What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

[Biu]

My friend is going to probably build me a computer, so I want to make it a recording studio. My Tascam 4-Track Pocketstudio is pretty limiting. I have Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro, but have never used it, Digitech GNX 3 for all guitar sounds, and will save up for a drum machine.

What is all the gear I would need to plug into the computer? Links would be helpful.

Thanks! :dance:

 

[Curly]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

Biu,
I'm no expert, but since I just went through something similar ...

three things to consider:
What's your budget?

What are your needs? How many tracks do you need?

What are your needs in the future?

after reading the recording thread, then doing some research, and talking to friends, I think, since you're already getting a computer, you could get a decent little Mackie mixer like the one I was looking at, and a nice affordable preamp, and you should be set.

Mackie 1202

Behringer preamp

the 2 channel tube preamp cost me less than $100, and I've looked at that mixer, and priced it locally for $100 less than the online stores.

the mixer can do double duty as a PA for a band, and the preamp will add warmth and harmonics on the input side. The separate computer gives you the flexibility to update it if you need, and never be too far behind the latest computer technology.

 

[Artie]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

Just to expand on what Curly said, a mixer is such a vital piece of equipment for recording. Its the fundamental control center. When you're in the middle of a creative moment, you need to be able to make complex routing changes at the touch of a button. A mixer will do this.

Check out eBay also, especially for older Teac/Tascam mixers. The Model 2, Model 3, or Model 5, are all great mixers for reasonable prices. I use the Model 3 myself. Its just a great recording tool.

Artie

 

[Mincer]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

For computer recording, look at one of the new Small Mackies with a firewire port. M-Audio has nice firewire cards, so DOes Emu. You want either a good firewire audio interface or PCI one. I use an Echo Mia, but if I upgrade, I will go with a firewire card and control surface.

 

[Biu]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

Hey, guys. Thanks for the replies! Curly, I did some searching and I found a used Mackie 1202 for $199. Only problem is, I only have $30 :thumbsdow
But that shouldn't be a problem for long, because my friend is buying my crappy old Marshall MG (solid state piece of crap! yuck!) for $200. I think my dad will help pay for a preamp too. Here's what I'm looking at to buy:

Mackie 1202 Mixer
PreSonus TUBEPre Microphone Preamp (Would the Behringer Ultragain be better?)

Where would my Digitech GNX3 fit into this? It's a guitar processor, so would I just plug it into the preamp? Does the preamp just plug into the track inputs?

Also, my friend has confirmed with me that he will be installing a top-notch sound card, so that is covered. What else do I need to plug into the computer? Do I need some kind of converter?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really new to computer recording. I'm making a big jump from a little beginner, portable 4-track.

Thanks!

 

[Curly]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

Hey, guys. Thanks for the replies! Curly, I did some searching and I found a used Mackie 1202 for $199.

Here's what I'm looking at to buy:

Mackie 1202 Mixer
PreSonus TUBEPre Microphone Preamp (Would the Behringer Ultragain be better?)

Thanks!

Biu,
yeah, I also saw quite a few used Mackies. I think a lot of people must either outgrow the little mixers, or no longer need them. I'd suggest you get the current "1202 VLZ" - it's just a little confusing, but the old 1202 is still out there.

as far as the preamp, I can't say myself - the Behringer was the only preamp they had, so it was an easy choice!
Maybe someone else can help.

I will say, it looks like there are some good deals out there on used audio stuff - just like bicycles and keyboards, those things are cheap used.

as far as hookups, besides whatever mic cords you need, you can just run straight in from the mixer to the soundcard by using a couple adapters - one is an "impedence matching transformer" that goes from the 3-prong mic jack to a 1/4" jack, then a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter to the soundcard. that's what I use, but confirm that with someone else, too.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

What soundcard? The soundcard is more important than Mic preamps in PC Recording- many freat soundcards these days have that stuff built in as well as XLR and 1/4" inputs...you night not need a mixer at all....make sure it is a 24bit/96k card, with analog as well as digital in/out. A USB midi keyboard is great with softsynths as well, so you may look for something with midi in/out too.

 

[Farkus]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

I'm currently using the following....

Guitar (or Bass) -> Line6 POD -> Mackie 1402 VLZ -> digidesign mbox.

This rig sounds great for what I'm doing. In your case, the Digitech will take the place of the POD, especially if it has speaker modeling. Then go into the mixer. If you're using a good sound card, simply go from the RCA outputs of your mixer (which will also be accepting the inputs from your drum machine, keyboard, microphone, and anything else) to the RCA inputs of your soundcard. Many of the newer soundcards have the RCA inputs; I find them very handy. I've used Cakewalk in the past. I'm not very familiar with the exact version you're talking about, but I liked Cakewalk 9.0 ok. Pro Tools LE is quite good, but is way too pricey IMHO. BTW, make sure your computer has lots of RAM.

Money is almost always an issue for most of us. Just take your time and get a piece at a time until you've got your setup assembled. You don't want to be stuck with sub-optimal recording equipment...there are few things more frustrating than having a good take ruined by a computer glitch. On the other hand, the benefits are great. Software editing is the bomb.

Hope this is useful to you and good luck; you're taking a step into a much larger world!

Farkus

 

[Mattt]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

I'd go with this,....

Guitar - POD - Computer with Cubase or Logic software.

Then get a tube pre-amp for vocals...

And get a midi controller and sound module for all your bass, drums, keyboards sounds.

Sorted.

 

[proxy]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

Whatever you plan on using when it comes to getting the inputs to your computer will be one of the most important things, whether you are using a soundcard, usb, firewire etc... If it is crappy I guarentee it will sound terrible.

 

[Biu]

Re: What gear do I need for Computer Recording studio?

Thanks so much guys. My friend will be getting me a really good soundcard, and I'll be using my Digitech, so I won't need a preamp. Would I need a preamp if I decide to mic my amps?

Here's what I'm looking to do now:
Guitar------->Digitech GNX3-------->Mackie 1202 Mixer------->Computer (Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro)

Not having to buy a preamp will save me a lot of money. I plan to save up for a drum machine too. Hopefully my homestudio will be completed by the end of summer!