solo recording

[woody777]

I'm getting a little burned out on the whole band thing... but I'm definitely not burned out on music... I really want to create music for the sake of creating music... not to "make it" or anything... mostly just for my own satisfaction and creativity and if someone else likes it that's just icing on the cake.

Anyway... I'm looking to put together a simple yet effective solo recording setup. When I say solo, I mean I'll be doing everything myself. I'm wanting to make music in the realm of NIN... heavy guitars that I will track myself with a lot of samples, noises, sound effects, etc, but probably simpler songs along the lines of Jimmy Eat World or the Killers. I plan to use drum loops or possibly program my own loops. I will probably tap some friends to track bass and vocals (or record vocals myself with pitch correction HA!).

What would you guys recommend? I need a software program that is flexible and will allow me to track real instruments AND do the drum loops and effects. I'm thinking something along the lines of Reason or Acid, but I have no idea.

And I would need a good one channel mic pre and interface. Like I said, it's a one man show and I won't be needing to do any simultaneous multi-tracking.

Thanks in advance!

[mikemorgan]

"simple recording setup"s

Software: Audacity (it's free)
or
Reaper (not free, but has many features for the price)

Hardware: RNC (really nice compressor)
Studio C1 microphone

nothing else to buy, unless you want a decent computer interface, and the M-Audio 2496 comes to mind for cheap and good

[Freddy]

Mic pres are somewhat a matter of taste, but if you want something clean so you can add the rest "in the box" I have heard very good things of the MS1B.

However, you may well find you want more than one channel (especially once you have friends helping). The Presonus Firepod gets some very good press and includes 2 decent pres. Much depends on budget.

+1 for Reaper. If you use Audacity I suspect you will need the VST enabler too.. because it sounds to me as if you will be using plugins a fair bit.

Reaper is at http://reaper.fm - good community there too, and great support.

[rachlove]

Hi Woody777, I'm also just looking at which software to buy to start out on my own with a NIN sound. Let me know which one you go for.