My starting setup... any suggestions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JakeD409
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JakeD409

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I'm just starting with recording at the moment. I'm interested in both making tracks for rap songs, as well as rapping on them myself. To make sure this isnt a passing phase for me, I'm starting off by just using Fruity Loops Studio 4 to make beats (I already own it). However, since I'm getting into this just as I finish my highschool career and prepare to go off to college, I'm going to be creating my setup around a laptop. Here are the things I'm going to be getting:

Dell Inspiron XPS Laptop (3.4 GHz, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP, USB and 4-pin Firewire Ports)
M-Audio Mobilepre USB Computer Audio Interface(I'm debating on whether to get this or a M-Audio FireWire 410, which costs over twice as much. Is USB OK when you only plan on recording one microphone and nothing else at a time? If you don't know what these two things I listed are, here are some links... Mobilepre USB and FireWire 410
Shure SM58 Microphone
Fruity Loops Studio 4 (as I mentioned)
n-Track Studio (maybe Sonar 3 instead?)

What do people think of this? Will it work out well for starting off?
 
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Your computer will work aswome for waht you are are doing... wish i could get a new one like that!
As far as the soundcard, yes USB will fork fine for one track at a time. I don't have much experience with the M-audio stuff but my USB tascam has served me well. You may want to check and make sure your USB interface has preamps or you will be spending unexpected dough on those.
Finallly, there is a MAJOR difference between Sonar 3 and N-track, the most obvious being about 400 dollars. Don't get sonar if you don't plan on using all of its features (midi and what not).
 
That's why it's called MobilePre... Pre=preamp :)
Between Sonar 3 and n-Track, my friend has both, and doesn't use either, so cost is no object. I understand that Sonar 3 has more features and stuff, but for what I'll be doing with it (simply mixing together audio tracks... ones made in Fruity Loops and ones recorded with the microphone), is Sonar or n-Track better? Also, since I'll be recording myself in front of the computer, is the Shure SM58 a good microphone for this, or is there one that's better for at-the-computer recording (that doesn't stray too far from the price range)?
 
That's why it's called MobilePre... Pre=preamp
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Hey don't get cheaky.. haha just kidding. I personally like sonar over n-track anyday. way mroe features and more flexability. It may be more taxing on your computer but your comptuer is pretty powerful so that is no problem. As for the mic, i would suggest a condensor mic over a dynamic. Ths shure SM58 is definately a sweet mic but i would think it's more for live performances and micing guitar amps and whatnot. A dynamic mic will capture you voice better. I got an audio technica condensor mic for like 400 bucks canadian so thats like .0002 cents US. It has definately served me well as far as vocals.
 
I searched on zzsounds.com for audio technica condenser mics... there are like 50 of them, ranging from $80-$400 (US). Can you tell me the model you have?
 
I would go M-audio quattro. I have one it sounds great. Lots of options. Cheap on ebay, I bought mine for 130. And go sonar, they work good together and cakewalk has been around for a long time. Also buy a Oktava vocal mic. THey are cheap and sound great.
 
There is no XLR ports on the Quattro... I need one of those to record. And I've never heard of Oktava before, and I can't find any microphones by then on zzsounds... how much do they cost? I want to stay under $150 for a microphone.
 
hey jake
i have the audio technica AT3035. I'm not going to tell you what to buy as we all don't know everything. I'm just offering advice from good experiences i have had. This mic has served me well and was a good value. Check it out. Oh yeah and don't forget to get a pop filter for it (like 5 bucks) to block out those P's and T's.

Hey no offense sellthekids but friends of mine are not too thrilled witht eh quattro, bad drivers.... that could be frustrating. I guess it's all the experineces you have with the gear.

Oh yeah and don't cheap out on a mic cable. you gear is only as good as your shittiest peace so get good stuff when you can.
 
sellthekids said:
I would go M-audio quattro. I have one it sounds great. Lots of options. Cheap on ebay, I bought mine for 130. And go sonar, they work good together and cakewalk has been around for a long time. Also buy a Oktava vocal mic. THey are cheap and sound great.
Click to expand...

You've got to be joking!!

The Quattro is the worst POS M-Audio has ever put out on the market. Even with newer drivers, people still have trouble with it all the time.
 
minofifa said:
hey jake
i have the audio technica AT3035. I'm not going to tell you what to buy as we all don't know everything. I'm just offering advice from good experiences i have had. This mic has served me well and was a good value. Check it out. Oh yeah and don't forget to get a pop filter for it (like 5 bucks) to block out those P's and T's.

Hey no offense sellthekids but friends of mine are not too thrilled witht eh quattro, bad drivers.... that could be frustrating. I guess it's all the experineces you have with the gear.

Oh yeah and don't cheap out on a mic cable. you gear is only as good as your shittiest peace so get good stuff when you can.
Click to expand...

Alright, I checked that mic out... it looks real nice, I want it, but at the moment, I don't even know if this is going to be a serious thing for me, so at $200 (lowest price) it's too expensive. I think what I'll do is, get the Shure SM58, and if I get into this and the sound quality isn't good enough, I'll sell it on eBay (from what I've seen, opened ones in good condition go for like $75), and then buy the AT3035. Since I'm getting the Shure new for $100, I'll only be spending $25 more than I would if I started with the AT3035, and I'm saving myself from wasting my money.

As far as cables go... I think I'm going to get a Proco Ameriquad Microphone Cable (look at it here). Is that one any good?
 
haha brzilian, you certainly have a way of saying what other people are thinking but less diplomatic! well done...

Jake, ya that sounds like a good plan. The SM58 is definately a solid mic. I'm getting two with the PA that i am renting this summer. I think you will notice a difference when you try a condneser mic though. That cable looks good as well.
 
I have used my quattro for about a year no problems. I use sonar 2.2 and no problems. The m audio web site is great, they respond to you right away. My operating system is windows xp.It only has 1/4 inputs and out puts, but i wouldnt plug a xlr into my system like that aways. I run everything through a mixer and sub group them down into my m audio usb port interface and it sounds good. Oktava mics dont cost alot. You could get a vocal/ overhead mic for 50 to 100. and they all sound good . Search ebay or musicains friend.
 
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