One Man Band

[Rapishorrid]

Hey all, this is my first post here. I've been reading through for a bit though.

My goal is to start a "one man band". I play guitar so I want that recorded, drums would be done through midi, and bass would either be midi or done by me DI or recorded.

Since I'm a bit of a computer nerd, I already have step one complete: I have an extremely capable computer that will be able to handle anything I throw at it. This is running Vista if you were wondering.

So I need the following things:

• A firewire audio interface with at least one mic pre & midi IO.
• A midi controller.
• A mic for recording guitar.

I'm obviously posting here looking for suggestions on what to get for each of those. But I'll give you an idea of my price range and what I'm looking for by telling you what I've found on my own.

Audio Interface: Presonus Firebox
Midi Controller: M-Audio Axiom 25
Mic: SM57

So I'm not looking for a "cheap" sound. I've heard some really professional recordings come out using the FP10's pres and I believe the Firebox has the same pres. I'll be using VSTs like EZdrummer and Reason Electric Bass for the midi, so that should sound equally professional. The Axiom 25 has all the features I'm looking for, a drum pad, enough keys (I don't need many, as long as I have the velocity and timing I can change the note later) and even some programmable knobs and buttons. The SM57 was a no brainer because I'll be recording just guitar.

Thoughts?

 

[tojo]

although you say you have a very capable computer, it is running vista... now that is not neccesarily a bad thing... but you MUST make sure you know that the audio interface you buy will be compatible. This also goes for software there are certain bugs in vista that people have trouble with with both of these things. Just make sure that the drivers for your interfaces are compatible (check forums m-audio/presonus) website.

as for the rig, I like your idea. I'd probably go with the firebox because it leaves options open as you can record up to 4 seperate tracks at once, and has midi (not that the axiom needs it because it's usb)

and yeah, the axiom looks pretty sweet too. I'd go for it but it's a tad expensive and i probably wouldn't use all the features. I might just get the oxygen by m-audio which is really good. I mean, you may be using the drum pads on the axiom but you can write drums with the keys on the keyboard too right? (although having actual pads would be pretty cool)

as for the sm57, thats a great idea, not too expensive and a solid mic.

are you doing vocals too ?

and what software do you plan on using?

 

[Rapishorrid]

Yeah I'll make sure to check that everything is compatible with Vista. It looks like the Firepod, and M-Audio midi controllers are.

As for software, I think I'll be using Adobe Audition. But really I'm open to any suggestions in that regard because I'll be able to get whatever - cost with software is not an issue.

Also, I am open to suggestions for midi controllers. I haven't really researched them, so I looked quick and found the Axiom. But you're probably right, drum pads aren't really necessary. Keys would do fine. Which would lower the price (if I got the Oxygen) and even allow me to get more keys, which would be helpful. Any other midi controllers to suggest from anyone? I don't know much about them. I was thinking even M-Audio's keystation because of the semi-weighted keys. I'm not trying to emulate piano, I'm playing primarily bass and drums, but I think semi-weighted would be nice.

Thanks for the response btw, tojo.

Oh, and vocals. I don't plan on doing them right away, but maybe eventually I'll practice singing and perhaps get some in. So I figure the SM57 suits me perfectly now and I'll be able to get rough vocals down at least when the time comes until I can buy a nicer mic for vocals.

 

[tojo]

sounds like your on the right track. If you do get the presonus firebox make sure you try out cubase le (i think it comes with version 4) and I think it's great software. I used it for a while and really loved it. the le 4 version looks like the nice full version i believe and has the same tools, it's just limited (to like 48 audio tracks and 64 midi tracks as well as inserts and such...)

i'm not a big fan of adobe audition. I've used it a fair bit, and it's predecessor cool edit pro. I like it, but sometimes it just doesn't cut it, and i'm not too sure why. (i guess the obvious... version 2 didn't have midi)

but yeah def. check out cubase you might like it a lot, and can always upgrade to a full version later. IF you don't need knobs at all on your keyboard, you can get a keystation 49 for like $120 -150 i think. it hasn't got all the knobs and transport buttons but it has 49 keys... you just need to decide what you need... (maybe you want a portable 25 key oxygen for live shows or recording away from where you normally do.

glad to help!

 

[santiu]

Firebox is a good start. Is that the limit of your budget for the interface? You might also want to look at the Focusrite Saffire and if you're willing to stretch your budget, the Apogee Duet. But I'm guessing the Firebox is probably the interface for you.

The Axiom 25 is freaggin sweet. You probably don't need all the features, but I think you should get it because I want one.

Are you going to be recording acoustic or electric guitar? If you're recording acoustic, I'd suggest a getting a matched pair of condenser mics instead of the 57. Of if you can't swing a pair, just get one. 57 sounds okay on acoustic, but i think condensers do a better job.

If you're micing your amp, SM57 is a great start and a great mic to have. However, I've become much fonder of the EV N/D468. You can usually get one used for the same price or cheaper than an SM57, so maybe you want to take a look at it.

 

[Rapishorrid]

As far as the interface is concerned, I looked at the Saffire, but I heard there are some bad driver issues? Anyone care to elaborate. Advantages/Disadvantages of both plus any other interfaces I should check out.

For the controller, I do love the Axiom. But at the same time I think I might want more keys. I don't really know though since really all I need is just one key with velocity, and then I can edit the notes later.. I'm almost leaning towards the Axiom 25 unless someone can sway me otherwise.

And for the mic, the SM57 is it. I'll be micing mostly an amp, sometimes acoustic. But mostly an amp (peavey classic 50 to be exact).

Thanks again for the quick replies! Looking forward to hearing what else you all have to say.

 

[tojo]

think about whether you really need all those knobs and pads... sure it'd be awesome to have them, but can you do without...?

you can go about $100 less and get this http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Oxygen8v2-main.html
or if you want more keys but still the same knobs for about 40-60 $ less you can get the bigger version of the oxygen:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Oxygen49-main.html

or no knobs at all for quite cheap:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeyRig49-main.html

so basically, just check out the m-audio website

good luck with your choice!

 

[Rapishorrid]

For some reason I really want semi-weighted keys, which the Oxygen's don't have. The Axiom and Keystations do. However, after reading a bunch of reviews the Keystations appear to have some kind of issues when using it as a standalone midi device (no usb), which is what I want to do. I'd rather not have to use the USB if I can get the same result through an actual midi I/O.

 

[tojo]

wait... so you want to have something that uses midi cables so you can hook it up to the firebox instead of right into a usb in your computer?

or, are you saying you want to just play keyboard without hooking it up to either... because i doubt you can do that... they have to be played through a computer...

although i'm sure you were talking about the former. I would still get a keyboard that does usb, they seem reliable... i also don't know if you need to implement your drivers if its running through your firebox? would you use the firebox driver interface software to work with midi?

 

[Rapishorrid]

I'm really new to the whole midi thing, so I guess what would you guys reccomend? Using the usb cable or going through the midi I/Os on the firebox?

 

[tojo]

only once have i tried using midi cables through a stupid m-audio interface. the situation wasn't ideal,,, we were using an older yamaha keyboard that had something called "general midi" which most midi devices have or something? but anyways it got recognized by ableton live, and notes would show up but it just didn't work well.

however i have used midi keyboard by usb and they worked fine. just gotta get the drivers. You may also have to deal with latency, because i got some on ableton but i have heard or no such thing in garageband or fruityloops....

 

[Rapishorrid]

Sounds like I'll be going with the USB route. I think I'm going to settle on the Keystation 61es because I don't need any of the knobs, faders, pads or displays, I just need keys. And I really want semi-weighted keys for some reason, so that's a plus.

So how's this look for a final purchase?

Presonus Firebox - $300
M-Audio Keystation 61es - $170
Shure SM57 - $100
Total: $570

But I'll most likely get the firebox and mic used, so I can save some. After that the next thing I'll need to look into will be some pretty good but inexpensive monitors and headphones.

 

[tojo]

cool. Semi weighted keys definetely give it a much more realistic feel. But if your not a piano player... do you really need 61 keys? Of course if the semi-weighted keys is a must have feature that is more important than the amount of keys you have than by all means go for.

just to let you know though... the keyboard controllers (ones that have knobs and sliders) can have certain things assigned to them in your recording program (cubase. logic, pro tools etc) so for example the oxygen has transport buttons, so you can hit record, rewind, fast forward play etc. You can assign each button to do something so its a lot more intuitive to click record. As with the knobs, i think you can control like plugins (maybe i don't know...) or stuff like pan or whatever. If there are sliders you can probably do mixing with them..

i'm not entirely sure how, but i think you can do it with most software...

if you thats a feature you'd like to have... then you'd consider something with more buttons. I sure there a guide somewhere in this forum or across the internet that can help you out. check out some reviews!

 

[tojo]

actually check out this guide.
tweak headz

this guy provides a great site with tons of tips and a full out guide to recording... including a page on tips on buying a keyboard

 

[Rapishorrid]

Anyone have any experience with the E-Mu Xboard49?
http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=532&subcategory=533&product=13558
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/EMu-Xboard-49-USBMIDI-Controller?sku=706284