Recording Advice Need help/advice

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msmith886

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Ok so I am looking at getting some home recording gear and wanted to see folks opinions. My plan is to record all guitar parts and rough vocals in my apt where I will then mail it to a drummer/producer in Nashville to master it and all.

I have looked at 3 different programs. I don't know a lot about recording and what I am doing when it comes to it so I need something good and simple. I don't want to buy some software though thats gonna limit me. My software choices are Pro Tools, Logic or Pre Sonus Studio One/Pro package and finding a good quality interface with good preamps. I have a macbook and can use garageband fine but want something better or more powerful but still easy to use at the same time.

Does anyone have any recommendations or advice they may can give me towards any of this.
 
I'll let other people help you with the more technical stuff.

(This may or not be obvious) ......But but I'll just throw in that, since the drums are going to be recorded after the guitars and vocals, you should record your tracks to a click track and send the click track along with your guitar and vocal tracks...on a separate track, obviously.
 
Despite all the arguments that happen about 'to click or not to click', that is really sound advice. The drummer you send your stuff to is going to need an unwaveringly rigid timing reference with which to do his thing.
As for the simple package, that's kind of impossible to say because what you might find complicated, someone else might think is really easy. And vice versa. I'd say there is little difference between one programme and another. Have a listen to some of the music people on this site have offered up. They come from a wide variety of programmes, they all sound good and pretty much do the same thing.
 
Reaper - $60.

"Software that won't limit you" can also equal "Software you can't get to work properly until you beat your head against the wall in frustration" if you're not careful, especially if you're light on for experience, so choose something that plenty of other people have so they can help you. It's just software, they all do largely the same thing...

The important thing is your recording skilz, which is a different kettle of fish altogether..
 
... and what RAMI said about click tracks... it's really hard for drummers to follow wandering beats... especially if they're new to the material..
 
But what software out of protools, logic or pre sonus studio and what interface ?
 
msmith886 said:
But what software out of protools, logic or pre sonus studio
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To be frank, it's all much of a muchness. They'll all do for you.
Is there one that you feel particularly inclined towards ? What's your gut feeling ?
 
Well I know Pro Tools is the industry standard but was sorta different from what I'm use to. The only home recording I've done is on a m audio fast track pro with garageband. Want better software and interface. I can bounce the files or whatever to the drummer who owns a studio so not to worried about that part. Looking for easy to use and good quality that can be released actually on itunes etc.
 
Armistice said:
Reaper - $60.
Click to expand...

While it is generally considered wanky to quote yourself, I gave you an answer.

Download it, use it for a month for free and then you can decide if you like it or not. If not, you can go spend hundreds on something else. If not, pay them $60.

Why are choices only ProTools or Logic?
 
If you have never recorded anything before, but you are asking about buying Pro Tools, then you are EXACTLY the kind of sucker Avid is hoping to lure into the money pit.

That's like telling your 4 year old boy he needs to learn how to ride a bike........here's the keys to the Harley.
 
Armistice said:
Reaper - $60.

It's just software, they all do largely the same thing...

The important thing is your recording skilz, which is a different kettle of fish altogether..
Click to expand...

This guy aint called "Son of Yoda" for nothing. If you cant do everything you ever dreamed of doing using Reaper, then you have no business uttering the words "pro tools" or "logic".
 
msmith886 said:
But what software out of protools, logic or pre sonus studio and what interface ?
Click to expand...

Armistice said:
Why are choices only ProTools or Logic?
Click to expand...


Sorry, I'm in on this one....... I would love to hear the answer to this.

There are a ton of Sociology studies showing that people never learn the hard lessons without blowing a big big wad of money first.
 
I have used mainly garageband and have some experience with pro tools. I like how easy garageband is to use and hear that logic is sorta like it. I have used pro tools and it took me a little bit to get how to do it and also was the limited version and I hear that Avid is always making you pay more and more. I don't have a lot of experience or know much about recording. I am recording all the guitar parts in my house and mailing them to a studio in Nashville where I will lay down drums and re do vocals. I looked also at the Pre Sonus audio box that comes w the software, interface, head phones mic etc..

I got a good mic and use a macbook. I need something easy but professional to use. The music will be released online. What should I get or look at and would suit my needs or work for what I am trying to use it for ??
 
msmith886 said:
I have used mainly garageband and have some experience with pro tools. I like how easy garageband is to use and hear that logic is sorta like it.?
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That's a good reason to choose a particular DAW. If Logic or( any program out there) is similar to whatever it is you're used to working with, that's a legitimate reason to go with that software. However, if that software is way more expensive than other programs that will accomplish the same thing, then it might be worth just getting to know another program from scratch. Just something to think about.

As far as sending the tracks to someone, I just had an idea to throw out there. Is it possible to send him your guitar tracks as a guide, then have him send the drum track back so that you can then re-do your guitars and build your song from the drums up? Just an idea. You might find it could lead to a more cohesive final product. :cool:
 
Yeah I could do that. The dummer works at a studio where I will be sending the tracks to and all that then I will be redoing vocals and stuff. I can play all the instruments and drums if I wanted so this helps when it comes time to doing the guitars and knowing how I want it to sound. Im just trying to figure out which software and interface to use and that would give me good quality but be easy to use as well.
 
msmith886 said:
Im just trying to figure out which software and interface to use and that would give me good quality
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They'll all give you "good quality". They'll also all give you "bad quality". DAW's simply play back what you give them. One doesn't sound better than the other. They all work with 24bit wav files and just act as engines for those wavs. That's why I was saying that a good way to pick a program is to go with something that has a similar work-flow to what you're used to using, or start from scratch on something that seems to suit your needs.
 
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