basic recording setup...

[nybeat84]

Hello,
I'm looking to get a home recording setup that is fairly cheap and simple. I really only need to record two tracks, vocal and guitar. I'm just getting started in music but am quickly realizing how important it is to have a website with some songs on it, and it seems like a computer based recording program would make it very simple to do this. I guess I'm hoping to spend less than $200, maybe $300. I have no software, soundcard, interface, any thing like that. I have a 4 year old compaq laptop. Any suggestions, what would you do? Thanks!!!

 

[dualflip]

Well youll need an interface that has pre-amps on it if you want to save money on an external pre-amp, youll need some multitrack software, something cheap like reaper, you will also need a mic, ill say go with a Shure SM57, if you can also buy some cheap condenser something like a Behringer mic for the guitar, well even better... if you have electroacoustic guitar that wont be necessary, finally youll need a cable to connect the mic to the interface. Thats like the most basic setup of all, although a 4 year old compaq laptop may be the problem, you may end-up just fine if you only want cheap demos... now youll need some type of monitoring, but with your budget.. ill go with some nice headphones...

 

[nybeat84]

Thanks for the reply! I'm thinking I might be better off getting one of those multi-track recorders that allows me to save songs on cds or memory cards and then transfer them to computer. It seems that a computer based recording system might just be better if you want to get real into the details but for me...maybe not. Am I on the right track?

 

[dualflip]

Thanks for the reply! I'm thinking I might be better off getting one of those multi-track recorders that allows me to save songs on cds or memory cards and then transfer them to computer. It seems that a computer based recording system might just be better if you want to get real into the details but for me...maybe not. Am I on the right track?

Yes you can also do that, you would still have to buy some microphones 1 minimun 2 recomended.., and a recorder that has 1 or more pre-amps... the thing is that i dont really know if it will end up costing more than buying a cheap interface... but look around and let me know...

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) not quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)