just another stupid newbie

[55'gibby]

OK here's the deal...

I've been playing guitar/bass/keys for 30 years. about 2 years ago I thought it would be cool to set up a home studio. I went out and bought a board, mics, monitors, a mile of cables... and a computer. the computer is really where my questions are. I bought a rather high end PC that has a fast backside buss and a ton of RAM and a 3 gig processor. what I don't know is what will I need to connect the output of the board to the PC. what I'm most interested in is what sound card and software would you fine people recommend. I don't really want to go over $500 maybe $600 for both.

last night I managed to finally hook up everything and do a bit of recording. I used audacity and my sound blaster card, and got some rather questionable quality in the recording. I'm sure that I don't have everthing right but all the gear before the PC is good quality stuff so I'm sure it's at the PC end.

what would you recommend?

 

[mshilarious]

I'm sure that I don't have everthing right but all the gear before the PC is good quality stuff so I'm sure it's at the PC end.

what would you recommend?

It was probably a combination of the Soundblaster and/or improper gain staging.

Anyway, first tell us how many inputs you need-2,4,8, etc. This is driven by how many tracks you want to simultaneously record, as well as how many your mixer can supply. Also tell us what style of music.

 

[Track Rat]

I agree that it's more than likely a combination of the Soundblaster (VERY crappy) and your gain staging. First of all, make sure you're going into the card through the LINE input and not the MIC in. Double click the little speaker icon in the lower right hand corner of the screen and bring up the Windows mixer. Select "Properties" and click on RECORDING. That's where you'd select "LINE INPUT". If that's all correct, just pay carefull attention to your gain settings. Use the meters in your recording software (by the way, you didn't mention what software you're recording to) to set your levels going in.

 

[55'gibby]

I have a Yamaha mg16 (freebie) board and I intend to use the output from the board to record (2 tracks), I would think a 4 track sound card would be plenty because it will be just me alone 90% of the time. when I need more mics (for when the drummer comes over) I will mic up the drums and run them through the board giving me only two tracks out.

I have no real software (I have audacity, not what I intend to use), so I am looking for a recommendations for software. I do intend on changing out the soundcard and looking for some recommendation on that as well. I have no dreams of making a pro studio, this is just for me, for fun.

btw, I play blues, blues/rock, and jazz

 

[manning1]

look at the delta sound cards if you want multiple inputs eg ....drums.
ie...to record to multiple tracks at the same time.
for recording software thats superb . just search under my name.
lots of tips posted in the past year that will cost you little.
also lots of general recording tips on mics,computer set up,monitors , recording techniques etc etc.
peace.

 

[mikeh]

I suggest you give some thought to 8 ins if you are relatively sure you will be recording live drums. While you can submix to 2 tracks into the computer you then lose much mixing ability when you finally mix to a final 2 track.

I have an 8 in 10 out Layla and 90% I only need 1 or 2 ins (I use MIDI alot, so most of the A/D is vocals & guitar) - however when I do use live drums I am so glad I have the 8 ins.

I've never used Delta (although many people use and recommend Delta). I use Layla (which is by no means top o' the line - but it works for me) and I have used MOTU which I thought worked well.

Hang out on the computer forum at this BBS (and do a search), there are many discussions on A/D-D/A.

 

[Bulls Hit]

I have a Yamaha mg16 (freebie) board and I intend to use the output from the board to record (2 tracks), I would think a 4 track sound card would be plenty because it will be just me alone 90% of the time. when I need more mics (for when the drummer comes over) I will mic up the drums and run them through the board giving me only two tracks out.

That mg16/4 mixer is a 4 bus mixer, so can get 4 outputs from the Main and Group outs.

You can also get another 10 outs from the channel inserts. Check out the Delta 1010LT - $220 at zzounds. That will give you 8 inputs and impress the hell out of your drummer when he comes over

 

[mshilarious]

You know I was just thinking about 4 years ago when I got my first DAW. I used to come in so quiet that I could barely see the waveform on the track. No problem, I just normalized it. I must have had an effective 6 bits of resolution

Sorry for that, carry on . . .

 

[55'gibby]

Thanks folks

I spent several hours yesterday looking at cards, the one that caught my eye was the 1010LT. I did read some reviews on it and it seemed like the way I should go. my next set of question was going to be asking about the card. all the reviews I read were glowing (then again all the reviews I read about everything are glowing). I'm going to look at more cards, but right now I would say I'm going to go with the 1010LT (more than I would need I would bet). I am thinking about using n-tracks and my software package. I'll let you folks know when I finally make a purchase, should be soon (the money is burning a hole in my pocket)

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Thanks folks

I spent several hours yesterday looking at cards, the one that caught my eye was the 1010LT. I did read some reviews on it and it seemed like the way I should go. my next set of question was going to be asking about the card. all the reviews I read were glowing (then again all the reviews I read about everything are glowing). I'm going to look at more cards, but right now I would say I'm going to go with the 1010LT (more than I would need I would bet). I am thinking about using n-tracks and my software package. I'll let you folks know when I finally make a purchase, should be soon (the money is burning a hole in my pocket)

I use the 1010LT and am happy with it. As with all things you could buy better but it would cost you.

That's a straight up user opinion for you.

 

[Buzi]

soundcard reviews - not biased (I think)

here's a site that shows test results done on various soundcards.
check it out :
http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/index.htm