1st Post

[rfx]

Hey all. I'm a guitarist dabbling in songwriting. I'm wanted to set up a simple home studio without breaking the bank. Looking for all the info I can gather on the best bang for your buck setup I can compile. I mostly play metal/rock but I'm influenced by just about anything. I love good music, doesn't matter what genera, good music is just that, good. I already own 2 guitars, one is a custom build the other is a PRS 245 stock setup. I have an old Alesis Quadraverb effects unit, an M Audio Radium 61 midi keyboard and a Yamaha AM802 mixer. I'm wanting to get a condenser mic like a Rode, possibly nt1-a-condenser-mic-bundle. I'm also looking at possibly getting a USB interface. I'm also looking at getting some software. I've recently purchase Suger Bytes Artillery 2, mainly cause it was dirty cheap and after messing with the demo version it seems worth it just to play around with. I'm considering getting Reaper and possibly Fruity loops.

I'm probably going to get and older Soundblaster Audigy 2 of of Ebay or something as currently my computer has only the onboard and USB headset sound devices. Asus seems to get some decent reviews as far a analog recording goes. This brings up another question as to whether I should just stick with my current mixer and go analog for recording or should I get a USB interface unit. Anyways, I'm all ears so feel free to tell me what I need to do.

Style of music I'm doing, well, a bit on the Linkin Park, NIN kind of vibe tho more like Metallica, Megadeth with some electronica thrown in for flava.

 

[ecc83]

Hi rfx and welcome.

Do NOT get a Soundblaster Creative (not!) card for home recording. Never, not ever!!!
Got that?

If you must buy second hand look for an M-Audio Fast track pro usb interface. This will work with a mic or the guitar direct in. It is also one of very few interfaces that has "inserts" on the two input channels which means you could put the reverb unit in there.

Also has MIDI and watch for this on other Audio Interfaces that you might be interested in because many look good value but don't have MIDI (e.g. The Focusrite 2i2, an otherwise excellent starter AI). Another good S/H AI is the Tascam US 122/144 range.

If you go for new, Focusrite 2i4 , Steinberg UR22, but my top reccy is the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. That has two mic inputs but also two more line ins that could take your mixer giving you 4 track recording. Any AI you buy will come with software. In the case of Steinberg, Tascam and NI that will be Cubase but Reaper is good.

Re the S(of a)B card. You could look for a cheap M-Audio PCI card such as the 2496 and one such would interface nicely with your mixer but a usb interface is really the way to go these days...Oh! Din't see a guitar amp in the list?

Dave.