Getting Started

  • Thread starter Thread starter Karst
  • Start date Start date
K

Karst

New member
Yes, I'm sure this is asked quite often, and with very little respect often. However, I have not found a topic asking anything about this in these forums, so I will ask it myself:

To begin recording digitally, exactly what will I need to buy? I already have a PC in mind, but I really don't know much about soundcards, or actually anything digital. I've recorded on a friend's 4-track quite a bit, but I'm ready to move myself to digital. Hardware and software recommendations if you have a preference, or if you don't, tell me the type of equipment I will need. I'm looking for decent-to-good quality stuff, take not into consideration cost (unless it's exceeding past $1,000...I'm aiming for quality, but not super-macho-amazing quality).

Any opinions are greatly appreciated, or redirection to a place that can tell me what I will need is appreciated as well. Thanks in advance to anyone who will reply.
 
The soundcard will be one of the key pieces you will need to make decent recordings in digital.

However, soundcards come in all different flavors, so in order to get the right soundcard you will need to determine what you plan on recording. Are you going to be the only one recording? Are you going to be recording more than one instrument simultaneously? Do you plan on doing everything (recording, mixing, adding effects, etc) in the pc or are will you want to mix on a separate mixing board?

Answer these questions, and shop around for a card that will fit your needs. If you are the only one recording, and you plan to record one instrument at a time, then you will only need to get a souncard with two inputs. The more instruments you record simultaneously, the more inputs youll need. If you plan on using a separate mixer, you will need one output for each instrument. If you plan on mixing in the software and burning to cd, then you will need only two outputs (going to your monitors).

Cy
 
Starting with the most basic, you will need an audio interface and a program to record with.

First things first, the software. If you are totally new to pc multi-tracking, I'd recommend n-track studio by fasoft. It is fairly inexpensive (way under $100), highly capable, and has a very good feature set. Plus the users are very helpful at the online forums (both here and on fasoft's site). N-track may be all you ever need. But if not, in the future you can buy one of the bigger boys (cubase, sonar, logic, samplitude, pro tools). At least you can "cut your teeth" with n-track and save some money at the onset.

Next is the interface. If you are planning to record no more than 2 mono tracks (one stereo track) at a time, then a card like m-audio's Audiophile 2496 will be all you need (about $149). $149 doesn't sound like much and you may think that a card that cheap is not pro. But just do a search on this forum and elsewhere, and you will see otherwise. Other 2 channel cards in this range are echo Mia and ST-Audio DSP24.

If you want to record more simultaneous inputs, the m-audio delta44 gives you 4 mono inputs. Cards of this type run about $190 - $250 on ebay and at web retailers. If you need a midi interface as well the m-audio quattro adds this to a 4 audio input interface.

Beyond that, there are interfaces that allow up to 10 simultaneous inputs (usually 8 analog and 2 digital). Some of these are the ST Audio c-port, m-audio Delta1010, and Aardvark Q10. Prices range from $399 to $800. Of course a card like this would not be a practical buy if you never use the additional inputs.

As far as your PC, if it is fairly new, it should be OK for digital recording. Search this forum and the net for tips on how to optimize certain windows settings for audio recording.

Research the cards I mentioned. Some of the 10 channel ones offer built-in mic/line preamps. You may already have a mixer with suitable preamps. If not, Art, among others, makes some economical ($99 - $200) preamps that will suit you well.

I hope this was helpful. Good luck.
 
Alright, so now I have the general idea. However, I have a question about it all...will I need an interface and a soundcard, or are they the same thing? They seem to be the same idea, but I'd just like to be sure.

So, what will let me begin recording:

- capable PC (this one is not, it's rather old...plus I want to buy a new one, so shhhh)
- N-track Studio (I've been playing with Pro Tools Free and this cheesy mic on my computer and I like Pro Tools, but I think I'll go for N-track, because PTF is rather confusing)
- M-Audio Delta 44 (I'll usually just use the two imputs, but I will need the extra two--better to go the extra few bucks to get something instead of having to buy another piece of equipment a little while down the line)
- a sound card (again, may be the interface, but I'm confused on that part)

And I'll be set! Thanks a lot you two, you really did help me avoid a potentially traumatic experience.
 
The interface usally refers to a box with all your analog and digital ins/outs and can be mounted outside your computer for practical easy access for pluggin in your mics/instrument etc.

The soundcard usally refers to a component which plugs into a PCI slot on your computers motherboard (big plasticy thingy with resistors and chips and cool stuff) inside your computer which is also connected up to the"interface" so they can talk about ones and zeros and computer stuff.
 
Just to add to Mixit-G. All the interfaces suggested are complete packages. Meaning, they come with the soundcard and breakout box. The only ones that have no breakout box are the Audiophile 2496, Echo Mia, and the ST Audio DSP24. These have the connectors right on the rear plate of the soundcard.

You mentioned PTF, in the event that you get a new PC it will probably run Microsoft XP. PTF cannot run on XP (at least it didn't want to on my PC).
 
Yes, it probably won't. But, in the case that I need PTF instead of any other software, an "upgrade" to the more stable and standard Windows 98SE would probably not be that big of a deal. That's the part I'm least worried about, because XP will probably run all I need to run.

Alright. Now, I'm all set. Thanks a lot for all the complete and concise answers. Not being a regular (obviously), I expected to hear critical comments or incomplete answers...but I'm very impressed at you all.
 
outputs?

What do the outputs on the interface connect to usually?
 
The outputs typically go to studio monitors. Boxes with multiple outs are used to hook up additional components such as mixers, effects, or other mixdown devices (such as DAT or ADAT).

If you are doing everything in the pc (adding effects, mixing, burning to cd, etc.) the only outputs you would need would go to your studio monitors.

Cy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top