randumbdots...
New member
Hi,
First off, I'd like to say I'm sure glad this place exists. I found a forum on Yahoo Groups with a similar theme, but there were only like 3 posts a month. This bbs is incredibly activity; it's great to see1
I have a two different interests that I want to pursue, and eventually converge.
Interest #1: Recording vocals, which is my best musical talent, although I have enough key/guit skills to get me by.
Interest #2: I'd like to learn how to do remixes/mashups/loops. In general, I'd like to build some skills so I can participate on the relatively new http://www.ccmixter.org/ site and similar sites. BTW - It's a cool site to just peruse. The artists there basically allow each other to sample their work (via creative commons license), and so you can see one song or remix's heredity, so to speak.
The Convergence: Once I build some skills, maybe do my own acapellas & use them in remixes, etc.
Alright, I'll get on with the questions:
1) audio/midi software ($100 budget): Given my needs (recording, some basic sequencing for interest #1 and remixing/looping features like tempo syncing for interest #2), what are the best options? I was thinking of trying a free option like Audacity, but it doesn't have midi.
2) sound card: To be honest, I was just going to get my feet wet with my computer's vanilla card in combination with some free software and the gear I already have (see point 3 below). I was also considering moving up to either the Creative Labs audigy2 NS ($75) or audigy 2 Z ($110 it's PCMCIA). Since I'm pretty much on my own for now, I think stereo in/out will be fine for my needs. Any other sound cards for similar $ that have similar fidelity and maybe better features?
3) other gear? Right now I have an SM-58 dyn mic, a small Art tube section mic preamp, a small Alesis compressor, a small Alesis sound effect unit, an entry-level acoustic guitar, and a couple midi keyboards (one old Kawaii / one entry-level Yamaha). Oh yeah, and I have a newer laptop that will be central to my recording solution. I also have a bunch of cables, adapters, etc. that goes with my electronic gear. As a first move, I was thinking of moving to the Studio Projects B1 condenser mic or maybe even the B3 if I can find the cash. I have a decent set of headphones (my only monitoring option since I play at night while the kids & wife sleep), but I was also thinking of upgrading those to some Grados. Is there anything else I need to get started.
Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
dots...
First off, I'd like to say I'm sure glad this place exists. I found a forum on Yahoo Groups with a similar theme, but there were only like 3 posts a month. This bbs is incredibly activity; it's great to see1
I have a two different interests that I want to pursue, and eventually converge.
Interest #1: Recording vocals, which is my best musical talent, although I have enough key/guit skills to get me by.
Interest #2: I'd like to learn how to do remixes/mashups/loops. In general, I'd like to build some skills so I can participate on the relatively new http://www.ccmixter.org/ site and similar sites. BTW - It's a cool site to just peruse. The artists there basically allow each other to sample their work (via creative commons license), and so you can see one song or remix's heredity, so to speak.
The Convergence: Once I build some skills, maybe do my own acapellas & use them in remixes, etc.
Alright, I'll get on with the questions:
1) audio/midi software ($100 budget): Given my needs (recording, some basic sequencing for interest #1 and remixing/looping features like tempo syncing for interest #2), what are the best options? I was thinking of trying a free option like Audacity, but it doesn't have midi.
2) sound card: To be honest, I was just going to get my feet wet with my computer's vanilla card in combination with some free software and the gear I already have (see point 3 below). I was also considering moving up to either the Creative Labs audigy2 NS ($75) or audigy 2 Z ($110 it's PCMCIA). Since I'm pretty much on my own for now, I think stereo in/out will be fine for my needs. Any other sound cards for similar $ that have similar fidelity and maybe better features?
3) other gear? Right now I have an SM-58 dyn mic, a small Art tube section mic preamp, a small Alesis compressor, a small Alesis sound effect unit, an entry-level acoustic guitar, and a couple midi keyboards (one old Kawaii / one entry-level Yamaha). Oh yeah, and I have a newer laptop that will be central to my recording solution. I also have a bunch of cables, adapters, etc. that goes with my electronic gear. As a first move, I was thinking of moving to the Studio Projects B1 condenser mic or maybe even the B3 if I can find the cash. I have a decent set of headphones (my only monitoring option since I play at night while the kids & wife sleep), but I was also thinking of upgrading those to some Grados. Is there anything else I need to get started.
Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
dots...
