New member looking for setup advice

[MusicDivine2609]

Hi Everyone,

I have decided to setup a basic home vocal recording for my partner. I have used google to find the below items and would appreciate your inputs

1. Microphone: Rode NT2-A
2. Micrphone Stand
3.Headphones: TBC
4. Microphone Barrier: TBC
5. DAW-TBC
6.Pre-Amp:TBC
7.Mixer
8. A Laptop: Will use by current one.

My budget is between $1500-$2000 AUD and please feel free to add if i have missed anything

thanks in advance for your support and time
Please treat me as a Rookie as I have no idea about recording and mixers etc

Regards,
Bala

 

[JimmyS1969]

Hello Bala,

I moved your post to a new thread so you will get the best results. Welcome to the forum!]

First off you will want to get an audio interface.

Please tell us what your laptop specs are. Operating system, make/model, and such. Then we can move you in the right direction for your needs.


Best to you and your partner,

Jimmy

 

[ecc83]

1. Microphone: Rode NT2-A. Read nothing but good stuff on Rode mics but not sure you need to spend out on a multi pattern mic at this stage?


2. Micrphone Stand. Of course but get a couple including the 1/2sized boom stands, very handy in a small room and for micing amps. The $30ish one are fine for careful home use.

3.Headphones: TBC. Need to be closed back for working with live mics but you will eventually need something decent for mixing IF you are going to do it on cans. Not ideal, see later.

4. Microphone Barrier: TBC. Some say "ok" but a frame of plastic sink pipes and some duvets probably work better and are cheaper. The PROPER SE filter is said to be good but pricey and you DO need a hefty mic stand.
5. DAW-TBC
Reaper, no brainer! But see what comes with the AI which SHOULD be top of list!
6.Pre-Amp:TBC
Don't need one if you have an AI.
7.Mixer
"I refer the Hon gent to the answer above" !


No mention of monitor speakers. My point about mixing is that it CAN be done on headphones but almost all the Top Blokes here (I am far from being one of them. Old bottle Jockey with an interest) will tell you, you need speakers AND an acoustically treated room. This last is going to be a large chunk of your budget but you can delay it and use cans for now.

If the laptop runs W7 smoothly it will surely be capable of running two tracks at 44.1kHz and 24 bits (I had an 850 MEG Hz lappy with 500k of ram and that would do so fine with an M-Audio Fast track pro for as long as the 20G hard drive allowed!) It is when you need FX that speed becomes a factor.

Dave.

 

[DM60]

Maybe swap out the NT2A for the NT1A, you don't get multi-pattern, but good price and good starter.

For mixer, many of us mix in the box. Could save money here and apply for monitors and acoustic treatment.

Need to know what you have as stated by others on the laptop. Most likely on your laptop your HD will be your biggest issue. Usually i5, 8 gig of RAM and 7200 RPM HD or SSD (I am really a fan of the SSDs). The performance increase of the SSDs is really worth the money for the upgrade. Lots of bang for your buck there.