home recording setup advice for a novice

[cpp]

Need some advice. I'm just starting out so be patient with me. I want to build a system that I can record and edit my music. I play with 5 other guys on occasion and we record onto Cubase. I would like to able to sit in my apartment and record my keyboard, and guitar (in the near future when I start taking lessons) into my computer so when the group gets together we can play off of it.

Here's what I have so far:

1. Yamaha P80 keyboard.
2. Dell P4 computer. 2.0GHz, 256mb ram, 2 hard drives 40 & 80 gb, cdrw drive. The computer is totally dedicated to my music.
3. Acid Pro 4.0
4. Tascam u-224 digital Audio Workstation controller (don't have it yet, but someone is giving me theirs)

Here's what I want to get:

1. monitors - Samson Resolv 65a active studio monitors $299

2. soundcard - M Audio delta 1010-LT $279

3. Cubase SX

4. Inexpensive module with good sounds especially EPs, horns and strings. Don't know which one to get yet.

5. Eventually another keyboard, preferably 76 keys (eventhough I hate the feel of the keys)or 88 keys, with good sounds. I like the Motif but they are too expensive right now, and with Cubase do I really need the Motif?

Am I missing anything that I need? Please understand that I am trying to build slowly. I will probably go for a module first, unless I find a nice, inexpensive keyboard. I have limited space, and was wondering should I eventually get a laptop. Are laptops a viable option. Also do I need a mixer of any kind.

Any comments on the equipment that I have and intend to get, and any suggestions on better equipment would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Scott Mellish]

Any comments on the equipment that I have and intend to get, and any suggestions on better equipment would be appreciated.

Thanks.

CCP- Sounds like you're off to a good start man.

Your PC sounds great, as long as Its not packed with junk it'll do great (i get the impression its not cluttered)

Maudio Delta 1010-lt is great, but you dont have the breakout box so keep that in mind.
And Cubase of course is the way to go.

I have a quesiton, what type of music will you be recording??? And will it be just you, or are you recording a group???

Now I'm a little confused about the Tascam u-224, from what I understand its also a USB audio interface, 2 track 48khz 24bit record...and depending on your needs, you may not need the delta, unless you're wanting to record above 48khz.

My suggestion for what its worth, If you're going to use the TASCAM as your audio interface get a couple of Pre-Amps instead of the delta...I also understand that having USB connection that using a laptop for the future would be quite easy.

A mixer could be a good way to go, but again, depends on what you are recording...

Perhaps a digital piano would be a better way to go then the module and new keyboard. You'll have the 'synthetic' piano feel (but better then a keyboard) some digital pianos have great sounds better then most modules, ie. KORG Triton

Exactly your recording needs will determine what you need in your system...
Goodluck with it, and sorry for rambling on...
Scott

 

[cpp]

Re: Re: home recording setup advice for a novice

CCP- Sounds like you're off to a good start man.

Your PC sounds great, as long as Its not packed with junk it'll do great (i get the impression its not cluttered)

Maudio Delta 1010-lt is great, but you dont have the breakout box so keep that in mind.
And Cubase of course is the way to go.

I have a quesiton, what type of music will you be recording??? And will it be just you, or are you recording a group???

Now I'm a little confused about the Tascam u-224, from what I understand its also a USB audio interface, 2 track 48khz 24bit record...and depending on your needs, you may not need the delta, unless you're wanting to record above 48khz.

My suggestion for what its worth, If you're going to use the TASCAM as your audio interface get a couple of Pre-Amps instead of the delta...I also understand that having USB connection that using a laptop for the future would be quite easy.

A mixer could be a good way to go, but again, depends on what you are recording...

Perhaps a digital piano would be a better way to go then the module and new keyboard. You'll have the 'synthetic' piano feel (but better then a keyboard) some digital pianos have great sounds better then most modules, ie. KORG Triton

Exactly your recording needs will determine what you need in your system...
Goodluck with it, and sorry for rambling on...
Scott

Thanks for the reply Scott.

I plan on doing jazz, R & B, and funk. Maybe some hip hop tracks. As far as who will be recording on the system at this time, mostly me. Maybe one other person. But no more than two at a time. Everyone in our band has or is putting together a system. What we do is record at the person's place who has his home studio together and then burn discs and go home and try to edit them.

As far as the soundcard what is a breakout box? Also what are preamps for?

Peace.

 

[cpp]

How would a Motif rack (about $900) fit into your wish list using the P80 as your MIDI controller for it ?

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure, but I was told that the P80 doesn't really operate well as a controller. That's why I was thinking a new keyboard.

 

[Scott Mellish]

The breakout box on the Delta 1010 is basically a box that is connected to a PCI card in your computer through one thick cable.
The box has all the inputs, 8 TRS 1/4" jacks and 2 XLR mic inputs.
It has your outputs...
It also contains a midi in/out/thru...

From what I understand the 1010LT doesn't have this breakout box, 8 rca inputs 2xlr inputs etc. come out as cables from the PCI card. It one makes things a lot tidier to have the breakout box, and the transparency of the sound will probably be better from the breakout box. You'd also have the complication of RCA inputs as opposed to your TRS (on the 1010) which could come from a mixer or pre directly.

As for a Pre-Amp, its a small box you plug your mic, synth etc. into before your mixer or in your case, soundcard.
it helps to control your levels, stops your soundcard etc. from being overloaded, its a source of phantom power (for running condensor mics, and some instrument mics), helps sounds become big, warm and full...Most i've used also have a VU meter for monitoring your outputs to keep them consistant. Some also work as a D.I

Hope this helps
Scott

 

[cpp]

Thanks Scott. It helped a lot.