Is this feasible? A few more questions:

[Kennan2000]

This is what I have come up with, thus far, on my budget:

A Dell P4 1.8-2.0
512 mb ram
question 1: what is the difference between a hard drive that is ultraATA 100 or 7200rpm?

I won't likely be recording more than two tracks at once, so I've decided on either the audio buddy or the M-Audio DMP3. Differences?
Software: I'm looking at either Sonar 2 or 2 XL. What will the XL do for me?
Soundcard-wise, I'm looking at the the Audiophile 2496 or the Delta 44? By the looks of it, there's no way I'm going to need a 1010. Again, differences?
As for mics, I'm not sure: I'll mostly be miking vocals and guitar. Is it better to line-in my keyboard or mike it? I'll also be using my keyboard for MIDI.
And then one more question or two: What is "Phantom Power" and do I need it? And what is a "compressor" and do I need it?
One more, and then I'll leave you alone: Good monitor/ poverty price. Doable?
Thanks for all the advice so far; I've learned a lot from reading over the past day already.
Kennan

 

[Evildick]

This is what I have come up with, thus far, on my budget:

A Dell P4 1.8-2.0
512 mb ram
question 1: what is the difference between a hard drive that is ultraATA 100 or 7200rpm?

->ATA-33/66/100/133 are max throughput of data for the HD. This means that in a perfect world, you could achieve 100MB/sec for data transfer but is usually a bit lower. ATA-133 is faster than 100, which is faster than 66 and so on.

->7,200 rpm means that's how fast the HD platters rotate. As a general rule of thumb, the faster the platter rotates, the faster data can be accessed on different portions of the drive since you don't have to wait so long for the disk to make one full revolution.


won't likely be recording more than two tracks at once, so I've decided on either the audio buddy or the M-Audio DMP3. Differences?
Software: I'm looking at either Sonar 2 or 2 XL. What will the XL do for me?

->SONAR 2 is more than adequate for your needs. XL has some extra belss & whistles that you probably won't use before your next audio software upgrade.

Soundcard-wise, I'm looking at the the Audiophile 2496 or the Delta 44? By the looks of it, there's no way I'm going to need a 1010. Again, differences?

->Once you start recording, you'll be able to tell how many inputs you want. If it's only you playing and recording one instrument at a time, then you may not need so many.

As for mics, I'm not sure: I'll mostly be miking vocals and guitar. Is it better to line-in my keyboard or mike it? I'll also be using my keyboard for MIDI.

->Use the line ins from the keyboard. You can use MIDI on your software to play music using the soundbank in your keyboard and then record the audio through the line-outs.

And then one more question or two: What is "Phantom Power" and do I need it?

->It's used for microphones that require external power, like condensor mics. If you get a cheap Dynamic mic (Shure SM-57/58) to record, you will not need phantom power.

And what is a "compressor" and do I need it?
One more, and then I'll leave you alone: Good monitor/ poverty price. Doable?
Thanks for all the advice so far; I've learned a lot from reading over the past day already.
Kennan

This should get you started. Do a search on the BBS for the compressor and recommendations for cheap monitors. For the time being, just use your computer speakers. Good Luck recording.

http://www.studiocovers.com/articles.htm

http://www.recordingwebsite.com/

Dick

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Good stuff up there.

Let's add a little to the mic choice question.

Your best bet at first would usually be to by a good quality dynamic mic- the shure sm57 is almost universally recommended- and learn how to record with it before dropping any more money on "better" mics.

If that guitar you are micing is electric, then the 57 is your mic of choice. If its an acoustic guitar then get 2 57's and get into stereo X/Y micing.

Both the Audio Buddy and the DMP3 have phantom power so you'll find it easy to upgrade to a condensor mic when the time comes. I wouldn't really recomend that you start with a condensor, though- learn how to record on that 57 and you'll find the condesors a breeze to learn. Start on a condensor, especially one of the inexpensive but excellent large diaphram ones, and you'll swim in mic placement no-man's-land for ages.

The DMP3, by the way, has excellent meters while the audio buddy doesn't have any. This is a HUGE help in setting levels appropriately. I would go with the DMP3 if you can, but the audio buddy will work fine if not.

I'm kinda torn on your monitor question. Its good to have monitors, but they are generally pretty expensive and, to be honest, hard to use at first. I would use your stereo or some other sound system that you are used to listening on until you get the hang of recording and mixing. Monitors aren't getting any more expensive, so waiting until you know what you need is best.

Take care,
Chris

 

[Kennan2000]

Thanks a lot...

So now I have one more question:
Is it going to make a big difference whether my hard drive is of the ATA100 variety or the 7200rpm variety, with regard to its compatibility with SONAR 2? Because I can't afford the 7200rpm through Dell, and I'm scared to make my own PC...

Thanks.
Kennan

 

[elevate]

I can't afford the 7200rpm through Dell...

How much could it possibly be to upgrade from a 5400RPM drive to 7200? Get a cheaper keyboard, mouse, graphics card, etc... You want the faster drive for doing audio work.

Also, there is no compatibility issue between types of hard drives and applications. The only issue you need to worry about is if your hard drive is gonna be fast enough to keep up with your audio playback and recording.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

The 5400rpm drive will work, but it will have just over half the track count of the 7200rpm drive.

I had a Toshiba 900mhz computer with a 5400 drive and loved it- got about 14 tracks without even twitching. Unfortunately, it had some hardware glitches and I had to return it. I wanted to trade in for the same model but (lo!) it had been discontinued. Hey, the salesman said, wanna try this Sony 800mHz? Its the same price and has the same features?

I needed a computer for work the next day so I decided to take to 100mhz loss and live with it.

Good choice! The sony has a 7200rpm drive and my track count jumped to 23- even with the processor being 100mhz slower.

Your choice, of course, but I'd try to get the 7200rpm drive if you are planning to do mostly audio with the computer. If you can't, start saving a little cash to buy a second drive later- they are actually pretty cheap these days and installing them is pretty simple. Having 2 drives is good for audio, too.

Take care,
Chris