hello and a question or two

[ibrc]

Yet another newbie. Well kind of.
Looks like a pretty informative little forum I stumbled upon here.
Just want to say hi and ask a question or two. So HI! I live in Michigan. My musical tastes range wide. I mostly listen to rock/ punk, by punk I mean fact to face, Black Flag, Ramones, Avail, Strung out, and the such. I play guitar, sing, write, and I am learning drums.

I'm a little unfamiliar with recording software mfgs. I have spent some time on a couple of programs but this is for my own system to record solo work in my studio.

I just picked up a notebook to use as my recording studio. I have usb interface and firewire capibility. Basicly I only need a few things to get up and running for recording purposes. I am in the market for a interface with preamps and a dedicated line out that will allow 4 tracks of sim. recording. I would like the recording software to have mastering capibilities, full service ya know. Computer speed and memeroy are fine. I will not be using a midi.

The next thing would be beats. I'm looking for something that may have samples and programming ability. Obviously this will need to interface with my recording software choice. I would like as much of a "live" fell as possible.I'm looking at "The drumkit from hell 2"

My budget for both would be 800.00
I have monitors, amp, mics, cables, guitar crap, just need the recording media and beats.

If I missed anything feel free to ask and thanks in advance

 

[noisedude]

Edirol do one or two preamp+interface solutions, but I think you should look more at a USB or Firewire M-Audio card and a mixer such as the Yamaha MG12/4, from which you can record four separate tracks at once. Software's a very open questions, I happen to use Cubase but others use n-track, Cakewalk, Cool Edit, etc, etc etc.

Dunno much about programmed drums but I do know they often involved MIDI, so bear that in mind.

Also, be sure your mics are up to the quality of your other stuff ... don't be using that SM58 and expecting quality results ...

 

[ibrc]

Edirol do one or two preamp+interface solutions, but I think you should look more at a USB or Firewire M-Audio card and a mixer such as the Yamaha MG12/4, from which you can record four separate tracks at once. Software's a very open questions, I happen to use Cubase but others use n-track, Cakewalk, Cool Edit, etc, etc etc.

Dunno much about programmed drums but I do know they often involved MIDI, so bear that in mind.

Also, be sure your mics are up to the quality of your other stuff ... don't be using that SM58 and expecting quality results ...

Thanks. I haven't looked into mixers yet.
All of my other equipment is pretty decent. I have a couple condenser mics along with one tube pre-amp too. I've spent many of hours in the studio just not on my own set up yet Thanks for the advice.

 

[newbie70]

Protools with the Mbox is an option, its about $500

 

[Ibrow]

Get an M-Audio soundcard as Noise mentioned. Something, preferrably firewire, that will have all the ins you think you will use. I think they have a 1010LT or something that also has MIDI I/O and SPDIF. Don't know what they have firewire/usb based though.

For your software, go with Sonar3, producer if you can afford it. Buy it on Ebay. If you are a teacher, a student, or know someone who is, a LOT of times you can find producer on there for $300-$350. Sweet deal. I REALLY doubt they would actually MAKE you prove you were school affiliated anyway. I mean, they want to sell don't they? LOL! With Sonar, you will have TREMENDOUS MIDI control. Don't knock MIDI. The more you do, the more you will realize you will need it. But, the MIDI piano roll in Sonar controls any softsynth you use within Sonar also. Just absolutely sweet for creating beats.

DKFH2 I have heard good things about. It comes with it's own interface, and is only like $99 at musiciansfriend last I checked. Works out well with Sonar from what I've read.

Okay, for example, the M-Audio Quattro is a 4inx4out with MIDI also USB soundcard. It's about $155 on Ebay. Then you add in DKFH2, another $100. Sonar 3 Producer off of Ebay buy it now, $340. That's $595. With your budget of $800, you could probably think of upgrading the soundcard to something with more I/O's or go with firewire. OR you could scrap DKFH2 and get BFD.

Lots of options with your budget and being you already have a computer, and mics and all that stuff. I suggest Sonar 3 producer as it comes with Sonitus Fx plugins, which are great EQ's, Compressors, etc. It comes with DR-008. And it comes with VSampler3. Amazing what you get really. Sonar also lets you play with loops, MUCH like Acid 4.0. (though not AS good) But the capability is there. Or you could spend your extra $200 on an audio editor like Soundforge. Good luck!

 

[noisedude]

Don't knock MIDI. The more you do, the more you will realize you will need it.

You're telling my life story

 

[ibrc]

Get an M-Audio soundcard as Noise mentioned. Something, preferrably firewire, that will have all the ins you think you will use. I think they have a 1010LT or something that also has MIDI I/O and SPDIF. Don't know what they have firewire/usb based though.

For your software, go with Sonar3, producer if you can afford it. Buy it on Ebay. If you are a teacher, a student, or know someone who is, a LOT of times you can find producer on there for $300-$350. Sweet deal. I REALLY doubt they would actually MAKE you prove you were school affiliated anyway. I mean, they want to sell don't they? LOL! With Sonar, you will have TREMENDOUS MIDI control. Don't knock MIDI. The more you do, the more you will realize you will need it. But, the MIDI piano roll in Sonar controls any softsynth you use within Sonar also. Just absolutely sweet for creating beats.

DKFH2 I have heard good things about. It comes with it's own interface, and is only like $99 at musiciansfriend last I checked. Works out well with Sonar from what I've read.

Okay, for example, the M-Audio Quattro is a 4inx4out with MIDI also USB soundcard. It's about $155 on Ebay. Then you add in DKFH2, another $100. Sonar 3 Producer off of Ebay buy it now, $340. That's $595. With your budget of $800, you could probably think of upgrading the soundcard to something with more I/O's or go with firewire. OR you could scrap DKFH2 and get BFD.

Lots of options with your budget and being you already have a computer, and mics and all that stuff. I suggest Sonar 3 producer as it comes with Sonitus Fx plugins, which are great EQ's, Compressors, etc. It comes with DR-008. And it comes with VSampler3. Amazing what you get really. Sonar also lets you play with loops, MUCH like Acid 4.0. (though not AS good) But the capability is there. Or you could spend your extra $200 on an audio editor like Soundforge. Good luck!

Hell ya dude. Thanks!.
I've been doing a lot more reasearch since I'm back online now. I've started to look at Sonar. Today I'm going to go over the stuff you suggested and I will probably have some more questions. I totally understand your midi statement. It will be nice to have it if I need it.

Newbie 70. I don't plan on going with protools and mbox I hear the software is a bit limited plus some converter quality too.


If anyone wants to hear a song I did with a drummer I can hook ya up with an MP3.

 

[ibrc]

Alright, I've been doing a little more research. I'm really diggin Reason and plan to purchase it. If anyone has any comments on it feel free to post!

So now that leaves a decent program for recording vocals, mixing, and mastering. I'd like to have some vocal effect abilities also.

And come to find out I am wrong about having firewire on my notebook. Damn on selected models bull crap.

As far as external hardware I'm leaning towards

M audio Quattro (will also serve as headphones and output to monitors?)

Shuttle pro USB controller

Semi decent tube pre for my 2 condenser mics

Sound correct?