Confused about equipment needed for newb

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BlimeyOmega

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Hi everyone!

I am new here so I hope everyone can be patent with me. :) I current hope to do a some sound recording on my own without forking out a dime( My friend whose a sound engineer said his equipment costs at least 8 thousand US dollar :eek: ) I do understand of course a Microphone, computer, midi keyboard and soundcard is required. However, I am really doing something basic right now, and will only move on with better gear when I have saved enough.

1st) I intent to record Wind instruments( mostly brass ) so is a Shure SM 57 or AKG D40 sufficient?

2nd) Regarding the soundcard or an audio interface I have read about. Since I intend to move about to meet up with friends for recording sessions would it be better to get an audio interface or should I just get a XLR to USB connector( crappy Sound? )

3rd) I intend to get a Audio technica M50 for music listening and maybe alittle sound recording

4th)Is softwares such as Audacity( for recording ) and mixcraft ( mixing? ) sufficient?

5th) I just cant understand what keyboard I will need( most likely when I move into a higher level) Synthesizers, workstations, arrangers and midi controllers.


Thank you so much:thumbs up:
 
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Yes, the Shure will work for you. An audio interface will serve you better and as you move up, as compared to an XLR-USB adapter.

Audacity has very limited functions. A full-featured DAW (like Reaper, free to try, $60 to register) will serve you better as you move up and will be fully MIDI capable.
You only need a MIDI keyboard if you are going to be using virtual instruments (and even then, you can do it without a keyboard, but a keyboard will make it easier playing the notes).

Do a lot of reading before buying anything.
 
Alright, thanks for the tip :). I personally believe I wont need a Midi keyboard anytime soon as I will probably make the sounds myself.
 
Oh, thanks for the guides. Now, I am just confused about the software. Is reaper a software that records and mix tracks? I only used garage band and mixcraft for school projects before.
 
Oh, thanks for the guides. Now, I am just confused about the software. Is reaper a software that records and mix tracks? I only used garage band and mixcraft for school projects before.

Garageband and Mixcraft are programs that you use to record and mix tracks, and so is Reaper. However, Reaper is powerful, flexible, easy to use and cheap, and is a serious competitor to long-established programs such as Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools and others.
 
Oh ok. I get it. Now, about the mic. If I intend to record up to 5 wind instruments. Is 1 mic( Shure SM57 ) sufficient? Since wind instruments can be rather loud. Although I am guessing its possible but tedious to record each part one by one
 
The advice you got here is absolutely spot on, so +1. :)

With regard to group micing or separate micing, that's preference really.

There's no reason why you shouldn't record each person separately, and equally, there's no reason why you shouldn't have four or five guys around a mic.

The obvious advantage to recording a small group is that it'll sound like a small group. IE, natural,
but you're going to need a pair of headphones per person (if they're following some click/backing/cue), so that might be a limiting factor for you.

If you choose to record everyone separately, you might experiment with placing the mic differently for each person.
Maybe keep the mic in the same place each time, and have each person stand in a different place (IE. Where they would have been standing had they played as part of a group).

Ok, it won't be 100% natural, but it' create that sense of distance and space.

I do this if I'm layering harmonies or handclaps or whatever.
Maybe I do four takes, but I move the mic back a foot each time. It makes a huge difference.

Don't worry too much about how loud the instruments are. Just keep a little distance for some natural room sound, and remember that a shure sm57 is most at home 2" from a snare drum or guitar cabinet.
You'd have to try hard to hurt it. :)
 
64Studio is also an option. It's a Linux system, but comes with the Ardour DAW, Rosegarden sequencer, etc. And it's free, (you need to have broadband internet and a DVD burner though) and a dedicated PC. That also means you won't be able to use any Windows software. There is also UbuntuStudio, which is the same idea. 64Studio may no be under active development any more, but I'm pretty sure UbuntuStudio is.

It will work with the M-Audio cards, or others that there are ALSA drivers for.

Ditto on the SM57. If you only have one mic, that is the one to have.
 
Since you are trying to not spend anything, then of course the response anyone can give you that whatever you have is more than sufficient enough for what you are trying to achieve...Garage band will work great as any Audacity will. I would learn one program inside out. Since most computer recording and mixing programs are somewhat similar once you learn one it will be much easier to move to another one, like from Garage to Logic and Pro Tools for example. Same with mic record it listen to how it sounds , try recording really close to the mic then back away from it 5 feet and compare the sound, more right a few feet..Once you get a bit more experience your your inner ability will guide what to do next and of course the forums and people will help with next steps. Good luck
 
Thanks for the help everyone ! I am busy this month so I guess i wont be able to research much. But if required I get a job to fund my little project :).
 
So, I have been reading up a little. Is this the correct interface setup for all the equipment? Computer > Audio interface > Midi Controller + headset/speaker + keyboard + mixer? Is the audio interface sort of a "connector" for everything else?

Also is the M-audio Axiom series a keyboard and a mixer? What are those square buttons on the top right of the keyboard.:confused: I see several performance press them on youtube but i am clueless what is its purpose and what it is even called.

Thanks :)
 
Is the audio interface sort of a "connector" for everything else?

Pretty much yes.

You record through it, and playback through it.

If it provided with midi, you can run your keyboard through it. However, many current keyboards just use USB, which goes direct to the computer.

As Moresound says, you don't need a mixer. That'll save you some money to spend on more critical equipment.
 
Yep, I do know I don't need a mixer now. My current intention is to purchase a Shure SM57 along with an Audio interface which I haven't decided on yet. But to decide on the AI, I would like to know more about mixers and the various keyboards before making a selection. So please do bare with me :) I hope to know more about midi controller with mixers in case I need one for future needs.

Thank you :)
 
Yep, I do know I don't need a mixer now. My current intention is to purchase a Shure SM57 along with an Audio interface which I haven't decided on yet. But to decide on the AI, I would like to know more about mixers and the various keyboards before making a selection. So please do bare with me :) I hope to know more about midi controller with mixers in case I need one for future needs.

Thank you :)

To be honest, if you intend to record musical ensembles I would not go for a single dynamic mic but two (don't HAVE to be a matched pair) small diaphragm capacitors (aka condensers). You can buy a stereo bar for peanuts (you will need a stand anyway!) and then record the musicians in "co-incident stereo" (Googe that). You will probably get a couple of AKG Perception 170's or similar for not a lot more than one SM57.

On the cheapo front. You will find the M-Audio Fast track pro pretty bombproof and they made so many for so long that they are readily available second hand (the bundled software was a pile of poo so you are missing nothing there!) .
For a keyboard, again trawl the S/H shops an CConverters for a MIDI equipped "portasound" keyboard. Casio, Yamaha and, if v lucky, Roland can be found and I have seen 49key jobbies at 45quid. The MIDI (make sure of this!) comes out on a DIN socket and there will be a corresponding MIDI in and maybe a MIDI thru. The in and out plug up to the Pro. Most of these keyboards have a built in "recorder" so you can setup a drum sequence say and jam along, recording the while, audio and MIDI.

All good information about software but I am still going to put in my suggestion for MAGIX Samplitude Silver!

Dave.
 
There are plenty of keyboards out there now and as Dave has stated at a pretty good price.
I found a used Yamaha weighted 88key and am very happy with it.
Weighted keys to me are very important gives the real fell to an other wise cheap plastic key feel.
 
I was intending to record different lines of brass instruments separately initially as it is a likely challenge to get everyone together for some minor parts. A musical ensemble is the situation where I need to record the most number of people together I guess. But thanks for the tip! Locally the AKG perception 170s are priced slightly above the Shure SM57 a slightly few dollars. But its a cheaper deal on amazon and I will look at it :)

Thanks for the advice on the AI and the keyboard. Even living on a small lsland, I found many deals on these midi keyboards going about 60% of the original price. Some are rather new and only used a few times:thumbs up: But I still don't understand is a keyboard with mixer better suited for an entry level setting?


Thanks :)
 
I had a quick look at the M-audio Axiom series and, from what i can see and what i read, the "mixer" style functions on it can be either as a MIDI controller for specific features of the keyboard (i.e cutoffs, other effects for the sound of the keyboard) or as a DAW controller, i.e the fader on the keyboard will control a fader in your DAW and the little pots/knobs can be used to change the pan etc in your DAW. So, basically, with the M-audio Axiom 61 (the one with the most faders) you can use the faders and pots as a "hands on" way to mix stuff in your computer. It's a cool feature but, for a beginner, i'd be more inclined to suggest going for a more basic keyboard as 1) the faders/pots often need setting up to work with your specific DAw (some come "pre-mapped" to specific DAW's, but not all of them) and 2) it's an extra thing to learn and get used to, whereas, to me, it'd make more sense just getting used to the DAW with normal mouse and computer keyboard controls before branching out :)

And everyone else has said what i was gonna say any way, although i'd just add have a look at the Presonus Audiobox as an AI as well. Also, bare in mind, a lot of AI's now come with some prepackaged DAW's and extra bits. Granted, they may be slightly stripped down, but they're normally fairly usable, especially if you're just starting out, and if you don't get on with the prepackaged DAW's, most DAW's do a free trial to some extent so just have a play. For example, some of the Maudio AI's come with Pro-tools MP, the Presonus stuff comes with Studio One Artist, and some of the Tascam AI's come with Cubase LE
 
I agree about the Axiom J/Guy, Things that try to be all things to all men rarely succeed at the basics.I bet those sliders are a PITA to set accurately. If actual faders are really needed later on the Behringer controller keeps a good rep' and has motorized faders (I keep intending to treat myself to one!) .

Bundled DAW software. Yes, can be a bonus but should not be a deal breaker, get the 'tronics right first! That said, the very excellent NI Ka6 4in 4 out +MIDI and S/PDIF comes with Cubase LE5 and Kontact Player and a shedload of sounds.

B/Omega: I have found the P170 at E77 at Thomann, they want E105 for an SM57. In $US DV247 price the AKG at $79 and the 57 at a whopping $144!

I know the 57/58s are well respected mics (got a 57, son loves it!) but a small "stick" capacitor is way more versatile.

Dave.
 
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