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[jro05]

My boyfriend wants to record his music at home, but he's not sure what he needs to do this. Ideally, he would like to buy some software to record his music via his computer. He plays guitar and sings . . . is it possible to do this digitally? If so, exactly what does he need? Please let me know if you know what to get him -- his 30th birthday is next week and this is all he wants for his b-day!

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

Hey, welcome to the board. You can definitely set him up relatively inexepensively and if he's already got a computer he's well on his way. What you will need to get him is:

a) high quality soundcard (M-Audio Audiophile 2496)

b) a pre-amp (M-Audio DMP3)

c) a microphone or two (Studio Projects B1, Shure SM57 or Marshall v67)

d) some monitors (see the Other Equipment section of this website for a wealth of information and suggestions)

e) some sort of small mixer (one of the small Yamaha or Behringer ones will work)

f) the necessary cables and a set of headphones

The items in brackets seem to be the ones a lot of beginners start out with. They're relatively good quality and are reasonably priced.

This may sound like a lot, and I'm sure others may have some different recommendations, but these are the items I got to start out (doing the solo acoustic guitar/vocalist gig just like your boyfriend) and I have been very happy. Best of luck!

 

[jro05]

Thank you! You made it very simple, which is good considering I know nothing about home recording equipment/software. He will be thrilled to get started!

 

[apl]

If you give him that stuff for his b-day it may be the last you see of him for a while.

I suppose that may be a good thing...

 

[apl]

Software! He'll need software! I'm using Cubase LE which comes with some soundcards.

 

[Carter]

Wow, What is your budget for the bithday gifts? I hope its over $1000.00. That should have been the first question asked from the members of this board but as it is that you are a female they dont care about budget just the chance to chat.....

Can you give me your Budget, computer spec's, What kind of guitar(electric or acoustic) and how many tracks does he want to record at once. that should be good enough for now.

 

[jro05]

I love him, but I am not a rich woman! What he really wants is the information so he can purchase the software/equipment. I thought I would buy some of the things he needs and present him with information for the remaining items he needs to purchase.

He doesn't expect to buy the top of the line stuff, but he wants decent quality to his music.

As for tracks, he thinks four tracks, but he's not sure. He currently sings his songs while playing the guitar and thinks he might add drums at some point.

 

[apl]

What he really wants is the information so he can purchase the software/equipment.

Maybe Carter can sell you a gift membership on this board.

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

Haha, I wasn't expecting her to buy her boyfriend all of those things for his birthday. I just figured a list would help her get an idea of what a typical beginner setup for a PC consisted of. Feel free to take over from here on out Carter, I don't care. Just trying to help out!

And there is no mention in her original post as to whether this user is a woman or not. Guys date each other too in this modern era, haha.

 

[jro05]

Thanks again for your help! I am compiling a list of equipment according to what he needs (using the very helpful breakdown provided by HeyHeyMan). Two more questions:

1. Does he need a mixer made esp. for digital recording or will any mixer do? If he needs one esp. for digital recording, what do you recommend?

2. In terms of an amplifier, is it correct to assume this is for his guitar, which is an acoustic guitar. Would I then need to look for an amp specifically for an acoustic guitar?

This woman appreciates your help.

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

Thanks again for your help! I am compiling a list of equipment according to what he needs (using the very helpful breakdown provided by HeyHeyMan). Two more questions:

1. Does he need a mixer made esp. for digital recording or will any mixer do? If he needs one esp. for digital recording, what do you recommend?

2. In terms of an amplifier, is it correct to assume this is for his guitar, which is an acoustic guitar. Would I then need to look for an amp specifically for an acoustic guitar?

This woman appreciates your help.

Hey,
Glad to help out!

1. He doesn't need a digital mixer to record on his PC. (Note: Make sure that you get a mixer w/ a headphone jack so he can listen on phones for overdubbing tracks.)

2. I am guessing that since he's a solo singer/songwriter that he won't be recording more than two tracks at once? (What this means is that the most you could see him needing to record simultaneously would be his guitar and voice.) If this is correct then the list I gave you earlier will work out fine for him. The second item I included on the list (the pre-amp) can amplify both his guitar and his voice at the same time as it has two separate channels.

However, a lot of people tend to record things separately.

Alternatively, if you didn't want to go the PC route, you could always buy him a digital four or eight track standalone unit such as the Fostex MR8 or something along those lines. Personally, when trying to decide what to get for myself, I asked around on this board and the general consensus was that it was best to go for a PC-based setup as it allows for expansion down the road.

Hopefully this has answered your questions, I tend to ramble a bit. Feel free to ask away if you have any more questions or if anything I've said has been unclear. Also, don't forget to include APL's "software" item to your list, that is also a must. I'm not sure what people are recommending for the beginner in the software department these days. Maybe N-Tracks, Tracktion or something like that. Anyone want to field that one?

Best of luck to you!

 

[Carter]

Maybe Carter can sell you a gift membership on this board.

Dont be a smartass!

 

[Carter]

Haha, I wasn't expecting her to buy her boyfriend all of those things for his birthday. I just figured a list would help her get an idea of what a typical beginner setup for a PC consisted of. Feel free to take over from here on out Carter, I don't care. Just trying to help out!

And there is no mention in her original post as to whether this user is a woman or not. Guys date each other too in this modern era, haha.

I never said you gave bad info, I just felt to give her a little bit better info we needed more info. as you see from your reply you had more info to offer out better info to the lady dont make me serve you and Apl some bad rep.. thats 18 points you know!

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

I never said you gave bad info, I just felt to give her a little bit better info we needed more info. as you see from your reply you had more info to offer out better info to the lady dont make me serve you and Apl some bad rep.. thats 18 points you know!

Haha, sorry my friend. I didn't mean for my post to come across as hostile. I can see how it may have sounded so though. Didn't mean to offend you at all man, I've read all the great help you've given people on here. I need to make better use of the smiles ( ) so as not to offend. Let's work together to help get this guy some great stuff for his bday.

 

[Carter]

Im with you on that

 

[Carter]

Haha, sorry my friend. I didn't mean for my post to come across as hostile. I can see how it may have sounded so though. Didn't mean to offend you at all man, I've read all the great help you've given people on here. I need to make better use of the smiles ( ) so as not to offend. Let's work together to help get this guy some great stuff for his bday.

Check your CP

 

[React]

im so glad the people on this board are so nice... cuz they reanswer all the same questions over and over... you guys are the best

 

[Riverdog]

jro05

Hey...

If I were you (Just a thought), I would purchase maybe TWO items that were suggested from HeyHeyMyMy...

Get the B1 Microphone and a Behringer UB1202 Mixer...
Then make the list you were given and give it to him in "card" fashion...

This will set you back maybe 200.00 to 250.00 - This won't break YOUR budget, it will show him you were REALLY thinking about him, and it will "wet his whistle" as it were to start working on picking up the rest of the gear as well...

If "I" were HIM and YOU got something like that for me????
Goodness sakes - I'd LOVE YOU forever!

Good Luck - And be sure to tell him "Happy Birthday" from HomeRecording.com...!

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

Hey...

If I were you (Just a thought), I would purchase maybe TWO items that were suggested from HeyHeyMyMy...

Get the B1 Microphone and a Behringer UB1202 Mixer...
Then make the list you were given and give it to him in "card" fashion...

This will set you back maybe 200.00 to 250.00 - This won't break YOUR budget, it will show him you were REALLY thinking about him, and it will "wet his whistle" as it were to start working on picking up the rest of the gear as well...

If "I" were HIM and YOU got something like that for me????
Goodness sakes - I'd LOVE YOU forever!

Good Luck - And be sure to tell him "Happy Birthday" from HomeRecording.com...!

Good idea. That would get him off to a great start.