Advice on what to buy

[9Jen11]

Hi all. I have an $500-700 budget and an Intel Mac. I'm only one person so i don't need to record multiple tracks simultaneously. I need an audio interface and a microphone (for vocals and some acoustic recording - mostly will be direct recording guitars) and possibly a usb keyboard. What would you recommend in my price range?

As for mics - has anyone used the AKG Perception 200 or the ElectroVoice-Raven? These both have pretty good reviews at musicians friend and are affordable. This also brings up the question of whether or not i will need a mic preamp or do some interfaces come with one built in?

I also have seen a big difference in price in audio interfaces. I was set on going with the MAudio Firewire 410 until i saw negative reviews by mac users. I want something that will last a few years, not some piece of crap that will just do the job. At the same time, my budget is limited.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!

-jen

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Welcome to homerec!

I reckon you could find negative reviews on just about any interface, if people have a problem with gear I guess they get anoyed and need to vent so they seem to get on the internet to gripe about it. And you never know when problems are just down to user error.

Of course there is such a thing as bad gear but my experience with M Audio stuff has been very good and it generally has a good rep although I haven't used the FW 410. What did the negative reviews say was wrong with it?

Many interfaces come with mic pres built in, other examples are the firebox or inspire interfaces made by Presonus. You could also check out offerings from the likes of echo, e-mu and tascam. Not that I'm recommending any of these as such cos I haven't used them but I'm just chucking a few names at you so you know what to search for.

What sort of guitar are you recording, acoustic or electric? Either way I'd highly recommend using a mic. DI tends to sound a bit naff.

Studio Projects, MXL and Audio Technica are just a few manufacturers churning out decent quality, cheap mics.

Hope this helps a bit. If you expand on the type of music and the instruments you'll be recording people might be a bit more specific with mic reccomendations.

 

[Reds Garage]

So, being a protools user, I thought that the mbox mini might be ok for you:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MBox2Mini/

It has two ins (DI) or one xlr (mic) with phantom power, 2 outs, and built in preamps, comes with protools recording software, and some cool plugins and extra bundled stuff. $295 on sweetwater.com


And as for a good mic, here in Canada we have the Apex 460 which is a multi pattern tube condensor mic for around $200. Gives you lots of options, and I think it sounds great, but apparently that's debateable. I think the equivalent in the states is the Nady TCM 1150. I think it sounds pretty good on female vocals (my opinion), and it has received rave reviews. For acoustic guitar and voice recording within a budget, it's a pretty damn good mic for the price.

That might even leave you a few bucks for another mic!

cheers