Basic set up

[mmmuhuhyeah]

Hi, first post of many I hope. And a pretty basic one at that. I'm looking for some advice on what combination of computer, soundcard, software I should be looking at to get myself started. These are my requirements:

I want to record a band live (guitar, bass, drums, etc) to get a 'live' take feel for the drums (everything else can be overdubbed later/always good to get the bass too on your keeper take).

I'd like my kit to be fairly mobile. I can't record drums at home. But I'd also like it to be pro enough for releasing - up to 32 tracks would be good.

Is there a combination of laptop/workbook, soundcard, software that would do all this? Or do I need to be looking at a workstation/macpro? (Not looking for advice on mics).

Any recommendations on soundcard especially/need for a mixer?

Hope you can help. Thanks

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply 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)

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


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

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

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 $40 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($20) 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 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're giving away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[daav]

My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

You must spread reputation around before giving to Tim O'brien again....

 

[Rick01826]

What's your budget??? That is going to be the deciding factor for the most part

 

[mmmuhuhyeah]

Thanks for the links. For budget I don't want to go over 2k GBP.