New to home recording, looking for advice.

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BCGuitars

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I'm Dave. It has always been a goal for me to create a home studio for myself and well finally financially the time has come. My goal is a simple studio for just vocals and stringed instruments. Nothing big. Ive got some equipment. Whether its useful or not, I havent a clue. At the moment I have a big pa system, decent behringer mics, cubase 5, a Lexicon Alpha, and a 16 channel Peavey non usb mixer. Im sure there is a vast amount I am missing to get it rolling. Any thoughts on what I have is useful or what I need would be great. Thanks
 
A better interface would be a good start. If it where me I'd replace the mixer with something that can handle both jobs (interface and mixer) The big PA wont be much good. You'll need some decent studio monitors for mixing. The other major consideration would be the room treatment.
 
Get started! Mics, interface and computer/DAW are the basics. Headphones, monitors, better interface ... all will come in time as you find more needs.
 
Ya im planning to completely treat the room and i have a few articles and DYIs im going by. I had a feeling the Lexicon Alpha would be a weak link. Any suggestions for a mixer to replace both of mine ?
 
Behringer XENYX X1222USB USB Mixer

^^would that be a decent mixer ?
 
Well do you have to have a mixer can you not just settle for a good interface ?
 
Although not the perfect studio mixer, it'll certainly do the job for now. Frankly, I'd invest in a decent interface (you'll have to decide whether a two in, two out is enough or you want to multitrack at any time--for just you, likely 2-2) and the best monitors you can afford. Once you done that, then start recording and have fun until you run up against something you NEED. Until then, you're only guessing!

Have fun and get creative.

Bob
 
Jeez Bobbsy - 32 posts in 5 years..... I mean I know things get laidback in Qld, but still... :laughings:
 
Lol...you noticed! In my defence, I spent a couple of those five years busy retiring, travelling around the world and moving from the UK to Australia. It's only in the past few months I've got around to rebuilding my home studio and remembering this excellent forum.

....but, yeah, nothing like sunshine and cheap Aussie wine to encourage a laid-back attitude to life!
 
ya i would imagine the interface is going to be cheaper than a new mixer with usb anyway. My peavey mixer is like 16 channels. Way more ports than i would probably ever use. I just didn't know if i would be better off buying a new interface rather than a mixer with usb to cut out the middle man so to speak.
 
Most interfaces have mixing software, so you shouldn't really need a mixer.

As an example I have a Presonus firestudio that has 8 ins and 8 outs. you can create multiple mixes and send them to any of the outs you want. If you go firewire check to see if you can daisy chain them. Some allow you to add additional interfaces so if you need more ins down the road you can add them.
 
You could get an EMU 1616M-PCI......interface with Pro Tools quality converters, and includes an on-screen mixer with some superb fx included. You dont need a hardware mixer any more, do it all on screen then monitor and record to some kind of stereo out or a cd burner.

Check out Reaper for your recording and multi tracking program.
 
If you're going to be a one-man-band, most likely you won't need more than 2 inputs at one time. Unless, maybe you're recording a drumset. Even with that, you can use a drum VSTi like EZDrummer or Steven Slate and not have the hassles of micing a drum kit.

I find there is not much sonic difference between low-end interfaces and top of the line interfaces. Your money can be best spent on other studio gear like mics and pre-amps, monitors and software plugs (if you're going digital).

Cool. Welcome to the site!!
 
AT the moment I have an acoustic band its just the two of us and I really don't want drums involved. Im using Cubase 5 at the moment and the alpha isnt a badass interface but when i click on monitors and add effects it sounds pretty nice ( considering Im brand new and have tons to learn). Right now my problem is I can play thru cubase 5 with the monitor button clicked and it records cause I see the track is showing sound is being recorded but when i stop and click play to hear what i recorded it doesnt have any sound. SOOOO Giant facepalm for this guy. I spose I go to another forum section that tho lol.

Also would like to say for those who know cubase 5. Im running the asioalpha drivers. it also shows my inputs and outputs are all active and i have setup the buses for the ins and outs on VST connections. however after a while it disconnects VST system link after a while and says it had too many errors. Facepalm number 2.
 
Correction. I just punched myself. Kip your my hero. Thanks alot.


I guess that is left now is buying monitors, better mics, a new interface, treating the room and the tedious learning process ! I will check out the EMU 1616M-PCI as well. Thanks for all the info everyone. I would have been lost otherwise.
 
That 1616M-PCI is a bit pricey, but......the software mixer is awesome for routing inputs as well as routing and mixing outputs from your software, it handles all of your monitoring issues. The fx that come with it are very good quality, and -- here's the sweet part -- the fx don't use any computer cpu. All of the EMU fx run on the EMU card. It has 2 XLR inputs with phantom power, and 4 balanced 1/4 inch inputs, 6 balacned 1/4 inch outputs, 2 midi ins, 2 midi outs, spdif optical connection, and it connects to the computer with an RJ45 cable which never loses connection, unlike a lot of USB type interfaces. My 1616 controls all the audio on my studio computer, and you can save mixer configurations any way you like and recall them for specific purposes like elec guitar recording vs stereo mixdown, etc...
 
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