new around here..

[ltwrestler]

hey everybody, I'm new on the forums. I just wanted to explain myself and then get some feedback

Personal Equipment:
Roland Fantom G-8 ($2800)
Ibanez RG series electric guitar (~$200)
Ibanez GSR series bass guitar (~$175)
Fender Stratacoustic (~$200)
Yamaha Guitalele ($150)
SM58 ($100)
SM57 ($100)
Large Roland keyboard amp ($500)

Friends/Band Members Equipment (not sure on exact specs):
TD-4K2 Roland electronic drum kit (the crappy base kit)
A nice drum set (not electronic, don't know the specs just that its a good one)
A half stack guitar amp
Taylor acoustic guitar
Taylor acoustic electric guitar
Fender stratocaster (not squier)
tons of guitar pedals


My Roland has an interface on the back to plug in microphones or guitars
I use Garage Band for recording/mixing/editing

I've recently been in the Middle East for four months with a lot of downtime, and wrote 7 full songs w/lyrics using my guitalele to hash out chord progressions etc. I'm getting home in another month, and I'll have about 1000 dollars to use on upgrading my home studio and I'm just wondering where to best put the money.
My interface on my keyboard has worked in the past, and I have an older model (2004ish) M-Audio Firewire interface that I tried using and wasn't getting good sound quality at all from it (my keyboard sounds would come out almost destroyed after going through the interface), so I'm debating whether a new interface is worth the money.
I don't have a pop guard so I'll be buying one of those (negligible price), but I'm more concerned about recording seeing as we have decent equipment. Should I get an audio interface? if so any affordable recommendations for base functionality? Our goal is to get 3-4 of our songs recorded near-commercial quality and put the EP on iTunes and out to a bunch of recording companies to see if we get lucky.
Should I get a better electronic drum set (there are decent ones around 600-800 dollars) or just get some drum mics and learn how to record drums (seems like a headache, but if thats the best route then thats fine)
Should I get some good software (Pro tools etc.) or will Garage band do for now? I'm not into paying 500-800 dollars for software and coming out with basically the same end product. I realize I can't get perfect mixed and mastered sound from my current home studio, but I'm also not interested in perfection, but rather affordable near-perfection. So if Pro tools or other software is actually worth it then I'll invest in it, but if not then I'd rather not.
We were going to buy one of those magnet things that you use with an electric guitar (see Coldplay) to get the more smooth sounds, but don't know if its worth it.
I usually record instrument by instrument using a click track, is that the best way to record as a band?
Anyway, lots of questions... I'd be really grateful for anyone/everyone's input!
For a sample of the sound quality that I am already getting just from my keyboard interface and GarageBand, I have some samples on my website (its a christmas piano album so I realize its pretty gay lol, just made it for family and friends requesting it.. but its also all my arrangements/originals and royalties are paid so no worries) Not trying to promote, just so you can listen to what I'm currently getting. (its not letting me post a URL so its www . jordanhaddock . com

Thanks in advance everybody, I look forward to reading through everything on the forum and contributing where I can.

 

[miroslav]

Hi there ltwrestler!

Welcome to the forums.


If you are going to be recording and mixing...you need studio monitors. I don't see them anywhare on your list.

 

[saads]

I don't remember all your questions, but I'll answer the ones I do.

I suggest you get Reaper. It's cheap, easy to use, and packed with features.

It seems like you're in a rush to get an EP ready. Buying a drumset, learning to mic it, then learning to get usable sounds from it, then learning to get a:

near-commercial quality

sound from it takes a lot of time and determination. If you're not doing it because you enjoy it, you'll probably be much happier using EZ drummer or some other sort of programmed drums. Why buy electronic drums, just program them, it's much cheaper and they sound mostly the same (unless you get into the expensive electric drum range, I'm talking a few grand). Most importantly, what does your drummer have to say about all of this?

You have the metronome thing right, recording each instrument separately will give you the cleanest, most desirable sound.

 

[ltwrestler]

how much time and determination...? I have some time. I haven't met my drummer yet (lol...) he's the brother of one of my good friends who apparently is a pretty good drummer, so I don't know but I'm sure he would feel the most comfortable with a drum set that he has personally invested money in.

That's right... I forgot about studio monitors, thanks for the reminder.

 

[ltwrestler]

Reaper also looks awesome and affordable, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[saads]

how much time and determination...?

Depends on how much you know now, how much time you're willing to put in, and how realistic your expectations are. It's not like you'll throw up a mic kit, learn to mix them in a few days, and 2,3 weeks later you'll be making great drum sounds.
Your sound will also depend on your room treatment situation, which is a whole other story.

 

[Daew]

Should I get a better electronic drum set (there are decent ones around 600-800 dollars) or just get some drum mics and learn how to record drums (seems like a headache, but if thats the best route then thats fine)

Learn how to record acoustic drums, or don't record drums at all (and use drum software instead). Electronic drums < Acoustic drums imho, and if you don't have equipment and place for recording acoustic drums you might just as well use generate drums (DFH, Battery...)