Poor college student in search of advice...

[Tea_Opposum]

I recently received Cakewalk MusicCreator 2003 as a gift. I want to try putting together an audible cd for a few friends and family, nothing too serious. At this point in time, my funds are pretty low. Right now, I'm not looking for technical perfection, just efficiency. Anything's a step up from what I'm getting now with my little bedside Sony radio/tape player. I would say I'm looking for the bare minimum of equipment, but I'm thinking the response would be, "stick with the tape player." So, yeah. I'm hoping to purchase equipment that falls a few steps above the "crap" level, but have no clue as to where I should go next. I am in dormroom, so I don't have a lot of spare space. Any suggestions?

(I've got a Sony Vaio with a SiS 7012 Audio Driver, if that means anything. I'm guessing I'm going to need a better soundcard.)

Thanks.

[moskus]

As you said yourself. Get a better soundcard. Anything from SB Live (if you absolutely have to ) to M-Audio's Audiophile 2496 will do you fine.

The rest really depends on what you wanna do. Do you record with mics? DI-boxes? What equipment (exept the tape-recorder) do you allready have?

[tdukex]

Try the soundcard you have. You may have to spend $150 to hear much of an improvement, and it doesn't hurt to try what you have before spending more money.

Get one of these

Or one of these

it's worth the additional $10 for another microphone input in case you ever want to mic a guitar and sing at the same time.

You can probably find a used Shure SM57 or 58 for $50.

So, really, for as little as $50 for the mixer and $50 for the mic, you can get started. Don't waste $20-$30 on a Radioshack mic.

For only $40 you can get a Behringer ECM8000 condenser mic. These are measurement mics that can be used on acoustic guitar to get a pretty good sound. You can also get useable vocals out of them as long as you don't get too close. They are very sensitive to plosives. http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp...ry=Microphones

[jerberson12]

talking of taking care of your cash, ebay.com sounds good....well i purchased most of my gears on this site just a few bux and my music sounds like professional(just my dad said and i dont know if he mean it). well i only spent not more than $1000 for my music studio. maybe some of my gears will help you

used yamaha cs1x synth keyboard - $230
used boss gt-3 guitar effects - $202
new cakewalk home studio 2004 - $89
yamaha rgs121 electric guitar - $104
used Shure 58a beta mic - $129
used delta 44 soundcard - $120
roland mmp-2 preamp $144

your really dont need any mixers, you can buy some drum sample cd for your rythms.

[Porter]

Originally posted by Tea_Opposum
(I've got a Sony Vaio with a SiS 7012 Audio Driver, if that means anything. I'm guessing I'm going to need a better soundcard.)

The Sony VAIO laptop I think only has a mic in, not a line in... which is a down side. It might be worth looking into gett a USB 2 input sound card.. I think Roland has one... a mixer would be a good think to get with this... usually the people at music stores are informative, but never buy the first time you are in there... come home and reasearch it on the net.. or ask us and see wether is a fair price/the right direction.

Porter

[Tea_Opposum]

Heh, I probably should have mentioned that my budget is a little over $160. Anyhow, my email has been funky so I wasn't informed of all your helpful comments. Instead, I went to the music store without a clue and bought stuff. Here's what I've acquired since my first post (as advised by the music store guy... but he said I could return all of it, if needed):

I've got a mic stand now, so I don't have to hold the mic with my teeth while I play guitar...

I've got a Shure SM57 which struck me as overpriced ($110 - it came with a clip and a case). Should I return it and look for a used one? Maybe two if I want to sing?

a cable

GMP-112 stereo adaptor

1/8 adaptor

But see, this was all for "plugging into my computer" and now I'm thinking that's no good at all. The signal's all weak, not "hot enough" or whatever. Surprise, any attempt at recording is full of delicious delicious static. I think I need a preamp, but this means nothing to me. I feel confused and tired. I'm going to go make some hot chocolate now and sit in a corner.

I really appreciate all you've done so far. Thanks guys.

[acidrock]

I've got a Shure SM57 which struck me as overpriced ($110 - it came with a clip and a case). Should I return it and look for a used one?

Yikes!!!
SM57's can be had for as little as $79 new,much less used.
Checkout online stores for prices,and if you still want to go to the neighborhood store,barter them down with this information in hand.

[jerberson12]

Originally posted by Tea_Opposum
Heh, I probably should have mentioned that my budget is a little over $160. Anyhow, my email has been funky so I wasn't informed of all your helpful comments. Instead, I went to the music store without a clue and bought stuff. Here's what I've acquired since my first post (as advised by the music store guy... but he said I could return all of it, if needed):

I've got a mic stand now, so I don't have to hold the mic with my teeth while I play guitar...

I've got a Shure SM57 which struck me as overpriced ($110 - it came with a clip and a case). Should I return it and look for a used one? Maybe two if I want to sing?

a cable

GMP-112 stereo adaptor

1/8 adaptor

But see, this was all for "plugging into my computer" and now I'm thinking that's no good at all. The signal's all weak, not "hot enough" or whatever. Surprise, any attempt at recording is full of delicious delicious static. I think I need a preamp, but this means nothing to me. I feel confused and tired. I'm going to go make some hot chocolate now and sit in a corner.

I really appreciate all you've done so far. Thanks guys.

ooppsss!! forget buying on your local store.......its really expensive....i forgot to mention....www.ebay.com


lots of lots of USED even NEW gears with a very low cost... i bought all of my gears and here are the prices...

used yamaha cs1x synthesizer - $230 msrp - $499
used boss gt-3 guitar multi effects - $202 msrp - $599
used delta 44 soundcard - $100 msrp - $199
New audiophile 2496 soundcard - $119 msrp - $189
New Shure Sm58 with 20ft cord - $99 msrp - $150
New roland mmp-2 preamp - $144 msrp - $259