S
shibi
New member
what is the very basic equipment needed to create a studio that will sound decent by today's standard and won't sound like you just recorded something next to a cat whom won't stop hissing?
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Shana
New member
A digital multitrack recorder
Speakers
Headphones
Cd burner
That what it takes
Shana
Speakers
Headphones
Cd burner
That what it takes
Shana
DavidK
New member
Dont forget good mic and pre amp.
Also, before recording, take Cat and move him/her
to a different room. George Martin used to do that
with his Cat, I believe. This doesnt work with my
cat, he will cry and I will go get him. David
Also, before recording, take Cat and move him/her
to a different room. George Martin used to do that
with his Cat, I believe. This doesnt work with my
cat, he will cry and I will go get him. David
MISTERQCUE
Not Just Anutha Brutha
I hate cats!
T
TREBLE
New member
Not a cat fan, but i love pussy!ok, that crude joke aside,YOU have alot of options u can record with your computer or use hardware.Both are effective and have advantages. Learn as much as u can about both and then make your decision.
regebro
Insane Genious!
Nono, keep the cat in the recording room. They make good company and will purr and rub against your legs when you try to record your guitar, which will make you happier and keep you recording for longer without getting tired.
Besides, when they jump up on your mixer and fucks up the levels, you can get some interesting effects.
Besides, when they jump up on your mixer and fucks up the levels, you can get some interesting effects.
ola
Newbie
MISTERQCUE - Then you might not be so keen on coming over for dinner. Cats rule. Listen to regebro's advice. All studios should have a cat or twelve.
/Ola
/Ola
D
dannymix
New member
Your sounds and music production has to be good to start with, Then you need a good Mixer Like a Mackie.
Dont buy anythink crap as one component in the audio chain
can Fuck things up real bad "Iv done it"
A studio amp not a HIFI amp.
Get a DAT,CDR,MD to record on.
You will need some sort of compression for a high level recording to keep things under control.
And various other finalizing components.
I use VST & DirectX plugins and they do a very good job,
at the fraction of the cost of racked mounted equipment.
Theres loads more to list but get good gear as somtimes
its better to wait for what does the job than get what will
just about do, thats when your clean audio chain gets fucked
up.
Dont buy anythink crap as one component in the audio chain
can Fuck things up real bad "Iv done it"
A studio amp not a HIFI amp.
Get a DAT,CDR,MD to record on.
You will need some sort of compression for a high level recording to keep things under control.
And various other finalizing components.
I use VST & DirectX plugins and they do a very good job,
at the fraction of the cost of racked mounted equipment.
Theres loads more to list but get good gear as somtimes
its better to wait for what does the job than get what will
just about do, thats when your clean audio chain gets fucked
up.
John Sayers
Solar Power!!
Hey Monty - This Shana might be another female you missed 
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Shana
New member
Hey John
Good call
Shana
Good call
Shana
Z
Ziggy13
New member
I am so lost ........ I am building a home studio for radio production / music and have spent a lot of time at this site...... I am going to purchase a Dell Dimension 8100 with 1.5 GHz / 256 RD RAM and an 80 GB HD
I plan on using Echo Mona and either cubase or N-trac ( you guys argue well for both) My main mic will be a AT4033.
I want to go straight into the card without needing to mic the amps in most cases, but I have hit the cross roads that many new to this have...... What else do I need ?
Monitors ( what kind ? ) What other parts of the chain am I missing ?
Do I need a mixer, or can I just use the computer mixer ? Is it as tough to use the pc for mixing as I am thinking it will be ? I am used to the bar band boards / radio studio's with real hands on sliders. Help me !
I guess you need to know what I have to spend..... I want good sound at a resonable price.......
I dont need top of line, but want good results.....
How about effects ?
Compressors etc......
How about home recording for dummies ?
Can anyone help me ? I would appriciate it !
I plan on using Echo Mona and either cubase or N-trac ( you guys argue well for both) My main mic will be a AT4033.
I want to go straight into the card without needing to mic the amps in most cases, but I have hit the cross roads that many new to this have...... What else do I need ?
Monitors ( what kind ? ) What other parts of the chain am I missing ?
Do I need a mixer, or can I just use the computer mixer ? Is it as tough to use the pc for mixing as I am thinking it will be ? I am used to the bar band boards / radio studio's with real hands on sliders. Help me !
I guess you need to know what I have to spend..... I want good sound at a resonable price.......
I dont need top of line, but want good results.....
How about effects ?
Compressors etc......
How about home recording for dummies ?
Can anyone help me ? I would appriciate it !
D
darnold
New member
first of all. Dont waist your money with brand name computers. they arnt worth the extra money you put into them and normally are very hard to upgrade and you regret it.
The specs in the computer is very good. but if you can, cut down on the 80 G harddrive to a SCSI (at least 20G) if its only a IDE. you will be more happy with a faster haddrive then just an IDE bigger harddrive. But if you have the money to get a SCSI 80G harddrive, go for it.
I dont know much about Echo cards or any other sound cards besides the Delta 44 so i cant help yah there. But i have heard them to be very good cards.
The effects you will mostly be using is EQ, Compression, and Reverb. software reverbs are the hardest to find in software plugin form that actually sound professional. Timeworks makes a great reverb plugin, but demo things and decide what you like best. Also you need to decide what software you will be using to record. If you need alot of tracks choose Cubase, Pro Logic, Cakewalk, N-Tracks, Vegas, etc. if you only need 2 tracks for mix down purposes just get SoundForge, Acid, etc. I have been using Cakewalk for some time. Not bad but ive made up my mind to start learing Cubase because i feel it is better for what i need it for.
A mixer is recommended especially for multi track. but make sure you get a good mixer with good preamps like a mackie 1604-VLZ Pro. But u can get along multitrack with just a preamp that has 2 channels (althought you can really do drums with 2 channels), they sometimes sound better then the mackie preamps (i think) but you are limited on channels.
The AT4033 is an awesome mic. but it cant be your only mic. Spend some money on some SM57's (very important), and if you can, buy 2 AT4033's so u can do stereo overheads on drums.
This might be a little too much for what you want to do but its basically what i recommend. Get whats needed first and work up. The more expensive products arnt always better.
Computer - $2000
6 SM57s - 600
Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro - $1000
2 AT4033s - $800
Cubase - $700
Comp, EQ, Rev Effects - $400
Of course, these prices are an estimate depending on where you buy and what you get. You could easily go down a bit depending on what you want to do. Get 3 SM57s, 1 AT4033, a lower model of the mackie 1604, not so expensive effects. It all depends on what you want to do. Im guessing too, that the computer is probably more than enough for what you are planning on doing. You could do fine with a PIII 800, 20G UDMA 7200 RPM harddrive, 256 M ram, Delta 66. With that im guessing you could get at least 48 tracks. that would bring your price down a little bit. I dont know how much money you got and what you want to do so i cant really tell yah. you could get along just fine with the minimum.
If yah have anymore questions or need more advice go ahead and ask me. Ill help yah out with whatever yah need to know.
The specs in the computer is very good. but if you can, cut down on the 80 G harddrive to a SCSI (at least 20G) if its only a IDE. you will be more happy with a faster haddrive then just an IDE bigger harddrive. But if you have the money to get a SCSI 80G harddrive, go for it.
I dont know much about Echo cards or any other sound cards besides the Delta 44 so i cant help yah there. But i have heard them to be very good cards.
The effects you will mostly be using is EQ, Compression, and Reverb. software reverbs are the hardest to find in software plugin form that actually sound professional. Timeworks makes a great reverb plugin, but demo things and decide what you like best. Also you need to decide what software you will be using to record. If you need alot of tracks choose Cubase, Pro Logic, Cakewalk, N-Tracks, Vegas, etc. if you only need 2 tracks for mix down purposes just get SoundForge, Acid, etc. I have been using Cakewalk for some time. Not bad but ive made up my mind to start learing Cubase because i feel it is better for what i need it for.
A mixer is recommended especially for multi track. but make sure you get a good mixer with good preamps like a mackie 1604-VLZ Pro. But u can get along multitrack with just a preamp that has 2 channels (althought you can really do drums with 2 channels), they sometimes sound better then the mackie preamps (i think) but you are limited on channels.
The AT4033 is an awesome mic. but it cant be your only mic. Spend some money on some SM57's (very important), and if you can, buy 2 AT4033's so u can do stereo overheads on drums.
This might be a little too much for what you want to do but its basically what i recommend. Get whats needed first and work up. The more expensive products arnt always better.
Computer - $2000
6 SM57s - 600
Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro - $1000
2 AT4033s - $800
Cubase - $700
Comp, EQ, Rev Effects - $400
Of course, these prices are an estimate depending on where you buy and what you get. You could easily go down a bit depending on what you want to do. Get 3 SM57s, 1 AT4033, a lower model of the mackie 1604, not so expensive effects. It all depends on what you want to do. Im guessing too, that the computer is probably more than enough for what you are planning on doing. You could do fine with a PIII 800, 20G UDMA 7200 RPM harddrive, 256 M ram, Delta 66. With that im guessing you could get at least 48 tracks. that would bring your price down a little bit. I dont know how much money you got and what you want to do so i cant really tell yah. you could get along just fine with the minimum.
If yah have anymore questions or need more advice go ahead and ask me. Ill help yah out with whatever yah need to know.
J
JeffT
New member
Ziggy,
I just purchased the Dell 8100 too.I don't know alot about using computers for audio yet,but My Dell has already shipped so I'm stuck with my choice.I got a good deal on it since I caught their free upgrade to 19" trinitron sale.I got the 1.4ghz(don't see any point in spending an extra $300 for the 1.5ghz)and I only got 128 megs of ram,because I figured I'd add another 128 myself and save some bucks.What I did not realize at the time,is the rdram that this new computer uses is very expensive.You can get 128 megs of s-dram for less than 50 bucks right now,but the same amount of rdram costs 150 at least.And the real clincher,is you have to install rdram in matching pairs.You cannot just install one stick at a time.So as you can see,it could cost a fortune to upgrade your ram unless the prices begin to drop.Of course since you were getting it with 256,you probably wouldn't need to worry about getting more for quite awhile.But I just thought i'd let you know about having to install rdram in matching pairs because that was a surprize to me that I wasn't prepared for.If you go to Dell's site,and check out the tech specs on the machine,you can find a chart on ram configurations and you'll see what I mean.If you get it with 256 megs of ram,it will come with 4-64 meg sticks,and there will be no more open ram slots to add more later without taking 2 of the 64 meg sticks out.
I just purchased the Dell 8100 too.I don't know alot about using computers for audio yet,but My Dell has already shipped so I'm stuck with my choice.I got a good deal on it since I caught their free upgrade to 19" trinitron sale.I got the 1.4ghz(don't see any point in spending an extra $300 for the 1.5ghz)and I only got 128 megs of ram,because I figured I'd add another 128 myself and save some bucks.What I did not realize at the time,is the rdram that this new computer uses is very expensive.You can get 128 megs of s-dram for less than 50 bucks right now,but the same amount of rdram costs 150 at least.And the real clincher,is you have to install rdram in matching pairs.You cannot just install one stick at a time.So as you can see,it could cost a fortune to upgrade your ram unless the prices begin to drop.Of course since you were getting it with 256,you probably wouldn't need to worry about getting more for quite awhile.But I just thought i'd let you know about having to install rdram in matching pairs because that was a surprize to me that I wasn't prepared for.If you go to Dell's site,and check out the tech specs on the machine,you can find a chart on ram configurations and you'll see what I mean.If you get it with 256 megs of ram,it will come with 4-64 meg sticks,and there will be no more open ram slots to add more later without taking 2 of the 64 meg sticks out.
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Ziggy13
New member
JeffT
Thanks for the info...... I haven't ordered mine yet, I was hoping that the "experts" here could help me out. I am kind of jumping into this blind with both feet...... Sound cards are a huge question. Which one and why ! I have heard so many differing opinions. I guess it's 6 in one hand....a dozen in the other. I just don't want to make too many hundred dollar mistakes, but I guess we live and learn. Thanks for your help, let me know how everything goes with the Dell ! If anyone else has a heads up before I jump I would appreciate it !
Thanks for the info...... I haven't ordered mine yet, I was hoping that the "experts" here could help me out. I am kind of jumping into this blind with both feet...... Sound cards are a huge question. Which one and why ! I have heard so many differing opinions. I guess it's 6 in one hand....a dozen in the other. I just don't want to make too many hundred dollar mistakes, but I guess we live and learn. Thanks for your help, let me know how everything goes with the Dell ! If anyone else has a heads up before I jump I would appreciate it !
B
bhlewis
New member
hey i got a dell intel p3 128meg ultra 100 10.2 gig drive and i am getting 32 audio tracks with some effects applied.
as far as a mixer it depends on what you want to do if you just want the feel of faders there are several interfaces for sale like studio mix for cakewalk, automan, etc....
however mixers have many plus' like eq on board, phantom power and good mic pre's. digital boards got all that plus on board effects and more.
soundcards again depends on how many imputs you need. etc although i would get a professional soundcard for recording not a sb crap.
monitors- whatever you get you will evenually get use to mixing with. you will learn to mix around whatever monitors you get so it depends on your budget.hope this helps.
as far as a mixer it depends on what you want to do if you just want the feel of faders there are several interfaces for sale like studio mix for cakewalk, automan, etc....
however mixers have many plus' like eq on board, phantom power and good mic pre's. digital boards got all that plus on board effects and more.
soundcards again depends on how many imputs you need. etc although i would get a professional soundcard for recording not a sb crap.
monitors- whatever you get you will evenually get use to mixing with. you will learn to mix around whatever monitors you get so it depends on your budget.hope this helps.
D
darnold
New member
I didnt exactly say that the dell computer wouldnt be as good as any other computer with audio recording. They are just usually more over price because of the brand name. Also when you upgrade, you usually have to by there same brand name upgrades to upgrade it. But its your choice.
There are many different sound cards. I own a MAudio Delta 44. Very good card in my opinion, though i have not heard or tried any others to compare but it does what i need with a very clear sound. And its very good for the money i think. But there are alot of cards out there. I would recommend cutting down on your computer to a PIII 800, 128M RAM, ATA 100 7200RPM 20G+ Gig harddrive, and with the money you save spend a little more on a nice sound card like an Aark. I dont know how much money you have to spend or what exactly you want to do so i can really help yah decide with what to buy.
There are many different sound cards. I own a MAudio Delta 44. Very good card in my opinion, though i have not heard or tried any others to compare but it does what i need with a very clear sound. And its very good for the money i think. But there are alot of cards out there. I would recommend cutting down on your computer to a PIII 800, 128M RAM, ATA 100 7200RPM 20G+ Gig harddrive, and with the money you save spend a little more on a nice sound card like an Aark. I dont know how much money you have to spend or what exactly you want to do so i can really help yah decide with what to buy.
Z
Ziggy13
New member
I want scream.....
I thought I had it figured out.....
I ordered a Athlon 1.2 Ghz
Abit Raid MB
512 MB Ram
75 Gig Data UA100 7200 RPM
20 Gig boot UA100 7200 RPM
8X CD RW
52X CD
430 watt power supply
Misc. b.s.
Anyway I thought after doing some research I would look at the Digi-001
It seems to be a great place to start,...... but I can't find any recent posts to help me with the " Are you satisfied" with it question !
I will use the Event PS-6's
2- AT 4033's and misc. stuff....
Does this get me up and running ?
I just dont know about the additional add-on's ......
to insure quality sound..... effects etc....Will it all be compatible with the Digi-001 ?
Or should I jump ship and go with something else.....
Multi in's, phantom mic power, ....it seems to have some good options, but would love to here from someone on my selections, and if the Digi-001 is worth it ?
I thought I had it figured out.....
I ordered a Athlon 1.2 Ghz
Abit Raid MB
512 MB Ram
75 Gig Data UA100 7200 RPM
20 Gig boot UA100 7200 RPM
8X CD RW
52X CD
430 watt power supply
Misc. b.s.
Anyway I thought after doing some research I would look at the Digi-001
It seems to be a great place to start,...... but I can't find any recent posts to help me with the " Are you satisfied" with it question !
I will use the Event PS-6's
2- AT 4033's and misc. stuff....
Does this get me up and running ?
I just dont know about the additional add-on's ......
to insure quality sound..... effects etc....Will it all be compatible with the Digi-001 ?
Or should I jump ship and go with something else.....
Multi in's, phantom mic power, ....it seems to have some good options, but would love to here from someone on my selections, and if the Digi-001 is worth it ?
T
trebles
New member
ahhhhhhhhhh now i meet the person posing as me hehehe 
B
BobHaymond
New member
Newbie report
This is more of a report than advice, as I have just been doing this a couple of months. But I have been computing since 1960 so am not on my first computer.
For about $1500 I had a local shop put together:
1.4 GHz Athlon Thunderbird
512 Mb Ram
20 G SCSI
Tower case
Three thermo controlled fans [cuts down fan rpm for quiet]
extra insolation for quiet
I already had a SB Live
added Delta 1010 for $500 [the external breakout box was attractive to me]
I do not believe that you can do near this well with Dell or any other mainline vendor. General folks just don't need a box like this!
Hope this helps. Bob Haymond
Clemson, SC
PS The very talented young lady In Central, SC who built my machine also builds professional level bicycles!
This is more of a report than advice, as I have just been doing this a couple of months. But I have been computing since 1960 so am not on my first computer.
For about $1500 I had a local shop put together:
1.4 GHz Athlon Thunderbird
512 Mb Ram
20 G SCSI
Tower case
Three thermo controlled fans [cuts down fan rpm for quiet]
extra insolation for quiet
I already had a SB Live
added Delta 1010 for $500 [the external breakout box was attractive to me]
I do not believe that you can do near this well with Dell or any other mainline vendor. General folks just don't need a box like this!
Hope this helps. Bob Haymond
Clemson, SC
PS The very talented young lady In Central, SC who built my machine also builds professional level bicycles!
D
darnold
New member
Check out my post
I sell a computer for the same price, but i think you get alot more than what you can get there. i have a post on it in the classifieds.
I dunno what all it had to offer. But here is my post,
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=32420
alot of this stuff is optional, to look nice, be easier. like a 19" monitor, not required but is very convenient. also i can alter this to whatever your liking is. and i can cut the price if your on a really tight budget (just talk to me). the CPU can be upgraded, but the price of just the 1GHz CPUs are very cheap (ill just say they are under $100) so i thought that might be a good deal. Like i said, you can take out anything you want there. the UPS backup i find very convenient. i dont know how many times ive been in the studio, finished good tracks, then the power flickers and my computer restarts.
Anyway, if you dont wonna buy from me, im willing to help anyone out anyway.
later.
darnold
I sell a computer for the same price, but i think you get alot more than what you can get there. i have a post on it in the classifieds.
I dunno what all it had to offer. But here is my post,
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=32420
alot of this stuff is optional, to look nice, be easier. like a 19" monitor, not required but is very convenient. also i can alter this to whatever your liking is. and i can cut the price if your on a really tight budget (just talk to me). the CPU can be upgraded, but the price of just the 1GHz CPUs are very cheap (ill just say they are under $100) so i thought that might be a good deal. Like i said, you can take out anything you want there. the UPS backup i find very convenient. i dont know how many times ive been in the studio, finished good tracks, then the power flickers and my computer restarts.
Anyway, if you dont wonna buy from me, im willing to help anyone out anyway.
later.
darnold