What should I get first?

[Xipe]

Like I commented on another thread: the business of recording something is a jungle! Luckily I found this board, with all this knowledge all stocked up. (Thx!)

So... this is what I have right now:

BASE SYSTEM:
PIII 966 Mhz PC w. 512 Mb RAM
Soundblaster 1024 Live!

GUITARS:
Jackson Kelly KE1T
POD 2.0
Peavey Studio Pro 112 amp
BOSS GL-100 distortion rack

DRUMS:
Professional soundfont that sounds pretty ok (I can't play drums anyhow, so getting a kit isn't an option, for final mixes I guess I'll have to hire a studio to get the drums down)

BASS:
Again, a soundfont, I am thinking about buying me a cheap-ass bass though.

VOCALS:
Some crappy $40 microphone which I run through the POD's pre-amp setting.


This is what I am thinking of getting, but I don't know if I really need it, or in which order to get it...

* Monitors (shielded and active), probably Event PS8's (do I need a mixer for them? or can i feed them straight from my soundcard until i get a mixer?)
* Microphone, a tube mic, or a SM58
* Good pre-amp... don't know which... $500 - $1000 range...
* Mixer ... do I need one?
* A/D converter ... do I need one?
* Anything else you'd suggest?

Money isn't that big of an objective... I make a decent earning, don't have kids or car , and I know how to save up for things... but it'd hurt if a single thing ran me more than $1500-$2000...

What would you do?

[Wide Awake]

A pair of active monitors would be the next logical thing to buy. The Event PS8's would be a good choice.

What will you be using the microphones for ? If you are doing vocals you will probably want a large diaphram condenser, although a dynamic can work well too. It's almost pointless in my opinion to listen to people recommend one mic over another. Buy the best ones you can afford made by a reputable company, and listen to it in the store if you can.

[AlChuck]

Active monitors, my vote too. And yes, they take a line-level signal, so you should be able to hook themup to your soundcard. You might have to do some adapting -- the SB Live end needs a stereo 1/8" plug, and the speakers no doubt have XLR inputs. maybe balanced 1/4" inputs.

[bball jones]

I see no mention of multi-tracking software, such as n-track, cakewalk and the like. You can never go wrong with an sm-57. Midi? A keyboard perhaps. I'd say a mixer is a must have - a dedicated pre might could wait a while. Oh yes, and I heartily agree with the others, a nice pair of monitors. A stand alone A/D converting device is not a neccessity at this point.

[CyanJaguar]

get a nice soundcard <$600

then get either a sound module or gigasampler <$400

the powered monitors of course

A nice pre and vocal mic

Sound treatment for your room

Hang out here a lot

really simple

[Leeking]

I think the first "things" you should get ARE:

* vocal mic (condensor)
* mixer (they will make your life a lot easier)
* monitors (must have!!)
* sound module ( I recommend JV1010 )

get them together...

[Xipe]

I have a shopping list for about $8000 (that's alot of money for me, probably a year, or more, saving most of my salary after living expenses).

I'll probably start with monitors, mic and mixer - in that order.

JV1010, which company makes those?

What's a condenser mic, compared to a tube or "normal" mic?

[Leeking]

Originally posted by Xipe

JV1010, which company makes those?

What's a condenser mic, compared to a tube or "normal" mic? [/B]

JV1010 is a very popular sound module by Roland. It's around US400 but sound as good as any professional sound module in the market. check them out!

Condensor mic is a mic that needs phantom power! (that's the best I know... ha ha!) it is very good for vocal, gives you a full sounding..... umh... sound. remember to get a mixer with phantom power to work with it.

I suggest you do more research before spending your money so you won't make to much mistakes.... read through the forums here, you'll learn a lot!

have fun!

[Leeking]

Xipe,

wow, I have just check your profile and you're 2 years older than me but you have so much more money to spend!!

sigh~ life is unfair...

[Wide Awake]

A condenser mic uses an electrically charged variable capacitor to produce sound. They vary in the size of their diaphrams, and some have large diaphrams and some have small diaphrams. They require phantom(external) power to operate, and that is usually supplied by the mixer or an outboard preamp.

They are sensitive mics and are good for recording many things. Vocals, acoustic instruments, percussion, etc.

[Carter Simcoe]

My suggestion would be to get a new sound card and some software FIRST. the software is going to take a while to fully learn. So why not get that and start to master it while you shop for the rest of the set up. You can get sound to your computer without a mixer and play it back without expensive monitors. Sure it wont sound great but you probablly won't be familiar enough with the program yet to make anything sound fantastic either. Just a thought. As for software, I just got Sonar and think it is great but this is a to each his own deal. Pro Audio 9 is going cheap on ebay as well. Sure it is "out dated" but it is still a fantastic program.

Best of luck to you,
Carter

[chesterfield]

Good advise from M. Simcoe........... more than likely you'll upgrade your sound card eventually, and if you notice a difference in sound quality you'll want to re-record everything you've already done. I don't know if there is an audible difference between SB and (Echo, Delta, etc.) but I would hate to find out the hard way. Sound card, software, then a good mic,pre. Get a lot of stuff recorded; just hold off on final mix-down until you get the monitors.

[Antikal]

Hey man!

Go for the monitors first! They will make listening to whatever music, be it your own or your CD's, a lot more pleasant!

I recently got a pair of Monitor One MkII's by Alesis (sue me) and a world has opened up for me..

[Carter]

Go for sound card, mic pre's and the mic, then the monitors. good monitors cant produce clear music without a clear signal from your recording software.


Carter (not Carter Simco)