Home studio help

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antispatula

antispatula

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I don't have all that much money coming in, maybe 200 a month, but I'd like to spend it on building a modest little home studio.

Let me explain to you what my circumstances are:

Me and my friend play together. I write the music, sing, and play guitar and piano. He plays percussion. We don't have a drumset, but two congas, and other small gizmos like triangles and tamborines.

That's it. We have vocals, guitar (sometimes piano) and drums. We're a duo, we're minimalists, kind of like the White Stripes (best band EVER) but not nearly as loud .

I am not a user of effects of any kind (except MAYBE reverb......) and I don't use any kind of synthesizers or MIDI.


So I want the set-up simple, yet of good quality.

What do I need?

This is my guess so far: Mics: I've got those already, a good condenser and a few 57's.

Mixer: I'm thinking of getting an Alesis multimix 6fx, but if I get an analog recorder, should I just stick with the one onboard?

Recorder: I'd like a hi quality analog recorder, any suggestions?

So mics, mixer, and recorder. Anything esle? Maybe a compressor and an EQ?

I'm fairly new to all this, and I'm VERY grateful to those who help! THANKS!
 
If you are a minimalist, truest recording seems to fit. Try a Tascam 32 or 42b or if your into multitracking on a budget, try a Tascam 388. I see them pretty cheap on ebay all the time. Look in the Vintage Consumer Electronics under Reel to Reels. They're usually cheaper there than the Pro Audio catagory.
fitZ
 
For your needs a 4 track cassette might work well. I use a Yamaha MT120 for recording a lot of basic and simple stuff then transfer it to PC for final mixdown. To answer your question, yes a compressor and an EQ (at least 10 band) will help improve your sound, just don't overuse either one.
 
what about a stand alone unit, like somehting from fostex, zoom, korg, etc...
 
Sure, a stand alone uint would work fine. Compare the differences to find which one suits you most. Look for one that is simple to use if you plan to be both musician and engineer at the same time, it's hard to play and man the board at the same time.
 
antispatula said:
I don't have all that much money coming in, maybe 200 a month, but I'd like to spend it on building a modest little home studio.

Let me explain to you what my circumstances are:

Me and my friend play together. I write the music, sing, and play guitar and piano. He plays percussion. We don't have a drumset, but two congas, and other small gizmos like triangles and tamborines.

That's it. We have vocals, guitar (sometimes piano) and drums. We're a duo, we're minimalists, kind of like the White Stripes (best band EVER) but not nearly as loud .

I am not a user of effects of any kind (except MAYBE reverb......) and I don't use any kind of synthesizers or MIDI.


So I want the set-up simple, yet of good quality.

What do I need?

This is my guess so far: Mics: I've got those already, a good condenser and a few 57's.

Mixer: I'm thinking of getting an Alesis multimix 6fx, but if I get an analog recorder, should I just stick with the one onboard?

Recorder: I'd like a hi quality analog recorder, any suggestions?

So mics, mixer, and recorder. Anything esle? Maybe a compressor and an EQ?

I'm fairly new to all this, and I'm VERY grateful to those who help! THANKS!
Click to expand...


you know, if starting out i would have to say the power of the pc looks pretty good. its hard to beat. you are posting here so i imagine you have a pc.
if you need a portable-anlog style standalone...the Tascam DP01 w/CDR...it has EQ and Pan knobs! with a CDR. Its a start to finish unit for demo's.

you have mics. good.
$200 a month, you say.
Buying a Hi End anything seems to contradict your "$200 a month" statement?


PC:
1) Maybe a mixer, but not required most software has this built in,
if you like micing several things, A Mixer, with a RCA to miniplug cable.
Mixers Not needed if just doing a couple tracks or one at a time.

2) the soundcard is already there in your pc for a beginner/basic setup.

3) grab a pair of active monitors. $$there's many in the $300 starter range.

4) some audio-tracking, mixing, mastering, CD Burn software. 48tracks for $48 for example.

imo, the big benefit to the pc is the versatility.
you can record, mix, master... burn cd-r's or mp3's or post/email your tunes to a Forum or Producer! and do other things pc's do.
need a CD-R ~$40 most likely for handing out your music.

so thats about $380-$400, assuming you have a pc with a starter soundcard and don't need a mixer.

i don't know how well they work, but the little USB units look like a quick setup and record option too, assuming again you have a pc with soundcard.


STANDALONE:
if you need portability and want a analog type standalone.
I'd get the new "analog-ish" Tascam DPo1. Its a STart to Finish unit.
has a CDR and a USB for downloading to the pc....and offers a digital format (many advantages over cassettes).
Finally yes, they have the Analog type EQ knobs and PAN functions, which was the only thing i missed from the analog cassette units. and wish were on my 2488.

this will give much better home-recordings and bouncing capabilities than the cassette format (which i did for years). Like the MiniDisc Yamaha MD8 had done several years ago.(very nice unit too..used ~300).

for a few months pay,DP01..looks to be a great "Start to Finish demo unit". portable,Analog-ish. ..with basic effects and now a CDR. :)

good luck.
 
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