Need a versatile setup. Suggestions welcomed.

[Mick Taylor]

Howdy all. Great site. Lots of fantastic info. I've been able to piece together bits of information but would like to submit my particular needs and see what any of you have to say. So, here goes...

Like the subject says, I want a versatile setup. Specifically...

1. I'd like to be able to record live/loud bands right off the floor. No multitracking, just record a bands live set.

2. With that said, I also want to be able to record softer music. Someone with their acoustic guitar and voice, for example. Here I may eventually get into multitracking but at first will simply record it straight up.

3. I'd like to be able to record non-amplified but louder music such as a church choir.

So...I need to know the following:

1. Recommendations for a laptop and what specific hardware/software to buy. What should I look for? What should I avoid? I do want a laptop and while I would prefer to stick with a Windows OS I am opento suggestion.

2. What I should look for for mics. I'm assuming I should have a vocal mike for the softer acoustic / vocal needs.

I'll be looking to spend between 4 and 5 grand for everything so please keep that in mind.

I realize that this is a long post and I promise you that I will be grateful to anyone that takes the time to address my needs.

Cheers!

MT

[Dani Pace]

If you want to record live/loud (and others too) you are going to need a lot more than just a laptop and a mic. You will need a mixer (8-12 chanels minimum) and at least as many mics as you have chanels on your mixer and stands and extra cables. You will also need an interface to conect the mixer to the laptop. Then you will need a soundcard and recording software. On the laptop make sure you have lots of RAM, (more means faster) and plenty of storage, multi tracking in WAV takes a lot more space than you might think.
Shop around a little for the best prices on gear but buy the best quality you can, a large part of your budget may go into good mics, really good ones are not cheap and for live recording you will need a lot of good ones.
If you plan to be a "mobile studio," don't forget to get some good cases to haul your stuff around in.
One last note, learn to never touch a bandmember's $200 guitar but expect the guy who plays that guitar to knock over your $2000 mic.

[Mick Taylor]

Coolio...

Thanks for the info.
I guess all I really want is to be able to tape bands live. A decent taping set up so I can throw mics up in front of bands at the bar.

I was thinking that I could get by with a couple mics as this is what I see at most shows. Mic recommendations?

What should I use for mics for recording someone singing with their acoustic guitar?

What about specific laptop recommendations?


This forum is great!

Rock on!

MT

[SIM1]

IF all you are lookng for is being able to record live bands so as to either listen or maybe put on a website or something, you can get away with an Mbox, laptop and maybe two good mikes. Obviously, if it is for taking back into studio to mix, master etc, for an album, you are looking at what has already been recommended. An example of this can be found at www.meltedwhiskey.com. Me and a friend did this with an Mbox, powerbook, and one decent mike (borrowed). The songs playing were done this way.

One thing I have have also found is that in bars, you might be able to con the sound guy to let you plug into the house board and record right from there. Really depends on what you want to do.

[Mick Taylor]

I don't intend on doing any real "mastering" exactly. I just want a setup that captures the feel of the live experience. I want to be able to go into a bar or somebody's garage and get a really good recording. I understand that there are all sorts of variables with different recording environments but I want mics that will be solid.
As far as the laptop goes...I don't want to get the cheapest thing going. Like I said originally, I do have some cash to drop.

Peace and thanks.

MT

[jkokura]

I talked about something like this with another guy the other day. Take a look

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=193936

basically you need to see that there are sections to the sound chain (mics, pres, interface, software, monitors) That you can't do without - but don't forget all the miscelaneous stuff liek cables, headphones, and sound absorbtion/ room treatment. feel free to ask me questions if you want.

Jacob

[TimOBrien]

http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm