Starting up a home studio...questions

[audioartwork]

Ok, so, I can work recording software like I know the back of my hand, but I'm not so adept at the equipment.

I want to start up something so I can record a little closer to home. It's mainly for working out song ideas before recording them in a better studio, so it doesn't have to be outrageously good quality or anything. I was thinking of getting the US-122, but would I need to buy anything else if I did?

[pandamonk]

more info n someone will reply. What you need really depends on wot you wanna record, and what kind of results you expect etc etc

[audioartwork]

Basically, all I need to know about the US-122 is if I buy it, will I also need additional hardware. Besides the mic, is there anything that I need to make it work that doesn't come with it?

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by audioartwork

Basically, all I need to know about the US-122 is if I buy it, will I also need additional hardware. Besides the mic, is there anything that I need to make it work that doesn't come with it?

But what I'm asking is, what do you mean by work? Cause it works on its own what do you want to record? It should come with all connections to the computer, and has a built in preeamp with phantom power. So yeh you probs just need a mic. I could suggest some much much less expensive options for if you give me more info on what you wanna record, what your bugget is, where u live(USA?), what you want, your room setup(so i can give acoustics suggestions), etc etc etc. Just give me all the info you can about what you want. I may even suggest somthing within your budget which will mean you don't need to go to a "better" studio.

[XLR]

Originally Posted by audioartwork

...mainly for working out song ideas before recording them in a better studio, so it doesn't have to be outrageously good quality or anything. I was thinking of getting the US-122, but would I need to buy anything else if I did?

No.

Although I have to say that someone asked this question before and it turned out that they didn't know it had to be connected to a computer, or that they needed a mic.

Tim

[audioartwork]

Thanks, that helps a lot guys! That answered the question that I asked perfectly, but just for Pandamonk's case, I'll expand on it.

Well, I can't really put it in a genre because I experiment a lot, but mostly what I use are acoustic guitars with acoustic strings (not nylon or steel), clean electric guitar, overdrive guitar, and keyboard/piano (depending on location). What I want is to be able to record all intruments, including voice, on their own seperate channel and mix them however I want. (Just for specs, they are usually all recorded seperately and mixed together on computer.) I'm experienced when it comes to digital mixing, so I wanted something that would allow me to get the recordings onto the computer.

I'd prefer to keep everything under $300 or so, but I'll stay flexible in the price range. Oh, I live in the US, too. (I plan on upgrading everything later, piece by piece, so it doesn't have to necessarily have to be the best equipment, I'd just like the best equipment for the money.)

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by audioartwork

Thanks, that helps a lot guys! That answered the question that I asked perfectly, but just for Pandamonk's case, I'll expand on it.

Well, I can't really put it in a genre because I experiment a lot, but mostly what I use are acoustic guitars with acoustic strings (not nylon or steel), clean electric guitar, overdrive guitar, and keyboard/piano (depending on location). What I want is to be able to record all intruments, including voice, on their own seperate channel and mix them however I want. (Just for specs, they are usually all recorded seperately and mixed together on computer.) I'm experienced when it comes to digital mixing, so I wanted something that would allow me to get the recordings onto the computer.

I'd prefer to keep everything under $300 or so, but I'll stay flexible in the price range. Oh, I live in the US, too. (I plan on upgrading everything later, piece by piece, so it doesn't have to necessarily have to be the best equipment, I'd just like the best equipment for the money.)

Why not get a small 2 preamp mixer such as the behringer ub802, and the behringer uca202thats $70. Only thing is you might want to record keys in MIDI, but for this you could get the M Audio UNO. But if you like the keyboards sounds then you don't need this, and can record in audio. The mixer will allow 2track recording if panned left and right. so if you get the ub802 and uca202 thats $70 leaving you $230 for a mic(studio projects B1?)and some acoustic treatment(rigid fiberglass bass traps). Check out the building forum if this interests you. If you don't know the reasons for acoustic treatment i will explain them if you wish.

[pandamonk]

Just noticed this suggested in another thread. It is like what you were looking at, but comes with a pair(i think) of good condenser mics. Even if it's only one, it's still less than my suggestion. What monitors(speakers)do you have? If cheap or computer speakers, then invest in good studio monitors. Do a search of these forums to find your best option.

[audioartwork]

I have computer speakers that are seperate units from my computer, but they have great audio. (Better than any CD player I've ever owned, and they're not even expensive.) Would I still need different speakers?

(Thanks for the info! It's really helpful, you've been great! =D)

[Mindset]

you will need some monitors that give you a flat sound. Anything that add's the little extra treble/bass (or any other nature) will make you believe your sound is better then it is. You'll probably end up EQ'ing it a little too much or what.

[Daniel Reichman]

Originally Posted by audioartwork

I have computer speakers that are seperate units from my computer, but they have great audio. (Better than any CD player I've ever owned, and they're not even expensive.) Would I still need different speakers?

(Thanks for the info! It's really helpful, you've been great! =D)

At home I use powered speakers with a sub designed for PC for rough mixes, and as long as you accept their limitations, they can work fine. One very good thing to do is play reference CD's through your setup (tracks you like the sound of that are similar to the sound you are going for) so that you'll have an idea of how your speakers are going to 'colour' the sound. Once you've tweaked your mix, try it in the car, at a friends place, etc, to see how well it translates to different systems.

Studio monitors will make a difference, but even these take some getting used to. If you're just starting out you can still get good results using what you've got. You might prefer to invest in some good headphones for tracking and basic mixing.