Advice needed on home studio set up...

[Cool Britannia]

Hello homerecording.com, I'm just setting out on the long and winding road of producing my own album, and would really appreciate some experienced advice on my proposed set up.

I am looking at using Cubase 5, and a firewire adapter in my laptop card slot.

From there, an M Audio Profire 2626 to act as the main interface and also record drums (I understand it has 4 phantom power channels and a 20db pad on every channel), the mic breakdown for which is:

Overhead mic Rode M3
Kick drum Audix D6
Snare top Audix i5
Snare bottom Electrovoice PL37
Hi-Hat Electrovoice PL37
Tom-tom Shure SM57
Floor Tom Electrovoice PL33

I want to use a Focusrite ISA ONE pre amp into the first two channels of the 2626, as I understand the line in on these channels bypasses the 2626 pre amps, for the superior ISA ONE pre amp? I'd put vocals, acoustic and electric guitar through this single channel pre amp (mic'd) and the bass DI into the same unit (ISA ONE).

I won't be mastering (yet), so this is just for recording and syncing.

So, that's my idiots plan, what have I done wrong?

 

[dreib]

I'd check out Reaper as your recording software....its free to try and a very powerful program.

 

[wheelema]

Hello homerecording.com, I'm just setting out on the long and winding road of producing my own album, and would really appreciate some experienced advice...

In my case 'experienced' doesn't equal 'good' but for what it's worth:

Cubase is a solid choice that migrates well between professionals that may be involved in your project and I'd give some thought to using a SM7B for it's high SPL tolerance and vocal qualifies. Other then that I've got nothing.

I'd let people know what kind of budget you're working with. Keep in mind your recording chain is only as good as your recording space.

Luck.

 

[Cool Britannia]

The budget is pretty much the sum of what's posted, between £1500 and £1600 quid. I know stands, cables and shields are going to stretch that budget too...

 

[Armistice]

I'd check out Reaper as your recording software....its free to try and a very powerful program.

Lamp, lava x 1.

Will you be recording cowbell? The colour matters...

Welcome aboard. Are you related to LL Cool J? Nice to see you've done some actual research and have a grasp of things. Can I assume you're miking your electric guitar amp cabinet?

 

[Cool Britannia]

Hi Armistice, thanks for the compliments. I will be miking the cabinet with a Sennheiser e606 and shure SM57, are these best going through the ISA one?

 

[Jim Rosebrook]

Your list looks pretty good. The 2626 is a fine interface.

If you are starting from scratch with regards to a DAW choice, give Studio One from Presonus a look. It is a relative newcomer, but has a smart team of developers behind it.

 

[guitaristic]

Hello homerecording.com, I'm just setting out on the long and winding road of producing my own album

Don't worry...it's not really THAT long of a winding road. You just gotta do a little everyday and it happens in no time!

 

[Cool Britannia]

Hey guys, just thought I'd update you, got the profire and the laptop talking to each other, testing the ISA one through the 2626 today. Exciting times!