A thousand dollars and ambitions.

[biz-tsar]

Well I have between 600 and 1000 dollars to spend on a very small scale home recording studio that I want to establish for my friends this summer. We really just want to be able to record a bass, guitar, and vocals, digitally and then mix them on my Mac book pro. I've been reading up on recording for the last month or so but I just need an honest reply instead of self decision. So suggestions or explinations or basically anything you want to tell me are welcome, anything helps at this point. Thanks!

 

[Dr Biscuits]

What have you been thinking of getting?

 

[biz-tsar]

Well I think I'm a little bit confused overall but, I have been looking into the Mbox with protools, but what I seem to get out of that is that I can only record say a mic and a guitar at a time.. Otherwise I've been looking into a behringer mixer into some type of digital recorder.. I'm looking for any kind of system that is going to be easy to learn on, hard to master, and fun to record with.

 

[epic]

1st) how is that sweet, sweet computer?

2nd...forget the mbox - pick up something that will give you more tracking/recording possibilities - firepod, motu 896, digi 002 (if you want to have the protools), ect

 

[pgm]

how about this?

if I had 600 to spend i'd get
1)Lexicon omega studio-(usb interface)-$299
2)MAudio DX4 Monitors-$149
3)StudioProjects B1 or a Behringer B1 large condensor mic or even a Shure SM57 for recording vocals...all these mics are $100

...even have 50 leftover for the cables!OH ,the Lexicon comes with multitrack software(Cubase SE or LE or whatever)...just add computer.

 

[biz-tsar]

So are you saying that no outboard mixer is needed what so ever.. And as far as Pro tools go, I don't know if it's any better then any other mixing tool, I just seem to hear a lot about it. Is cubase easier to use? It sure looks like that omega system is better than the Mbox. Thanks a lot guys.

Oh, as far as the Mac Book goes.. I don't have it yet, it's a graduation present.. So one month and counting. And by counting I mean waiting in tremendous agony.

 

[TimOBrien]

21 ways to assemble a home recording RIG:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

 

[biz-tsar]

1)Lexicon omega studio-(usb interface)-$299

With that rig do I need to buy a new soundcard or anything for my mac book?

 

[dgatwood]

With that rig do I need to buy a new soundcard or anything for my mac book?

You'll want to buy something FireWire, and the choices are somewhat limited until more manufacturers get their drivers ported to Intel.

You should certainly be able to use... say... the FirePod, since it uses Apple's stock FireWire AVC drivers, though you won't be able to use the S/PDIF input until they finish a port of the tool that switches from internal to external sync (which last I checked, they hadn't finished, but I haven't looked recently).

 

[biz-tsar]

You'll want to buy something FireWire, and the choices are somewhat limited until more manufacturers get their drivers ported to Intel.

You should certainly be able to use... say... the FirePod, since it uses Apple's stock FireWire AVC drivers, though you won't be able to use the S/PDIF input until they finish a port of the tool that switches from internal to external sync (which last I checked, they hadn't finished, but I haven't looked recently).

So I shouldn't do something like the Lexicon Omega that's USB based.. I know the firewire is supposedly faster, but if I'm just doing a nice basic recording is it that neccisary?

 

[guitarboi89]

i would say yes, why spend money now for something that will definately need to be upgraded. Personally i would go for the firepod, it has 8 mic preamps and will have you sorted for a long time.
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--PRSFIREPOD - This place seem to do it with a free headphone amp, sounds a good deal to me.
Then you have $400 to spend on some mics. I would reccomend 2 Studioprojects B1's (for vocals, ambience amp mics, stereo recording, acoustics, drum overheads, odd percussion) there really good. Oh and an sm57, if u can buy used, its impossible here but in the us it sounds easier.
Oh then cables and stands.

Monitors - you need monitors, maybe drop the second b1 otherwise you wil ahve to buy really bad ones

 

[biz-tsar]

I think a Firepod is a little to expensive for me.. I'd rather not spend the thousand dollars and more around 600 to 800. What would the does having a firewire over USB connection really gain for me anyway?

 

[ssscientist]

I was in kinda the same situation you are, with around the same amount to spend.

Here's how I solved my problem.

I bought a remanufuactured P4 3.2Khz Gateway PC here intending to keep it off the web and for music only. I paid $600.00 but since I'm in Illinoise there was sales tax.

I chose this for an interface because it has 4 easy inputs, 2 lines for a mixer and 2 mic/instrument and this for software because of the unlimited tracks, ability to run free as well as commercial VSTfx and VSTi's as well as getting a two fistfulls of free plugins packaged with the software.

The computer has a CD burner as well as a DVD burner to back up entire projects. I had a monitor lying around which tied right in and did the job so well I'm still using it.

When you've got the money, you might as well spend it, and keep that Mac book Pro for what whoever gave it to you probably intended it for - school and the web.

 

[epic]

I think a Firepod is a little to expensive for me.. I'd rather not spend the thousand dollars and more around 600 to 800. What would the does having a firewire over USB connection really gain for me anyway?

firewire will give you more speed to multi track. If you are going to record anything more than 2 tracks at once, you will want to look at getting a firewire hardware piece. Always figure out what you need, then add atleast 20% - haha. If you are ever going to track drums, you will want/need a multi xlr input firewire set up. If you are just doing acoustic guitars and vocals type stuff, usb stuff will be fine.

 

[dbeanerz]

Why not a Firebox? Four tracks at once, Firewire - sounds like you are doing the same sort of thing I do. It's only $400 I believe, gives money for a pre-amp if needed, some MXL mics which are good budget/quality mics in my opinion.

I reccomend Cubase SX3 and Reason for software, BTW. Since I'm no where near an expert, they are good products with decent learning curves.

 

[biz-tsar]

I'm going to be recording electric/acoustic guitar, bass and vocals.. No drums or anything like that seeing as I don't want to buy drum mics and it's no where in my budget.

But I want to be able to record 1 guitar, bass, and vocals all at the same time..

 

[biz-tsar]

Are pre amps actual hardware or are they software.. I think I understand that they boost and equalize the mic levels, is that correct?

 

[Dr Biscuits]

Preamps are hardware, you need them when you use a mic. The purpose is to boost the 'mic' level to a 'line' level, but they also can colour the sound which is why people have preferences, and why the cheapo ones can be problematic.

 

[biz-tsar]

So my final question is, with a FireBOX I will be able to plug in 2 mics and 2 intruments and record simultaneously? If this is correct, that's the recorder I will be purchasing.