Portable Recording Setup...

[Twitch]

I've learned quite a lot regarding gear from this forum (as well as some other sites) but I am completely ignorant when it comes to recording. All this talk of mixers, soundboards, and different mic types makes me :earl:

What I want to do is have a unit that I can use to record acoustic/electric guitar as well as vocals in my room, then hookup to a computer for final tweaking and uploading to my soundclick. Is there such a unit? Or is there a box of some sort that I could plug the mic into, then plug the box into the computer? Or would my best bet to just go Mic ---> Soundcard?

Finally, I want my recording stuff to be portable, so that I can move it around my house easily as well as transport it away from home easily.

Thanks in advance :afro:

 

[Guest]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

This thing has caught my eye...
I'm thinking about buying one maybe in the beginning of next year.

Portable 2-channel 24-bit/96k USB audio interface

http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=8

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

If you want really portable, get a laptop and a MBox.

Many stand alone digital recorders have the ability to export wav files but you'll still need recording/mixing software.

 

[vinterland]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

If you want really portable, get a laptop and a MBox.

Many stand alone digital recorders have the ability to export wav files but you'll still need recording/mixing software.

Robert always beats me to it, and always suggests the best things. You can't get any better in portability than an MBox.

 

[xerxes]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

deffinately the mbox...

 

[Twitch]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

Portability isn't necessarily more important than quality in this case. I just need to be able to be able to pack it up and put it in a car w/ ease.

Also, can someone explain what the mbox does? Or what the alesis does?

 

[xerxes]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

the mbox is amazing quality, i used one at a store a few weeks ag...its basically a simple pro tools....

 

[Twitch]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

Still pretty confused regarding the recording hardware. I know that I want to do most of the mixing/effect adding on the computer using software, but am curious regarding the hardware needed to get the tracks on the computer in the first place.

What is the advantage of going guitar>mic>box>computer instead of just guitar>mic>computer? Or, what do these hardware pieces do specifically?


Also, are the mbox, the alesis, and http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWireSolo-main.html the same sort of equipment?

 

[Guest]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

Well, the Alesis has two channels (meaning you can record two sound sources to two different tracks in the computer at the same time) eg. guitar and keyboard, guitar and voice, guitar and guitar, voice and voice. Gonna be a problem if/when you want to record real drums and you want more than two mics/channels.

1. Guitar/Keyboard/Other Instrument
|
Alesis IO2
|
USB cable
|
Computer -> Program (Comes bundled with Cubase LE)
________________________________________

2. Condenser/Dynamic Mic
|
Alesis IO2 (It "is" a micpreamp and has phantom power support for condenser mics)
|
USB cable
|
Computer -> Program (Comes bundled with Cubase LE)
________________________________________

Computers sound output
|
USB cable
|
Alesis IO2
|
Your speakers/headphones connected to IO2

It's connected to your computer with the USB cable, and is also powered through the USB cable.

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

What about the Korg pandora PXR-4?.TwilightOdessey & Steve Vai Both Swear by theirs. I'm thinking about picking one of them up soon when (of if) I come into some money (jobs are suprisingly hard to find)

 

[Twitch]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

Thanks a lot for the input guys, one final bump.

If I plan on recording electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and vocals which of the following I/O boxes do you think would suit my needs best?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=computer/search/detail/base_pid/240868/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=computer/search/detail/base_pid/701385/ (does this unit have phantom power?)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=computer/search/detail/base_pid/184133/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=computer/search/detail/base_pid/240479/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/s=computer/search/detail/base_pid/240475/

http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=8

Edit: Do the Mboxes have phantom power?

 

[MattPete]

Re: Portable Recording Setup...

Go for a Presonus Firebox (use Firewire and stay away from USB). It has better preamps than the M-audio Firewire 410.