Have Audiophile2496, What to buy?

[birdyfoot]

I basically bought The M-Auido Audiophile 2496, because it has sterio outputs, so I could connect my computer directly to my receiver. It sounds awesome. Also I was thinking that someday I might like to record my own music. I play the guitar (poorly), and sing (beautifully) (lol).

I have the guitar.

In my mind I'm pictureing like a digital version of my analouge four-trak of old, that I played around with in high school. Without the single tape deck ofcoarce. I know little or nothing about MIDI and I'm not sure if it would be better than SPDIF for my purposes, which are minimal, just that they are both present on the back of the audiophile 2496. Well I know MIDI is a music industry standard convention, but thats it.

One, maybe two Mic's (Mices mikes?) microphones and some recording software.

I want to keep it small. Just what I need for things to sound kick ass.

What should I buy???

[deepwater]

It sounds like you want to stay in a budget and I suspect a low budget. So with that in mind I think most everyone would agree with these suggestions

You can use on of these recorders -
AW16G (I own and love)
Boss BR-864
Korg D1200mkII
Tascam DP-01
Boss BR-1180CD

Mics for the money -
Pair of MXL 603s
1 MXL V69
For a little more $ you can get Rode NT5s and a NT1000

Monitors -
Wharfdale 8.1A or 8.2A
You can't do better for the $ without spending a lot more

You can find the recorders here - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...&c=5315&c=4867

[Hoox81]

Originally Posted by birdyfoot

In my mind I'm pictureing like a digital version of my analouge four-trak of old, that I played around with in high school.

If you don't have multitrack software, you might want to try the Mackie Tracktion... it "retails" for $80 but is being offered free of charge as a download from the mackie site.

http://my.mackie.com/tracktionpromo.asp

I have not used this software at this point, but read a pretty good review of it (Craig Anderton) on the EQ site.

http://www.eqmag.com/archive/0404/0404_Reviews3.htm

If you end up downloading and installing, please let us know how it is.

I agree with the list Deepwater provided but sensed you were looking more for pc based recording rather than a hard disk unit.

Hope this info helps
Hoox

[tdukex]

Since you have a computer and very good soundcard, IMO you should skip the digital recorder and put your computer (and your money) to use by buying some inexpensive recording software. Also, I believe a good budget dual preamp like the M-Audio DMP3 or a good budget mixer like the new Yamahas are a great value. The mics and monitors Deepwater mentioned are well respected (I love the 603s on acoustic).

[birdyfoot]

Originally Posted by tdukex

Since you have a computer and very good soundcard, IMO you should skip the digital recorder and put your computer (and your money) to use by buying some inexpensive recording software.

Thanks for all the great advice, this was just what I was looking for.

I do want to use my computer/audio card to function as as many components as it can, so yea, I think recording software is the way I'm leaning. AP 2496 is afterall a 24bit/96Khz audio processor.

I will do a search on "dual preamps," also just the info I was looking for, and I will check out Yamaha.

Any other suggestions for recording software?

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by birdyfoot

Any other suggestions for recording software?

I like the Cakewalk products. They have an entry level program called Music Creator that I've seen < $50. Once you own a Cakewalk product you can upgrade at a discount. You can also look at Cubasis, Magix, and N-Track.

[birdyfoot]

Originally Posted by tdukex

I like the Cakewalk products. They have an entry level program called Music Creator that I've seen < $50. Once you own a Cakewalk product you can upgrade at a discount. You can also look at Cubasis, Magix, and N-Track.

As far as I can tell all the software looks pretty good, how do those compare to Reason Adapted?

Hardware: I found the MAudio AudioBuddy Dual Microphone Preamp with Phantom Power and Direct Box for $80 (5Hz-50kHz, +0, -3dB), and the DMP3 for exactly twice the price at $160 (20Hz-80kHz, +/-0.5dB). Both have rave reveiws.

I'm completly torn, they both look really cool. I like to save money but not to miss out on great value for a few dollars more.

Your call, what would you get?

[FLechdrop]

I have the audiobuddy and it's pretty damn good
If you want a neutral sounding pre-amp that is.

[manning1]

birdy. i use powertracks. pgmusic.com.
if you dont believe its the best for little money....
heres independent reviews.
http://www.pgmusic.com/reviews_pt.htm
also talk to users on the forums at pg. peace.

[birdyfoot]

Originally Posted by manning1

i use powertracks. pgmusic.com.

My only concearn there is that Powertraks only supports 16 bit prossesing at 44Khz max (I checked it out).

I probably wouldn't ever know the difference, but if I where to get the DMP3, useing the AP 2496, my computer could support some seriously high fidelity recordings (24 bit, 80+Khz).

Really, my hard line philosophy is that a good computer can and should do the job of any other elecrical device, in most cases better, and all at once.

[tdukex]

I mentioned Cakewalk because I have used two of their products and like them. I use Sonar now. But I think any of the ones mentioned will do fine. You can probably download demos and just pick the one you like.

The Audiobuddy does get very good reviews. But it is not based on the same Burr Brown chip as the DMP3, and reportedly does not produce a full 48 v of phantom power, which may be an issue with come condenser mics. For me, the DMP3 is well worth the extra $80.

[manning1]

birdy. nope. powertracks will do 24 bit. i dont know how you got this erroneous info.peace.

[birdyfoot]

Well alright then, thanks for all the help guies.

I think I have settled on the DMP3 dual mic preamp, and maybe a single MXL 990 michrophone, for starters.

I will probably just demo different software untill I find one that I like.

Interestingly any one who owns a nice PC to begin with (setting that cost aside), could put this recording setup together for exactly $350.00!!!, suporting 24bit 80+khz auido prossesing. Software not included, but I guess there are even a couple free versions out there, and some of the best out there, for modest purposes, go for as little as $50.00.

Not a bad deal, wouldn't you say?