Just starting, computer/instrument equipment questions!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter atomic punk
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atomic punk

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Hi all. I have about 15 years of experience in playing music, and I'm just about to get started building a home recording studio for fun in my new house....BUT, I don't know where to start. I need to start with updating my equipment: drum machine, keys, and guitar, plus amplified monitors or a PA system.

Second, I just bought a 900mhz computer with 128m RAM.

This is what I'm looking for: I saw a guy playing in a club once and talked with him for a while and decided that he's got what I want.

He records all the background tracks/instruments on his computer and saves them on MP3's (I think that's what they were). Then he can playback the songs over his PA and play lead guitar/vocals over those songs. Editing and mixing on his computer I believe.

That's what I'm looking to do, but I have no idea what equipment I should buy ?! I don't have a budget yet, but of course money IS an option: I don't need top-shelf stuff, just decent stuff to get me started. My Yamaha keys and Alesis HR-16 are the first things to go.

Thanks alot in advance...
 
oh yeah....do I MIDI?

Oh yeah, a list of all the equipment that I have (keep or replace)...

Mic: decent one, by Sure.
Keyboard: Yamaha - must be replaced
4track: Yamaha MT5 or MT50, I forget. I'd like to multitrack on the computer if possible, in digital instead of using this.
Alesis: HR-16.
NO PA SYSTEM, since I just blew my Harman Kardon stereo recently.

Computer: (I just got one from Ubid for $219)
CD ROM Speed 48x max.
Sound Card Intel 82801 AC ‘97 Audio
Video Card Intel DirectAGP 3D (810)
Processor Celeron 900MHz
Parallel Ports 1
Serial Ports 1
USB Ports 2 (1 in front, 1 in rear)
Operating System Windows XP Home Edition
RAM Standard 128MB, SDRAM (shared with integrated graphics)
Level 2 Cache 128KB
Hard Drive Capacity 40GB

Do I need to incorporate MIDI? I'm afraid I only know the basics to that and not sure if it is needed.
 
midi can be a pain and i don't use it. I record everything in audio. With the software I have (cakewalk pro audio 9) I can convert my finished stuff to mp3. What software were you considering buying?
 
If you don't need MIDI, I would recommend Sonic Foundry's Vegas. In my opinion, the most intuitive interface of any multitrack software.

[edit]

You'll probably want to get at least another 128MB of RAM, and get good quality RAM like Corsair or Crucial. Though not necessary, you may want to get a new video card, as yours is currently using your system's RAM. I would recommend anything by Matrox - good drivers and the best 2D quality you can get.

You're also going to need a sound card. I don't think that built in Intel stuff is going to cut it. Look at the offerings from M-Audio. They make quality stuff with good drivers, and lots of people here use their stuff so you can always ask questions if you get hung up. M-Audio's Omni Studio or Audio Quattro sound like they would be well suited to what you're trying to do.

If you don't get a sound card with a mic preamp (both I mentioned above have them), then you'll need an outboard preamp.

Then you're going to need monitors. You really don't want to be mixing your music with PA speakers. They're not really accurate, and that's what you want - accuracy. Do a little searching on these forums, as monitor discussions pop up daily.
 
Backing tracks! Hmmmm!
I think midi is a valuble tool if u are making backing tracks!
I wouldnt save to MP3 tho! They can crackle and pop!
all u need to do is simply mix down and then burn a CD and plug it into ur PA system!
So what do u need to run all this?
I rekon a mixer, software, monitors a midi interface, key board and CD burner.
I would get a mixer which u can use to get all ur inputs into ur sound card via the Input which is a mini jack! The mixer will allow u to mix a stereo track of mics around a drum kit etc. Mixers can be very inexpensive take alook at the behringer Eurorack range www.behringer.de I would advise something with about 4 xlr inputs and a few stereo as well.
U will need some software for ur comp! Most People use cubase or cakewalk sonar. I cant advise on this personal preferance. But both do the same thing and u can mix and create midi and audio within both of these programmes.
U should get a pair of monitors that u can listen to all ur work with cos basically computer speakers arent brilliant. (Ur monitors will get pluggin into a output on ur mixer)
A midi interface will allow u to plug a keybaord into the computer via a midi cable. Midi is used to minipulate the note that is being played to be many instruments and is very good for backing tracks, u will need a keyboard with a midi out so u can get the midi into ur computer.
Then last but not least a CD burner might be a idea so u can burn all ur music on to CD! U could get a usb one or replace ur existing CD drive!
Hope that helps
c ya
c_r_a_z_y
 
Thanks for the replies.

I appreciate the help on my system. I'm going to do some reading on what's the best medium for me personally to do the recording. (and some searching in here, I'd hate to ask the same question over and over again)

Two last things:

Q) I thought people use the Cakewalk software for final mixdown??

Q) what is the "estimated" prices on the equipment you all mentioned?

Thanks again!
 
I use Cool Edit pro for my cleaning and polishing of tracks. The version I have has more/ better effects like reverb, delay and a load of others. Sometimes I'll take a vocal track or something and take it over to Cool Edit and add fx, then put it back in Cakewalk for final mixdown and such.

Money wise, lets see....

Mixer- 200.00 bucks
Sound Card- 100 - 500 depending on what you want (you may be able to use the one you have if it has line in)
Assorted cables- 40.00
Studio Monitors- $300-$500 samolians
Software - 100 - 500 buckeroos
Unlimited patience to get it all up and working- Priceless

All I bought to get me going is:
20.00 - used software
135.00 - mixer
130.00 - new hard drive
40.00 - cables
150.00 - cd rw drive

I did not get studio monitors, using a pair of Bose 2001 run through my stereo
---------
475.00

Like anything else though, the more $$ you spend, the better your sound will be unless you sound crappy to begin with.

Keep reading and keep posting, Charva
 
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