Newbie in Need!

  • Thread starter Thread starter UnkleSlam
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UnkleSlam

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I will soon be making the transition from 4-track mini-disk recording to PC based recording. I need help choosing a setup.

I am looking at Cakewalk's Guitar studio 2.0.I don't want something geared towards keyboard, because I don't play 'em.

My PC is 800mg,128mg-RAM,40g hard drive.

I want a small mixer(probably behringer),so I can record real drums.I want to run that straight into my PC.I will probably run my guitar,and bass direct,and use an amp sim.And I will run the vocals through the mixer also.

What exactly will I need?Assume that I know nothing(which is true)?Give me any suggestions you can think of, and be as specific as possible.Please,Anybody?
 
How many inputs do you plan to use on drums? This will make a difference as to how many in/outs you will require. Shop for software based on it’s utility and ease of use. Software claiming to be “for guitar” is usually nothing more than a marketing angle that will net you less features for more money (IMO). Here’s what you need to get started. Guys, if I forget anything please fill it in. I’m assuming we’re on a budget here, so I’m not mentioning pre’s comps, etc here.

1) computer with cd-writer.
2) professional sound card with enough ins/outs.
3) mixer
4) monitors
5) software
6) Microphone
7) headphones

I suggest you list these one at a time in the appropriate forum. You’ve got a lot of ground to cover here!
Good luck :-)

Brad Gallagher
http://www.just-for-musicians.com/
 
Don't forget the CD-R disks....the writer won't like those regular CDs.... ;)


***Justin***
 
Unless your guitar is set up for midi, Cakewalk guitar studio is useless. I purchesed the software about 3 years ago and have never used it due to my guitar not being set up for midi. I will sell you mine for 50 bucks if you are really set on getting it but I dont
highly recommend it. It has some features specifically related to guitars but if you allready have a sequencing software package theres no sense in buying guitar studio.
 
re,

XtremeB, What I was planning on doing was getting one of those Behringer 8 channel mixers , and recording the drums live.I just want to record them like that and send them to maybe 2 tracks in the PC,just stereo I guess.

I have a computer on the way, it has a Cd-writer.I have some cheap mics,headphones etc. I know enough about monitors and stuff,I don't think I'll have a problem there.

What I really need to know, is what kind of soundcard,and software I need to get and If I need some kind Of A/D,D/A converter.Just the PC aspect of it basically.

Is it true about guitartracks, I don't have a midi guitar?What would be a good program to use?I don't want a midi guitar.

PLease Help.
Thanx.
 
I have Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 and I am very happy with it, it has a lot of MIDI options on it but it also has A TON for audio too (I don't record keyboards either so I can say that this is an excellent program for audio). It goes for around $170 which is a great deal (at the time I got it, it was 2x that amount but it was still a good buy even at that price IMO). :)

-tkr
 
re

I have been looking at Cakewalk Pro 9, too.Would I need anything special to run into the PC, or can I go straight into the soundcard?

Thank you btw.

Anybody else?
 
I need help too!

I am looking to set up my home studio. I am looking to record PC-based. Right now I have a Yamaha DJX Keyboard, Rhythm Trak123 drum machine. As far as software, I have Cakewalk Sonar, Cool Edit Pro, and ACID Pro 3.0. I am considering a Behringer MX1604A(not 100%). I am recording mostly with keyboards and vocals. I need to know which mics, mixers, etc. that I would need.

Thanks.
Q?Mark
 
As always the questions are...

- how good do you need it to sound?
- how much are you willing to spend?

Do some searching (read posts) in the computer recording section of the board. Although a Behringer board will do the trick you will still need a good soundcard....20 or 24 bit. If the soundcard you have is 16bit results will be decent at best. I know because I currently have a 16 bit card. :( I currently record vocals into the soundcard line-in using a Presonus stereo mic preamp and an AT4033 LD Condenser mic. It would sound good IF I had a decent soundcard. (I use Cakewalk / Soundforge software)

What I have chosen to do (very soon hopefully) is invest in a Digi001 system with Protools software. It has a 8 in-8 out breakout box and a very good card plus the software...BUT it's like 900 bucks.

If you need to record the drums you could buy the Behringer board and a decent soundcard (maybe $200-300). I have HEARD with cheap mics and the cheaper mic-pre's in the Behringer it can get a little noisy.

I chose to slowly work into it...started w/ a cheap mic / cheap soundcard but purchased a decent preamp in the Presonus. Then I bought a good mic in the 4033. Now I will buy the Digi001 set up and I have much of what I will need for a quality sound.

This all comes at a price...

- Presonus pre ($175)
- AT4033 LD Condenser mic ($400)
- Digi001 w/ card - Protools ($1000)
- Reference monitors ($300 minimum)

None of this includes the PC!

READ ALL YOU CAN - do your homework - decide what you want to do with it and how much you want to spend THEN decide what's right for you. There are lots of choices!! Plus you can always start small and wait for Uncle Sam like I did... ;)

incoherent now.... :p

zip >>
 
Hope that helped you....it was late and I was sleepy... :p

Good luck!

zip >>
 
I have heard good things about the M-Audio Audiophile 2496. I think it is about $150 for two channels. On the other hand, the Lexicon Core2 seems like a better value, but I’m not a big digital guy. The 4033 is a great mic… very similar to the KSM32. I also like PreSonus for the money, although I am biased (I live near their office) ;-). Behringer mixers are very clean. You will be very hard pressed to find a mixer with as many features at a similar cost… although you will see people trashing them all over these bbs’s. I have also heard very good things about the C1, although I am reluctant to recommend it for personal reasons.

Slightly intoxicated… I hate gigging on Mon night. HTH (Hope that helps)

Brad Gallagher
http://www.just-for-musicians.com/
 
look on the brite side Brad...

...at least you can roll your weekend hangover right on into Tuesday... :p

zip >>
 
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