Home Studio For A Band

[ofarevolution]

Hello.

I have around a $5,000 budget and am looking to record my band. We have singing, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, lead guitar, and sax. I suppose the ideal setup would allow us to record live with good quality (maybe do vocals and sax cuts after). Is $5,000 enough to get a setup like that? Is an alternative approach better?

The room we will be in will be carpeted, and medium sized. I can get exact measurements for you later if needed. I also have a small closet in which I took a panel out of the door and replaced it with glass if this could be helpful for recording.

I already own a Mac Pro, with Protools LE so I would definitely like to stay with that platform. We also have a PA system, if that at all helps.

Any insight on this would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot.

 

[jlewis]

For $5000, you could get the job done, but what do you expect the result to be? Do you want to learn how to record and mix or do you want a clean, finished recording of your band? You could buy all the gear you need which in theory would allow you to make some good recordings, but when it comes down to recording and mixing there is a lot of technique that goes into it which will determine how good your stuff ends up sounding. If you want a great recording of your band, you might be better off spending that 5 grand in a real recording studio. Otherwise, get like a 16 channel audio interface, a variety of mics, a set of monitors and some acoustic treatment and go to town.

 

[guitarplayr82]

You're off to a really great start, a lot better than some other newbies, especially since you already have a nice computer with a great DAW, PLUS the great budget.

jlewis is right on - a 16 channel interface would be best for you. You'll probably want at least 16 mics too. The only problem is the interface you buy probably won't work with Pro Tools, so you'll have to get another DAW, but that's just a small problem and learning curve.

Your PA system probably won't be needed if you get the 16 channel audio interface. It's still great to keep in the studio, though. After you get your interface and microphones, you should probably try to use the most money you can and are willing to spend on some high-grade monitors and headphones.

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, 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 - $16
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recordin...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273169612&sr=1-1

PC Recording Studios for Dummies - $16
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Stu...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273169612&sr=1-2
(Wish I'd had those when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Home Recording for Beginners by Geoffrey Francis
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recording-Beginners-Geoffrey-Francis/dp/1598638815

When you get a bit into it, I highly recomend The Art of Mixing by David Gibson
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Mixing-Recording-Engineering-Production/dp/1931140456

A MUST READ: Kim Lajoie's "Lifesigns from studio" - FREE - http://www.errepici.it/web/download/KLBD.asp

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

Guitar Amp Recording: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug07/articles/guitaramprecording.htm

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

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

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and user-tested suggestions that work: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)

Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:
Sony ACID Xpress 10-track sequencer: http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
(It's $60 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages...
http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[Armistice]

Is $5,000 enough to get a setup like that?.

Easily enough to get everything you need to, theoretically, allow good quality recording if that equipment was being operated by people who knew what they were doing.

Is an alternative approach better? ?.

There's a significant learning curve to recording quality sound / music. It often takes people, especially if you're recording in the "real" realm of acoustic and amplified instruments rather than beats, samples etc., quite some time to get any good at it. Some people lack the patience to develop the skills and never get any good at it at all.

If you want to be a home recorder, and are ready to commit significant amounts of time (it can be immensely rewarding), then go for it and you'll find a lot of help here and on the net generally. If you just want a one-off recording, take your $ to a studio.

I also have a small closet in which I took a panel out of the door and replaced it with glass if this could be helpful for recording.

If you're only about 2 feet tall and all your equipment is minaturised, it could a great control room.. Otherwise it might be useful to lock miscreants and misbehaving non-core studio attendees into for short periods...

Good luck!

 

[grimtraveller]

Left field take.

There's not many people on this planet that use the word 'Miscreants' anymore.....for that reason alone, Armistice's advice is to be heeded.

 

[Armistice]

Thanks GT...

Nice trumpet ya got there...

 

[grimtraveller]

It's a euphonium. I'd sort of half heard of them {I thought it was a company that made expensive consoles !} without really knowing what they were totally. Then my son started learning one at school. I got a shock when I saw him with it, it's almost tuba size ! I actually thought it was a tuba but he told me, 'no, it's a cross between a trumpet and a tuba'. I can't play it to save my life {he makes a useful sound with it now} but I figured it would make a cool avatar. They're so small now that it needed something shiny.

 

[moresound]

Darn, I thought it was one of those English Kazoos!

 

[AbuseTheMuses]

It's a euphonium. I'd sort of half heard of them {I thought it was a company that made expensive consoles !} without really knowing what they were totally. Then my son started learning one at school. I got a shock when I saw him with it, it's almost tuba size ! I actually thought it was a tuba but he told me, 'no, it's a cross between a trumpet and a tuba'. I can't play it to save my life {he makes a useful sound with it now} but I figured it would make a cool avatar. They're so small now that it needed something shiny.

A buddy of mine played one of those for a punk rock band for a while, he played the basslines. Not a 'ska' punk high-school-band-camp style 'punk' mind you, but a full on sex-pistols style ugly trashy gutter punk band. Funniest stage presence I have ever seen. I thought it sounded closer in range to a trombone, just without the cool slidey goofiness. I get reminded of that band every time I see one of your posts and have a little laugh in my head remembering seeing that.

 

[ZeroZero]

Euphoniums like delphimiums, but not quite so easy to lug around.

I knew a guy that could play chords obn them - Barry Perrin was his name I played in Hendon Brass Band with him.

 

[moresound]

Euphoniums like delphimiums, but not quite so easy to lug around.

I knew a guy that could play chords obn them - Barry Perrin was his name I played in Hendon Brass Band with him.

You mean two notes at a time? or a full out 1, 3, 5 etc.

 

[ZeroZero]

chords.. triads. It was a bit of a gimmick but he was a fine player, Hendon Brass Band was a leading contender and had a rank of world class cornet players, but it was always the euphonium that was mentioned by judges in competitions.

BTW they come in two flavours, Eb and Bb I believe he has a Bb or else he is rather small...

 

[grimtraveller]

Hendon Brass Band

Not Hendon NW4 in London ?

 

[moresound]

chords.. triads. It was a bit of a gimmick but he was a fine player, Hendon Brass Band was a leading contender and had a rank of world class cornet players, but it was always the euphonium that was mentioned by judges in competitions.

BTW they come in two flavours, Eb and Bb I believe he has a Bb or else he is rather small...

Very cool! and was he able to sustain that or just a chord blast?

 

[ofarevolution]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for the replies. I am definitely interested in learning how to record and mix as I think it will be a great skill to have in the long run. I have the time to put in and want to pursue it. I just ordered the Recording for Dummies book on Amazon.

Is there no 16 channel interface that uses protools? Beyond that where do I start with this. Read the book and go from there?

Thanks Again.

 

[ZeroZero]

Yes NW4

In London

 

[grimtraveller]

Yes NW4

In London

I'm just up the road from there in NW9. I used to live and go to school in Hendon NW4.
It's a tiny planet in cyberspace !

 

[zak flaps]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, 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 - $16
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recordin...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273169612&sr=1-1

PC Recording Studios for Dummies - $16
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Stu...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273169612&sr=1-2
(Wish I'd had those when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

Home Recording for Beginners by Geoffrey Francis
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Recording-Beginners-Geoffrey-Francis/dp/1598638815

When you get a bit into it, I highly recomend The Art of Mixing by David Gibson
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Mixing-Recording-Engineering-Production/dp/1931140456

A MUST READ: Kim Lajoie's "Lifesigns from studio" - FREE - http://www.errepici.it/web/download/KLBD.asp

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

Guitar Amp Recording: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug07/articles/guitaramprecording.htm

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

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

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and user-tested suggestions that work: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)

Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:
Sony ACID Xpress 10-track sequencer: http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
(It's $60 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages...
http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

Excellent post Tim....i'm a bit of a newbie myself....your book recommendations and links to other sites look perfect for me to check out....
thanks again....

zak.

 

[grimtraveller]

I learned the other day that Tweakhedz died during the summer of a heart attack. I think his nephew is going to keep the site going.