uncle sixer
Member
I am new to the forum and would like some advice about simple digital recording gear on a budget. I want a basic home recording setup for recreational purposes, not a full professional studio. I’d like to be able to do the kind of stuff I used to with my Tascam 424 and basic sequencer (experiment, record songs, have fun), but with modern conveniences.
I want to be able to:
Record backup tracks to practice with (like with my guitar looper, but more permanent, more intricate, level control, etc)
Have easy access to simple, decent drum loops for when live drums are not available
Record, mix and (hopefully occasionally) master multi-track songs
Have 16+ tracks available
Record 1-4 tracks simultaneously (mostly 1 track at a time, but other scenarios could include close mics on 2-4 amps, stereo mics on an acoustic, or maybe 3-4 mics on a live drum set)
Use midi for string, horn, organ sounds, etc
Use compression, EQ, and reverb on individual tracks and hopefully groups of tracks and full mixes
I think I want plugins (but have to learn more about this), time and pitch correction would be nice
What I have:
Electric and acoustic guitars, bass, amplifiers, effects
Keyboard with round midi connection
2 SM57s, 2 inexpensive condenser mics (Audio Technica)
Stands, cables, etc
Speakers, headphones
Access to drum set occasionally
I am looking at the Behringer UMC 404HD as an AI because it has 4 inputs, good reviews, and fits the budget.
I need hardware for a DAW. A tablet seems ideal compared to a computer because it would just be for the DAW, email, youtube, spotify, Netflix. An ipad with Bluetooth mouse seems like what I want, but now I see that the garage band that works with tablets is like a light version. Apparently better drums, but lacking in other areas. What am I really giving up if I use an ipad instead of spending money on a macbook?
And, along with that, do I really need to look at logic or ableton instead of garage band? How does that effect my tablet vs computer question?
I am bummed because I thought the ipad/GB would be perfect (simple and cheap... minimalist, in a way), but before I buy it, I am also worried about people saying the ipad won’t be powerful enough and garage band is just a toy that I will outgrow. I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a mistake and I do not want to get lost in the rabbit hole of upgrade-after-upgrade.
If you read all that, thank you very much. I appreciate any advice/experience/etc to help me with my decisions.
I want to be able to:
Record backup tracks to practice with (like with my guitar looper, but more permanent, more intricate, level control, etc)
Have easy access to simple, decent drum loops for when live drums are not available
Record, mix and (hopefully occasionally) master multi-track songs
Have 16+ tracks available
Record 1-4 tracks simultaneously (mostly 1 track at a time, but other scenarios could include close mics on 2-4 amps, stereo mics on an acoustic, or maybe 3-4 mics on a live drum set)
Use midi for string, horn, organ sounds, etc
Use compression, EQ, and reverb on individual tracks and hopefully groups of tracks and full mixes
I think I want plugins (but have to learn more about this), time and pitch correction would be nice
What I have:
Electric and acoustic guitars, bass, amplifiers, effects
Keyboard with round midi connection
2 SM57s, 2 inexpensive condenser mics (Audio Technica)
Stands, cables, etc
Speakers, headphones
Access to drum set occasionally
I am looking at the Behringer UMC 404HD as an AI because it has 4 inputs, good reviews, and fits the budget.
I need hardware for a DAW. A tablet seems ideal compared to a computer because it would just be for the DAW, email, youtube, spotify, Netflix. An ipad with Bluetooth mouse seems like what I want, but now I see that the garage band that works with tablets is like a light version. Apparently better drums, but lacking in other areas. What am I really giving up if I use an ipad instead of spending money on a macbook?
And, along with that, do I really need to look at logic or ableton instead of garage band? How does that effect my tablet vs computer question?
I am bummed because I thought the ipad/GB would be perfect (simple and cheap... minimalist, in a way), but before I buy it, I am also worried about people saying the ipad won’t be powerful enough and garage band is just a toy that I will outgrow. I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a mistake and I do not want to get lost in the rabbit hole of upgrade-after-upgrade.
If you read all that, thank you very much. I appreciate any advice/experience/etc to help me with my decisions.