I've been reading homerecording.com and other forums off and on for quite a while now and have finally decided to take the plunge and get some gear. Let me first say thanks for anyone who takes the time to help me out in this learning phase of mine.
First, what I have already and what I'm playing: I play a steel string acoustic with a pickup and preamp built-in. I understand that, when I want to record, I should mic the guitar directly (with two, apparantly), but it actually sounds better than it should. I also have an IMP2 DI box and a beta 58A. Lastly, I have a PC with a pure SCSI disk subsystem, a P4 2.4 proc, and 512 MB RAM.
Now, what I'd like to be able to do is two fold: I eventually want to play live again (I used to gig with a buddy who was an engineering student and who had access to a yamaha 01V as well as mains and monitors), so I want to be able to use whatever I purchase live (as much as possible). I also want to start recording my music that's good enough so that I can have a demo to give to coffee house owners, friends, etc. Oh yeah, and this, of course, is on a budget.
Here's what I've come up with so far: It seems that I need a mixer and that something like the mackie 1202-vlz pro would be up my alley, as they are pretty highly regarded if slightly overpriced. So, assuming I can get one for around $250, would this seem like a logical place to start? If I was recording, this would then go into something like an echo MIA or a delta 44 (these are what I've read to be excellent in the price range, if this isn't true or there are other alternatives, all suggestions are welcome), at which point software would take over.
The thing I really don't know anything about is how to incorporate effects like reverb and compression while playing live. I understand there are rack units that do all this, but as far as what's good vs. what's bad, I have no idea. I went over to Guitar Center today and talking to someone who seemed to know what he was doing, I was told that something like a dbx provocal would be exactly what I needed. As I really have no idea about any of this, I decided to come to you guys for a little help and guidance.
So, if anyone could point me in the right direction and help a newb out, that'd be great. I forgot to mention that It would just be guitar and vocals live, with possibly another guitar and/or vocal--not any more than that. Thanks again.
-George
First, what I have already and what I'm playing: I play a steel string acoustic with a pickup and preamp built-in. I understand that, when I want to record, I should mic the guitar directly (with two, apparantly), but it actually sounds better than it should. I also have an IMP2 DI box and a beta 58A. Lastly, I have a PC with a pure SCSI disk subsystem, a P4 2.4 proc, and 512 MB RAM.
Now, what I'd like to be able to do is two fold: I eventually want to play live again (I used to gig with a buddy who was an engineering student and who had access to a yamaha 01V as well as mains and monitors), so I want to be able to use whatever I purchase live (as much as possible). I also want to start recording my music that's good enough so that I can have a demo to give to coffee house owners, friends, etc. Oh yeah, and this, of course, is on a budget.
Here's what I've come up with so far: It seems that I need a mixer and that something like the mackie 1202-vlz pro would be up my alley, as they are pretty highly regarded if slightly overpriced. So, assuming I can get one for around $250, would this seem like a logical place to start? If I was recording, this would then go into something like an echo MIA or a delta 44 (these are what I've read to be excellent in the price range, if this isn't true or there are other alternatives, all suggestions are welcome), at which point software would take over.
The thing I really don't know anything about is how to incorporate effects like reverb and compression while playing live. I understand there are rack units that do all this, but as far as what's good vs. what's bad, I have no idea. I went over to Guitar Center today and talking to someone who seemed to know what he was doing, I was told that something like a dbx provocal would be exactly what I needed. As I really have no idea about any of this, I decided to come to you guys for a little help and guidance.
So, if anyone could point me in the right direction and help a newb out, that'd be great. I forgot to mention that It would just be guitar and vocals live, with possibly another guitar and/or vocal--not any more than that. Thanks again.
-George
). For the software for recording, you may try Cakewalk Home Studio 2002 for first to do your project. Or N-track. You may find the demo version for sure. Go Cakewalk forum, or N-Track forum.
