Is this all I need?

[Nasty_Nate]

I want to sing over the music I create on the computer.

Is this everything i will need:

Laptop with Intel Duo Core processor.
Yamaha PSR Midi controller
Sony Studio Headphones (not a fan of tiny, expensive monitors)
Condenser Microphone
I have Reason 4.0 for making the music

Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lexicon-Omega-Desktop-Recording-Studio?sku=245505

Comes with cubase LE for sequencing

I know the lexicon has the mic preamp but is it also the Audio Interface?

Would that complete my setup? Thank you!

EDIT: my goal is quality vocals over simple yet elegant piano/guitar beats and rhythms.

 

[Jeff_D]

...I know the lexicon has the mic preamp but is it also the Audio Interface?

yup........

 

[Nasty_Nate]

yup........

Excellent, thank you. Just wanted to make sure I wouldnt need a new sound card.

 

[Jeff_D]

Excellent, thank you. Just wanted to make sure I wouldnt need a new sound card.

Nope- no need for a separate soundcard. Back in the "old days" (like 5-10 years ago) it was not uncommon to have to disable your existing or onboard soundcard to prevent conflicts. That *probably* isn't much of an issue anymore.

Also, don't sell the value of an accurate set of monitors short. Good monitors in a well treated room give an accurate picture of the frequency and stereo image of your mixes. Those two things (good room + good monitors) makes mixing much easier and much more enjoyable. Keep in mind too, that most monitors have amplifier built into them, so consider what you're getting for the price. I only EVER use headphones for tracking. Never for mixing.

Good luck mang.

 

[kcearl]

yup you'll need monitors at some point...no two ways about it

 

[Nasty_Nate]

yup you'll need monitors at some point...no two ways about it

Thank you for your input gentlemen!

I see so much on this boards about the importance of monitors. I'm only a beginner so one day I will hopefully understand, but in the meantime I don't see how these two are even comparable in sound quality (even though I have not heard the monitors).

M-Audio Studiophile Monitors
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Studiophile-AV40-Speakers?sku=600092

Sony studio headphones
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Sony-Pro-MDR7506-Headphones?sku=271056

I'm just thinking..."how the hell am I going to hear any bass on a 4 inch diameter speaker?" I know the headphones have much smaller speakers, but its a lot different when its right in your ear!

It just seems to me that headphones would present a MUCH broader sound range of accuracy and clarity when in the lower price range. $600 dollars for one monitor with a 6.5 inch speaker? Sweet curvy gravy I have 4 6.5 inch Clarion speakers in my car's stereo system and when I try to get them even close to loud those babies are distorting all over the place when the song has any bass! Are they two completely different animals?

I wish I understood...

 

[kcearl]

Its about hearing accurate frequencies...near feild monitors are completely different than car speakers regardless of the size....mixing your bass to what you hear in headphones will not translate to what is heard on a speaker..you'll also be unable to get the correct levels of loudness...nearly all mixes sound good on phones

I mix on my phones (I have three pairs) when I have too, it will get me close to the correct loundness...but I cant EQ with them and panning that sounds great on phones doesnt have the same spread on monitors

ftr you dont have to spend $600, be nice if you can...you can pick up half decent monitors for $200...and even a set of older decent hi fi speakers are going to beat phones for mixing..period

"The "near field" of a loudspeaker is area where the direct,
unreflected sound from the speaker dominates significantly over the
indirect and reflected sound, sound bouncing off walls, floors,
ceilings, the console. Monitoring in the near field can be useful
because the influence of the room on the sound is minimized.

Near field monitors have to be physically rather small, because you
essentially need a small relative sound source to listen to (imagine
sitting two feet away from an 18" woofer and a large multi- cellular
horn!). "

http://stason.org/TULARC/entertainment/audio/pro/10-4-What-is-a-near-field-monitor.html

 

[Jeff_D]

If you're working with drums and bass, a set of 8" monitors would be reasonable. These start around the $500 range for ACTIVE monitors- so amplifiers built in. If you were doing maybe vocal and guitar or vocal and piano, a 6" would probably get you by. I doubt the small set you linked to would be of much value for mixing- probably more for like monitoring while you were editing video or something, where you needed to hear, but arent making mix decisions (I'm speculating). In a properly treated room, you'll get pretty much all the bass you need out of a set of 8"s.

 

[Jeff_D]

http://www.bluebearsound.com/articles/headphones.htm

 

[Nasty_Nate]

Its about hearing accurate frequencies...near feild monitors are completely different than car speakers regardless of the size....mixing your bass to what you hear in headphones will not translate to what is heard on a speaker..you'll also be unable to get the correct levels of loudness...nearly all mixes sound good on phones

I mix on my phones (I have three pairs) when I have too, it will get me close to the correct loundness...but I cant EQ with them and panning that sounds great on phones doesnt have the same spread on monitors

ftr you dont have to spend $600, be nice if you can...you can pick up half decent monitors for $200...and even a set of older decent hi fi speakers are going to beat phones for mixing..period

"The "near field" of a loudspeaker is area where the direct,
unreflected sound from the speaker dominates significantly over the
indirect and reflected sound, sound bouncing off walls, floors,
ceilings, the console. Monitoring in the near field can be useful
because the influence of the room on the sound is minimized.

Near field monitors have to be physically rather small, because you
essentially need a small relative sound source to listen to (imagine
sitting two feet away from an 18" woofer and a large multi- cellular
horn!). "

http://stason.org/TULARC/entertainment/audio/pro/10-4-What-is-a-near-field-monitor.html

I feel enlightened. Thank you Kcearl.

 

[kcearl]

No worries dude..I was in the same boat as you 6 or so months ago so ask away..Im probably only a few steps ahead

 

[JIMBOdrummer]

ya if your just doing piano n vox you can get away with 6 inch monitors. i mean if your not even planning on doing a ton you can PROBABLY get away with good head phones (to save some money).
bounce the tracks and trial n error. i mean i've goten good mixes from this (ONLY WHEN ITS ON THE LEVEL OF VOX N SYNTHS).
but this definitely won't cut it for anything with drums and bass cuz the lows wont come through