Home studio

[THERYMER]

Hi every-one,
I have a 14 year old daughter who is a great singer i want to set up a home recording studio at home but not go mad on money, i do want good quality though, i dont have a clue where to start can any one help, i would like to just be able to input backing tracks into a unit and let her add the vocals and master it, would be great if any one can give me some advice.

Thanks,
Therymer

 

[Jeff_D]

Plenty of options. Help us help you. Do you just want to record her vocals? What about other instruments? Acoustic Guitar? Piano? Full band, drums and all?

 

[Massive Master]

(and MIX it -- Mastering is an entirely different process)

Sorry... Just being picky...

Anyway - "Quality" is very subjective (and can be very expensive). Experience is a very long path. You might consider just "getting your feet wet" with a decent USB mic (Rode's PodCaster is rather decent) and something along the lines of Reaper. Some decent monitoring and a small truckload of broadband traps would be in order also...

Any particular budget you're trying to stick to?

 

[darrin_h2000]

You have to make a choice here...Quality...or not going crazy spending money...unless someone dies and leaves you thier studio there is no way out of that choice.

Maybe if you shared where you are and let one of us record her for you...it might work out better...Ive seen too many guitars on Craigslist because kids wanted them for christmas and they ended up not playing them...you might not wish to go down that road.

 

[THERYMER]

YES I WANT TO RECORD HER VOICE WITH A BACKING TRACK , THERE IS NO NEED TO ADD INSTRUMENTS, I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO MASTER IT MY SELF AT HOME .

Thanks.

 

[THERYMER]

(and MIX it -- Mastering is an entirely different process)

Sorry... Just being picky...

Anyway - "Quality" is very subjective (and can be very expensive). Experience is a very long path. You might consider just "getting your feet wet" with a decent USB mic (Rode's PodCaster is rather decent) and something along the lines of Reaper. Some decent monitoring and a small truckload of broadband traps would be in order also...

Any particular budget you're trying to stick to?

well i do want quality, i just dont know what it costs, i know it wont be cheap but i dont want to pay for features i wont use

 

[THERYMER]

home studio

Plenty of options. Help us help you. Do you just want to record her vocals? What about other instruments? Acoustic Guitar? Piano? Full band, drums and all?

No instruments , just backing tracks and her vocals, i know it wont be rearly cheap, i just dont want to pay for features i wont use

 

[gecko zzed]

No instruments , just backing tracks and her vocals, i know it wont be rearly cheap, i just dont want to pay for features i wont use

Unfortunately the features that you will need, i.e. the hardware, are going to soak up most of your money.

The software application that you use to record is the least of your worries. There are plenty of free ones around, as well as some extremey good cheap ones.

But you will need a microphone, a recording interface and a monitoring system as your basics. Do a search for USB audio interfaces as a start.

 

[THERYMER]

plenty of options. Help us help you. Do you just want to record her vocals? What about other instruments? Acoustic guitar? Piano? Full band, drums and all?

yes just her vocals, no instruments.

 

[Jeff_D]

Something like this

or this...

Could get you started. Download Reaper for software. http://www.reaper.fm/


Find a decent large diaphragm condenser mic. Look at Shure, MXL, Audio Technica, etc.

Throw in a pop filter, and the necessary cables and you can be on your way for ~$500.
This is not the pinnacle of uber high quality, but I think you'll be happy with what you get out of it.

You'll need some way to monitor too. Decent powered studio monitors start at $300 and go well over $1000 for a pair. I wouldnt skimp here. If you arent ready to drop that kind of cash, I'd make due with the house stereo until you are ready to commit. I wouldnt spend money on cheap monitors.

My 2c.

 

[THERYMER]

What sort of cost is involved

 

[Disease8]

Usb condenser?

Buy a usb mic and record onto home PC use free recording software such as Audacity and it'll be down to where and how you record more than the choice of mic although doing some research into the better usb condenser mics is a good idea. SE electronics is probably a good one or if you really want a cheap one the Behringer could be acceptable read some REVIEWS..

Make sure you buy a mic stand and pop shield and make a nice deadened space with no reverb in you house to record in, maybe a cupboard or with your daughters back facing some big thick heavy curtains. Experiment with different positions and sound treatment...

 

[THERYMER]

Thanks, do thoses units connect to my p.c , sorry i know very little, the cost is ok and i agree about the monitors

 

[Disease8]

yep

just plug and play get free software and your away for around $150 (including pop shield and stand... do you have good hi fi speakers?

 

[Jeff_D]

What sort of cost is involved

Both the Firebox and MAudio unit I posted pictures of go for about $200. Check prices at zzounds.com or musiciansfriend.com.

You can drop $50 to $3,000 on a LD Condenser mic. I'd say $100~$300 for your first mic is reasonable. Another ~$50 on cables to connect everything and a pop filter.

 

[Jeff_D]

Thanks, do those units connect to my p.c , sorry i know very little, the cost is ok and i agree about the monitors

Yeah, one is USB and the other is Firewire.

 

[Disease8]

maybe usb mixer...

Or the Samson G-Track is a USB mic which also gives the performer a headphone mix which will be important for your daughter to hear the backing track and her own voice whilst recording and without latenceny.. These headphones will stop sound going into the mic from the backing track.. or similar closed back hp's but these are the only cheap ones I've found that are any good...

 

[THERYMER]

Reaper

Is there any down load like reaper available as a free down load on the net ?

Thanks,
Therymer.

 

[kcearl]

Is there any down load like reaper available as a free down load on the net ?

Thanks,
Therymer.

reaper is free for the first 30 days or something then it takes longer to start up unless you pay the $50...all in all pretty good

 

[THERYMER]

Or the Samson G-Track is a USB mic which also gives the performer a headphone mix which will be important for your daughter to hear the backing track and her own voice whilst recording and without latenceny.. These headphones will stop sound going into the mic from the backing track.. or similar closed back hp's but these are the only cheap ones I've found that are any good...

Thanks, i think when she has been in a studio before she has had ear phones on and i guess she probably have her voice in the ear phones as well i dont rearly know