Hello to all!!

[Benno1323]

First of all I'd like to say Hi to all of you since this is my first post in this forum.
I have been looking around it for a few days now and found a lot of useful threads in the forums.

A few years ago I used to work in a TV station and the company payed a 1 year audio course for some of us working there.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish this program because I got another job opportunity, but I still remember a few things hehehe.

I have a
2.6 Ghz Intel Mac
320 GB 7200 rpm hard disk
2 GB Memory

What I would want to do is to record my electric guitar and probably voice also. I'll probably get a bass as well.
I'm planning to do this just as a hobby, I don't have a band or anything like it. Just me and my guitar hahaha.

- I've been looking around lately and found several audio interfaces options but haven't really decide which one to buy.
Here are a few options:

- Line 6 Toneport UX2 what I like about this audio interface is that it has 2 mic inputs and also guitar and bass inputs.
Also it has guitar and bass effects. (In case I buy a bass)

- Other possibility is just to stick with guitar and get the Boss-ME20 and an audio interface that comes with Cubase software like TASCAM or PRESONUS interfaces.

- There's one other option of buying Zoom G2.1u multi effects pedal since it comes with Cubase.

I'm using garageband right know for my guitar recordings with my guitar plugged in directly to the line in jack and it works fine but when I get to much effects in I will experience latency issues.
I mentioned Cubase since it was the software we used during the audio course but I'm not a pro using it.
I haven't been able to find in the Toneport UX2 interface is compatible with Cubase.

Could you please give me your opinions as of which setup is better and why?
I'm also open to hear different opinions and options from all of you as of what software and equipment is better for a beginner and for what I want.

Thank you.
Your help is very much appreciated.

Greetings from Mexico!!!
Benno

 

[suprstar]

Cubase is a great program, and a lotta ppl here use it, moreso than garageband, so I it'll be easier to get help, advice, tips, etc..

For the 1-man-band thing, I've always liked a simple inexpensive USB mixer, like an Alesis Multimix 8 or Yamaha MW10 or something. Then you can run any mic or line out from anything into it. You can keep everything hooked up and not bother with moving cables and mics around. You can plug your guitar pedas right into it, mic your amp, whatever, you have more options.

And welcome to the board!

 

[Rokket]

I would go with a straight interface without effects, unless you are thinking of just using distortion/saturation for your electric guitar. I wouldn't recommend using those effects on an acoustic.

And as far as cheap but powerful software for mixing, Reaper has been serving me well for months now. And it accepts midi. And at some point, you will want to add drums to the mix. If you are not a drummer, there are lots of good programs that will do drums for you. Drum Kit from Hell is mentioned a lot by members here, as well as EZDrummer.

Look on Zzounds or Musician's Friend under the recording tabs and check out the interfaces there. You will only need a max of 2 inputs for what you are doing, so you will spend a little less money.



And I will also second the need for good mics. Not all mics will record vocals and instruments equally well, so you will want to do some research there.

Welcome to the boards!

 

[Dogbreath]

They're smarter than me so I'm just here as a greeting committee.

Welcome Benno!

 

[antichef]

Welcome Benno! They're all smarter than me.

(I have to give a plug to Apple's Logic or Logic Express (I think Express 8 is $200 these days) - I use Logic Express, and think it's great. Logic has some latency fixing features, too)

If latency is a concern, I hear that you'll do better with a firewire interface than with a USB interface, and that the better the drivers and the balance of tasks between the computer and the interface, the lower the latency. I couldn't begin to suggest a particular interface, but do you have a budget?

 

[Benno1323]

Hi guys!!
Thank you all for your comments and advice as well as for the welcome comittee.

Suprstar.- I'll definately do a research on the usb mixer option since I hadn't thought about that hehehe, I'm beginning to like the idea.

Rokket.- You're right I have to think about recording acoustics also, I'll have to look for a good interface that interacts well with the Mac. Also I've found out that Shure SM57 mics are good for recording instrument and voice. So I'm thinking probably I'll get one of those.

Dogbreath.- Hey man thanks for the good vibe and I believe we all are here because we're eager to learn as much as we can from everyone in these forums.

Antichief.- I am looking into Logic Express too. As for a budget I would like to spend probably around $500.


Being a newbie and all I'm trying to read and learn as much as I can to make the best decision possible.

I really appreciate all your comments.
Regards!!!

Benno