I need some help

[HeyOldMan]

I am new to the Recording game and was just wondering what products you guys would reccomend? I play drums in a band and we were interested in buying some recording equipment to get our music out there. Right now we plan to set the studio up in my garage, I don't know if that makes a difference.

Also if you could send a link so I could see the product, that would be cool.

Anything you tell me will probably be helpful. Thanks in Advance.

JB

[ssscientist]

I recommend this. It's easy enough to get around on for a clever novice but deep enough so you won't run out of options any time soon. It's got eight mic preamps --- so you can connect eight microphones at once --- and records 16 tracks. It's got effects built right in and a CD burner so you can finalize and burn a CD of your masterworks. Add some mics, some monitors and some headphones and you've got yourself a fine little studio!

[dwillis45]

It would help if you give everyone an idea of your budget and your expectations about quality. Also let us know what equipment you currently have such as a computer, a mixing console, mics, etc. Then you need to make some initial decisions about the type of setup: stand-alone "studio-in-box" (like the AW1600 suggested ssscientist), a hard disk recorder/mixer combination (such as the Alesis HD 24), or a full-fledged DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) using a computer and interface/soundcard.

While your in the process of thinking about recording equipment itself, you should also consider how you might treat the garage for mixing/recording and what typeof monitors you will need.

[Sal4001]

As already mentioned, the Yamaha AW16G (now updated to the AW1600) is a great choice. I bought myAW16G 2 years ago and as you can tell by the fact that the updated version is basically identical to the original in almost all features, they got it right the first time. Rarely have you seen something that is not outdated 2 seconds after it hits the stores. The AW16G and AW1600 are stand-alone units with XLR inputs, 1/4 inch inputs, phantom power, dynamics effects, amp simulators, guitar and vocal effects and 4 band sweepable EQ on every channel. With the built in CD burner, you don't really need any extra gadgets to produce broadcast quality CD's. Everything from start to finish is built right into the unit. It fits into a case slightly bigger than a laptop, and when I take mine to record my band, or to record someone elses session, it's as simple as setting up a few mics, choosing settings for your inputs, and hitting RECORD. Twenty years ago you would need a roomfull of equipment to do what these babies do.....Good luck and rock on!!