Looking to start

[revizx]

Hi everyone. I recently built a room in my house that houses all my musical instruments. I want to begin recording. I was wondering if I purchased this :
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=242510
would all I have to purchase next be mics for the instruments? Also can this unit house mics (ie: drum mics, etc) thank you.

 

[brendandwyer]

SHort answer yes. Long answer yes, medium answer...maybe.

You will need at least one mic, one mic cable, and speakers to hear what you have recorded. Other than that (and provided you have a computer than can support this system) you will be on your way.

so expect at a minimum:

$499 for the EMU
$80 for a Shure sm57
$25 for a mic cord

Obviously if you want to record multiple sources like acoustic guitar and vocals, you would need to have two mics and two cords.

For drum set, you would be limited to recording two mic sources at the same time.

Cheers

 

[lucky13]

You would also need monitors, and headphones. But that is pretty much it. Everything after that would pretty much be optional accessories.

 

[revizx]

Thanks everybody. I was also looking at this:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/thyflesh/s-8big.jpg
would this hook right up to a sound card so I can transfer my recordings to my pc?

 

[JeffLancaster]

You really won't need that mixer, unless you're trying to get more preamps to use all at once - in that case, you'd probably be better off getting an interface with more built in preamps.

How many tracks do you plan to record at once?

 

[revizx]

I was just thinking about getting that mixer instead of what I orginally posted.
I want to use 4 mics (on my drums) at a single time.

 

[JeffLancaster]

I see, I thought you were thinking of plugging that into the EMU. The answer is yes, you can plug that mixer into your soundcard and it will work, however if all you have is the stock soundcard in your PC, you may not be happy with the quality (the stock analog to digital converters probably won't be good enough for decent recording). You really would want to get get a decent card, and you will need at least as many inputs as the number of mixer outputs you plan to use. For a budget solution, look at something like this. With the delta 44 you would be able to take the signal from each of the preamps in a 4 channel mixer and convert it into a separate digital track for recording/processing/mixing in your computer. Of course, you really don't need an actual external mixer if your mixing in your PC, so for your purposes you may be better off with something like this (for 8 channels of decent quality preamps and converters all in one unit). Finally, if you are hoping for even better quality and willing to spend more, you could get an interface with even higher quality converters, and some separate high quality preamps. But it all depends what your budget is, what your goals/purposes are, and what type of sound quality you hope to achieve.

 

[revizx]

Thank you.
My budget is quite low. So I think I may pick up the mixer and the sound card, the purchase some mics. Thank you for your help.

 

[revizx]

nevermind, thanks for all your help everyone

 

[revizx]

what do I need to plug the mixer into the soundcard?

 

[revizx]

Like what kind of cables? Thanks

 

[JeffLancaster]

Are you talking about hooking it to the delta 44? I believe that can be done using a special cable to use the insert jacks on channels 1-4 as direct outs. You would need a cable with a 1/4" trs connector on one end, with the tip and ring wired together. On the other end the cable would have just a 1/4" tip-sleeve connector. You would need four cables like this. I'm not sure whether these cables are commercially available - you may have to make them yourself.

Personally, if I were in your shoes I'd skip the mixer and look for an interface with 4 or more channels of preamps and converters (such as the firepod), but that's just me.

 

[revizx]

I think I am gonna hold of on the mixer and pick up an interface.
I was wondering if these interfaces are any good.

http://www.axemusic.com/product.asp?numRecordPosition=1&P_ID=10173&PT_ID=282

http://www.axemusic.com/product.asp?numRecordPosition=8&P_ID=4768&PT_ID=280

Also would a usb interface work well? I only have a stock sound card right now so this may be an option.


Thanks for all your help.

 

[JeffLancaster]

Those are both decent interfaces, however with either one you would also need extra preamps (the echo has 2 pres built in and the delta 1010 doesn't have any). You can certainly buy some nice preamps to go with either one, but you indicated a low budget - that's why I suggested an all in one box such as the firepod. Yes, you could also use a usb interface - in fact here's one (with 4 built in preamps) that might be ideal for your requirements:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--EDIUA1000/

 

[revizx]

Thank you for all your help.
I ended up buying the Delta 44 and the mixer, it was my cheapest option. I just want to get a feel for recording and editing, so I want to start small. Thank you again.