computer based recording

[Scoot82]

Hello, i have been reading up on recording and trolling the boards here for a while now trying to get as much info as possible, with limited success. I am new to all this and am looking to spend as little as possible (under $500) I already own a SM57, A tube pre-amp, guitars and effects and such. At first I was leaning towards getting a fostex MR8, a small mixer, and some sort of software to put the fostex onto the computer with. Then i started looking into the computer based things like the mbox and tuscam US-122 and found these intriguing. My concern with the computer based is would i be able to record drums ever through these? Also, i have heard bad things about USB based things...Also, i think i would want to have the capability of doing midi things later on when i learn more, would i need the computer based for this? So basically, I want a means of recording myself (sometimes live drums maybe--not that important) playing guitar (probably 2 tracks most of the time), singing (probably with 1/2 backup tracks), and then adding somesort of 'virtual' instruments if that is possible like bass or keyboards. Any info. on what i EXAXCTLY I should get would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Laynestaley]

First of, if you had limited succes with finding info on this board, you might want to look a little harder, there's a lot out there..

Anyways, it sounds to me that you need a decent soundcard (audiophile 2496?) and some recording software to get going.

 

[tdukex]

I recommend the following. All of the items are very high quality and the "best bang for the buck" that I know of. The only piece I haven't used is the SP B1.


First condenser mic: Studio Projects B1 ($80). Can be used on many sources including voice and acoustic guitar. Or a Marshall MXL 603s or Oktava MC012 if you will mainly be micing acoustic guitar and like the sound of the SM57 on your voice.

Preamp: M-Audio DMP3 dual preamp (I think you can get one for $150). Great clean-sounding preamp.

Software: Cakewalk Home Studio ($90). Will do audio and MIDI, Easy to use.

Soundcards: (1) M-Audio Audiophile ($150) for audio (2) Soundblaster Live 5.1 ($35) for MIDI soundfonts for other instruments.

That's about $500 - $550.



Read about soundfonts here: http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/files/E5F90F70241EFF6D862566B20024C532
http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/files/E8FC6F1272005BC0862568D700634565