How would you spend $400?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mkong
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mkong

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Okay, here's my deal: I have about $400 to spend on recording gear for my computer. My goal is to make simple but quality recordings of 1 or 2 guitars + 2 vocals. In your opinions, what would you say is the best way to spend the money:

(1) Audiophile 2496 + decent mixer
(2) Delta 44 card + a cheap mixer
(3) Delta 66 card + cheaper mixer
(4) Omnistudio (with Delta 66)
(5) Other?

Thanks!
 
Mkong.... I have sat here staring blankly at this question three or four times. I bet odds that almost all of the guys here are in the same boat I am and really want to answer your question but have no clue where to start.

Let me give you an example, I really really want to bake really nice cakes in my kitchen. What do you think I need to do this?

See? I am not trying to be a wise ass, but there are so many different possibilities for an answer here. In a raw sence you answered your question in the same way you asked it, you could stand to have a good sound card and a good mixer. You also will need a quality multitrack recording program. A top notch mic, maybe a preamp.

Help us help you here. What do you have already? How professional do you want? Most fairly modern computers can record a fair bit of audio as-is with its stock gear.

The downside is, honestly, $400 is not a whole lot of money as far as kick starting a home studio. I fully understand not having piles of money and you just want to get started. So toss out a little more background please..... dont be shy about spilling the beans to your true ultimate goals. We are all here to help.
 
I see your point. Here is what I have so far:

Pentium III 450Mz/128MB RAM/20G HD
Princeton Chorus Amp
Acoustic electric guitar
Mics x 2 ($60 radioshacks that a friend gave me)

What I think I need (minimum) to start making decent sounding recordings:

-good sound card (one of the delta's)
-omnistudio or mixer
-monitors

I'm not looking to make professional recordings, but would like to make decent recordings to give to close friends and possibly dubb over camcorder videos. Hope this helps.
 
Delta Audiophile
Delta Audio Buddy
Marshall MLXv67B microphone
Sony MDR 7506 headphones
 
also, try to sell those 2 radio shack mics and get you a used Shure Sm57 with the $$$$....unlewss its some of RS's decent mics....what models are they?.....
 
The mics are the radioshack "Highballs". Inscribed on the side is "Shure unidirectional dynamic microphone". So you think the audiophile is the way to go? Would the sound be comprable to the Delta Omnistudio setup?

Thanks.
 
it would be comparable....i think the Omni Studio is a great value, it just may have more features than you need.......for about $225 with the Audiophile and Audio Buddy, youll get 2 channels of almost as good quality....the Audiophile actually has better spec'ed converters.......and the Audio buddy pres sound really good......and going this way you have the $$$ to get a better mic....and doing vocals, you WILL want a better mic than you have.....

of course with the Omni Studio, you have more inputs (though only 2 of them have inputs), aux channels, headphone outputs, just alot more options/flexibility.......
 
Thanks for the tips. I think I will go with the Omnistudio. I have a feeling that once I actually start recording, I will want the flexibility.
 
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