Giving Newbies Guidance

G

gec

New member
Alright we get alot of questions on what equipment is needed for some digital recording. I am going to lay out a good setup for all of you model after - complete with links to products.......

Computer

256-512ram
40-100g space
3 or higher processor
CDRW

Assuming you have this ^ or something close heres what ya need



sound card: M Audio Delta 66 @ $299.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=live/detail/base_id/52397

monitors: Yamaha MSP5 Bi-amplified Near Field Monitor @ $249.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/36129

mic: Oktava MK-319 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone @ $199.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/51993

preamp: dbx 376 Tube Channel Strip @ $499.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/49047

headphone amplifier: Behringer HA4400 Powerplay Pro @ $79.95
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=b.BEH&f=1940

wiring:
1 XLR cable: Monster Cable 15' Standard 100 XLR Microphone Cable @ $24.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=020127173452216041093130823289/search/g=other?q=monster+xlr

2 1/4" to RCA cables: ProCo 5' P-Series Patch Cable 1/4 Inch-RCA @ $8.99 each
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/59137

1 headphone extension cord: Cable Up 25' Headphone Extension Cable @ $6.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...130823289/search/g=other/detail/base_id/36509

1 dual RCA cable: Horizon 6' RCA-RCA Cable @ $7.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...130823289/search/g=other/detail/base_id/53269

1 1/4" stereo to dual mono cable: Horizon 3' HYS-P Insert Cable @ $14.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=020127173452216041093130823289/search/g=home?q=cable+insert


Most of these prices are from Musician's Friend, which seems to have pretty competetive prices for all this stuff. You'll still probably want to check around though.

Make sure to order the specified lengths of each cable.

You will also need a heavy-duty mic stand, a pop filter (preferably with its own light-weight stand) and a can of Great Stuff expanding foam (available at Home Depot).


Welcome to a dope home studio...................All you need now is a vocal booth, 6X6
 
Alot of good choices,I'd only suggest a couple alterations.

For mic(s),instead of the Octava,I would chose either the Marshall V67 that they sell at Mars Music for $99 or I would take a chance on the new Studio Projects B-1 ld condensor for $79.To that choice I would add a Shure SM57 dynamic mic.The SM57 is a studio standard for good reason and it pays to have at least one choice when it comes to mics.The Studio Projects B-1 isn't quite out yet but 8th Street Music will have them when they are available.

As far as a preamp,I would start with an M-Audio Audio Buddy($80 at American Musical Supply)or the M-Audio DMP-3 ($199)both units are very nice for the money.I would pair up the M-Audio preamp with the RNC compressor which is about $175 from www.mercenary.com .Total cost between $255 and $375 depending on which preamp you select.Either set up would be kick ass.

The Yammy monitors are $250 a piece,not for a pair.For that money I would check out the active Yorkvilles or a pair of passive Yorkvilles and a small power amp.The new Art passive monitors are manufactured by Yorkville and are virtually identical to the passive Yorkvilles and they are priced at $199 a pair.You could pair them up with a Hafler TA1100 power amp at $199 and have a decent set up.Also Musicians Friend has a package of the Hafler amp with a pair of Tannoy Proto J's for $379.Or if you need to save money you could get a pair of the passive speakers and team them with a home stereo amp or receiver until you get money for a better amp.I also forgot the Behringer Truths,at $399 a pair they are larger and have more power and many people think they are a great deal at that price.M-Audio has the Studiophile active monitors for $299 a pair that should be worth a listen.
 
O.K., but WHY do you all suggest using the COMPUTER for
recording. FOr a newbie, should't we be using something
simple? This all sounds way too hard for this newbie...i.e.
I'm a musician, not an electrician!
Wouldn't a -------? be easier?
lolly
 
gec said:
Alright we get alot of questions on what equipment is needed for some digital recording. I am going to lay out a good setup for all of you model after - complete with links to products.......

Computer

256-512ram
40-100g space
3 or higher processor
CDRW

Assuming you have this ^ or something close heres what ya need



sound card: M Audio Delta 66 @ $299.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=live/detail/base_id/52397

monitors: Yamaha MSP5 Bi-amplified Near Field Monitor @ $249.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/36129

mic: Oktava MK-319 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone @ $199.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/51993

preamp: dbx 376 Tube Channel Strip @ $499.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/49047

headphone amplifier: Behringer HA4400 Powerplay Pro @ $79.95
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/love.music?p=b.BEH&f=1940

wiring:
1 XLR cable: Monster Cable 15' Standard 100 XLR Microphone Cable @ $24.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=020127173452216041093130823289/search/g=other?q=monster+xlr

2 1/4" to RCA cables: ProCo 5' P-Series Patch Cable 1/4 Inch-RCA @ $8.99 each
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...3130823289/search/g=home/detail/base_id/59137

1 headphone extension cord: Cable Up 25' Headphone Extension Cable @ $6.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...130823289/search/g=other/detail/base_id/36509

1 dual RCA cable: Horizon 6' RCA-RCA Cable @ $7.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...130823289/search/g=other/detail/base_id/53269

1 1/4" stereo to dual mono cable: Horizon 3' HYS-P Insert Cable @ $14.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=020127173452216041093130823289/search/g=home?q=cable+insert


Most of these prices are from Musician's Friend, which seems to have pretty competetive prices for all this stuff. You'll still probably want to check around though.

Make sure to order the specified lengths of each cable.

You will also need a heavy-duty mic stand, a pop filter (preferably with its own light-weight stand) and a can of Great Stuff expanding foam (available at Home Depot).


Welcome to a dope home studio...................All you need now is a vocal booth, 6X6
Click to expand...

gec,

Thanks a lot for taking the time to impart this 'timely' info - I just started looking for my 1st preamp, and will strongly consider the dbx 376 tube...(record mostly acustic stuff and voice).

I knew coming to this "Newbie" place would pay-off..

Thanks again,
Jim
 
As far as getting what you pay for the problem is that sometimes you don't.The trick is to get the most value for your dollar.A newbie should research all their purchases before hand and for God's sake not base their decisions on reviews in popular recording magazines.

The only reason that I offered alternative mics,monitors and preamps is that I feel there are better values out there than the ones you offered and if you do some research in different recording forums you will see that I am not the only one who would feel this way.Not that your choices are bad(alot of this can be subjective anyway),just that there are alterenatives available that might be a better bang for your bucks.Actually there is a thread something like yours at the Harmony Central recording forum if you want to read some other choices.
 
Why use a computer?

Probably because thats the route recording is going to, so you might as well learn now.
 
so I guess I spent all this time putting this post together for nothing.... 300 views and a few replies.... either that or their are alot of newbies buying equipment
 
Good reply gec

It's too bad this can't be a sticky thread at the top of this forum, or a thread similar to it that has a basic breakdown of what you can expect to pay. The only problem is that I've noticed that most newbies want to buy everything at once. This is a very painful and expensive trap to fall into. A few things to add.

Buy used equipment or floor models as much as possible when starting out. Most repairs to these units are still probably covered under the original warranty and you save quite a bit.

Buy one piece at a time and give yourself enough time to get familiar with it and then buy gear that compliments you intial purchase. This will prevent you from being overwhelmed with a bookcase full of manuals that never get read and eventually getting burned out on homereccing altogether.

If you found a piece of gear that you really want and don't have the money, wait and save up for it. There is nothing worse than buying a mediocre piece of gear and realizing that if you saved a couple months longer, you would have a nice unit in your rack instead of the rock that you're trying to sell to some other poor soul.

Demo, Demo, Demo as much gear as you can. What sounds good to one person (especially microphones) may not be the sound your looking for. That can be an expensive loss after purchasing a few mics.

Start small, record one instrument/vocal at a time to start out. Get it the way you like. Then add an instrument/vocal to a second track. Mix the two tracks till you get the sound you like. Work your way up until you are able to mix the tracks to get them to sound the way you want. It sucks when you record individual tracks that sound great, but turn to mud once you try to mix them.

Hang out in the Mp3 Mixing Clinic and listen to the songs, read the comments and learn from others mistakes. These are people that have at one time or another been in the same position you are in now. Look at it like a goal to achieve. Are the recordings great? that all depends on the listener and help you develop an ear so that you can correct the errors in your own mix.

That's about it, other than ask as many questions as possible on issues that you don't understand. If you understand a question that has been asked here, reply to it. If your perception is wrong, you will mostly likely be corrected in the same thread. Don't take it as an insult, accept it as a learning experience so that later on you can answer the same question for someone else later. Trust me, it will be asked again later.

Dick
 
Hi guys,

I'm new to the home recording scene and some questions/comments for you.

1. How many people get into this because they want to set up a studio and record others as opposed to being musicians that want to record their own stuff?

2. Why buy mic pre's when a good sound card interface (Omni studio) will do?

3. How much for the basic software - assuming you're going the PC/Mac route?

I'm a guitar player and I got into this because I wanted to play and record my own stuff. I've got a house and kids and I'm not interested in doing the garage band thing (did that 20 years ago). For the last six months or so I saved my pennies, did a little research and took the plunge. I've got a PC Daw (Prorec RYO Thunderbird) w/Omnistudio and delta 66. I got the Yamaha MSP-5's, nice IMHO. I picked up a couple of mics (SM-57, cheap 58 knockoff and SP C-1). I also got the Oxygen 8 midi controller (USB). I can't play keys but soft synths are pretty cool. Now I'm burning horrible shit to CD!

By far the biggest surprise to me in this whole deal was the price and compexity of software. Between Cubase/Sonar/Logic whatever and VST instruments and plugins, not to mention Wavelab or T-Racks you can blow $1000 in a right hurry. Then you've got to try and figure it all out. (RTFM!?! Hope you have some time on your hands.)

So anyway that's what this newbie did/is doing. Maybe at some point I'll be able to pass on some useful advice but for now I'm learning and trying to remember that music is a wonderful thing.

lou
 
Hey sky,

welcome to our wonderful world....sounds like your getting a little frustrated (happens to all of us)..... I started as a musician and got sick of paying $50-$100 per hour for studio time.... Invested my money (originally) to just be able to do my own tracks, but it has turned out to develop into more. With pc recording on the rise and the little money it takes to setup a good studio compared to the analog ones it was a no brainer to start doing it myself....

The catch however as you pointed out was learning all the software...... I can't give you much advice there as to tell you the more you experiment and play with it you'll learn.... As far as buying software...hmmmmmmm.... www.kaza.com

download it from the shareware network for free. This is good for your own little projects, but when its time for stability and/or working on someone elses project I would buy the program......
 
Hi,

I am about 5 months into the recording process, and I am extremely happy with the purchases I have made, as well as the learning curve with the items I bought. I have made several scratch CD's and I love the quality I can produce within my own home. I will list off what I bought.

Used Korg D16 - Ebay $630
2 ECM8000's, 2 boom stands, 2 xlr cables - 8thstreet.com $130
Yamaha CD-RW Drive - ebay $80
Mackie 1202vlz pro mixer - ebay $210


I already had some cheap dynamic mics, a conga set, and a roland keyboard.

I know this isn't CPU gear, so I hope I am not stepping on anyones toe's, But I love my settup and would do it the same if I had the chance.

:)


Matt
 
mgiles7 said:
Hi,

I am about 5 months into the recording process, and I am extremely happy with the purchases I have made, as well as the learning curve with the items I bought. I have made several scratch CD's and I love the quality I can produce within my own home. I will list off what I bought.

Used Korg D16 - Ebay $630
2 ECM8000's, 2 boom stands, 2 xlr cables - 8thstreet.com $130
Yamaha CD-RW Drive - ebay $80
Mackie 1202vlz pro mixer - ebay $210


I already had some cheap dynamic mics, a conga set, and a roland keyboard.

I know this isn't CPU gear, so I hope I am not stepping on anyones toe's, But I love my settup and would do it the same if I had the chance.

:)


Matt
Click to expand...

Like mgiles7 - I started out about 8 months ago - bought a BR 532 (Boss - about $300), a Shure SM 57 ($70), and KSM 27 $300, various cables/phantom power $100, and I am using sound forge XP ($60) to finish everythin off before burning...While realizing this would not be considered 'primo' - I've been real happy as well with the results...It's like anything else - the more you learn and get into it, the more 'stuff' you're gonna buy/want.

With a little help/suggestion from gec, I'll be buying my first preamp this week!! This will bring my total set up (including all above) to around $1,300 - and based on what I've paid for guitars I've fallen in love with - a pretty reasonable price to pay..

Jim
 
just aguide for everyone to follow thats it. I'm happy some of you got ideas for equipment. I use that setup in my home studio and love it for pre-production.
 
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