New to recording, need some gear.

[Longwang]

Hello guys, i have been producing as a hobby and would want to make it my career in the future. My family is all about music and my dad decided recently that he will want me to start recording him when he sings or plays his sax. He said he would buy me some gear so i could start out. I have decided on buying the presonus firebox. Good choice? Also i plan on gettin 2 condensor mics. I need some help here, im not sure what i should be getting. Ill be recording pretty much everything, live and at home. Should i be getting a pair? or 2 different mics. And would i need a preamp? i have read that the firebox comes with 2 preamps. anyways hope someone can help me

 

[Erockrazor]

You could get the firebox. That would be your audio interface. There's a variety of different interfaces (meaning sound card, preamps, converters all in one in short). Some offer 2, 4, or 8 channels and some with expansion to even more. After you get the firebox you would only need to get a microphone and cables, assuming you have a computer to use. 2 microphones could be used simultaneously to record in "stereo" but there is no mandatory reason to start with 2. For beginning it may be best to record in mono. After that you'd be ready to rock and roll. Good luck!

 

[Longwang]

well, i would be recording stuff like my drumline, and my concert band and stuff so do you think that would be to much for one mic? But if im allowed to get 2 and i dont need to i could still get 2 different ones for different purposes i guess. But i still need some help on what mics to get. What are the differences between large and small condensor mics?

 

[Erockrazor]

Well for your application, 2 microphones may be desirable to create a stereo field. The only problem is that problems will arise upon using two microphones. Phase cancellation is a big "problem" in stereo miking. There are microphone techniques and rules to help you avoid this though. It might do you some good to search these types of things on this board and other websites.

"small and large condensers", the difference is in something youre not really saying. More traditionally you would say "small diaphragm" or "large diaphragm". This implies that the difference lies in the size of the diaphragm/the microphones element.

Go to the microphone forum and look at the stickies there. It's a good newb FAQ.

Good luck.