuff yet. i have 2 guitar cabs to mic up a drum kit, a bass amp and a mic. what, in your guy's opinion would be the best bang for my buck?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: interface? Mixer???

What is the spec on your computer? PC or Mac?

Are you going to be recording live, or overdubbing? If live, how many instruments are you going to record at once?

How are you handling bass?

And most importantly, have you ever recorded music before?

 

[ginormous]

Re: interface? Mixer???

"Bang for the buck" usually means "not enough bucks"... I feel you.

From the bit of info you listed, I assume you've got 2 guitars, bass, live drums and vocals, so here's my .02:

Go online, or YouTube, and study up. Find a place that will let you record without disturbing anyone.

Experiment with different mic positions and equipment settings. Record some short pieces, just to listen back to later.

Take notes of what was really good, and what utterly blew big chunks of massive suckage.

Learning how to do it right will make a bigger diff than having the name-brand gear.

As for the suggestions, we'll need more info.

 

[Grizzly_Diesel]

Re: interface? Mixer???

i have a PC. upgraded hp pavillion. i do have 2 guitars a bass a drum kit a 2 mics. i have not recorded before ill be recording in my studio. i need a decent interface and a decent mixer. I have been researching different mixers and i've seen some good candidates just looking for opinions on different brands. same goes for the interface. just something to play around with for now until i can afford to invest in the high end gear.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: interface? Mixer???

My recommendation:

Focusrite OctoPre Dynamic and Scarlett 18i20. The bottom line is you will need at least 3 mics to record drums (2 overheads and one kick), plus guitars, etc. the drum overheads do not need to be the same make/model, but it is recommended for a beginner.

The OctoPre Dynamic will give you 8 channels of mic/line inputs with compression. Connected via toslink cable to the 18i20, that's 16 tracks you can record simultaneously right off the bat with no other equipment required besides the microphones.

You can scale it back with just the 18i20, which can give you 8 mic inputs at once.

Again, depends on your recording strategy, and it sounds like you don't have one yet.

I strongly recommend getting a basic recording book for home studio recordings before going any further or spending any money.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: interface? Mixer???

Addendum: there is little need for a high end interface for what you are doing. Don't assume you cannot make a professional recording with entry level gear; it is still light years beyond what anyone had available in times past.

Your biggest obstacles will be your room and lack of experience, not your gear, for a VERY long time.

 

[ginormous]

Re: interface? Mixer???

I would add to Twilight's well chosen words:

What recording program (digital audio workstation, or "DAW") are you using?

Most people have heard of ProTools, from their dominance in the pro market. There are tons of others, one of which I prefer -- REAPER.

It's got a learning curve (as they all do), and you've got things to learn, so don't expect album quality out of the gate.

REAPER's advantages? A license for home use is only $60 US. A trial version is free, and uncrippled. Download and go.

If you think chasing guitar tone is a quest, welcome to audio recording. You're chasing tone for everything.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: interface? Mixer???

If you think chasing guitar tone is a quest, welcome to audio recording. You're chasing tone for everything.

That was brilliant!!!

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: interface? Mixer???

i have a PC. upgraded hp pavillion. i do have 2 guitars a bass a drum kit a 2 mics. i have not recorded before ill be recording in my studio. i need a decent interface and a decent mixer. I have been researching different mixers and i've seen some good candidates just looking for opinions on different brands. same goes for the interface. just something to play around with for now until i can afford to invest in the high end gear.

This doesn't tell us anything.

-We need PC SPECS (go to 'run' type dxdiag and tell us the processor, ram, hard drive etc)
-Are you recording this all at once or overdubbing?
-What kind of music? (this will help alot on the drum side especially)
-What mics do you currently have?
-What are you listening/ monitoring through?
-What is your budget

Also, do a little more research, doesn't sound to me like you even need a mixer unless you plan on just doing things off the floor, in which it may be handy as you can mixdown certain elements before hitting the converters.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: interface? Mixer???

An analogue desk also allows for separate cue mixes if you are tracking off the floor, integration with outboard gear, and sub mixes, as stated above. Plus, all analogue desks are very affordable now. A used 16 channel Mackie has a ton of flexibility and power for the $$.