Help needed - Home recording -

  • Thread starter Thread starter conamor
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conamor

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Good day to all of you,

I'm new to the whole recording thing... I am simply playing acoustic guitar as an hobbie. I work in IT so I do understand a couple things.

I would like to record myself with my acoustic guitar and voice (and no I'm not a singer) :)

I was looking for advice for a simple starting gear, not the cheapest, but good quality for price.

- I was looking at these for the interface: M-audio USB vs PreSonus AudioBox USB vs Apogee duet 2 (I do have a mac if I get this one suggested) vs EchoAudio Echo 2
Which one should I go for, does USB or firewire makes a difference?

- Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-M40FS or there is a 50 also? Which one should I get and is there any other good suggestions?
- Microphone: AT2041SP, it comes with 2 mics... Is this good or there is other suggestions? This is for acoustic recording without amp in it, + voice.
- 2 x cables for mics
- 2 x stands for mics
- pop filter

Thank you so much for all the help!!
 
What's your budget? Consider the Saffire 2i2 or Scarlett for an interface, too.

Have you made any decision about a DAW yet? I recommend Reaper. The A-T mic package gives you a limited version of Sonar, maybe that will satisfy you for now. Two condensor mics for under $100 :rolleyes: - you get what you pay for.

Note - you will get better results if you record your guitar and vocals separately, that way you can adjust each and not worry about mic bleed.
 
Oh not 2 more audio interface! :)
Would you recommend any of the 6?

Regarding the software, I was thinking using Garage Band, but then again, you might tell me to use reaper instead.
Would you have any other recommendation for microphone? Could I buy one and use it for guitar and vocals too?

I'd say the budget is 600-700. I do understand that if I pay a bit more I get something else too. I will take all your advices and then buy from there :)

Thanks again!
 
There is a lot of forums for the interface and they say that the duet 2 is a must... I also thought that I will need monitors...
 
conamor said:
There is a lot of forums for the interface and they say that the duet 2 is a must... I also thought that I will need monitors...
Click to expand...

The duet is a soild interface I have the apogee one and I am very pleased if you do get the duet you will have a solid interface for the next 5-8 years. I have had my One since it came out so a couple of years now and I use it a lot almost everyday (I travel a lot). But if you get the Duet you will be crippling your budget. With your budget a focursrite mj mentioned would be a solid buy.

Firewire is a faster transfer of data BUT it is NOT essential to good recording like I mentioned i have the apogee (which is USB) and it sound GREAT! no latency issues or anything. I also have firewire and my USB recording stand up very well to my firewire recordings.

Those headphone by ATH are ok, SM57 would be good for vocals and aco gtr and they are very, very affordable
 
Consider Ardour for DAW. It's free for Linux users, donation ware for Macs. It's a terrific program.
 
Consider getting 2 of these mics for your guitar recording: GLS ES57. The 2-mic method has been discussed plenty, if you search for it, and this mic has all the characteristics of the Shure SM57.
For vocals, look at a condensor mic in the $180-$200 range, for example the AKG Perception 220 (you can pick up one used for less, of course).
Mic stands - $30 each, cables - $20 each, pop filter - $10. You've now spent $350.00 unless you've found some used deals.

That leaves you $250 - $350 for interface, headphones and monitors. At this point, you are just not going to be able to get good monitors, but if you read all the threads here, you will realize that anything less than $500/monitor is going to be questionable - the thing to do is learn the system you have, how mixes done on it sound, and use as many other systems as you can find to judge your mixes.
 
GLS ES57 looks good
I can stay away from monitors for now if I use headphones, would you have any recommendation?
Should I stick to Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB?

Could I use a mic for both vocals and acoustic? This could reduce the total amount?
Do we need a shock mount for let's say:GLS ES57 for acoustic guitar?

Oh and also, does 1/4 headphones differs from 3.5mm? Does it make a change in quality?

This is what my "cart" looks like at the moment.
18$ - Nady MPF-6 6-Inch Clamp On Microphone Pop Filter - Nady Systems. Inc.
150$ - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2 In/2 Out USB Recording Audio Interface - American Music and Sound
14$ x 2- GLS Audio 12feet Mic Cable Patch Cords - XLR Male to XLR Female Black Cables - 12 feet Balanced Mike Snake Cord - SINGLE - GLS Audio
25$ x 2- On Stage Stands MS7701 Tripod Boom Microphone Stand - Music People
30$ x 2- GLS Audio Instrument Microphone ES-57 & Mic Clip - Professional Series ES57 Dynamic Cardioid Mike Unidirectional - For Instruments, Drums, Percussion, Vocals, and more - GLS Audio
 
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If I understand properly, the audio interface (let's say the focusrite) is replacing an internal sound card correct?
 
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