Help!! N00b trying to create studio

[jpetrocelli]

Hello everyone! I am a professional trumpet player who is trying to get started with a little home recording. Mostly for auditions, and to record my quintet. This is what I have...

Macbook Pro 2.53 ghz with 4 gb mem (bought it about a month ago)
For software, I own Logic Studio
For a place to record, I have my finished garage. It isn't great, but it is good to practice in. Not much reverb, but not too dry either. It is a converted 1 car garage, so it is long, is carpeted, and has standard 8 ft ceilings.

I have a budget of about $500-$750 so I know my choices are very limited.

I have no idea of what I should buy. Audio interface? mics? mixer? Also, how should I be setting up the mic in comparison to where I play?

I have just been using a Samson USB mic but there is a lot of noise, and the quality seems poor.

PLEASE HELP!!

 

[SuaveRecords]

i would say an interface. (that'll be around 500, but its a great thing to have) and shop around at musicians friend for some mics. you can get some sweet mics for less than 250, just make sure you read the reviews. thats all i needed to get started

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo "Petrocelli:

There are SOOOOOOOOOo many "things" to buy these days. However, you, and your other musicians, might think about buying a Yamaha AW1600. You will have plenty of tracks to record; this unit will offer you great Dynamics; reverb is plenty; EQ is great; panning will work fine to balance your tracks AND, the unit will burn your CDs mucho pronto. All of this plus a "reasonable" manual and a dedicated site to let a whole bunch of talent help you find your way. Price? 999.00 pezuto.

So, if you have your musicians kick in, you've got the unit enroute soon.

BTW: whatever unit you MAY buy, make sure to insure your gear for "lightning" strike. A couple of months ago, I had that happen and it fried my first Yam 1600. My insurance company sent me a check for ALL except the 100 bucks deductable. As you may know, I "UNPLUG" my Yam when I'm done working.

Happy New Year
Green Hornet

 

[SuaveRecords]

Yo "Petrocelli:

There are SOOOOOOOOOo many "things" to buy these days. However, you, and your other musicians, might think about buying a Yamaha AW1600. You will have plenty of tracks to record; this unit will offer you great Dynamics; reverb is plenty; EQ is great; panning will work fine to balance your tracks AND, the unit will burn your CDs mucho pronto. All of this plus a "reasonable" manual and a dedicated site to let a whole bunch of talent help you find your way. Price? 999.00 pezuto.

So, if you have your musicians kick in, you've got the unit enroute soon.

BTW: whatever unit you MAY buy, make sure to insure your gear for "lightning" strike. A couple of months ago, I had that happen and it fried my first Yam 1600. My insurance company sent me a check for ALL except the 100 bucks deductable. As you may know, I "UNPLUG" my Yam when I'm done working.

Happy New Year
Green Hornet

i think hes trying to record to his PC tho. AW1600 isn't meant for that.(correct me if im wrong) and its out of his porice range. so he cant buy any mics to record with

 

[jpetrocelli]

Thanks guys. I will look into buying an interface. For now, it's just me for my own personal use. I would rather not get $ from other people in my BQ5 because then who gets to keep it when we depart? I am moving to Hawaii in March, so that would be an issue fairly soon.

Can you guys perhaps recommend an interface? I have seen good review for the Profire 610? FP10??

 

[SuaveRecords]

Thanks guys. I will look into buying an interface. For now, it's just me for my own personal use. I would rather not get $ from other people in my BQ5 because then who gets to keep it when we depart? I am moving to Hawaii in March, so that would be an issue fairly soon.

Can you guys perhaps recommend an interface? I have seen good review for the Profire 610? FP10??

i have the FP10 works very well. its in your range and it would leave you some money left over to pick up a mic. im not sure about the other model you listed.

 

[antichef]

I don't have one, but the Apogee Duet is an often recommended interface for people in your situation and with your hardware and software - about $500 with two recording channels, good quality preamps and conversion, and nice integration with Logic.

I've got the MOTU Traveler (about $800) - I wouldn't have recommended one, except that I got mine modified by Black Lion Audio for a few more hundred $, and now it's fantastic. It has 4 preamp channels, four more analog in channels, 8 analog out channels, as well as digital inputs/outputs. There are plenty of fans of other MOTU hardware around here.

I've also got a new macbook pro and I use Logic Express -- you'll be happy with what you've got in this area, I think.

You might also check out the Echo interfaces - I've go the Audiofire 12 (12 analog inputs and outputs), which doesn't have preamps, and so might not be a good choice for your situation, but is very nice and clean, and with good software. I'd be looking at the Audiofire 8.

How many simultaneous channels do you think you'll need for recording?

For mics, everyone seems to like ribbons or dynamics. I have very little experience recording brass, so I'll shut up.