....hmm..a common question BUT important

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris Buyze
  • Start date Start date
Just find a used interface for peanuts, download Reaper (32 bit version) for free, find a Yamaha thriftstore keyboard with a MIDI out, and download Proteus VX for free (follow the instructions) and you will have a rig for less than two hundred bucks that kills studios that used to cost fifty bucks an hour (or more). Learn to use those tools, and then when you go deeper or decide to punt, you can make a very informed judgement. Why 32 bit? So many fantastic free instruments and other VSTs only live in PC at that bit rate. Why Reaper? Because all the other contenders have intro versions, but if you want the whole enchilada they cost significantly more and are NO better. If you are a guitarist, buy a direct box if you don't have one, send the dry, unamped signal to the DAW, and use your amp to monitor with, skipping the whole latency issue completely. Put a mic on the amp if you are so inclined, but there are some amazing freebie amps out there and the tonal flexibility is so useful as long as you are capable of making a decision someday....smile. I see a lot of people get hung up on meaningless details trying to squeeze another three percent but missing out on the big picture, if your song sucks it doesn't matter, and if your song is great, it also doesn't matter. This song may suck, but it was done completely on freeware and an interface that I found for 200 bucks, and with drum microphones that are easily found for less than 100 bucks apiece, most for around $20......
https://clyp.it/p5t3jifh
 
jjinvegas said:
Just find a used interface for peanuts, download Reaper (32 bit version) for free, find a Yamaha thriftstore keyboard with a MIDI out, and download Proteus VX for free (follow the instructions) and you will have a rig for less than two hundred bucks that kills studios that used to cost fifty bucks an hour (or more). Learn to use those tools, and then when you go deeper or decide to punt, you can make a very informed judgement. Why 32 bit? So many fantastic free instruments and other VSTs only live in PC at that bit rate. Why Reaper? Because all the other contenders have intro versions, but if you want the whole enchilada they cost significantly more and are NO better. If you are a guitarist, buy a direct box if you don't have one, send the dry, unamped signal to the DAW, and use your amp to monitor with, skipping the whole latency issue completely. Put a mic on the amp if you are so inclined, but there are some amazing freebie amps out there and the tonal flexibility is so useful as long as you are capable of making a decision someday....smile. I see a lot of people get hung up on meaningless details trying to squeeze another three percent but missing out on the big picture, if your song sucks it doesn't matter, and if your song is great, it also doesn't matter. This song may suck, but it was done completely on freeware and an interface that I found for 200 bucks, and with drum microphones that are easily found for less than 100 bucks apiece, most for around $20......
https://clyp.it/p5t3jifh
Click to expand...

I agree with much of that. Peeps do tend to handwring unnecessarily about interfaces and DAWs..ANYTHING you buy that works will be technically better by clicks than tape!

But you don't need a DI box. Any AI that I am aware of* will have a "High Z Instrument" input and the performance of that input will almost certainly be better than a cheap passive DI and even some of the cheaper active ones (the exception being a mk1 2i2 but that can be fixed with a couple of resistors and jacks in a tin and a bit of soldering..LEARN to do this!) . Did you not know this JJ....?

Cannot comment on 32 bit ***t, all my PCs are 64 bit and I have never had any issues with any hard or software because of that. (I have Reaper 64 but also run Samplitude SE8 32bit and A.Audition 1.5 32. )

*Second hand is fine but you could be unlucky and need to know what you are doing (I bought an 8i6 sans 12V PSU but I knew I needed one and have shedloads about the place) The Alesis i02 is under £70 NEW and is stonking value for money. Tears the F'rites a new one for it!

Dave.
 
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