Last time on the newbie forum :)

[ElegyOfficial]

Hello guys, its about that time i get off the newbie forum, with a few questions to ask. The main reason i'm getting off newbie forum, idk....just seems like more information is on the other forums...but i have a few newbie questions to ask...

I'll list ALL of my gear and questions about new gear....

SM57 Dynamic mic. (satisfied)
AT2020 Condenser mic. ([COLOR="SeaGreen)"]satisfied[/COLOR])
Crappy studio headphones. (not good)
Behringer Ms16 monitors. (not good)
M-Audio Fast Track Pro. (satisfied)
M-Audio Dmp3 Preamp. ([COLOR="SeaGreen)"]satisfied[/COLOR])
M-Audio Oxygen49 Keyboard (satisfied)
Behringer 1222fx (satisfied).
Mixcraft recording software. (not good....for recording)
Auralex foam all over my walls (satisfied)


What I would like to know is what direction to point in...

I understand my monitors are bad and i need new ones...
I understand I need some better headphones...
I understand I need a better DAW than mixcraft...

Here's my main questions..

What DAWs are out there that you would recommend and why? (pro tools, etc.)
What mic would you recommend I get to add to my microphone collection?
What is next? I have a preamp and fast track pro and a 6 xlr input mixer for drums...what else would i need to advance my studio? (What would i get after i buy better monitors / headphones / DAW).

I truly appreciate all of your help on this forum! And appreciate all answers and suggestions to come!

-Nate

 

[dastrick]

Here are my suggestions:

Invest in acoustic treatment before anything else. Not just foam, but broadband absorbers and bass traps. You might just find that you like your monitors better after treating your room. If you're still not happy with your monitors, then buy different monitors.

If you're not happy with Mixcraft then I would suggest downloading some free trials of other DAWs to see what you like. A lot of people like Reaper and it's free to try the full version and only like $60 to buy it. I personally use Cubase, but to each his own. They all basically do the same thing, just some are better at certain things than others.

As far as mics...it all depends on what you're recording. If you're recording drums, I would pick up a pair of overheads or another 2020 and use the pair of 2020's as overheads. Probably another dynamic mic like an Audix i5, Sennheiser e609, GLS-ES57 or similar.

Other than that, you're pretty much set.

 

[ElegyOfficial]

Here are my suggestions:

Invest in acoustic treatment before anything else. Not just foam, but broadband absorbers and bass traps. You might just find that you like your monitors better after treating your room. If you're still not happy with your monitors, then buy different monitors.

If you're not happy with Mixcraft then I would suggest downloading some free trials of other DAWs to see what you like. A lot of people like Reaper and it's free to try the full version and only like $60 to buy it. I personally use Cubase, but to each his own. They all basically do the same thing, just some are better at certain things than others.

As far as mics...it all depends on what you're recording. If you're recording drums, I would pick up a pair of overheads or another 2020 and use the pair of 2020's as overheads. Probably another dynamic mic like an Audix i5, Sennheiser e609, GLS-ES57 or similar.

Other than that, you're pretty much set.

Thank you for your advice!
As for the monitors, no - like, they make an obnoxious clipping sound (and not because its actually clipping... i could be playing music from slipknot at low volume and it would still make this obnoxious clippy click noise). But i will definately look into getting acoustics for my room .

Why Cubase? What makes it better to you than other recording softwares?

I'm not necessarily recording just drums, i record guitar, bass, vox, etc. And i was thinking more mics for vocals than drums because a friend of mine lets me use his sexy drum mics

Thank you for you quick response its much appreciated!

 

[dastrick]

Why Cubase? What makes it better to you than other recording softwares?

I'm not necessarily recording just drums, i record guitar, bass, vox, etc. And i was thinking more mics for vocals than drums because a friend of mine lets me use his sexy drum mics

Thank you for you quick response its much appreciated!

I wasn't saying that Cubase is better. It's just what I use. I started using it because it came with my interface. I got used to using it so it's what I use. I thought about downloading Reaper, but I'm just too lazy to learn a new program. StudioOne is tempting, but I'm not shelling out the money for the Pro version and the Artist version doesn't let you use 3rd party plugins.

As far as vocal mics go...I don't feel qualified to give advice on that. I use a StudioProjects B1, which I like, but I'm pretty sure that it's comparable to the AT2020.

 

[Armistice]

Do you have PERMISSION to leave the newbies forum and post somewhere else?????

You can't just go because you feel like it you know!

No, no, no, no, no.... not at all...

There are forms to be filled in, signatures required, guarantees of behaviour etc. etc. etc.

I mean by all means start the process, but you could still be here for some years yet...

One of the mods will brief you on how this is achieved. Bribery may be suggested...

 

[dastrick]

Do you have PERMISSION to leave the newbies forum and post somewhere else?????

You can't just go because you feel like it you know!

No, no, no, no, no.... not at all...

There are forms to be filled in, signatures required, guarantees of behaviour etc. etc. etc.

I mean by all means start the process, but you could still be here for some years yet...

One of the mods will brief you on how this is achieved. Bribery may be suggested...

Yep. I think I'm a life long newbie.


Dang mods.

 

[ElegyOfficial]

I wasn't saying that Cubase is better. It's just what I use. I started using it because it came with my interface. I got used to using it so it's what I use. I thought about downloading Reaper, but I'm just too lazy to learn a new program. StudioOne is tempting, but I'm not shelling out the money for the Pro version and the Artist version doesn't let you use 3rd party plugins.

As far as vocal mics go...I don't feel qualified to give advice on that. I use a StudioProjects B1, which I like, but I'm pretty sure that it's comparable to the AT2020.

Ahh, i see thats always cool, i really want to use Pro Tools, because everyone seems to be using that, and some kids go to school just to learn that kinda stuff so yeah, but as for the mics, haha its all good man advice is advice none the less and its greatly appreciated!!

 

[ElegyOfficial]

Do you have PERMISSION to leave the newbies forum and post somewhere else?????

You can't just go because you feel like it you know!

No, no, no, no, no.... not at all...

There are forms to be filled in, signatures required, guarantees of behaviour etc. etc. etc.

I mean by all means start the process, but you could still be here for some years yet...

One of the mods will brief you on how this is achieved. Bribery may be suggested...

Lmao!!!! Haha nah dude, what i was meaning was, i'm going to TRY and use other forums because i keep on asking questions on newbie instead of questions that are (for example) mixing related where i could get a little more detailed advice over there haha.

 

[ElegyOfficial]

Yep. I think I'm a life long newbie.


Dang mods.

Agreed.
Hahaha.

 

[moresound]

As far as vocal microphones go all you have to do is read the first 4 or 5 sticky post under microphones by Harvey Gerst here at HR to understand what your going to need,want and clear up any misconceptions that you might have regarding microphones in general, a great read and will only take a few days to complete.
For instants--suggested in the thread was the MXL V67g for vocals, an $88. microphone, I thought "no way", but I got one and I'll be darned a great vocal microphone that now gets a lot of hours of use in the studio.

Then of course all of your dreams will come true once you start your posting your own questions. But be warned you'll be back - sometimes the only place for a certain question is in the newbie forum.

But thats after you fill out the release forms to get out of the newbie forum.

Newbies come and newbies go, but *newbie land* is here to stay.

 

[floorpuncher]

DAW - We've had the conversation in another post and you know how I feel about ProTools... with that said, I personally use Acid. When I first got into PC recording I picked up a copy of Acid Music Studio 6 for $60 I think. I liked that it was user friendly and I didn't have to spend weeks learning how to use it (or go to a school to learn it likeyou mentioned with ProTools). I was able to install it and dive right in. Once I got a little more serious about it, I sprung for the Acid Pro 7. I've used other programs; Cakewalk (Sonar 8), Reason, Live, and while they are all great programs, particularly Cakewalk, I found myself constantly going back to Acid until I just decided to stay. It works for what I use it for and that's the bottom line.

Microphones - Honestly, I couldn't tell you. For the longest time I used a radioshack mic (and still do on occassion) for vocals. I play death metal so what I look for in a mic is drastically different than most other people. What I have had luck with most recently is MXL 990. You can get it from Musicians Friend for 50 bucks I think... don't let the price tag fool you.

 

[moresound]

DAW - We've had the conversation in another post and you know how I feel about ProTools... with that said, I personally use Acid. When I first got into PC recording I picked up a copy of Acid Music Studio 6 for $60 I think. I liked that it was user friendly and I didn't have to spend weeks learning how to use it (or go to a school to learn it likeyou mentioned with ProTools). I was able to install it and dive right in. Once I got a little more serious about it, I sprung for the Acid Pro 7. I've used other programs; Cakewalk (Sonar 8), Reason, Live, and while they are all great programs, particularly Cakewalk, I found myself constantly going back to Acid until I just decided to stay. It works for what I use it for and that's the bottom line.

Microphones - Honestly, I couldn't tell you. For the longest time I used a radioshack mic (and still do on occassion) for vocals. I play death metal so what I look for in a mic is drastically different than most other people. What I have had luck with most recently is MXL 990. You can get it from Musicians Friend for 50 bucks I think... don't let the price tag fool you.

For a microphone that's something out of the ordinary take a look at the MXL V900 works pretty good and nothing out there looks like it except maybe a vintage RCA.

 

[floorpuncher]

For a microphone that's something out of the ordinary take a look at the MXL V900 works pretty good and nothing out there looks like it except maybe a vintage RCA.

It's weird... There's something about it that that just catches your eye... I like it. Have you used it for aggressive vocals before?

 

[Supercreep]

Don't bother with monitors until you treat your room properly. Foam ain't gonna cut it.

 

[moresound]

It's weird... There's something about it that that just catches your eye... I like it. Have you used it for aggressive vocals before?

Oh ya, it sounds real good both live and in the studio just watch your proximate affect and you will find it as a new instrument for your voice. Just play around with it before using it live and you'll be very happy.
Granted there is no substitute for a 58 or a 57 for aggressive vocals, but this will be a whole different ball game.

 

[ElegyOfficial]

As far as vocal microphones go all you have to do is read the first 4 or 5 sticky post under microphones by Harvey Gerst here at HR to understand what your going to need,want and clear up any misconceptions that you might have regarding microphones in general, a great read and will only take a few days to complete.
For instants--suggested in the thread was the MXL V67g for vocals, an $88. microphone, I thought "no way", but I got one and I'll be darned a great vocal microphone that now gets a lot of hours of use in the studio.

Then of course all of your dreams will come true once you start your posting your own questions. But be warned you'll be back - sometimes the only place for a certain question is in the newbie forum.

But thats after you fill out the release forms to get out of the newbie forum.

Newbies come and newbies go, but *newbie land* is here to stay.

Okay cool, ill go check that out...

I haven't gotten my papers in the mail, so as of now, i still have to be on the newbie forum

 

[moresound]

Don't bother with monitors until you treat your room properly. Foam ain't gonna cut it.

Super.... I noticed your sig under your avatra does it have any reference to Trailer park boys?

 

[ElegyOfficial]

DAW - We've had the conversation in another post and you know how I feel about ProTools... with that said, I personally use Acid. When I first got into PC recording I picked up a copy of Acid Music Studio 6 for $60 I think. I liked that it was user friendly and I didn't have to spend weeks learning how to use it (or go to a school to learn it likeyou mentioned with ProTools). I was able to install it and dive right in. Once I got a little more serious about it, I sprung for the Acid Pro 7. I've used other programs; Cakewalk (Sonar 8), Reason, Live, and while they are all great programs, particularly Cakewalk, I found myself constantly going back to Acid until I just decided to stay. It works for what I use it for and that's the bottom line.

Microphones - Honestly, I couldn't tell you. For the longest time I used a radioshack mic (and still do on occassion) for vocals. I play death metal so what I look for in a mic is drastically different than most other people. What I have had luck with most recently is MXL 990. You can get it from Musicians Friend for 50 bucks I think... don't let the price tag fool you.

I'll research that DAW a little more now, thanks for the help man

Is the MXL 990 really that good? i was literally JUST about to buy that and thought the price was too good to be true....

I dont do death metal, but screamo and singing vox so.... yeahhhh same recording techniques i guess.

 

[moresound]

It's weird... There's something about it that that just catches your eye... I like it. Have you used it for aggressive vocals before?

Also I forgot to mention that the picture is deceiving the microphone is huge very close to being the same size as your head!

 

[grimtraveller]

I personally use Acid.

I found myself constantly going back to Acid

Don't go passing off your naughty habits on the Newbie forum that one finds oneself constantly returning to ! Psychedelia is done and dusted, though people are apparently still roaming the newbieverse, I mean universe.....