complete upgrade from current setup...diagram included

[avedic123]

ok, for the longest time i've been recording demos in the cheapest manner possible. i've just been recording everything straight into an sm57 which is plugged right into the soundcard that came with my computer...a computer that i bought in 1999. i then assemble everything in cool edit 2000. that's right, not cool edit pro.....but cool edit 2000. monitoring is done through $10 radio shack headphones. given these incredibly restrictive conditions, i've managed some ok recordings, 4 of which you can hear on my myspace page below.

http://www.myspace.com/seancannon1983

do you wonder how i recorded multiple tracks for those songs with CE2000? i would actually paste waveform on top of waveform until i had the entire song built up. probably the most tedious thing on earth. lol

anyway...i'm quite ready to take things to the next level. i'm almost there, but there are a few key components that i lack. i'm including a diagram of my studio set-up as it is now...including those items that i have yet to aquire.

also...a note...i'm not looking for critical judgements of the equipment i DO have. if you don't like the nt2a, that's fine...but don't tell me. i like it. i'm looking for input about what i -don't- have.



i'm going to list the components that i don't have, as well as any questions i have about them.....



1) PC and Harddrive
i need a new computer. i have brand new HP w2007 monitor, but i need a PC that i can dedicate purely to recording. i'm not a mac person. i respect those who are, but i'm much more interested in working on a pc. don't try to convince me otherwise.

Questions: how much space do i need? how fast should it be? what OS should i use? etc...

2) Soundcard
i assume any stock soundcard that comes with a computer isn't going to cut it. i don't want my soundcard to bottleneck otherwise good sounding equipment.

Questions: what soundcard would be best? do i need multiple inputs? can i record multiple inputs(2 microphones for instance) onto 2 seperate tracks in adobe auditions?

3) 19" rack mountable pre amp
i prefer a rack mountable version. i've heard great things about the M-AUDIO DMP3, however the dimensions of it are all wierd and it doesn't fit in a rack...which is somewhat of an issue for me. are there any other options?

Questions: do i need a preamp that will accept inputs from both instruments(keyboard) AND mics(Rode NT2A)?

4) Headphones
i don't need headphones to monitor with...just to track. something to playback as i'm singing for instance. i don't need/want $1000 phones....just something that does the job well for a low price.

-----

and that's about it. as you can see from what i have(the rode nt2a for instance) i want quality but i don't have a huge budget. i've created recordings in the past that sound much better than the equipment i own would suggest....so i know how to make my gear work for me...not the other way around. so....i'm not interested in spending thousands on one soundcard.

so........i know that was alot to take in, but any help i recieve would be VERY appreciated. thanks!!

[SPINSTERWUN]

What's your budget?

I think that for your computer you should have ...
2 to 4 GB of RAM
Dual processor
2 to 3 hard drives
OS = XP

I will expound more in the super near future (I am at work) about the choices I am proferring you. (8

[SPINSTERWUN]

What's your budget?

I think that for your computer you should have ...
2 to 4 GB of RAM
Dual processor
2 to 3 hard drives
OS = XP

I will expound more in the super near future (I am at work) about the choices I am proferring you. (8

[SPINSTERWUN]

What's your budget?

I think that for your computer you should have ...
2 to 4 GB of RAM
Dual processor
2 to 3 hard drives
OS = XP

I will expound more in the super near future (I am at work) about the choices I am proferring you. (8

[avedic123]

2 to 4 GB of RAM <--- would that be enough? seems like a small amount.
Dual processor <--- what is that and what does it do?
2 to 3 hard drives <--- why that many? and would that be 2-4GB of RAM on each?

as you can see i'm not terribly computer savvy, hence asking for help here.

[liv_rong]

Igb is enough for most applications, even with multiple tracks recording at once w/ plugins running. but 2 gb seems to be the best around here. im running 1 gb with no problems.

one hard drive is enough as well, but two would be good. do a search on here and read about it.

dual core processors, do a search on here and google and you will find your answers.

for the preamp/interface/soundcard, there are many options out there with up to 8 inputs thats sends the channels to and from your computer using firewire. they alo have built in pre amps for line level and mics(xlr) with phantom power to power to mics

do a search and stuff

[Carter]

Originally Posted by avedic123

2 to 4 GB of RAM <--- would that be enough? seems like a small amount.

Most of todays computers dont use more than 4 gig of RAM

Dual processor <--- what is that and what does it do?

It means that you can double the horsepower of your machine, for instance if you had a 2 ghz processor with a dual you will have two 2 ghz processors on one chip

2 to 3 hard drives <--- why that many? and would that be 2-4GB of RAM on each?

You should to record all your music on a seperate drive from the OS drive, gives you greater stability the second drive should be around 250 GB

as you can see i'm not terribly computer savvy, hence asking for help here.

Hope that helps a little.

[avedic123]

That helps quite a bit on the PC issue. i'll go with the following:

2GB of RAM
Dual Core Processor
250GB of Storage on Harddrive
Windows XP Operating System

As for the soundcard........

what would you all recommend? the maximum number of tracks that i will be recording simultaneously is TWO. so, should the soundcard have 2 inputs? if so, what sort of inputs? what card do you recommend? can adobe audition actually record 2 different tracks at once coming in from 2 different input sources?

[Carter]

Adobe is multitrack software so yes that will record different sources to diffrent tracks, you can also look up reaper, good program and free, as for interfaces most come with combo jacks so you can hook up a mic and a guitar.

A few examples

http://www.presonus.com/inspire1394.html
http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html

[avedic123]

so those 2 examples are soundcards?

they say they both have mic preamps.....but if i've already run the mic signal through a pre amp....what would be the point of having a preamp in one of these things? would that be a good thing, bad thing, or neutral?

[Carter]

These are Firewire interfaces (soundcard if thats what you call it) that plug into the firewire port on the computer,
Interfaces mostly combine the preamps with the unit and interfaces it with the computer, If you would like to use a stand alone pre you can by using the 1/4" input (center of combo jack) and this will bypass the pre in the interface,

Now if you want to use the pre's on the unit just use the XLR

[avedic123]

thanks!

so, if i understand correctly....

INSTRUMENT/MIC ----> M-AUDIO DMP3 PreAmp ----> FireBox ----> Firewire Port ----> Records into Adobe Audition

with such a setup can i still record 2 tracks at once?

also, what purpose does the FireBox serve? Why can't the DMP3 go straight to the computer?

thanks for helping with this...i know i'm asking dumb questions, i just want to be certain...

[Reggie]

Originally Posted by avedic123

Why can't the DMP3 go straight to the computer?

The integrated sound on a computer is poo. And you will have latency issues trying to monitor what you are recording.

[omtayslick]

Hey Sean,

I listened to your tunes. You're right, impressive results for the equipment that you used.
The answers to some of your questions depend somewhat on your preferences, budget, and how you like to work.

If all you need is to record 2 tracks at a time, there are many inexpensive options for a soundcard or interface.

Here's a decent primer on the subject:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards...ome_studio.htm

As far as the computer goes, if you can afford a new whizbang box then great! But if not, I have a P3 with only 512 RAM and I can record up to 10 tracks simultaneously. If the machine is dedicated solely to music production, you can do a lot with a little.

Regarding the DMP3: It will likely outperform any rackmountable pre in it's price range. A lot of guys have used rackmount shelves to house them.

Good luck,

Tom

[sotc]

I have an M-audio interface it is a USB connection it has an unbalnaced, balnaced and a miniature headpohne jack.
I have a six channel mixer whyou could you not sue it.
I am very new to modern recording.
I would like to learn more form some one like you who doesn't want to spend thousands to record.
I have manced to record but not sure how to get it to CD.