Wondering what equipment to get

[cheetamorf]

Hey, I'm currently planning to purchase some recording equipment, but am just really unsure as to what i need. In my band in high school, we used a digital 8 track and then some cheap mixing/editing software (Magix), but that seemed way too expensive for the quality we got, and wasnt really necessary since the most we recorded were two tracks together.

Although we sold the 8 track, i still have the mic's which are the mxl 990 & 991. I have roughly $400-600 to spend and am planning to record all the instruments track by track. I figure i need some sort of mixer, preamp and then something to connect it to my computer, and some mixing software, but thats just based on what ive read, i dont really know much about recording. I would prefer stuff that uses usb, since i know very little about computers and that would make my life a lot easier. Also, if i could any of the equipment could be used to improve the sound quality in a live setting that would be great. Thanks a bunch

[Kevin Deschwazi]

USB is OK if you only need to record one or two tracks at a time, firewire is much better (much quicker data transfer= less glitchy recording). If you have a spare PCI slot firewire add on cards are pretty cheap.

For each input into the computer you need a channel of A-D conversion and if using a mic, a preamp. Recording software will come with a virtual mixer.

Sounds like an all in one interface would work for you, converters, mic pres and often software all in one package. Presonus do some good stuff, as do M Audio. Others will no doubt have other brands they trust.

If you're recording 1 track at a time you could do a lot worse than the Presonus firebox:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FireBox/

[Mindset]

for a few tracks you might look into the presonus firepod, m audio's delta 1010, echo's audiofire, or tascam's 1804

[Nick98338]

Something I like to stress... you might not need a separate, outboard, hardware, knobs and sliders, type mixer. All of the decent quality recording software titles have a mixer built in. The software *IS* the mixer. However, there are two reasons why you might want to use a separate mixer. If you want to record several instruments simultaneously you might want to use a separate mixer. Drums are a good example. Or, you just might prefer using hardware knobs and sliders over using software knobs and sliders. That's a personal preference thing.

You have mics, so all you really need is preamps, and an audio interface, and software. Good news is that you can get all of that, in one package, for $200 bucks... easy! There are several interfaces that have preamps built into them, and they come with software bundled in. Just about everything in one package. Some USB, some Firewire, some PCI.

[cheetamorf]

Originally Posted by Nick98338

Something I like to stress... you might not need a separate, outboard, hardware, knobs and sliders, type mixer. All of the decent quality recording software titles have a mixer built in. The software *IS* the mixer. However, there are two reasons why you might want to use a separate mixer. If you want to record several instruments simultaneously you might want to use a separate mixer. Drums are a good example. Or, you just might prefer using hardware knobs and sliders over using software knobs and sliders. That's a personal preference thing.

You have mics, so all you really need is preamps, and an audio interface, and software. Good news is that you can get all of that, in one package, for $200 bucks... easy! There are several interfaces that have preamps built into them, and they come with software bundled in. Just about everything in one package. Some USB, some Firewire, some PCI.

Can you give me some examples of packages with preamps, audio interface, and software all included in them? 200-300 bucks would be sweet.

[bodaddy]

The Alesis firewire board has been great for me. It is an outboard mixer,interface and soundcard in on.(get the firewire not the usb) I record alot of bands and have not had a problem yet. I have a super fast comp though that can handle recording as many tracks at a time as I need too. Look on ebay. I also use Cubase SX.

[Nick98338]

Originally Posted by cheetamorf

Can you give me some examples of packages with preamps, audio interface, and software all included in them? 200-300 bucks would be sweet.

I'll start with the one I use. Presonus Inspire 1394. An audio interface, with two decent preamps, 4 total input channels simultaneously, has an internal "direct monitoring" circuit, comes with Cubase LE software included, Firewire connection to the computer. $190 street price

Presonus Firebox.. pretty much the same as the Inspire, but adds midi in/out, and S/PDIF in/out. Slightly better preamps. Still under $300

Lexicon Omega... roughly the same capabilities, USB connection to computer, choice between Cubase LE software or some other I can't remember right now. Under $300

There are a couple more models from M-Audio. One from E-MU. Tascam US-122.

Plenty of them out there. Go to any one of the half dozen big audio suppliers. All of the dealers will have all of the packages available.

[antispatula]

Assuming you already have a decent computer:

Audiophile 192: 100 bucks used (soundcard)
FMR RNP: 400 used (preamp)
SM57: 70 used (mic)
MSH-1: 25 new (mic)
cables: a few bucks extra
REAPER: 40 bucks new (recording software)

that is roughly 600 bucks. I can't think of a better setup for your budget. Used right, it can give a very great sound. Whatever you do, never use standalone digital recorders, they are limiting and a waste of time and money.

[bodaddy]

I would seriously check out the Alesis firewire board. They come in a few flavors. It is the interface and inputs and soundcard all in one and sounds good. It also comes with cubase LE. It is nice to have 12 or 16 inputs and available seperate tracks when needed. I got mine on ebay for about $300-$340 after shipping I think.

[groovyisland]

since youre talking about live performance you probably have a band or youre going to get a band together.

a band situation could be the right time to have a standalone recorder.

the nice thing about a standalone is youre away from the computer which can take a lot of time and attention away from recording.

[cheetamorf]

If I use firewire, what do i do to do to connect it to my computer? (I dont know much about computers, so I'll need the dubbed down explaination)

[groovyisland]

you gotta have a firewire adapter or card which fits in like a sound card. more money and hassles.

i record by myself and i use a usb interface.

FireWire cards are cheap. You can get new ones for about $10. They just snap into your computer like other PCI cards.

Then you just hook the interface into the FireWire ports.

Your computer might already have FireWire ports in the back though, most modern computers come with them.