First-timer needs advice

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framos

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I'm a drummer that is interested in going the home recording route for the first time. I've have been looking at sites on the web having to do with home recording and to be honest I've gained very little knowledge since I first started investigating the possibility of home recording music with my friends.
My question is: What type of Mac should I purchase for home recording purposes? I powerful iMac or a G4? What type of sound card? Speakers? Should the speakers (monitors) be powered? Do I need a mixing board? How much memory?
I know that I must sound like a computer newbie (which I am. I can barely manage word processing), but any advice you can send my way would be appreciated.
I do want to stay with Mac. What software would be the best. Will I have to install a sound card in my new Mac?
Please help.
 
These are merely some suggestions...
I would try to find a used Mac. Prices for used Macs are exorbitant, but prices for new Macs are downright insane (IMO). You could probably get by with one of the slower G4's as long as you have a considerable amount of RAM. Don't get an iMac; no expandability = lame. You're pretty much gonna be forced into using OS9, as there aren't any apps for X yet, so I would say 512MB would be a good amount (if you do buy a new Mac, DO NOT buy your extra memory from Apple - the only thing more ridiculous than the price for Apple's computers is how much they charge you for more RAM). For sound card (you will need a sound card - the built in one is rather meager), the Digi 001 would be a pretty good choice - eight inputs, two mic pres, and Pro Tools LE. An alternative would be the M-Audio Delta 1010, which is around $200 cheaper than the Digi. I'm not sure if the 1010 includes software, but you have a few options. Cubase and Logic are some of the more popular apps (ie - it'll be easier to find answers to your questions). You'll probably need a mixer and a good choice would be the Mackie 1402-VLZ; six high quality mic pres, six inserts. Monitors are a must, and it doesn't really matter if they're powered or not. This really depends on how much you want to spend. I use a pair of Yorkville YSM1i's, which run around $300 a pair, I think (I got mine off ebay). I like them quite a bit, and other users here have had favorable comments for Yorkville's monitors.

Just a note - I mentioned those two sound cards because you said you were a drummer and I figured you would want a good number of inputs (both cards have eight analog ins). If you can get by with less, then there other alternatives.
 
If you can barely handle a word processor I would stay away from computer recording for the time being. Just get a digital multitrack recorder.

That way you only have to learn one thing at a time. Even getting a software based DAW up and running can be a daunting task if you are not very computer savvy.
 
I don't necessarily agree with Tex. I agree that setup of a DAW would be more difficult than a digital multitrack recorder (which has little to no setup), but I find the interfaces of most digital multitrack recorders to be a major drawback. I never got comfortable using a VS880, yet Vegas was incredibly easy to use from the beginning.

I think you need to do some research on your own and figure out what you'd be most comfortable with. It's all about the interface, because in the end all these solutions accomplish the same thing, so figure out which one makes the most sense to you.
 
I would agree that you must be moderately computer literate to get a DAW up and running. I have an A+ Cert in PC repair and this whole interface game is still a bit daunting. If you need many inputs and FLEXIBILITY the DAW (computer) is the way to go I have always been a Windows guy, so I am biased. But the PC is more open ended in my opinion.

Try to stay away from ready made PCs like Dell, Gateway (nooooo!!!) and Comcrap (Compaq). Get a private PC shop to build you one. Then, you can customize and leave out all the extra poop they throw on those ready mades. Just get it with Windows and an anti virus and firewall (if on the 'net) and that's it. Also referred to as a "bare-bones" PC.

Important parts: Buy the fastest processor (CPU) you can afford. I use AMD. Some people say that Pentium is better, but for the price, AMD works fine. This is personal preferance. If you go AMD MAKE SURE you get a motherboard (MSI is a good co.) with a K7T266-A chipset. The "A" designation is IMPORTANT. 266 bus is IMPORTANT. GET AS MUCH RAM MEMORY AS YOU CAN AFFORD.

FIND A QUIET COOLING SYSTEM (heatsink fan) AND A QUIET POWER SUPPLY WITH AT LEAST 350W OUTPUT.
My whole upgrade package: AMD 1900+ (1.9Ghz), motherboard, 256MB Ram, power supply, heatsink fan set me back about $600.
You should be able to get a complete system for about $1000 that would suit your needs. This is cheaper than the standalones that I have seen.
This is a good jumping off point.
 
MAKE SURE you get a motherboard....with a K7T266-A chipset.
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This may be a non-issue as he stated he wants to use a Mac, but you overlooked the AMD chipsets, which I would think are preferable over the VIA chipsets.
 
Framos: You said that you want to "stay with" Macs... do you have one now? Even if old and slow, you *may* be able to take the first couple of steps towards making simple recordings and bring yourself up to speed. Keep in mind that I'm a PC guy, though...

If that is a no-go, see if you can pick up a cheapo used analog 4-track to bang out ideas on while you get your computer skills up to speed and buy a Mac. The thing I worry about with Tex Roadkill's idea is that many of the digital recorders are (as Elevate mentioned) a pain to use due to the interface. It might drive you nuts after a while. But even the cheap/freeware I've seen for PC recording seems much easier to grasp and use-- a more intuitive interface. And on a computer you can get much more editing, upgrading, and other options. And, if the recording thing doesn't work out for you, you have a nice new computer (and the skills to use it!) to surf the Web, word process on, etc., and only a cheapo used analog 4-track cassette deck collecting dust in the corner instead of a shiny new expensive digital box.

The computer route is well worth the sometimes-steep learning curve--and knowing how to use one well will help you both in recording and in the employment world. :)
 
Just for the record I would pick a software DAW over a multitrack anyday. But digital recording is like word processing to the 10th power.
 
Save your computer for the two track mastering and burning CDs. As multitrackers the computers suck ass.

You can take that advise now or when you bluescreen with several tracks laid down. but computers are so much better suited for tasks related to Mastering.
 
You can take that advise now or when you bluescreen with several tracks laid down.
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I don't know if it's just me, but I can't recall ever BSOD'ing while doing audio work. Oh wait...yea I can, but that was directly reltated to Creative Labs' POS SB Live drivers with the Mega-Crash 2000 add-on for dual cpu computers. That is definitely not the norm though.
 
Ive got a blue and white Mac GIII thats 400mhz with 384 megs of ram...8 gig internal hard drive and 40 gig external USB drive. Im running reason 1.0 and Delta Logic with the Delta 66...no problems recording 16 tracks of audio...one track at a time that is...


as long as you dont use a ton of plugins this kind of system should be fine until you learn more about what you need....just worry about the music

you definitely should stick with a mac if you dont have a lot of experience with computers....you can probably get a used G4 for a decent price....or one of the new Imacs would be fat in my opinion

good luck

47ronin
 
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