Newbie on computor recordings

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taylorfreak

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Can anyone let me know what are the basic stuff i need to start recording on my computor.
Im currently using 1.6GHz Pentium, 256 RD Ram, Creative SD live soundcard.

I know i need to change soundcard to something else, buy a small mixer,2 small monitors, one good mic....is that all? I will want to buy a keyboard which used midi in the future..

Please advise...
 
taylorfreak said:
Can anyone let me know what are the basic stuff i need to start recording on my computor.
Im currently using 1.6GHz Pentium, 256 RD Ram, Creative SD live soundcard.

I know i need to change soundcard to something else, buy a small mixer,2 small monitors, one good mic....is that all? I will want to buy a keyboard which used midi in the future..

Please advise...
Click to expand...
Software! The most important component! :)

What are you recording, what's the quality level you want, and is there a "deadline?"

If you're budget's tight and you don't need studio quality right away, you could get some practice with the SB card. Otherwise, for someone starting out, an M-Audio card would be good. If your budget is a bit higher, you could go with something MOTU or Aardvark.

If you're on a budget, I'd suggest a Shure SM58 for a mic. It's versatile, durable, and will always hold some value. Don't forget a good stand!

I've never used a mixer for recording, and if you're only using "one good mic," you won't need one either. It doesn't hurt, but if you're on a budget, and you're not going to mic a drumset, this can wait.

Monitors...quite the well-discussed subject around here. Do a search of the forums. Personally, I have a pair of M-Audio "get-me-by-for-now" BX-5s. They're cheap ($260 at newegg.com) and do a better job than my computer speakers (Logitech Z-560s), but not what most consider a real quality pair of nearfields. I also check my mixes on my Z-560s, on my car's Mach 460 stereo, on my girlfriend's Subaru's stereo, on the stereo at work, on my boombox, and everywhere else I can.

Can't really help you with the keyboard and I just have a cheapie $99 Kaysound midi keyboard which I wouldn't recommend :D

Taylorfreak, eh? Does this refer to the Taylor guitar? I have a 314CE, myself, and love it.
 
Haha...ya..i own a 414ce LTD L3 2003 model...just arrived!!

Im thinking of getting a mixer 1st so that i would not ned to upgrade next time, since i would be able to plug in guitars,other instruments and multiple mics.

So i reckon this is what i need..
1) Computor, which i have
2) a new sound card
3) Small 8 channel mixer?
4) Mic
5) pair of monitors
6) Cakewalk

Is that all? are there different types of soundcard? how i link the mixer output to the soundcard?
 
taylorfreak said:
Haha...ya..i own a 414ce LTD L3 2003 model...just arrived!!

Im thinking of getting a mixer 1st so that i would not ned to upgrade next time, since i would be able to plug in guitars,other instruments and multiple mics.

So i reckon this is what i need..
1) Computor, which i have
2) a new sound card
3) Small 8 channel mixer?
4) Mic
5) pair of monitors
6) Cakewalk

Is that all? are there different types of soundcard? how i link the mixer output to the soundcard?
Click to expand...
You still didn't mention your budget or what you're recording.
What would I recommend on a good budget?:

Soundcard ~$800:
Aardvark Q10, which has eight inputs with good preamps. It comes with a software mixer that precludes the need for a hardware mixer.

Soundcard for less money ~$500...I found mine for $440:
Aardvark 24/96, which has four inputs with good preamps. Also comes with the software mixer. I use this one and love it.

Soundcard for $110:
M-Audio Delta 410. 4 inputs / 10 outputs. Good card. No preamp.

Already suggested the mic...maybe you sould investigate a condensor mic for that acoustic, though.

Monitors are really subjective.

Cakewalk...good choice. I use Sonar 2.2XL myself.

If you really want a mixer, I would suggest the Yamaha MG-124 (~$200)

The mixer, your mics, or your instruments all plug into the soundcards via their 1/4" or XLR connections.
 
Microphones require pre-amps. If you get a mixer, chances are the pre-amps will already be built in. But if you don't, you will want to consider buying a pre-amp as well. ART Tube Pre is a decent choice.
 
ChristopherM said:


The mixer, your mics, or your instruments all plug into the soundcards via their 1/4" or XLR connections.
Click to expand...

I thought the instruments into the mixer then the micer into the soundcard?
 
Originally posted by taylorfreak I thought the instruments into the mixer then the micer into the soundcard?
Click to expand...
Yes, if there is a mixer in the chain. Otherwise, you can just plug straight into the card's input, or mic to preamp to input in the case of a card with no built-in preamp.

Originally posted by Cyrokk Microphones require pre-amps. If you get a mixer, chances are the pre-amps will already be built in. But if you don't, you will want to consider buying a pre-amp as well. ART Tube Pre is a decent choice.
Click to expand...
The Aardvark cards I mentioned already have very good preamps built in. If you went the M-Audio route, you will need a preamp. In that case, the Yamaha mixer I mentioned or the ART Tube Pre would be very good suggestions.

What are you recording? If you're just doing one track at once, you might do better to save the money you would have spent on a mixer (maybe to buy a better card, preamp, or a condensor mic for that Taylor).

Maybe the idea of a software mixer sounds strange to someone not used to computer recording, but there are several of us here who do things this way.

Here's a screenshot of my Aardvark 24/96 four-input card's software mixer:
Aardvark 24/96 mixer
 
Yo, taylorfreak...

Where are you in Singapore? You may want to page our beloved member (Cool Edit forum moderator) dobro. He's very helpfull :)

;)
Jaymz
 
I might be heading towards recording guitars,keys,vocals. Might be recording one track at a time but who knows, might need to record them stimultaneously, so am i right to say if i want to do that, i need a mixer? please advice..

I've seen my friend using a 16 channel mixer into some "yamaha" soundcard, he does his editing and mixing using a "software" mixer in cakewalk. The 16 channel micer is just used to plug in instruments, control volumes and minor EQ-ing.
Is there such way of recordings?
 
taylorfreak said:
I might be heading towards recording guitars,keys,vocals. Might be recording one track at a time but who knows, might need to record them stimultaneously, so am i right to say if i want to do that, i need a mixer? please advice..

I've seen my friend using a 16 channel mixer into some "yamaha" soundcard, he does his editing and mixing using a "software" mixer in cakewalk. The 16 channel micer is just used to plug in instruments, control volumes and minor EQ-ing.
Is there such way of recordings?
Click to expand...

Yeah, you could use a small mixer like the Souncraft M-4 ($440) and a 4-in 4-out soundcard like the M-Audio Delta 44 ($230). I believe that would be a good, versatile combo.
 
tdukex said:
Yeah, you could use a small mixer like the Souncraft M-4 ($440) and a 4-in 4-out soundcard like the M-Audio Delta 44 ($230). I believe that would be a good, versatile combo.
Click to expand...

I was looking at that too...any other brands of soundcards to recommend in the 100-300 range?
Anyway,what does 4 in 4 out means? Sorry for this dumb qns!

Soundcraft M-44...what brand is it?
 
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