New to this: what do I start with?

[Kennan2000]

1) Here’s the deal:
As I’m graduating college this May, my folks are buying me a new computer. So I have a few questions. I’m looking to get into a little bit more hardcore digital recording, but I’m basically pretty naïve.
Let me fill you in on my experience so far.
Right now I’m using a demo of n-track and a demo of fruityloops, and a pc microphone, to record voice, keyboard, and guitar/ukelele/kazoo.
Right now: the arrangements sound good, but the quality does not. My voice comes in and out in volume, and there’s a general graininess. I don’t have a problem with lo-fi music – in fact I quite like it. But I also would like to have high production options.
I also bought a magix program for the fusing of audio and MIDI. My Pentium 2 333mhz does not install the magix program, and the midi drivers don’t register. (I bought a 2X2 MIDI USB peripheral.)
So, I want a better computer to take my recording to the next level, so that I might be able to do EXACTLY what I want with it.
By the way, I’ll tell you some of influences:
Flaming lips, beck, eels, Olivia tremor control, neutral milk hotel, notwist, the microphones, mercury rev.
I want a nice hybrid of recording digital and organic sounds.

2) So: do I get a PC or a Mac? How much does my soundcard matter? How much ram do I need? I plan to use many effects and I would like to be able to record a significant amount of tracks without degeneration. Are the Creative Labs cards really that shitty?

I wanted one of those new iMacs with the superdrive, but would I be able to get what I want out of it recordingwise?

What are the best programs for recording? Remember: I want to fuse MIDI and audio. I also want to be able to arrange digital audio. What are the differences between cubase, n-track, cakewalk? Do I NEED protools? Is the protools demo any good?

So about buying the computer. Once again, Mac or PC? It seems that the PC still has more of an array of programs out there. And do I buy a computer deal at Best Buy or do I order a custom made? Again, what kind of sound card do I need and what difference does it make?

Oh, one more thing, do I need some sort of pre-thingee to go between the computer and the input? I’m naïve; forgive me. A board?

I apologize for the rambling tone, but I just drank too much caffeine…

I also would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks much,
Kennan

 

[Pinky]

Get the fastest PC your money can buy minus the cost of some better recording software and a good sound card. Maclintosh hasn't proven it's really faster at anything, maybe 18 months ago, but not today... get a PC (save yourself the hassle later on when you want to upgrade or want flexibility with software packages).

Right now Dell is the best pre-fab for compatibility with non-dell hardware, meaning Dell's tend to upgrade easier (DUde, you're going to hell!!).

Next best I hazard to guess. I build my own machines.

Minimum of 256MB RAM.
P4 1.6ghz or AMD T-Bird 1.0 or higher (the faster the less time it takes to apply an effect during post production)
Lots of harddrive space, and preferably in Raid 0 (dual 40GB minimum, more if you hoard data).
Soundcard that suits your needs, $300+ for a multitrack - line in model, $60 for the Turtle Beach Sanat Cruz I use which is more than enough for home recording and has a very clean line in.
Possibly an external mixer, something to protect the soundcard and to make sure you don't get any nasty clipping.

I like Cakewalk's product's and Sonic Foundry for production, cubase appears to be a decent alternative.

 

[SirRiff]

Advice

Greetings,

Pinky gave some good advice, but another view always helps.

Most people agree that modern PCs come very very close to the legendary stability of Macs, and they are also often much more powerfull for the price. I think most people here would suggest a PC.

If you are really into recording and you see yourself really being serious about what you make, I suggest you get a decent computer (at least) to make sure you can do whatever you want in the future. If you are generally a computer geek and like doing other things with your computer (ie: watching movies, burning movies to CDR, video games, ect) i would suggesting building your own computer. I didn't know much a while ago when i started, but after reading alot, it becomes pretty easy.

If you are looking for something that will do everything you could reasonably expect, pinky's suggestion of a P4 1.6a chip would work well, get that with 512 megs of ram. I strongly disagree about the raid setup however, I have heard from many many people that a modern 7200 rpm harddrive is more then enough for a homerecorder to get many tracks of playback. Even on my oldest computer (P2, 466) I can get 15+ tracks playback easily, and could probobly get another 10 if i wanted. so my opinion is that one 7200rpm 40gig hard drive is enough, or a 20 gig for applictions, and another 40-60 gig for audio/storage would be even better.


As for soundcards, I know very little compared to other people here, so I will advise you to wait for some more answers. some info however, since you don't seem to record bands all at once, you could probobly get a while with a 2 channel soundcard and an external preamp (which you need to bring your mic level upto a line level for recording). I know the audiophile 2496 soundcard and audiobuddy preamps are highly and often recommended for this sitution, but you will have to find someone else (or look it up your self) to get specifics on them.

In summery, if all you want to do is record on your computer, and your not going to push it to its limits (most of us don't) a P4 1.6 may be good power for decent cost. A 2 channel souncard with a 2 channel mic pre amp (or a soundcard with preamps built into it) will allow you to record 2 acoustic tracks at one (vocals/guitar).

There is tons and tons of info here in past discussions,
I asked all these same questions many months ago here.
Read, read, and read more. Then search the web to confirm everything.

Have fun.
SirRiff