Questions about Interface/Software

[green17]

So I hate to have two threads in this forum at once, but I just feel like my questions are too newb-ish for the other forums. So here goes: I want to get an interface and software to get started (shocker, right?) with some home recording. I have a budget of about 500 dollars, right now. I believe that the need will arise for me to record many tracks at one time, potentially drums or something like that. So, my question is: Is the FirePod the best thing for my money? If so, what software should I get? I've been seeing a program called Reaper mentioned on here alot. Is this a viable option? I really want to do some serious stuff, so I don't want to get Audacity or something (which I've toyed around with). Any and all replies are appreciated.

[Mr. Antrobus]

Yes, reaper is serious stuff.

Musicians friend has a $399 Mackie onyx deal. You might check that out.

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Guit...5734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/..._beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards...ome_studio.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

[gecko zzed]

Originally Posted by green17

So I hate to have two threads in this forum at once, but I just feel like my questions are too newb-ish for the other forums. So here goes: I want to get an interface and software to get started (shocker, right?) with some home recording. I have a budget of about 500 dollars, right now. I believe that the need will arise for me to record many tracks at one time, potentially drums or something like that. So, my question is: Is the FirePod the best thing for my money? If so, what software should I get? I've been seeing a program called Reaper mentioned on here alot. Is this a viable option? I really want to do some serious stuff, so I don't want to get Audacity or something (which I've toyed around with). Any and all replies are appreciated.

TimObrien's links hold a lot of valuable information, so spend some time to work through them.

The Firepod may not be the 'best' thing for your money, but it is certalnly a reasonable investment and will serve your needs well. It comes bundled (I believe) with Cubase LE, which is also a good audio and midi program. Reaper is a great program and worth getting familiar with.

[green17]

Well, if the firepod isn't the best thing for my money, what is? I feel like this first big purchase can hold me over for a while until I become very familiar with my interface/software. Kind of like your first guitar/amp.

[didgijimmy]

What is best for your money is going to rest alot on your shoulders. You will have to do the research, because only you know what specific instruments you will be recording, how easily you need them recorded, what kind of mics you will be using, etc. You can ask for us to give reviews of interfaces we have used and we can give you an IMO reply, but ultimately you will determine how best to spend your money. I'm only saying it is rather difficult for me to spend your money, actually it is easy for me to, but difficult to do it in a way that will be most beneficial to you. checkout Sweetwater.com or Musiciansfriend.com. Look at the interfaces in your pricerange, look up any terms describing them that you don't understand, and then maybe repost and ask if anyone has experience with ______________ interface.
Just my two cents.
James

[gecko zzed]

Originally Posted by green17

Well, if the firepod isn't the best thing for my money, what is? I feel like this first big purchase can hold me over for a while until I become very familiar with my interface/software. Kind of like your first guitar/amp.

In which case, a firepod will probably suit you just fine until you are ready to take the next step. Didgijimmy's response makes a lot of sense.