Clueless In Indianapolis

[Hollywood ACE]

This is my first post here. Let me preface this with the following: I am one of the founders of a very popular Motorcycle Forum, called Strictly ACE 750. If someone wants to know anything about that bike, that is the place to go. And like this forum, I am sure, there are lots of "Here we go again" questions.

So, Here we go again!

I am interested in setting up a recording studio in my basement to be. We are looking at new houses, and one requirement is a Basement!

My intentions at that point are to build a 10 by 10 room with a double pane window, and the control center just outside the window. I intend on using sound deadening foam on the walls, carpet on the floor, and I dunno what on the ceiling.

What is the most efficient way to start? I have some equipement that I assume some of which will be a benefit, which I thought I would list here:

I have an acoustic guitar amp, 60 Watt, with 2 channels, one of which has the mic plug (3 prong). This amp also has 1/4" outputs on the back that I was told were for recording. I have a 6 string and 2 twelve strings that I play through this amp with soundhole pickup. I also have a 6 string Telecoustic with Fishman pickups that sounds WONDERFUL through this amp.
I have a Fender Automatic single channel amp with several presets, and 9 electric guitars to choose from to play throught this. No bass yet!). I also have a 30 Watt tube amp with out puts as well. I have an inexpensive mic from Sam Ash, and I have a Boss Dr-3 drum machine with 2 footpedals. Nice piece of equipement. A plethora of stomp boxes, from delay to chorus, etc.
I have a Sony Vaio I picked up a few years ago with Sound Forge and Screenblast ACID.

So I dunno what is helpful and what is not. I am hoping to record to the PC so I can burn the result on a CD.

What else do I need? Are the software programs going to be sufficient? Do I need some type of input device not standard on most computers? I have 3 computers I could choose from, but the one most likely to be "dedicated" to the cause is a Gateway P3.

Thanks, and thanks in advance for not takin' shots at the newbie!

 

[mshilarious]

Welcome!

Lots of questions, I will only address a few:

First off, your space. Think long and hard about two separate rooms vs. one larger room. 10x10 is really small for a live room, and a bad shape (square). You'll get more bang for your buck if you plan for a single room, especially since you plan on recording direct.

Also consider how soundproof you need the room to be, both in terms of sound coming in and sound going out. Soundproofing requires specialized construction, which isn't necessarily that much more expensive, but does require advance planning.

Once you have that larger room, you don't want to cover every surface with foam (or other absorptive materials such as rigid insulation), just here and there, and in certain critical places. You will need corner absorbers called 'bass traps', made out of either foam or fiberglass, self-constructed or purchased. You don't need carpet, but an area rug can be useful. Lots of options in acoustic treatment, but again it's better with a larger room.

You can get started with what you have, with only a few additions:

1) headphones for tracking
2) monitors for mixdown
3) a decent soundcard for your computer

In addition to recording direct, you will also want to use microphones pretty quickly. You can start with the Sam Ash mic and it sounds like one of your amps can function as a mic pre--just be sure that the line out from the amp works OK with the main speaker volume off, otherwise you'll get feedback/bleed while tracking.

I've used a Gateway PIII for many years with no troubles; most people starting off would want more horsepower but there's no reason you can't get started with what you have.

Once you feel like spending money, there are plenty of gear addicts here to help

In conclusion: start with planning a nice room.

 

[mikeh]

I agree with the potential of a single room vs two smaller rooms. Certainly a square room can be a problem (sound reflections, etc). I have found that recording solo projects can be much easier in one room (running back and forth from a control room to the "studio" can be a pain)

There is an area on this site dedicated to studio building that may be very helpful to you. It sounds like accoustic guitar sound will be a large part of your tracking, so a good sounding room will likely be important to you.

I also agree you will need a decent monitoring system (in particular for mixdown). Headphones are good for tracking, but you need dependable reference speakers for mixing.

Don't be in too much of a hurry to buy gear. Many newbies buy cheap gear or the wrong gear and then buy again (buy cheap - buy twice). Much like with a computer, you must first determine what applications you plan to use and then build a system to meet that application. With a home studio, if the application is writing and recording your own material (vs. recording bands) your needs are different - as an example maybe you only need 2 channels of quality A/D converters (vs. say 8 channels).

As hilarious indicates, there are many people with knowledge on this site and even more people with opinions - but the majority of people are more than willing to offer what advice they can.

Just remember - the more specific your questions, the more accurate the information you can receive. Welcome to the site.

One last warning, once you travel down the "I'm gonna build a studio" path, be prepared to spend plenty of cash and even more in sweat equity in learning the craft. It is a never ending drain of cash , demand of your time and an overwelming learning curve everytime you get a new piece of gear - but other than that, it's a world of joy.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Clueless in Indianapolis: Have you ever been sleepless in Seattle?


IF you live in Indianapolis, why not boogie over to Sweetwater's HQ and wander in, pretend you're very rich, and consult with one of their people?

You can get 16 tons of information, and not owe the company store. [Little Tenn. Ernie there....]

In reality, you can see and hear much gear, get info on studio construction, etc.

Just a suggestion but maybe it would be a good experience.

Green Hornet