I read something about a steep learning curve???

[Saxiety]

That would be a severe understatement!

I am just getting into the home recording and I have bought / waiting on some equipment. I am going to post what I have and would like anyone to respond with what I might be missing. In terms of specifics of what I will be doing; right now I can only think I will be putting some stuff together of my wife singing and my playing sax or piano (maybe some synthesis). I don't have a drum kit or any traditional "drum set" sounds on my new keys so I definately need a suggestion there as to what type of hardware / software I can use. I am thinking software (if that will work) for now due to cost. Ok here's the goody list:

iMac G5 2.0: Still waiting on delivery, but got a good price
Lacie 250 GB external Hard Drive
Yamaha S08: keys with a few voice options
BX5a: Studio monitors
MBox II
Mics: Sure SM58's for vocal and a Marshall MXL603S
A few mic stands and various cables


So once again, let me know if there is anything that isn't there and also your opinions on drum options.

Thanks
~S~

 

[notbradsohner]

for drums, it really depends on how deep into it you want to get. For example, you can use that keyboard as a midi controller, (i think) for a program like reason or fruity loops, etc. Fruity loops also has a step sequencer, which basically shows you a grid, and you fill in the spots where you want the drum parts to hit. Drumkit from Hell is also a great program to work with drums.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Acoustic treatment- properly treated spaces for recording and mixing are vital for decent sounding recordings.

You're off to a good start when you accept what a vast subject it is though. Plenty of people get a Behringer mixer and a Samson mic and ask why their stuff doesn't sound 'pro'.

 

[Saxiety]

Thanks to both of you.

I have been looking at the dfh software and it seems to be right on.

Kevin, is there any good reading on properly accoustically treating a room. I thought about building two fold up panels (kind of like the ones you see people changing behind in old movies) about 6' tall and maybe 3-4' wide. Basically make the frame out of 1 X 4's, put some speaker cover material over the front and get some of that foam bedding stuff to fill in the frames with. I figure that will work 2 ways: 1. dampen the echo / empty room sound and 2. with the panels open, they will look like an accordian to help diffuse the direction of the sound.

Unless anyone can suggest somewhere to get the accoustic panels cheap, that is my plan.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Kevin, is there any good reading on properly accoustically treating a room. I thought about building two fold up panels (kind of like the ones you see people changing behind in old movies) about 6' tall and maybe 3-4' wide. Basically make the frame out of 1 X 4's, put some speaker cover material over the front and get some of that foam bedding stuff to fill in the frames with. I figure that will work 2 ways: 1. dampen the echo / empty room sound and 2. with the panels open, they will look like an accordian to help diffuse the direction of the sound.

Unless anyone can suggest somewhere to get the accoustic panels cheap, that is my plan.

The studio building and display forum here is a goldmine of info.

If you search around there you should find lots of info on room treatment including building your own treatments.

The construction you mentioned would be good for deadening the room a bit and would probably absorb some of the highs but you might want to consider some bass traps as well.

Ethan Winer hangs out there a bit and he knows his stuff when it comes to acoustics and room treatment (edit- actually that's an understatement).

Here's a link to a piece he wrote, some good stuff there on building bass traps:

http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Be warned!

Its *easy* to go overboard worrying about acoustic treatment. It *is* very important stuff- and its almost impossible to do perfectly. Its always a time/budget/space/reality compromise for most home recordists.

Take care,
Chris

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Be warned!

Its *easy* to go overboard worrying about acoustic treatment. It *is* very important stuff- and its almost impossible to do perfectly. Its always a time/budget/space/reality compromise for most home recordists.

Take care,
Chris

I agree.

Most of us have to make compromises when it comes to most of our gear (not many can afford the best of everything) and it's no different with acoustic treatment.

A room treated with home made bass traps and auralex foam is still a long way from being a professional recording environment but I reckon it'll be closer to being a good space than a bad one.