Choices choices...

[RossAngeles]

Hi guys,

I have been playing the guitar and writing songs for quite a few years now and I have decided that I want to start recording/producing these songs.

The PC I have right now is nearly 10 years old so I'm looking to upgrade anyway (even if I wasn't going to make music!) but I'm not really sure which direction to go. Should I get a PC or Mac? Cubase or Logic?

I always would like to know what I will need to get going...I know a MIDI keyboard and condenser mic is a must, but, what about mixers etc?

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Chibi Nappa]

Even though I don't use Macs and probably never will, I'd say go with that. If only because that's what the studios mostly have.

But really, don't sweat that choice. It will sound exactly the same no matter the opperating system, so it really is way down the ladder of stuff to worry about.

Priority #1 is monitor speakers and amps/room treatment. Priority #1b is instruments. Even if you have to settle for a used 5-year old computer with cheap software because all of your money went to monitors, amps, room treatment, and instruments, so be it. The nature of your listening environment is roughly 10,000 times more important than having modern computers and DAWs.

Priority #2 is your interface/ergonomics/work flow. The less you have to worry about the act of "doing", the more you can concentrate on the act of "creating". A comfortable and intuative work environment with straight-forward and accessible controls can really free you to create. For now, just make sure you can record enough simultaneous channels to fit your needs and your control surface is laid out to your liking. Priority #2b is your microphones. Don't fret too much over them since technology is at a point where even cheapies are good for something. A large variety is probably more important than sinking all of your money into a single "Cadillac" since simply swaping in a new mic changes the sound so much. Just be sure to learn them inside and out so you know what they're good for. Save up for that "Cadillac" when you're a hot-shot producin' machine on top of your game.

The lower priorities are things like stands, cables, plugins, software, etc. You need all of that stuff, but they're pretty much all the same so just grab what you can.

 

[Washburn100]

I like the Tweak guide thing for beginners. It is a great overview and gets you pointed in all the right directions. I still refer to it quite often. Take a couple of days and read through:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

 

[RossAngeles]

Even though I don't use Macs and probably never will, I'd say go with that. If only because that's what the studios mostly have.

But really, don't sweat that choice. It will sound exactly the same no matter the opperating system, so it really is way down the ladder of stuff to worry about.

Priority #1 is monitor speakers and amps/room treatment. Priority #1b is instruments. Even if you have to settle for a used 5-year old computer with cheap software because all of your money went to monitors, amps, room treatment, and instruments, so be it. The nature of your listening environment is roughly 10,000 times more important than having modern computers and DAWs.

Priority #2 is your interface/ergonomics/work flow. The less you have to worry about the act of "doing", the more you can concentrate on the act of "creating". A comfortable and intuative work environment with straight-forward and accessible controls can really free you to create. For now, just make sure you can record enough simultaneous channels to fit your needs and your control surface is laid out to your liking. Priority #2b is your microphones. Don't fret too much over them since technology is at a point where even cheapies are good for something. A large variety is probably more important than sinking all of your money into a single "Cadillac" since simply swaping in a new mic changes the sound so much. Just be sure to learn them inside and out so you know what they're good for. Save up for that "Cadillac" when you're a hot-shot producin' machine on top of your game.

The lower priorities are things like stands, cables, plugins, software, etc. You need all of that stuff, but they're pretty much all the same so just grab what you can.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'll have to read up on this a bit more and then see what my funds are like and choose how to best spend them. Thank you!

 

[RossAngeles]

I like the Tweak guide thing for beginners. It is a great overview and gets you pointed in all the right directions. I still refer to it quite often. Take a couple of days and read through:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Wow, looks like a lot of good info there! Thanks - I'll take time to read through it all.

 

[Armistice]

If you'd like to send me a money order for $100,000 I'll flly over there and get everything you need and set it up for you... save yourself the worry!