The thread for those who want to start recording

SpaceShipOne

SpaceShipOne

New member
I, like many others I'm sure, would like to get into recording. But where do you start? What's the first thing you should get...then the second? Third? If i wanted to record guitar and use more than one mic and do it all at the absolute cheapest price, what would you suggest? Recording guitar is the main focus. Give me your ideas, suggestions, keep it very beginner as I and others are pretty oblivious. Model numbers and links are wonderful things!
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

I've got:

A Shure SM57
A Presonus Firebox (firewire recording interface)
A laptop (Macbook)

and that is pretty much it (other than boom stand, mic cables, etc)

Of course I haven't done crap with it yet, which I hope will change soon
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

The first thing I got was an M-audio preamp. It acts like an external sound card, hooks to the computer through USB, and you can plug your mics and instruments into it. I would look around for something like that because you can get a latency problem where your recordings don't quite line up with each other.

The next thing I did was get a microphone to record my stuff with. I would look for one that can do a bit of everything to help cut down on cost.

You will also need some type of recording program. I use Sony Acid. It was easy for me to understand and it didn't have a bunch of stuff I would never use.

I also got a few direct boxes. A hughes and kettner red box, because it has speaker simulation. And a Whirlwind one without speaker simulation. I uses these when I plug in without amps, or when I want to run an amp, but not run through a microphone. I also some times will plug my pedals into the H and K with no amp. These are not a must in any way.

Look for stuff that is in your price range and don't get too hung up on getting top of the line stuff. As you learn what you are doing and more about recording update your gear. Also keep inmind that the room you are in comes into play aswell. This is why I use the direct boxes so I can control that.

Good luck!
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

Will using ac97 integrated audio make everything you record flat sound different than if you had used a audio interface?
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

guitar->amp->randall isolation 12->shure pg-81->mixer->computer (macbook)
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

I started recording a few months ago.

At first, I just had a microphone I was pluging directly in the mic in of my laptop, using audacity to record. I had problems with levels, the laptop was deaf, I hardly manage to get a sound without loads of noise.

Than Pierre was off loading his external USB audio card. I bought it from him, and it is making things so much easier. You can plug directly the guitar in the audio card, but than you need to have an amp modeler or some kind of software to give life to your sound... not cool at all IMO. That is when I plugged the mic in that it started to get interesting. I usually only record my guitar, but I already recorded a guitar and a bass "live", it take a wee bit of time to work distances and stuff but it works well once you are set up.

I think new, the audio card was about £80... can't really remember the price of the mic as I bought it ten years ago but I didn't go for anything fancy. Works fine for a start.

Software wise, I am using Reaper now. You can get a trial version on the net for 30 days, and then if you are using it just for fun you can by it something like $40, or $300 if you intend to make money out of it.
Not to sure yet about the editing/moding/effects abilities of the software but to record it is really good. You can easily create different tracks in a project and adjust the place in the time line as well as adjusting which part of the track you want to be played or not, using a system of "window" opening on a track, you can reduce or create loops without loosing the original recording.
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

I use a Studio Projects BX-1 condenser mic into a Lexicon Lambda (USB). I haven't swung the time to try it out that much, but for what I have tried, it works perfectly well for me.
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

Get a Mac. The Mac minis are ptretty cheap and powerful and come with good recording software. I know a gy who runs a studio and he even said GarageBand is a good recording program, and powerful enough for anyone simply doing home recrdings or running a small studio.

Next get a firewire mixer. Alessis makes some kick ass ones and they may cost a bit, but you'd be better off spending $500 on a 16 channel mixer that hooks up via firewire than $240 on an interface with 4 imputs.

Then, get a couple mics and a bok or two on home recording.

As for my gear; I have a Mac Mini, Behringer Eurorack (not firewire but I bought it used for $150), an iMic USB, and Garageband.

Mixer-> RCA cable (from track out)-> RCA-mini jack adapter->mini-jack-to-mini-jack cable -> iMic -> Mac.
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

If you are not recording acoustic guitar &/or vocals, electric guitars only, then this is a great way to do it:

Line6 RiffTracker

There are two other things you'll need:

1: an electric guitar

2: a computer


It comes complete. Hardware interface, recording software, drum loops, etc. It is what I use, check my sig for links to examples.

Once you've made the initial purchase, you can spend tons more if & when you choose to; you can buy different drum loops, more amp models, pedals, etc.
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

I use:

SM57 > Digidesign M-Box > Apple Powerbook with Pro Tools 6.9
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

Unless you wanted to get a digital multi tracker. I'm looking for one now (check my thread). They're really easy to use and damn cheap now.
Most have usb ports so you can transfer your recorded music to your computer for further editing.
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

If you use a mobile audio interface, are you still going to get crappy sound because you'll be using the internal sound card?

EDIT: These are done through USB, so that means you bypass the sound card?
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

SpaceShipOne said:
If you use a mobile audio interface, are you still going to get crappy sound because you'll be using the internal sound card?

EDIT: These are done through USB, so that means you bypass the sound card?
Click to expand...

Exactly. The sound card has nada to do with your recordings in that respect then.
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

The audio interface IS your soundcard.

Fender_Punk said:
Get a Mac. The Mac minis are ptretty cheap and powerful and come with good recording software. I know a gy who runs a studio and he even said GarageBand is a good recording program, and powerful enough for anyone simply doing home recrdings or running a small studio.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but your friend is retarded. You cannot run any kind of studio off Garageband. It simply doesn't have the mixing capabilities you need.

That, and as much as I love Mac's, they aren't the be-all-end-all. If you build yourself a monster of a PC and tweak it properly, you do exactly what you can with a Mac.


Basically, you need software, an audio interface, and a computer.
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

Virtual Kevorkian said:
The audio interface IS your soundcard.



I'm sorry, but your friend is retarded. You cannot run any kind of studio off Garageband. It simply doesn't have the mixing capabilities you need.

That, and as much as I love Mac's, they aren't the be-all-end-all. If you build yourself a monster of a PC and tweak it properly, you do exactly what you can with a Mac.


Basically, you need software, an audio interface, and a computer.
Click to expand...

If only if you are not using windows :bigok: Otherwise you can try to do the same but at some point it's gonna crash!
 
Re: The thread for those who want to start recording

Virtual Kevorkian said:
Not true. Leave it completely disconnected from the internet, and you're fine.
Click to expand...

Sigh ... if only that were true. I've seen many Windows computers with no Internet connection completely lose their poo. Memory leaks, bad code, random Windows glitches ... they happen with or without an Internet connection.

That said, Windows is much more stable now than it's ever been.
 
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