Need Some Advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hashberry
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Hashberry

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I just got a hp laptop :D and i wanted to use it to record. I would probably use it to record drums , guitar , synthesizers , and possibly vocals. I was looking at the Behringer 1204FX. It has an adapter so that you can plug it into a computer. So , if i got this mixer to record , would the only thing i need is software , so that i can make the individual tracks on the computer ? I would post a link to the mixer , but for some reason it is restricting me.

Thanks,

Hash
 
Bump , any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. I'm trying to decide if i should go with the Behringer XENYX 1204FX or go for an interface such as Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording Studio. Thanks
 
That's feasible. Beware though, when the usb mixers first came out, even though they had 4 or 8 or 12 mic channels (or whatever), the usb recording would only record the master left and right- so even though you had plenty of channels for mics, you could still only record 2 discrete tracks at a time. I looked briefly and didnt see any info on that- so you might want to check further.

If you want to record drums, I'd say you want a bare minimum of 4 discrete channels. If you want to do anything else at the same time (like scratch tracks) you'll need more.

Also, I can only imagine how *great* the behringer recording software is. :p
Check out Reaper. http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

Hope that helps...
 
My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)
 
Excellent advice Tim, That should be a stickie on the front page and every newb should have to read it before they're allowed to make a post ;)
 
wow , thank you tim , those articles will be very helpful.
 
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