Beginning my computer set-up

  • Thread starter Thread starter suntzu1982
  • Start date Start date
suntzu1982

suntzu1982

You got to funkafize.
My friends and I enjoy making music, on the side. Up until this summer, we had decided that we all were too broke to buy anything. Satisfied with the extent we could do, with a simple dynamic mic plugged into the "mic" slot of a PC soundcard, n-track, fruityloops, and our instruments.

Now we have been wanting to incorporate more mics to our recording, and improve the quality of sound so taht we may begin using more live instruments. I decided to sovle the problem, but there seems to be options. I know that using Line in to record will improve sound quality. Yet, to use this input, I think I would need a mic pre-amp. Then I read that I might as well get a mixer so because each channel will have a preamp on it anyways. Then i read about soundcards offered at zzsounds, and see that they have sound cards that have preamps. SO what am I really trying to do? i really don't know anymore, there is so much information. Do I get a mixer and plug it into the stock soundcard? (If so, will there be a 1/8" out on the mixer to 1/8" out to the soundcard?) Would buying a soundcard with mutliple line ins and preamps built on it do the job? Should I buy BOTH a mixer and a new soundcard? (And if so, let's say for now I can only afford one or the other, which one do I get first?)

My other concern is that of a mic preamp vs. a compressor. Why would someone want one and the other (what does they do in contrast to each other?)

Last concern, I use n-track and fruityloops, deemed "n00b" programs. N-track seems to record well, and fruity loops seems to do the job when I need to substitute for a real instrument. Why are these considered n00b programs? (From screenshots, it looks like nothing has the same functionality as fruityloops. If you don't use fruity loops, how do you substitute for real instruments that may not always be available, esp. drums?)

I know this is a lot of information, but I've been reading article hear and there for months and got excited to actually be able to trade information. I apologize if this thread gets way too long. It should be rather informative though.

There is much more, but these'll do for now. Thanks everyone.
 
I think it would be best if you give us your budget....there is no need in us recommending setups that are out of your price range...
 
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