New Studio Help/Suggestions

[Xcaliber]

I am very new to this forum (this will be my 3rd post here) and I've been searching and reading all I can, but I'm still not sure what else I need for my small, low-budget home studio. I was hoping to list out what I have and get some thoughts, opinions, ideas on what else I might need/want for my purpose.

The main goal is to create mostly instrumental music by myself using my guitars, drum machines/loops and virtual instruments. I've been playing the guitar off and on for 20+ years so that will be the main instrument I'll be recording "live" with the possibility of adding a bass to the mix in the future. I would like to be able to have friends come in and play or sing occasionally, but that will be a rare occasion I think. I don't plan to have a live drum set in the space or have a need to mic anything other than a guitar amp occasionally (I use Amplitube 3 for amp modeling).

Here is a list of what I have to work with, please let me know if there is something I'm missing that will help with my goal of recording full tracks (drums, bass, guitar and occasional synth sounds like strings). One question I have is whether I need to invest in a pair of cheaper (less than $100 for the pair) studio monitors. I don't have the budget for something expensive right now and I'm wondering whether I can get away with the headphones listed below.

Computers:
iMac 3.6Ghz i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 1TB Hard drive (main computer)
Macbook Pro 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive (back up/portable machine)

Recording Interfaces:
iRig HD digital guitar interface
Audiobox USB 2x2

DAW Software:
Presonus Studio One Producer (free upgrade from Artist for purchasing Audiobox Studio bundle)
Reaper (this is my DAW of choice right now because it's easier to understand than Studio One)
GarageBand '11

Plug-ins:
Amplitube 3 + Amplitube Metal expansion
ToonTracks EZ Drummer + Metal Machine expansion

Microphone:
Presonus M7 High-Definition Condenser Microphone (came in the Audiobox Studio)

Headphones:
HD7 Professional Monitoring Headphones (came in the Audiobox Studio)

Thanks in advance.

 

[mjbphotos]

Your question would be better asked (and has been asked a million times) in the Newbies section of these forums. This section is for BUILDING/DESIGNING studios. Perhaps a moderator will move it for you.

As you have already figured out, you need monitors. At < $100, you're not going to get much worth using, but search out some used M Audios until you can buy some decent ones (5X to 10X your current budget). Mixing with headphones can get decent results IF you know what you are doing, but when starting new ... probably not.

 

[Xcaliber]

Thanks. Sorry for posting in the wrong forum.

 

[Xcaliber]

Could a moderator please move this to the Newbie thread?

I have another question about studio monitors as well, my recording interface (the Presonus Audiobox USB) has a L and R out on the back...I'm assuming I should be plugging my speakers into those instead of the computer right? If so do I need active or passive monitors?

 

[mjbphotos]

Yes, you need to plug powered (active) monitors) into the monitor outputs of the Presonus.

 

[Xcaliber]

Thanks. I appreciate the answers.