help with my setup!

[Groken]

I'm in the process of putting together a home studio to record guitars, drums, and vocals. I'm pretty newb at this, so I need some help with my setup. I'm also on a budget.

I have a good computer with decent speakers (or "monitors", as you strange folk call them). I've got good headphones. I intend to get two Shure SM57 mircophones, a presonus firebox soundcard, and either Cubase or Protools (or could I just use audacity? hmm). From my understanding, the microphones will connect into the soundcard via XLR cables, the soundcard will connect to the computer via firewire, and from there I can run Cubase, Protools, or Audacity[?] to record and edit my music. Is this how it works? Suggestions?

Also, should I buy a cheap mixer? Would this enable me to EQ/adjust the sound levels prior to the data getting to the computer? And how would this work? Do the mics hook up to the mixer, which then goes to the soundcard, which then goes to the computer?

Thanks in advance. As a note, my budget is approx. $300. Cringe. [Note: I am an expert ebay shopper ))]

 

[Guelph_Guy]

Is protools supported on the prosonus??

I thought that the protools was "interface specific" with digidesign hardware
or m-audio pro tools m-powered or in another case the Mackie onyx i series with a specific driver.

I run a delta 1010 interface (8 in /8 out) from m-audio with protools m-powered..

just curious

thanks
RJ

 

[Guelph_Guy]

Well, you are correct. from the audio interface via firewire to the computer is right on!

Yes you could get a mixer ( so you can record more then 1 track at a time), however I record everything dry into the computer and EQ/augment the sound from within the software.

The mixer also provides you with "zero" latency monitoring. As there is some delay as the signal is processed from your audio interface into the computer then out of the computer to your speakers.

The mixer will have either direct channel outputs/or buss outputs which you can connect to your firewire audio interface. However, every device you add into the chain "has the potential" to add more noise to the mix.

I run the delta 1010 interface which is primarily an analog to digital converter with no pre-amps. I use a mixer with pre-amps to feed the delta 1010 interface which feeds data to the computer via a PCI card.

best of luck hope this helps
RJ

 

[guitarplayr82]

Is protools supported on the prosonus??

I thought that the protools was "interface specific" with digidesign hardware
or m-audio pro tools m-powered or in another case the Mackie onyx i series with a specific driver.J

ProTools 8 and below is tethered to certain interfaces. However, ProTools 9 recently came out and now you can use any interface you want.

 

[guitarplayr82]

I have a good computer with decent speakers (or "monitors", as you strange folk call them). I've got good headphones. I intend to get two Shure SM57 mircophones, a presonus firebox soundcard, and either Cubase or Protools (or could I just use audacity? hmm). From my understanding, the microphones will connect into the soundcard via XLR cables, the soundcard will connect to the computer via firewire, and from there I can run Cubase, Protools, or Audacity[?] to record and edit my music. Is this how it works? Suggestions?

Speakers are different than monitors. Speakers, even good ones, will "color" your sound as you play through them. This will give you a false representation of where your mix is at and will cause you to EQ and mix differently. Monitors, on the other hand, deliver a "flat" response where there is no added tone as you play through them. This might not matter now, but I suggest you spend your $300 on some good monitors such as the KRK Rokit 5's (unless the $300 is for your soundcard, mics, and DAW). Your monitoring solution seems to be the weakest link in your setup right now besides the things you haven't bought yet.

Audacity: Because of the limited editing capabilities in Audacity, I'd stick with ProTools (if it works with your interface) or Cubase for your recording and mixing. Those DAWs are more widely accepted and, while Audacity is great for getting started or recording a quick idea, you're going to want a more powerful DAW in the long run. You also might want to check out Reaper. It's free for 30 days and you can get a lot of help with it on this site.

Also, should I buy a cheap mixer? Would this enable me to EQ/adjust the sound levels prior to the data getting to the computer? And how would this work? Do the mics hook up to the mixer, which then goes to the soundcard, which then goes to the computer?

If you chose to do this, the mics would go into the mixer, the mixer would go to the interface, and the interface would go into the computer. It might not be your best choice, though. A "cheap" mixer will degrade the sound quality before it gets to the interface and it probably isn't worth it just to add EQ. Just like Guelph_Guy said, it might be better to record dry into the computer since EQ and volume adjustments are things you can easily do while mixing within your software. Keep in mind you will also have volume controls on your interface.

 

[Groken]

Great, thanks for the help guys. Exactly the info I was looking for.

Still undecided on that mixer though. I saw a behringer 8-track for like $50 on amazon, and it got good reviews. Think it will really mess up the sound appreciably? Multi track recording is probably something I want...doesn't the firebox have two places where you can plug in mics, hence two track recording?

 

[diggy_dude]

I'm skeptical of the idea that it's possible to make a speaker with a perfectly flat response.

 

[guitarplayr82]

Great, thanks for the help guys. Exactly the info I was looking for.

Still undecided on that mixer though. I saw a behringer 8-track for like $50 on amazon, and it got good reviews. Think it will really mess up the sound appreciably? Multi track recording is probably something I want...doesn't the firebox have two places where you can plug in mics, hence two track recording?

If you can post a link to the product you saw on Amazon I can tell you if it's right for you. If you are looking to record more than two mics or instruments, you might want to look into getting a bigger interface with four or eight inputs.

 

[Chili]

Great, thanks for the help guys. Exactly the info I was looking for.

Still undecided on that mixer though. I saw a behringer 8-track for like $50 on amazon, and it got good reviews. Think it will really mess up the sound appreciably? Multi track recording is probably something I want...doesn't the firebox have two places where you can plug in mics, hence two track recording?

If you're not recording drums and you're doing the one-man band thing, then 2 channels is plenty. Someone mentioned not using a mixer to alter your audio before going into the computer and that has been the conventional wisdom. You make adjustments to your individual tracks when you listen to them in context with all the other tracks. That is part of mixing, so you don't want to make permanent adjustments to any tracks before they are recorded.

A mixer might help you sort out your monitoring and playback channels, but that's determined by what interface you get. Probably with the presonus, you won't need a mixer.

Keep in mind when shopping for an interface, that most will come with some form of a popular DAW program like Cubase or Sonar. Be sure to look at that when purchasing your interface. No sense spending money if not needed. Audacity probably won't meet your needs once to get up to speed on home recording.

hope this helps,