Karaoke Recording Setup HELP ME plz = )

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newbieatthis

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Hi,
I am total newb to all this home studio stuff....Was wondering if you guys can help me figure out a setup for a karaoke recording studio I want to setup in my basement. I did a bit of research and I figured that I will probably need
A. Computer
B. Good Sound Card(for the computer)
C. A nice microphone
D. Pop filter I think that's what their called
E. Speakers and Headphones
F. Mixer
Will this setup work?? I'm not looking to spend a fortune on this maybe under 1k....I already have a computer so that can be cross off. Hmm.....I'm not sure how the quality off sound really works....does the sound quality depend on the microphones or the mixer? Also I've seen some microphones for around $300 will that be good enough to generate sound quality similiar to a real studio?? What kinda mixer should I aim for??
 
Ok first a disclaimer im kind of new as well so old timer's please take it easy on me. :p

Yes you can go with the sound card for you computer and maybe Cubase Le or another basic recording software.

You really dont need a mixer with the above setup, you will be using recorded tracks so you will not really be able to do much with the music you will just be adding the vocals. You can get a Mic for around $100.00 some inexpensive Monitors and a set of headphones all for under $400.00.

hope this helped and that im steering you in the right path

Brick
 
Oh i was thinking I would probably need a preamp mixer to boost the signal for better sound quality
 
I've kinda decided...I'm planning to go with the NT1000 mic I was thinking about the NT1A which is $100 cheaper, not sure yet as I don't know which produce better vocal recording sound quality. MG82 FX mixer...I'm just confused about something....is a mixer a preamp?? or is that a different component??
 
Why not go for an mbox, it has 2 mic pre-amps and comes with pro tools software, which is industry standard. I've found one which comes with extra plug-ins(factory bundle) and a good studio microphone for $399 here
Also for monitors, on your budget, after a quick google search i suggest a pair of these and for headphones

Grand total = $792.85 and pop-filter which you can make or buy(cheap on ebay).
 
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Not a bad bundle.........I don't really like the AT2020 mic that comes with it.....read up some reviews and it wasn't that great. Thx for the headphones link and monitor..I think i'm going to order them....as for software I'm going to probably go with Cooledit cuz I have some experience with it. OK I researched more and found out that mixer and preamp are two different component. I know for sure I will need a preamp but do I really need a mixer if all I'll be doing is playing a track from the computer and recording vocally??
Can someone recommend me a good decent preamp for the kinda stuff I'm doing :) I don't want one that is too cheap cuz i heard that the quality decreases. My plan was to get one that's probably around $200-$300 not sure if that's enough for a decent one or not. I'm looking at the ART TPSII 2 Channel tube preamp not sure if its any good. For what I'm doing I probably don't need a preamp with more then 2 channels correct?
 
With that pre you are still going to have to get the signal to the computer. I found the Tascam US122 which has 2 mic pres but also jack for if you ever want to record guitar, or upgrade with a mixer, and MIDI, if you wanted to upgrade to make your own backing tracks. It comes with Cubasis VST. Also if you want a mixer, i have found the Alesis Multimix 8 Firewire which connects directly, through firewire, into your computer. It comes with Cubase LE. There's a load of things you could choose.
 
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I've read a few reviews on that mic, and seem like a good mic. Abvoiusly not the best, but at the price it is amazing. Look at the frequency responce and it is reasonably flat and perfect at the vocal range. Plus Pro Tools offer great recording software, that's why it's industry standard. It is that difficult to work with either. Most recording software nowadays is really similar that it doesn't matter which you choose. Plus, Pro Tools is the most widely used in pro studios, so if you were to go for a job in a studio then you'd be used to using it. Also you can transfer all the data to another version on another computer with no hassel, unlike most (i think anyway).
 
Thx alot for the stuff Panda.........So a mixer is required for the own setup......correct me if I'm wrong........I should be connecting my mic wire from the amp to the mixer and from the mixer to computer. Also I was wondering would it be the same thing if I bought a cheap mixer http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--BEHDX626
vs the one u suggested Alesis MultiMix 8FIREWIRE 8-Channel Mixer with Firewire. The BEHD looks like it has pretty much the same kinda tweaker thing as the Alesis but just few channels. About he Tascam US122 I won't be needing this if I bought a mixer right?? I won't be recording with guitar or any other instrument of any kinda for sure so I don't really need those features, all vocals and tracks :D . Does a standard mixer have a plug/jack/slot that connects to your computer thought USB? or do I have to go and buy a new sound card that has a custom plug that it connects to?
 
You won't need an amp/pre-amp at all, the desk has them built in, and yes with the mixer you wont need the Tascam. The Tascam actually has built in mic pres too, as does the Mbox. Most of these interfaces do. The Alesis desk is the same as the Behringer except for the fact that it connects to a computer through firewire. With the behringer, you will need to buy an interface to feed the main outs into the computer, take the signal from the phono tape outs, to the line-in of your sound card, and the quality will be nothing like the Alesis, i don't think, because of this connection. The Alesis mixer will allow for 4 mics and 4 instruments with jack connectors, electric guitars, bass guitars, etc. and if you wanted to upgrade from just a karaoke, to a full studio offering drumkit recording, guitars, bass, vocals, etc. this desk will allow it, as long as you record all instruments separately, which is usually what happens in studios anyway. This all depends on the size of your basement though, lol. You could upgrade similarly with the Mbox or Tascam as well, you could buy a cheap behringer desk, like the one you suggested, or bigger, like this :D lol, and connect to the computer through the Tascam, Mbox, or an interface like it.
 
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I like that fact that it has a build in pre/amp and connects straight to your computer. I did some research and didn't get any good feedbacks from this product. http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/productreview--ALEMULTIMIX8FW <--this guy got me worrying. Another question, are build in pre/amp comparable to those non build in?? Is there a way to tell which will result in better sound quality if let's say the pre amp that's builded in the Alesis MultiMix vs http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--ARTTPSII??
 
Don't know much about preamps. It shouldn't make a huge difference i dont think, and on your budget, the quality wont be much better/different. I'd just go with build in ones. If I were you, i'd go for the Mbox, with the ability to upgrade in future, and with Pro Tools software + extras and mic(which I've heard ain't that bad, and from the specs looks rather good). I'm quite new to this too, i haven't even built my studio yet, i have started though, and don't have any equipment yet, but know what I'm getting.
 
Just got back from the store and the dude there recommend the Tascam US122 also!! Its preamped and has phatom power with direct usb plug in straight to the computer. I think I'm going to give that a try with the NT1000 condenser mic. I just hope that the preamp is good and its compatible with XP.
 
It will be compatible. Good? it should be. Just watch you don't have lots of things using your USBs at once because there is a limit and it might cause problems, shouldn't do though. Cool that he recommended the same thing. I found it after a quick search, and their is a massive amount of interface like it out there. But, yeh, sounds good. Good luck, and keep us posted on how it is, and with mp3s.
 
For sure bro...thx for the help info...my package should be arriving in a few days...I'll let u know how its goes.
 
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