Newbie & a girl...2 strikes against me!

[Christine K]

Thanks Spinsta! That along with the stuff recommended by Blue Bear will keep me reading for a while! As far as the budget goes, I'd like to keep initial expenses to $500 or less. I'm willing to build from there. I really like the portability of a separate recorder, but then I don't really know if I'd ever take it anwhere. I'm going to read through everything that was suggested and sleep on it for a few days before making any purchases. I really need to get some of the basics down as well. I don't have a clue as to what S/PDIF is for example!

 

[chessparov]

"initial expenses" = Famous last words.
Just ask any gearhead here... (and hide the credit cards)

Keep us posted on how you're doing with the various choices.

Best of luck,
Chris

P.S. S/PDIF is just a type of digital input or output, like how RCA cables
are different than 1/4" or XLR balanced cables.

 

[Even]

No question you can get a used Roland VS-880EX for $450.00-$500.00 on ebay. Really decent stand alone units that generate solid results without needing a PhD to jump into the game.

 

[Michael Jones]

Christine, hello, and welcome to the board.
My advice to you would be to RUN! FAST!, and don't look back!
j/k!

I'll offer my input and go along with those that suggested a DAW.
While the stand alone, all-in-one boxes can be a great entry level device, in my opinion, they are an upgradable dead end.

A dedicated DAW would provide more flexibility, and allow for more options in the long run.

 

[Christine K]

Thanks M.J. I am running fast...right for the "Press Here To Purchase" link! I appreciate all the advice from everyone. I've decided to go the computer-as-processor route and stay away from the separate digital recorder. It looks nice, but it's also true I have more than enough computer power right now for my needs, so why duplicate it?

After lurking about on all the forums here and getting bits of advice I've come up with my initial purchase. I've ordered an M-Audio "Audio Buddy" pre-amp and a Studio Projects B-1 mic to start off with. Since all of my recording is going to be strictly acoustic guitar instrumentals on one track, I've held off on any mixing equipment for the time being. Later, perhaps when vocals come into the picture. For the software, I will stick with n-Track for the time. I think my next look will be at a better sound card for the computer. I'm sure I'll be full of questions when it comes to the choices of what to buy. And for now I'll deal with any potential computer fan noise and muffle that up as best I can. Maybe a nice laptop is in the cards.

Thanks to everyone for putting up with me. There actually are people out here who feel a bit helpless when it comes to all this hardware stuff. Easy for you all...it must be a "guy thing"!!

I can make a mean chocolate chip cookie however!

 

[eyeslikefire]

I can make a mean chocolate chip cookie however!

Christine, sometimes making a good chocolate chip cookie is better than being a wiz at Pro Tools.

 

[knightfly]

Whadda ya mean, SOMETIMES? (unless yer outa milk, that is)

 

[eyeslikefire]

TRUE!!

 

[joro]

Thanks to everyone for putting up with me. There actually are people out here who feel a bit helpless when it comes to all this hardware stuff. Easy for you all...it must be a "guy thing"!!

I can make a mean chocolate chip cookie however!

Don't worry....
Once you get the taste for gear....you'll be a gear head like all the rest of the folk who haunt this place in cyberspace.....

Not me though...no sir-ee....
No audiophile here...
nope...not compulsive at all about gear...

Gotta go now...Guitar Center in Danvers is having a big sale on mics.....
and mixers....
and guitars...
and...and...and....

Welcome to the boards
Joe

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

I watched this thread for a little while and didn't have much to add, but the "...and a girl- 2 strikes against me!" kinda hit me sideways.

Christine, welcome aboard!

There's nothing wrong with being either new or a girl. As far as being new goes- we all were once, and continue to be in many ways. Newness is exciting and free. That's one of the reasons I love this hobby- there is ALWAYS something new to learn and explore. I've never felt more creative as a song writer or recordist than when I was first starting out. Now I know all the rules and tend to follow them. (Yawn)

As far as being a girl, well, this hobby is dictated by your ears, whats between them, and nothing else. While the recording industry (like so many other professional fields) may be dominated by men, there is no need for us hobbiests to act that way.

Having said that- you know what its like hanging around a bunch of boys. I'm even shocked at times by what goes on around here, even though I know its all in fun.

Welcome, again. This is the most productive place I've found for solid discussion of home recording.

Take care,
Chris

 

[Christine K]

Thanks Chris (and everyone else), that was a well thought out reply. Hey I have thick skin, can put up with the generally male dominance here and the threads that are laced with testosterone. We've heard it all before. You oughta see a bunch of gals together and what they talk about. Some of that will curl your hair!

I really like playing guitar and the next logical step being home recording seemed like the way to go. Glad I found this board. I'll wade through it all and pick out the stuff I need. I've already gotten a lot of good tips and ideas, and through some intelligent replies, I have directed my purchases towards a minimal home recording setup. And I feel I have gotten good advice on mics, pre-amps, and software which I wouldn't have learned about otherwise. So I'm already smarter than I was a week ago! I enjoy the "gearhead" side of it too. I just need to learn a bunch more stuff to be able to sound semi-intelligent in my posts.

I'll be reading a lot, posting a little bit, and adding in my 2 cents where appropriate. You guys are a great bunch!

CK

 

[Richard Monroe]

Hey, Christine! I just noticed you're from Taxachusetts (along with myself, Littledog, Joro, and several others. Where are you located? I'm in Framingham/Natick (the town line goes through my house). Check out my web site at www.bardwire.com. If you're interested at all, I'm definitely learning, and I would be glad to give you a few hours of free studio time just for the tracking practice. No, I'm not some weirdo that wants to hit on you, you can meet the wife and cat. It might also give you the opportunity to look at and hear some of the mics and stuff that are presently theoretical. I'll even let you play my Taylor! Send me an email if your interested. BTW, I have Martin Luther King day off on Monday and will be tracking all day. I'd be happy to teach you how to run the board.-Richie

 

[Christine K]

Richie, I'm a ways from you, out in the Gardner area, west of Fitchburg. I appreciate the offer, but I will have to take a rain check. I really do enjoy your posts and just hanging around here for the past week has given me a lot of good ideas from you all. I'll check out your website too.

CK

 

[complexprocess]

Richie,
I checked out your page. Why no bass pod?

 

[Richard Monroe]

No need, really, complex. I have multiple DI options for bass. You can use the model of a Fender Bassman on the POD, or go DI into the Joemeek or the Avalon. Otherwise, we can just put a D112 in front of a Bass reflex cab and mic it. We're not using effects much on bass, so I've found other more critical uses for that much money.-Richie