Hubby's B-Day ... HELP!

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Keys871

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Hi .. my husband is one of those guys who has always wanted a mini studio in the basement to record keyboard stuff and crazy songs he makes up. He can imitate all kinds of voices, and thinks up lyrics in a heartbeat that crack me up, and he loves special effects. His birthday is next month, and I'd like to get him started with basic equipment, just for the love of music and fun. 4-track cassette multitrackers? Mixers? Effects machines? Where do I start? What do I buy? I have no idea. Help! And thank you. :o)
 
You are going to need to specify a budget range for this gift. There are so many options available that without knowing what your max amount you are willing to spend, it would be hard to advise.

Ed
 
Okay .. probably between $400-$700 ... he can digitally mix stuff on the computer (I went in and adjusted the recorders and audio as Dragon advised), but I know he wants the "basement studio." (Not anything really fancy .. just fun). I don't know how to mix computer equipment with other stuff, so if any of you have ideas on that, I welcome them. Thanks.
 
Well, do you want to record on the computer?

If so, you will need software. Others will advise on that as I don't use computers to multi track. But I think you can get away with something that will cost less then $100 for basic software.

You will need a microphone. A shure SM 58 is cheap and will work reasonably well. About $100 or so.

You will need a microphone preamp. The ART Tube MP is only about $100 and works really well.

This will make a very basic setup. Won't sound great, but will be good for fun recordings that make you laugh... :D

Ed
 
If you truly love your husband, I suggest you
raise your budget to around $15,000.00. :)
But seriously,check www.musiciansfriend.com
and www.samash.com for the latest sales in
recording equipment. I'm pretty much sure you
can find some great bargains in that price range.
I wish my wife was like you! I had to beg her for $10.00 so i can just get some wire from Radio Whack...er...Shack. And I had to pay her back!
BTW, if you are a mother, "Happy Mothers Day!" Enjoy! :)
 
Well thank you for the mother's day wishes! Yes, I am a mom. :D I would love to spend a ton of money (which I don't have) on all this stuff for him, but I'm trying to stay within a decent budget .. for now. We'll see what he can do with stuff. Anyone know anything about effects machines? Simple multitrackers? (4-track). I like the computer side of things, but I think he'd like to branch off and go traditional.
 
Well,not knowing your husband's level of experience,assuming he has some musical talent and want to capture some compositional idea's to quickly and efficiently download to to a recording medium
and taking in cosideration of your generous budget('specially compared to my wife as prev
mentioned),take a gander at the Tascam414MKII
At 'bout $280.00.You can add a decent mic such as a Shure57 or 58($70-$85 respectively)
a Alesis Nanoverb efx processor 'round $80.00,A Behringer MultiPro compressor @ $160.00 and you would have spent approx $590.00. Or if your husband is into computers,and has a good system,go digital.
Sonusman offered some good advice for Pc based recording. Good Luck!
 
sonusman and MISTERQCUE - Thanks for the tips! I wrote all of that information down (my husband almost caught me!) I'll have to be more sneaky. So tell me .. what is with digital equipment (software) that might be better? Would you go that way or stick to traditional studio?
 
1. So tell me .. what is with digital equipment (software) that might be better?
2. Would you go that way or stick to traditional studio?

(1.) You can edit the pictures of the sound on your computer screen with the mouse, and you can also record midi.

(2.) Maybe a gift certificate from the music store so's he can decide?
 
Hey Monty,luv the gift certificate idea!Perhaps you can assist me by convincing my wife being that Fathers day is next month and that I would appreciate a gift cert. from musiciansfriend,Sam Ash or ZZounds rather than some grey flannel shirt,pair of
Dockers slacks,or dinner at Chez`Monee'! :)
But back to Mrs.Keys871 visit www.cakewalk.com . It's informative and gives you the basic understanding of digital recording along with thier various s/w packages. Once again,Happy Mothers Day!
 
Well thanks for the tips! Do you know what my husband said yesterday when I said, "I might spend a little on you for your birthday, Hon." He got this sheepish grin on and said, "You don't need to buy me much .. just a can of Pepsi and then give me a kiss." !! Okay .. he's getting something good. But I like the gift certificate idea a lot. He could have fun with that.

MISTERQCUE - no flowers and nice clothes for you, huh? Grin. But dressing you guys up is so much fun! You look "magnifique" out of those jeans and t-shirts. Although, I have to say, the old levis and white t-shirt look pretty good to me. Thanks again for the tips .. and I hope to have a great Mother's Day tomorrow.
 
Hello Mrs.Keys871! You got a good man there!
Whenever my wife tells me"Honey, Its your b-day,Christmas,Fathers day etc.what do you want!!??Only 2 words come out of my mouth....
AUDIO EQUIPMENT!! :) She laughs, and goes out
and spends good money to buy me clothes! I'm no bum mind you,but I luv' music;luv recording! Oh well,I did marry her because she's a great woman and mother also! Good Luck! :)
 
Okay .. so in your honest opinion guys, would you rather your wife bought you something .. or gave you fair warning before your birthday and said, "Pick out something you'd like" .. or did the gift certificate thing.
 
If your husband knows more about this type of thing, definetly do the "so what would you like" type scenario.

I like cash personally.
 
Let me see here......

Pepsi or AUDIO EQUIPMENT.. hmmmmm....... :confused:

I'd take him to the shop by surprise and tell him "just take what you want up to - this amount".

I could just see him now " Droolll drooooool hmmmm no thanks a Pepsi will do " :)


I'm would leave a copy of this post in my wife's bag but the first thing she would say would be " why cant you be more like him , you see all he wants is a pepsi and a kiss"

[This message has been edited by Shailat (edited 05-17-2000).]
 
Shailat - Now that one had me laughing. You are probably right! She'd find the Pepsi comment right off the bat. :p

If it makes any of you feel better, I'll also prove I'm a normal wife .. I am giving him clothes too. There was this shirt I just couldn't resist :p I think I'll let him choose (although with research on the studio equipment, I might end up doing a better job of getting him what he thinks he needs). But you are right .. better to let him have the fun of drooling over the choices.
 
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