New Guy with a List--Please Help

[ahhbtm]

OK..so Ive been playing a variety of instruments for quite some years now, and have been recording only my mic that my computer came with( in 1995)...so i figured that now would be a good time to upgrade. Here is my list of equipment that people have recommended...but i wanna make sure with some "experts" that this was a good choice..i just have a few questions

*all items are on Music123.com*


Alesis MultiMix 8USB Mixer with USB and DSP (#630166)
---so does this come with the cord to connect it to my PC Via USB. Can u connect this right to an amp? when playing directly into the computer with the usb, do u still need an amp (like when playing electric guitar or synth?) With Cubase LE, am i able to just record directly onto that from the mixer-USB?

M-Audio MXL 990/991 Recording Mic Duo and M-Audio Audio Buddy Package
---I wanted this because it came with 2 mics, and a preamp, which should be able to connect into my Mixer, yes? Would i benefit at all from this? or should i just get a condenser mic and go directly to the mixer? I just thought that this would be easier if i wanted to record something at a friends house, this way i wouldn't have to bring everything and install everything.

Korg MicroKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder (#702244)
---i understand that this has no built in speakers, so...would i be able to connect it to my guitar amp via 1/4' cable? or would i be able to connect it to the mixer, and then hear it through the computer? or would you have to run it though the mixer...and then through the amp, and record it with a microphone?

----Forgive all the questions, but some of the people i have talked to didn't really seem to know what they're talking about. So any suggestions of as to whether or not this seems like a good idea for a novice home recording studio would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ssscientist]

that my computer came with( in 1995.

Time to buy a new computer. $500 will buy a powerful desktop machine.

As far as the Alesis MultiMix 8USB Mixer with USB and DSP goes, some come with a USB cable and some don't. USB cables can be had for $20 or less, then you have the option of recording either with a microphone or direct line in.

M-Audio MXL 990/991 Recording Mic Duo and M-Audio Audio Buddy Package
---I wanted this because it came with 2 mics, and a preamp, which should be able to connect into my Mixer, yes? Would i benefit at all from this? or should i just get a condenser mic and go directly to the mixer? I just thought that this would be easier if i wanted to record something at a friends house, this way i wouldn't have to bring everything and install everything.

This paragraph is where your post kinda goes astray. Both of those Marshall mics you are considering are condensers, but that probably doesn't mean what you think it does. There are dynamic microphones which don't require external power and there are condenser mics that do. It has nothing to do with one being portable and the other not. If you wanted to move this setup to a friends house it wouldn't be as simple as putting a microphone in your pocket. And you don't need the Audio Buddy --- you have good mic preamps on the Alesis mixer. Look around at other online stores for better deals.

The MicroKorg can be monitored either way. Yes, if you listen to it thru an amp you will need to mic it to record it.

Overall, this is a fine setup for someone who's just starting in the big beautiful world of home recording. Any more questions just ask.


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[liv_rong]

i have an alesis multimix 8 usb(as well as the 16 channel firewire version) and it works good, and sounds good, as it also comes with the usb cable. and he is right, it provides 48v phantom power to power the condensor mics, and it is clean, at least to my ears. only thing that sucks about both of those mixers is, you can not individualy pick with channel you want phantom power on, but what can you do at that price?

thats my two cents, its a decent mixer, i have no complaints.

 

[ahhbtm]

ok...great, thanks for your help..

just a few things i wanna clear up, they aren't even important, but still...

it was just the mic thats from 1995...my computer is newer than that,haha

i am looking for a condenser mic, when i said go to my friends i just meant that the package im looking at comes with a case, so it would be easier to transport (wouldn't need to bring the mixer)...

--any more opinions or ideas are welcomed!

 

[ahhbtm]

ok...so i was thinking of getting a M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2 midi controller rather than the microkorg. But i have a few questions...theoretically would i be able to produce the same sounds, if not more with the M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2, just because its hooked up to my computer where i would be able to get the right sounds that i want (like im looking for something where i could play piano, but also synth, but then also some weird sounding effects as well (think tegan and sara's "The Con"---specifically "floorplan', "the con", and "are you ten years ago")). I really only plan on playing the microkorg to record anyways, so i just figured a midi controller would be cheaper, and get somewhat the same sounds...

ps.
would i be able to play along with an mp3 file with the M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2, and have it just layer itself on through a program? i know it comes with Ableton Live Lite 4 music production software...so ya

..again i really appreciate any help..i realize i have a lot of questions, but im sure that many of you remember what it was like to begin recording at home

 

[ssscientist]

ok...so i was thinking of getting a M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2 midi controller rather than the microkorg.

If you do buy an M-Audio O8 it will be a controller only --- no sounds.

If you get a MicroKorg you'll have both. A good midi controller with small keys and sounds built in.

The MicroKorg is roughly twice as expensive as the O8.

I don't quite remember when Ableton gave their software the ability to load mp3's but that's what you would need to do to record your own track on top of a prerecorded file.


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[ahhbtm]

Ok,
Thanks, but what i was wondering was just that if i had the 08 hooked up to my computer, would the sound come through the speakers of my computer. and if so..could i get any sound i wanted just by choosing which instrument i want via some program. ie. i click "grand piano" thus making a grand piano sound out of my speakers?

or would i be better of with the ...*this comes right from the product describtion on music123.com*

Behringer U-CONTROL UMX25 25-Key USB-MIDI Controller Keyboard
The U-CONTROL UMX25 is an ultra-compact master keyboard packed with superlatives: it features 25 full size, velocity-sensitive keys, 10 programmable MIDI controllers plus 8 user-set buttons, and more. 50 virtual instruments allow you to rock straight out of the box. Hit the keys of a grand piano or take off with breathtaking synths and sound samplers., plus you can download more free instruments from Behringer. Plug and play your software instruments or MP3 tracks and run them straight into your sound system with the included USB/audio interface. Or simply record your stereo tracks on your Windows or Mac PC to compose and record with Ableton Live Lite 4 BEHRINGER Edition. It's the perfect solution that allows you to compose, record and remix your musical ideas, jam with sounds or phrases, and record your songs on the fly.

 

[Minion]

Also....You might want to consider getting the Firewire version of the Alesis Multimix 8 as the extra functionality would save you from haveing to upgrade when you grow out of the USB version....

Most USB Mixers are exactly that, Just mixers , they will not record 8 seperate tracks to your PC at the same time (One for each Input on the Mixer), they will record a stereo mix of all channels which means that after you have recorded your track you will not be able to adjust the levels of all inputs seperately......

The firewire version allows you to record 8 seperate tracks at a time (one for each input) which allow you a lot more flexabilty and it will translate to better recordings....

The firewire version is quite a bit more expensive but it is also a true 8 channel recorder and not a 2 channel recorder dressed up in 8 channel clothes.......

 

[ssscientist]

Ok, Thanks, but what i was wondering was just that if i had the 08 hooked up to my computer, would the sound come through the speakers of my computer. and if so..could i get any sound i wanted just by choosing which instrument i want via some program. ie. i click "grand piano" thus making a grand piano sound out of my speakers?

Behringer U-CONTROL UMX25 25-Key USB-MIDI Controller Keyboard
The U-CONTROL UMX25 is an ultra-compact master keyboard packed with superlatives: it features 25 full size, velocity-sensitive keys, 10 programmable MIDI controllers plus 8 user-set buttons, and more. 50 virtual instruments allow you to rock straight out of the box. Hit the keys of a grand piano or take off with breathtaking synths and sound samplers., plus you can download more free instruments from Behringer. Plug and play your software instruments or MP3 tracks and run them straight into your sound system with the included USB/audio interface. Or simply record your stereo tracks on your Windows or Mac PC to compose and record with Ableton Live Lite 4 BEHRINGER Edition. It's the perfect solution that allows you to compose, record and remix your musical ideas, jam with sounds or phrases, and record your songs on the fly.

Okay, let's get one thing straight.

You are about to enter the world of soft synthesizers and soft samplers.

M-Audio's O8 comes with no soft synths or samplers. Behringer claims theirs does. For instant gratification out of the box, get the Behringer --- but remember Behringer are not in the business of giving anything away. They've probably gathered a number of soft synths that are free for the download @ KVR Audio --- LINK.

These may not be the best quality out there.

There may or may not be a grand piano among the sounds.

If you want to impress friends and family over the coming holidays, you'll be on solid ground. If you want to take your work any further you'll have to learn a little about a lot of things - computers, audio, midi and its applications, etc.

For a good audio/midi sequencing program I recommend Reaper --- LINK. It's professional software at a shareware price. You get 30 days to see if you like it, then they ask for a shareware fee of $40.



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