Recording gear, what should I shop for?

[FretFire]

I've been doing some more writing recently and am involved in a couple of projects, so I've been thinking about picking up some basic recording gear to have here at home. I haven't been in this market for a while, so I'm wondering what is worth picking up, and what isn't really necessary.

I'd like to record my rig in stereo, so I'm thinking at least a pair of mics and some sort of multi-input interface. I'm running a recent iMac, so I'm sure there are several software options out there as well. Any specific gear recommendations?

 

[rashayritto]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

a USB interface with two XLR's would get you set in no time. Even better if it also has instrument inputs should you ever desire to use some VST modelers. I use the M-Audio mobile pre and it gets the job done. its fun to use it with headphones late at night and play through an army of amp vst's--very handy for getting ideas down with minimal fuss.

other than that you just need the mics of your preference and necessary cabling and stands (and pop filter if you'd like to record vocals sometime). Dont forget to invest in some decent headphones and an adapter to make them work with a 1/4inch jack if they use 1/8 inch. Getting monitors down the line is handy too but to hear your accompaniment while playing without it bleeding into the guitar/vocal tracks headphones are the more immediate need.

so a USB pre/interface, mics (sm57 is a popular standard), and some decent phones will get you going. Be sure to check if the USB interfaces you look at have drivers for Mac.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I like the Tascam US-<number> units. They have mic preamps, pretty much the features you need and do reasonably well on input quality (probably varies by model). Good brand.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

For software I would look at Logic Express and Reason Record. A couple of SM57's and a simple interface and you're good to go. Reason Record has some really nice features for the money and so does Logic Express.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

Great, thanks guys. I'll start shopping around.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

Have a look across here also - SoS is a very good magazine on the subject of home recording, and their forum can prove a goldmine of useful information. Like any forum though you have to validate the source of the information, but you often find the people who write the magazine offering advice alongside the other membership. - Sound on Sound Forums

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

If you won't need to record a drumkit and can do just two inputs, it's going to be REALLY hard to beat an Apogee Duet for price/quality since you're on OS X.

The older ones (FW400) are going for pretty cheap on the used market now that V2 has come out (USB2.0 and one or two extra features that shouldn't be deal-breakers to anyone without incredibly specific needs).

The conversion quality is superb and the preamps are the best you'll get as far as on-board pres go. I honestly have zero problems recording with my Duet when I don't have room/effort/space to use my RME FireFace 800. The two are on par with one another in every way except amount of inputs, and the RME goes for $1500 new.

A used Duet and a pair of 57s and a copy of Logic Express and you'd be set for a long, long while.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

Definitely won't be recording a drum kit here, this is just to get guitar parts/progressions/ideas down. Any "real" recording will happen at our "real" studio :laugh2: I'll take a look at the Apogee stuff too, thanks.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I recommend a decent 2 XLR interface and I am going to actually recommend you spend a few extra dollars and get a condenser mic instead of a simple dynamic (SM57/SM58). I find a good solid condenser to get a better sound and be just as rugged as the dynamics. I use the AKG C3000S and I think it's fantastic but any budget level condenser will do the job.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

Definitely won't be recording a drum kit here, this is just to get guitar parts/progressions/ideas down. Any "real" recording will happen at our "real" studio :laugh2: I'll take a look at the Apogee stuff too, thanks.

I dont see why you need stereo mics to get that. I really dont see why you need any mics. For this use I would more likely go with a basic interface and run VST amp sims. Something like an old toneport UX1 and reaper and you can do all of that for under $100. Could even add a mic later if you want.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I would recommend a CAI / mic preamp combo unit (almost the standard these days) that has at least 4 XLR inputs.

I use 2 just for miking my guitar cab. Having the extra 2 inputs gives you the option to do tons more --- from recording vocals, to experimenting with miking the room and mixing that in, etcetera.

Very little extra cost up front, huge benefit later.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I dont see why you need stereo mics to get that. I really dont see why you need any mics. For this use I would more likely go with a basic interface and run VST amp sims. Something like an old toneport UX1 and reaper and you can do all of that for under $100. Could even add a mic later if you want.

I want to mic my amps/cabs, and often run in stereo. That way if I really like a take, I can just bring the track along to the studio with the rest of the band instead of trying to recreate it.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I want to mic my amps/cabs, and often run in stereo. That way if I really like a take, I can just bring the track along to the studio with the rest of the band instead of trying to recreate it.

Well that's different. You need to talk to your studio and find out what recording software they use so you can buy something that will work with what they have. No point recording in reaper when they are using protools.

This also means you need to make sure you have a good room, proper acoustics and isolation from outside noise.

Do you plan on using a click track to make sure you stay on tempo or will you have the drum tracks already recorded? I honestly don't know how pro studios do this so forgive me if I am being ignorant. If you are going to use the drums tracks from the studio then you really have to make sure you are running the same software.

My suggestion was based on your comment that "real" recording would be done at the studio.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

Well that's different. You need to talk to your studio and find out what recording software they use so you can buy something that will work with what they have. No point recording in reaper when they are using protools.

This also means you need to make sure you have a good room, proper acoustics and isolation from outside noise.

Do you plan on using a click track to make sure you stay on tempo or will you have the drum tracks already recorded? I honestly don't know how pro studios do this so forgive me if I am being ignorant. If you are going to use the drums tracks from the studio then you really have to make sure you are running the same software.

My suggestion was based on your comment that "real" recording would be done at the studio.

I'm sorry, but this is just not accurate. You can use whatever recording software you want and just bring in .wav files - the studio will be more than fine with that, and most guys I know prefer straight .wav files instead of .ptf sessions because they often have session 'presets' that they can call up with all of their usual routing, busses, and FX sends already sorted, which saves a ton of setup time.

This is the same for taking stems from a studio home to record to - all you need is the tempo information and consolidated .wav's and you're golden.

 

[jcthejester13]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I have always liked my Zoom R16. Works great for all the recording I have done.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I'm sorry, but this is just not accurate. You can use whatever recording software you want and just bring in .wav files - the studio will be more than fine with that, and most guys I know prefer straight .wav files instead of .ptf sessions because they often have session 'presets' that they can call up with all of their usual routing, busses, and FX sends already sorted, which saves a ton of setup time.

This is the same for taking stems from a studio home to record to - all you need is the tempo information and consolidated .wav's and you're golden.

Well I was being ignorant! and doing it out loud too!

Thanks for the info. So if you are recording the guitar tracks to take in, do you just record to a click track? I know I am getting off topic here but just interested.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

I'm sorry, but this is just not accurate. You can use whatever recording software you want and just bring in .wav files - the studio will be more than fine with that, and most guys I know prefer straight .wav files instead of .ptf sessions because they often have session 'presets' that they can call up with all of their usual routing, busses, and FX sends already sorted, which saves a ton of setup time.

This is the same for taking stems from a studio home to record to - all you need is the tempo information and consolidated .wav's and you're golden.

Yep, that's the plan. I'm just looking for preferences/opinions on stuff like mics and interfaces, as I haven't owned or looked at any recording gear in a few years.

Both of the studios I have access to use ProTools, and I've already just taken in .wav files created (to a click track) at a friend's home studio without issue.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

So if you are recording the guitar tracks to take in, do you just record to a click track? I know I am getting off topic here but just interested.

I usually prefer to use some sort of scratch track (maybe acoustic and rough vocals) so I can hear a little bit of melody, but you can add a click in or use a click by itself.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Recording gear, what should I shop for?

Yep, that's the plan. I'm just looking for preferences/opinions on stuff like mics and interfaces, as I haven't owned or looked at any recording gear in a few years.

Yeah, it's really hard to beat Apogee for quality/price per channel. Having more than 2 inputs can be really handy, but if you're adding inputs without increasing the price proportionally, corners have to be cut and it's going to affect how good the conversion is, which is probably the most important quality in an interface other than driver stability.

For mics, it's hard to get better than a 57 without spending 3-4x more for the pair. Condensors would be great and would pull double-duty on acoustic and vocal tracks, but you're looking at $400-800 for something that'll be usable on a final product and without giving the mix engineer much headache. E609's and i5's are also cool, but are both less versatile than a 57.

Thanks for the info. So if you are recording the guitar tracks to take in, do you just record to a click track? I know I am getting off topic here but just interested.

Exactly, as long as it's done to the same tempo arrangement (and everything starts on the same bar), you're fine.