Begining home studio

[Alan Baxter]

Hi there...i see that i am the newest member to this forum and i hope there is people out there that can give me some good advice.
I live in the Netherlands (although i am Scottish) have been playing in a Comic Rock Band here for 10 years which was just a bunch of mates but great fun (we made 2 cd's). We have now split up but i have still some songs in my head that i would like to "get down on recording" at home. I play guitar and sing a bit but as i am a complete novice at home recording would like advice on the best way to start. Would look at a "mobile"digital recording unit such as ZOOM MRS-1266 which heard was good as i would like something that gave me Drum/Bass backing options also with Synth backing if possible so i can lay my guitar / vocal parts down on top. I am not interested to go through a computor program, need something portable and also not something that will break the bank..! As well as the unit would like to hear thoughts on resonable speakers/Mics to start with.
Thanks to anyone who can give me some basic advice
Cheers Alan Baxter

[Treeline]

Are you familiar with Korg products? There is a pretty nice dedicated unit available that contains some interesting features, including, I believe, drum synths, and the ability to burn to a CD onboard.

Korg D1200.



http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=D1200

Mics - I think most here would agree that you can't go wrong starting with the Shure SM57 or SM58, and that they are among the very few mics you'll never outgrow.

[markr]

DON'T DO IT ALAN! Step AWAY from the recorder!


(In a voice like someone's dad); You don't want to end up like me do you?

Seriously, welcome aboard. Your life will never be the same.
(insert sympathetically evil laugh; ha ha ha ha ha...)

Well, three years ago I was in your shoes...the Zoom unit looks like it will be great for you. If it has phantom power capibilities, you should consider the Studio Projects B1 as (one of, if not) your first mic(s). (about $80.00 US)

http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/

Other than that, or maybe in addition to, yes a Shure SM57.

Someone else will have to pick up the monitor portion of the discussion.....

Best of luck.

Mark