Beginner questions

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fearisnoexcuse

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Just looking to get into recording. Currently own a cpu with 2 built in sound cards (don't know if they will help my cause) and a 16 track peavey mixer. I understand I need an interface and possibly preamps of some sort aside from mics and all that.

My question is, I'm looking to record metal and am interested in getting an FW interface, but how many channels do I really need in the interface? I see ones with two up to eight and would rather not spend hundreds more if I can get the same with less (ex. can I mix the drums on the board and transfer over on 2 tracks?) Also do I need separate preamps b/c have seen some interfaces claiming to have built in? Also what software would you recommend as best for someone unfamiliar with the territory?

Thank you answerers!
 
fearisnoexcuse said:
Just looking to get into recording. Currently own a cpu with 2 built in sound cards (don't know if they will help my cause) and a 16 track peavey mixer. I understand I need an interface and possibly preamps of some sort aside from mics and all that.

My question is, I'm looking to record metal and am interested in getting an FW interface, but how many channels do I really need in the interface? I see ones with two up to eight and would rather not spend hundreds more if I can get the same with less (ex. can I mix the drums on the board and transfer over on 2 tracks?) Also do I need separate preamps b/c have seen some interfaces claiming to have built in? Also what software would you recommend as best for someone unfamiliar with the territory?

Thank you answerers!
Click to expand...

Some thoughts...

Yes you can use your mixer into a 2 ch interface (using the mixers L & R into the interface. But then you've got to get the mix just right on the way in--panning, levels, everything. One drum per track obviously lets you really perfect a mix--but what you're proposing can be done & lots of folks have done it.

Many interfaces have pres (if there's an XLR-mic-input, there's a preamp). At this stage of the game, they're likely to be plenty good for you. I got by on the pres built in to my Tascam interface for quite a while.

Software? I'm a cubase guy--but the full version ain't cheap. I've used Reaper a bit, and think it's pretty killer for the cost (next to nothing).

I'll let others add their two cents now...
 
fearisnoexcuse said:
(ex. can I mix the drums on the board and transfer over on 2 tracks?) !
Click to expand...
Usually built in soundcards aren't ideal for recording and it's a matter of what you're willing to put up with.
If you do go with two inputs to record drums it will be the first thing you'll want to upgrade,so if all possible get at least four if possible.I'm not saying you can't do it this way,I'm just thinking you won't be satisfied and it will make your job harder come mixdown time.Aside from drums you can get by with two.

A lot of people will reccomend Reaper and it's probably a good choice for a beginner.I'm a SONAR guy,but at this stage all major softwares are pretty much comparable and it's the users needs that really makes the difference.

At this point it's your budget that will dictate what you get.
 
My advice:
Don't buy anything but Cakewalk Music Creator 3 (or 4) for about $30. You can even download it. Or just get a free multitrack recording software like kristal.

Work with what you have. Use your line-in on your soundcard and mix down the drums into a stereo mix. Then dub over bass, guitars, vox, etc.

It won't sound pro, but if you work with it enough you can make it sound great (and gain a whole lot of experience in the process).


If you absolutely love recording things then upgrade. You already have everything you need to get started, so it is pointless to dish out money on expensive stuff your not sure you need. Poke around with stuff until your 100% sure you know what you want to do, then spend your money.

Good luck!
 
I'm gonna agree with these guys and say save your money for now! Use your mixer to mix tracking down to two channels into your sound card line in, and record that way for now.

Keep doing it until you can't stand recording that way anymore (i.e. you're dying for more control during mix-down of multi-track instruments, or you just can't stand the quality of the line-in input any more) and then buy the best interface you can afford that suites your needs. If it turns out you really only need 2 channels simultaneously at any given time, then buy the best 2-channel interface that you can afford. If it turns out you like to track full drumsets and full bands at the same time, then buy an interface with enough channels to support your habits. But you won't really know how many channels you need until you start getting into it and seeing what and how you record.

Good luck! and happy recording :D
 
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)

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 $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 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...)
 
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