Goin' Shopping!

[Tas]

I recorded some stuff back in the vacuum tube days and now I want to get my son hooked! But all this new "stuff" gets me really lost. I was hoping to provide a list of what I intend to purchase, and someone kind enough could finish the "main" list...My goal is to record vocals, drums, guitars, keyboards etc...and to put the finished product on a CD with as high a quality as possible. This is way more complicated than I first thought and help is what I need! Here is what I'm starting with:
PIII Pentium 866 Intel chip
W865M Housten tech motherboard
256-133mhz memory
toshiba 12X DVD
Panasonic 8X4X32 CD-RW
19" Sceptre monitor
40 GB 7299rpm* Hard drive
Desparado Video card 32 meg
Hollywood 4.1 surroundsound speakers
Can someone suggest a finish for this? Ie: a better sound card? and do I need a "MIXER" & a "MULTI TRACK RECORDER" or is that all in one when you get something like a Mackie 1202 VLZ-PRO??? Thanks to all who help the NEWBIES on here!

 

[happy hour]

You are going to need a mutli input sound card. Gadget Labs sells some nice ones, that and a mixer. The mackie 1202 is a very cool unit. then you will have to get monitor speakers, and a compressor would be good as well.

 

[Tas]

Starting Brand New!!!

Thanks for the start "happy hour"! (and suggestions) I'll try to find anything else I will need and propose it to my list. I think I'll have between 4 to 5K to spend so I think I should be able to get a really good system together!*LOL* I meant 7200rpm for HD...*s* So again, is a mixer different from a "multi track" recorder? *duh* *S*

 

[happy hour]

4-5K?

Wow, you can do a lot with 4-5K, especially if you already have a computer (that is if you want to record on your comp, which would probably be your best bet). The difference between a mixer and a multitrack is that a multitrack actually records the audio, a mixer routes your music into a recorder (comp with good multi-input soundcard) and has outputs for monitors etc.

Some multitracks have mixers built in, but you will get a much more flexible and higher quality mixer with a stand alone model in most cases.

For the money that you have to spend you will probably want to buy some powered monitors (search the site for info) and a compressor (again, do a search with the button above).
However, please don't take my suggestions as words from god (or a recording engineer!), do some research before you buy and you should end up with some killer equipment.

Have fun dude!