Hey everyone, got a few question!

[Joe Monty]

Hi everyone,

I'm Joe, I play drums along with some other instruments, but am looking to into getting into recording myself at home.

I have a very limited knowledge of recoding, but I have recorded a few times, but have never really taken much notice of whats going on. Basically all I want to do, is start recording instruments (guitar, bass, vocals, and maybe some samples eg drums.) on my home pc, to save me having to go and pay for recording. This way I can get it done when i'm free, and grasp a good knowledge of whats going on, and who knows what may happen after that!

I am part of a drumming forum, who have reccomended that I buy one of these

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/4001

There is one of these on ebay which comes with sonar. But if I was to buy this, what would i need then? What type of leads, etc. Then how does it all connect up etc.

Please help!

thanks a lot!

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

Immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Good Newbie guide that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html


Plenty of software around to record for free to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com

 

[dirtyp]

Search the forum this is a standard question.......... You would need a mic one for vocals and probaly one for instruments... its pretty simple to connect usb plug to your pc, mic to mic jack on interface.. other then that you might want a mixer since your ding instruments and im not sure how many line in/line outs you need............

 

[rayc]

For that price you could get a good soundcard with a BO box or lots more.
Stop what you're doing.
Click Tim's links.
Save the pages in your favs.
Go back & read the stuff.
See which ones suit your particular needs.
Select the one that meets your budget - but remember if you get into recording you'll spend heaps more bit by bit so you'll want to be able to augment what you get now.
FIND/MAKE a friend/aquaintance who has a home recording rig & watch them them ask to have a go.
SPEND calmly and BIT by BIT unless someone offers you an unbelieveable package deal ( & remember unbelieveable is usually called that because it lack credulity)
ENJOY
Say goodbye to freetime
Develop hunch & myopic vision
Forget what GOILS look/smell/feel/taste like!!!

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Are you going to be happy recording two tracks at a time? If you're a drummer I imagine you'd want to mic a kit and be able to process seperate elements of the kit seperately? That being the case you're going to need a soundcard or interface with more inputs.

Tell us how many tracks you want to be able to record simultaneously and what you're budget is.

That edirol thing connects up to your PC via a USB lead so nice and easy. The inputs take either 1/4" jacks or xlr plugs.

RayC's dead right, make sure you know exactly what you need and what it is your buying before you part with your money.

 

[Joe Monty]

I currently don't have a set of drum mikes, so the drum thing is something I will worry about another time. If i am in desperate need of drums I will get some drum loops or recod elsewhere.

I am looking to spend about £200 maybe right now, and more in the near future. Less is good though! I have been looking at Tascam US 122s, they look like they have what I need (not that I know lol!).

Does anyone rate these?

Thanks for all your help so far!

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

For £200 I'd get an M Audio Delta 44 soundcard and a Yamaha MG10/2 mixer. That's assuming you have a spare PCI slot?

That'd give you four inputs into the comp (with a breakout box) and 4 mic preamps out of the yammie.

When you do get some mics for your kit you'll thank me that you don't have to go out and get a new interface with more inputs.

Or if you really want future proof you could save up a bit more and get the Delta 1010LT (about £155 these days) and an MG12/4 (£110) which would give you 8ins.

 

[Joe Monty]

Thanks Kevin,

I am still researching (don't want to rush into anything to quickly). I will keep your advice in hand!

thankyou!

 

[jonnyc]

Recording at home is fun and you can learn alot from it, but just remember, when you want a great recording to pay the pro's. It's what they are there for.

 

[murphy54]

I am new too.....how you enjoy this forum