home recording equipment for first timer

  • Thread starter Thread starter KMAN
  • Start date Start date
K

KMAN

New member
I am a songwriter looking to get a home recodring studio on a very limited budget but have no clue as to where to begin and what equipment and software to get. Is PC recording advisable?
 
Kman there are so many different options that trying to answer your question is pretty hard unless we have an ideas of what a Limited Budget means in dollar value. With that data we can at least try to give you some direction on the best place to start. It would also be uselful to know if you already have a PC and its speed and available hard disk space before advising on PC base vs standalone DAW to begin, because if you don't have one the cost of the PC will have an effect on your limited budget.
 
If you surf around this BBS, maybe you'll come to the conclusion that you'll go this way:

- PC with M-Audio Delta Soundcard
- Cool Edit Pro 2 or N-Track Software
- M-Audio DMP3 and/or Studio Projects VTB-1 Mic pre
- Typical mics would be Shure SM57, MXL603, Behringer ECM8000, Studio Projects B1 or C1,
- Yorkville or Tannoy or Event or JBL monitors

Then again.. You might end up with something completely different.

I suggest you take some time and surf around the forums here. There's plenty of info for anyone new to homerecording.

Good luck.
 
if what those guys are saying is in a foregin language and you are truely a first timer than go to ebay and get a roland vs 880 digital workstation. a great box for first timers and i think its around $500
 
Or after researching you may go this way:

TASCAM 38-8
16 Channel Mixer
SM-57 mic
Pair of monitors
Monitor amp
Mic stand
Headphones
 
In the long run....

Computer recording is better then a Digital Audio Workstation...

To do Computer recording you will need...

A computer - *GASP*
A sound card - M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 (Inexpensive but good)
A microphone - Shure Sm-57 is a good one to start off with (ask about this in the microphone section, or do a SEARCH)
A preamp - To get the signal picked up by your microphone loud enough to actually hear... This could be found in a MIXER or in a STAND ALONE PREAMP such as the AUDIO BUDDY

and you will need software... I prefer Sonar but your best bet would be to download demos of all software and try it out to find the one that is the best for you


Did I miss anything ? ;)
 
Sennheiser said:
Or after researching you may go this way:

TASCAM 38-8
16 Channel Mixer
SM-57 mic
Pair of monitors
Monitor amp
Mic stand
Headphones
Click to expand...

Not likely! This is the highest cost, worst sounding option, depending on the quality of the mixer.
 
There you have it. Already you can see that the options and opinions vary. Personally I would suggest that befor you drop a dime, that you Go with WX3's suggestion in part, and download a half dozen or so demo software programs to get a feel for things.

www.hitsquad.com is an excellent resource for this. They bust up the page in list options as to what you want....

Multitrack recording software: records 2 or more tracks or parts

Audio editors: modify or add effects to wav or sound files

Encoders/decoders: converts audio files to different formats

Point being, you can spend a grip of cash on stuff befor you even have a solid idea what you intend to do. The bottom line is you need a recording medium, be it a stand alone unit, a computer or even a cassette recorder. You need a means to pump the signal into the recording medium. That could be simply a sound card, a mixer a preamp or a combination of the bunch. Also the device you use to record with (mics, guitars, keys) will impact this answer. So go ahead and explain your intent and desires a bit more, and peek at some demos. Also the "Newbie" forum here may answer many of your questions just from reading some of the other guys.
 
cominginsecond said:
Not likely! This is the highest cost, worst sounding option, depending on the quality of the mixer.
Click to expand...

Worst sounding option? Worst sounding option? Yes I understood what you wrote, I just couldn't believe my eyes.

It is an alternative option for those that do not like the cold, sterile, impersonal sound that is afforded by digital recording, nor the hassles associated with the digital setup. It's also for those who have been around long enough to appreciate the advantages of recording in analog.

There are no endless hardware upgrades, improved versions, patches to fix bugs, a zero db VU level, loosing your data because of an oversight, system crashes, backups to make in case the forementioned happens, when recording in analog.

There is a downside to analog, some do make a safety copy if the master is to be shipped out. Oh, and that alignment and calibration stuff once a quarter or so is really difficult to learn.
Cleaning is really an ordeal. Tough to work those swabs and head cleaner. There are no upgrades or new versions to buy. Most machines if maintained with care, function as well as they did 10, 15 or even 20 years ago. Oh and the biggest downside besides media costs; you really have to be able to play and sing to record using analog. Tape editing is a real pain in the ass. Most don't comp ten takes to get something usable. You either get it right in one take or you do it again until you do.

And last of all, decent recordings have been, and will continue to be made on medium/large format equipment for some time to come. Albums have been pressed from the very same makes and models of equipment I'm using now that were commercial succeses.

Well, back to the matter at hand. You could get into an eight-track 1/2" format setup for around $600-$1000 depending on the machine and the console. You haven't specified a budget yet, so I really don't know what "limited budget" is for you. For someone with some desposable income, that could be $3000 or $300.

I'm not against recording with a computer. I've heard some very good tunes in the Clinic recorded on a DAW or computer. But it's not for everyone, nor should it be.

cominginsecond, if you have any doubts about the quality of analog recording, look me up in the Clinic and listen to a few tunes at NWR.
 
I belive, if you're a newbie at this, you'll need somthing simple.

Allthough a PC with recording-software would apply to be an easy thing, and by no means, it is, the way to get there is not an easy one. Buying a DELL PC off the net wont do the trick.
For about a year ago I decided to go PC, I did a quite alot of research in the PC component area, you'll need the right motherboard, videocard, harddrives the list goes on, and after that, you have to install the right OS and then optimise it for audio.
I did all this without any external help and know I feel like a total computor nerd.

One word of advice, buy a digitall portastudio to save yourself this headache. Go PC will make you end up being more of a computor-technichian than a songwriter.
It could be very tempting to go PC, cause it's all flexible and relative cheap and those protools studios look so fancy. If you start doing the maths you'll come to the conclusion that PC-recording isn't really that cheap.
I'll know, two screens look profesionall, but really, do you need it?

My point: If you are doing demos and are recording yourself and your band, there is no point in trying to build a studio relative to what you might see in a commercial studio. A digital portastudio would be just fine, and I'm conviced that you could achive remarkeble results with it.

There is alot of diffrent digitall portastudios on the market I haven't used any of them, but Yamaha and Roland looks like the better ones. I know that with some of them you're able to hook up a mouse and VGA screen if you like the benefits of PC kind of visiuall editing.

Then we got all the other gears in the setup, with a good microphone, compressor and preamp, maybe a seperat mixer, and you are ready to Rock.

When you've decide how it gonna be, do a seperat search for each type of gear (mics, comps, pres, whatever) on this forum to know which one to buy.

You've just start scratching the surface.
 
The Eurythmics big hit "Sweet Dreams" was recorded on a Tascam 8 track
1/2" reel to reel. Tell it me it doesn't sound good, sonically speaking.
(also recorded in an apartment BTW)
Bruce Springsteen recorded the album "Nebraska" on a cassette 4 track
and as far as I know, nobody yet has requested a refund on buying this
multi-million selling album because of it. :)

So...
How much do you want to spend?
How much of a learning curve and/or how important is ease of use?

Chris
 
Hmmmmm

I think simple is important when starting out. The debate goes on about analoge vs digital etc. However, to get started, I bought a used Tascam 4 track 424 mkII. It was very easy to use, allowed me learn about different recording techniques and most importantly, allowed me to focus on the music and not PC programing. Everyone has to start somewhere, and that's where I started. Worked great for me. Perhaps for you too. Also, buy the best mic you can afford. I got a steal on a Neuman 103. That's an exception, but you can find some good mic's either here at the BBS equipment for sale (post a 'wanted' ad) or on eBay.
My 2 cents... good luck! Peace - Mitch
 
KMAN, insufficient data, dude. First, explain what you already have in terms of instruments, computers, speakers, stereo equipment, headphones, amps, etc. Take stock of everything you already have, and post it up. Then tell us what your budget is realistically, what you plan to record, and what you intend to do with the recordings. Then, we might be able to help you better. Welcome to the board!.-Richie
 
This is what I've picked up so far for my beginner's rig. I work with computers for a living and I still think the "studio in a box" solution is the way to go. Simplicity has a lot to offer when you are "courting the muse"

$250- Boss BR-532 on eBay
$ 50- Extra 128MB Memory Card for 532
$ 79- Studio Projects B-1
$149- Rode NT3 (mistake don't buy it :)
$179- M-Audio DMP-3
$299- M-Audio SP8 Monitors

The benefits of this setup are simplicity and portability. The whole setup, minus the monitors, fits in two of the Lowes aluminum briefcases. At $250 or there abouts, the BR-532 should prove useful for a songwriter even if a larger setup is aquired down the road. As a scratchpad and practice tool, it's very flexible.

Next purchases, are a FMR RNC and possibly the new Rode NT5s. On a side note I am picking up some side business recording for a local bluegrass band and some barbershop quartets. I'm not looking to make a living at this, but's nice to subsidize the hobby.

charlie
 
Buck, you're doing OK. As a sometime user of a Korg PXR4 Pandora, I respect and support card recorders for travel amps and notepads. My studio is based on a Roland VS1824CD, which will eventually get upgraded. Your research has been fairly thorough, because you've got a lot of cheap things that work! Also, your planned upgrades are worthy.
I would say, wait just a little for Studio Projects C-4, and buy them instead of the NT5's. For now, just get another B-1 with the same color dot on the box as your current one. They should make a fairly good stereo pair, useful even after you get a pair of small diaphragms. Then upgrade to a hard drive DAW. Keep the BR-532. When I travel, I'm never without a cheap solid body, a set of cans, and my Pandora.-Richie
 
Sennheiser said:
Worst sounding option? Worst sounding option? Yes I understood what you wrote, I just couldn't believe my eyes.

It's the worst sounding option because you suggested an SM57. The only thing an SM57 is good for is mic'ing snare and guitar amp. Unless he's an instrumental guitar and snare duo, I would recommend a nice budget condenser (C1, V67), if you were limited to one mic.

It is an alternative option for those that do not like the cold, sterile, impersonal sound that is afforded by digital recording,

Digital recording is not necessarily cold, it's accurate.

nor the hassles associated with the digital setup.

Oh my! The hassles of digital cannot even compare to the hassles of analog. Have you ever had to relap the heads on your computer? Do you have to align it? Do you need a $200 test tone reel, a $150 demagnetizer, and a degree in electrical engineering to maintain your computer? There are computer repairmen in every town over the size of 5,000. You have to live in a major metropolitan area to find someone to work on your reel to reel.

There are no endless hardware upgrades, improved versions, patches to fix bugs, a zero db VU level, loosing your data because of an oversight, system crashes, backups to make in case the forementioned happens, when recording in analog.

There are endless repairs, maintenance, and fears that your transport is going out on you or your wow and flutter or tape hiss will be noticeable.

There is a downside to analog, some do make a safety copy if the master is to be shipped out. Oh, and that alignment and calibration stuff once a quarter or so is really difficult to learn.
Cleaning is really an ordeal. Tough to work those swabs and head cleaner. There are no upgrades or new versions to buy. Most machines if maintained with care, function as well as they did 10, 15 or even 20 years ago. Oh and the biggest downside besides media costs; you really have to be able to play and sing to record using analog. Tape editing is a real pain in the ass. Most don't comp ten takes to get something usable. You either get it right in one take or you do it again until you do.

All these downsides are why I would never suggest analog to a newbie. The repairs and maintenance are just ridiculously expensive, and they're not available everywhere. If your motherboard goes out on your computer, just buy another on newegg for a hundred and have a friend put it in (if you can't) for the price of a lunch.

And last of all, decent recordings have been, and will continue to be made on medium/large format equipment for some time to come. Albums have been pressed from the very same makes and models of equipment I'm using now that were commercial succeses.

Some of my favorite albums were done on these formats. There's no argument from me here. I just think that you have to have an amazing board and amazing mics to get good results with these formats. Your setup with the 57 would not result in commercially releaseable audio quality.
Click to expand...
 
Irrelevant as it may be, if he'd asked this question 15 years ago what would your recommendations have been?

We'll upgrade the mic to the MD-441 (maybe his room is not so hot), and a TASCAM 3500. A bit above newbie gear level I think.

We still have not heard back from him yet as to what his "newbie" budget is. He may not be able to afford more than a Porta and a RS mic.

Digital recording is not necessarily cold, it's accurate.
Click to expand...
But still sterile and impersonal.

Do you need a $200 test tone reel, a $150 demagnetizer,
Click to expand...
Can be had for $125 and $40 respectively.

and a degree in electrical engineering to maintain your computer?
Click to expand...
No, but it helps.

.
wow and flutter or tape hiss will be noticeable.
Click to expand...
If proper technique is used along with tape speed or NR, this is no factor. Neither is wow or flutter. We're not talking about a PortaStudio. Transports are a lot more stable than you might think. For any that is present it will not be noticeable to the average listener.

There are endless repairs, maintenance, and fears that your transport is going out on you
Click to expand...
Mine has never needed a repair. Chances are a lot less than having a HD crash or something else to wipe out your data.

The repairs and maintenance are just ridiculously expensive, and they're not available everywhere.
Click to expand...
That's why you learn to do it yourself.

Your setup with the 57 would not result in commercially releaseable audio quality.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top