Advice on setting up first DAW

[wrenhunter]

Hi

I'm trying to decide on some computer recording gear and would appreciate your advice. I have a PC with a P3/600, 368 MB of RAM, Soundblaster Live, and running Win XP Pro. This system has USB 1.0 and an aftermarket FireWire card.

I will be recording in a spare room in my apartment: acoustic guitar and vocal via mic; electric guitar, direct and amped; keyboard via direct (analog or MIDI) and amped. I may occasionally record with someone else; they might use either mic or DI. In the future, I hope to take a look at software synths and samplers.

My current recording equipment is a Zoom PS-02, a pair of decent Sennheiser headphones, an SM-57 and a mic stand. I will probably use n-Tracks to record; I already have SoundForge 6.0. The quality level I'm looking for is probably good demo material, something that sounds better than the PS-02 (which does sound good for its size).

I've budgeted about $300 this week and $400 for a month from now. I figure I need at least a mic pre (apart from the Zoom!) and need/want a condenser for acoustic and voice. My plan is to start with n-Tracks, an M-Audio DMP3 and Studio Projects B-1, so that I can start recording and experimenting now. And then in February to buy one of the M-Audio cards.

I'm having a tough time deciding between the Delta 44 (4 in/out seems enough for my purposes), Delta 66 (might I want SPDIF in the future?), and the Omni/66 (headphone outs seem good). The 1010 looks awesome, and I could stretch that far, but I think it would be overkill.

I'd appreciate advice on the best choice for the card, and also if I could do better with the general plan.

Thanks.

 

[tdukex]

I like your plan so far. It is exactly what I would suggest--except I'd add a marshall MXL 603s ($80). I think the Delta 44 is a great value for $229. it's all you need. You might want to buy some powered monitors like the M-Audio ones or the Events. I think they are much better for mixing than headphones, and you can find them for under $400.

 

[wrenhunter]

Thanks for the feedback. What do you like about the MXL, and do you suggest it in place of, or in addition to, the B-1?

Also, does the Delta 44 do MIDI? I have a cheap keyboard that I use infrequently, but it does have MIDI in/out. Might be a better interface than a mouse if I ever get a software synth.

 

[tdukex]

I like the MXL 603 for its warmth and detail, and it has a wide cardioid pattern and a large sweet spot. I mainly bought this mic because it was getting good reviews and it was recommended by Harvey Gerst, a highly respected pro that hangs out on this Board.

http://www.itrstudio.com/studio_index.html

I would buy the 603 in addition to the B1. Then you can stereo mic your guitar. For sparse arrangements, nothing beats a stereo miced guitar. The B1 can double as a vocal mic. I've only heard it on recordings, and what I hear I like--especially for $80. These are both versatile mics that will sound good on other sources as well.

I don't think the Delta 44 does MIDI. I run my DMAN 2044 (Delta 44 predecessor) alongside a Soundblaster Live Value. I use the Soundblaster for MIDI/Soundfonts and the Dman for audio. if you want more infor about Soundfonts and the Soundblaster Live go to www.ethanwiner.com or to www.prorec.com (do a search).