PART 1 of HELP ME RECORD: Choosing the Right Equipment

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ForeverBlind

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My band is recording a EP soon, and we're doing it at my house. The thing is, we don't know much about recording. So....I thought it'd be fun to have people here help us out, since there seem to be a lot of people who know what they're doing. I just hope people actually want to help! :)
Of course, anyone who helps will get thanked in the booklet and get a free copy! Haha.....if they want.

In order to avoid any trouble, I will not mention anything about the band name, or the band site etc. I think this will keep people from thinking I'm trying to plug the band.

So....onto PART 1. Choosing Equipment.

We're recording everything onto my computer. The computer is set and ready to go. I got an Audiophile 2496 (4 inputs), Cubase SX 2.0, loads of plugins, all needed instruments (except mics)...

We haven't decided many things. Like:

1. If we're gonna mic the guitar amps or just go the direct route.
2. If we're gonna close mic the drums or not. For the music we play, I think it'd be better to mic everything.....we want a big powerful sound. The problem is my soundcard only has 4 inputs (and I WON'T buy another one)....so I'd have to mix some of the drum tracks down....which I didn't want to do but if I have to, that's fine.

What I need is stuff like a mixer, mics, monitors etc.
We don't really know much about equipment, so bare with us.

Incase it matters, we are a metal band.

We are planning to rent all equipment from one store. Here is their list. (all prices are for 1 months rental)


Audio Mixer

Behringer UB22 FX Pro 12CH. w/FX $50.00
Behringer MX 3224X 24CH. W/FX $100.00
Behringer MX 3282A 32CH. 8 Sub Groups, 6 Aux $150.00
Peavey RG 3243 32CH. 4 Sub Groups, 6 Aux $200.00
Allen & Heath Pro ML3000, 40CH, 8 Aux Sends $500.00

Power Mixer

Yorkville MM4 $30.00
Yorkville MP6 $40.00
Behringer PMX2000 (8CH. 500 Watt w/FX) $50.00
Yorkville AP 508 $70.00
YOrkville AP 512/1212/1216 $80.00
Yorkville AP 818 $90.00
PM 16 $100.00

Power Amps

Yorkville AP 800/1200/3000 $40.00
Yorkville AP 2020/4040/4020 $40.00
Peavey CS 800/GPS 900/1500/2600/3500 $40.00
Peavey PV 900/1500/2600 $40.00
Power Soft 4004/3204 (4 CH. 4000 Watts RMS, 20LB) $150.00

Speakers (ALL COME IN PAIRS)

Peavey Impulse 1012/1015 $50.00
Elite 404 $50.00
Elite 608 Single 18' $70.00
Elite 1000 $120.00
Cervin Vegalr 36 Single 18' $100.00
Wharfedale Pro Touring Series
10's $60.00
12's $80.00
15's $100.00
18's $150.00
Lix Double 12's $150.00
Lix Double 18's $150.00

Monitors (ALL COME IN PAIRS)

Yorkville Y112 M $30.00
Yorkville Y115 M $40.00
Wharfedale Twin 12's (Touring System) $80.00
Behringer B300 Watt Powered $120.00

Microphones

Shure SM 57/58 $12.00
AKG D880/D3700 $12.00
AKG C900/535I/D112 $30.00
AKG Drum Touring Kit (5 mics) $70.00
AKG Touring Pro (W D112/2 C1000. 4 F18's_ $120.00
MIC Stand & Cord $4.00
Speaker Stands $20.00

Any other tips about equipment or any related matters would be GREATLY appretiated.

Thanks everyone!

(BTW, I will be cross posting this in other forums)
 
ForeverBlind said:
(BTW, I will be cross posting this in other forums)
Click to expand...

Yeah...bad idea.



Now, do I get a free CD?:D
 
Oh...
You can afford an $800 software program, but you can't afford to buy all your own equipment?
Wny not just go into a real studio?
 
I actually got Cubase from my uncle. He works for a pretty large post production studio in Toronto (partner with Nelvana)

And.....we'd rather learn to do it ourselves. I think it will be a fun experience, even if it turns out to sound like crap.

EDIT: I deleted all the cross postings. Sorry.
 
I would suggest that you go to a professional studio.

It will take you a considerable amount of time to learn Cubase.

Plus, there are a myriad of other things you need to learn/understand about recording and mixing.

I am elated at the fact that you want to DIY, but you will have a STEEP learning curve. :eek:

I wish you the best of luck. ;)
 
Ouch!

I must agree that by the time you have paid for all that rental, you have paid to have the thing done propperly in a real studio.

If you feel that you MUST do the DIY thing, then go to a pro studio, track and record and mix there in a couple of days, but also take the project away with you as a series of WAV files on a DVD-R (check that they can do this up front and check that they will give it to you Apple or PC compatable - depending on what you use).

By all means learn the recording process, but not like that. It does not make much sense. I have several tips for aspiring musicians and DIY audio engineers on my website at www.the-byre.com

Good luck!
 
Me too! I just joined this list and its a good thing because I am totally newbie green on this stuff. My daughter is a singer and I am researching home recording also. I had no idea you could rent some of this equipment. Anyway I hope I learn along the way with you cuz I need all the help I can get!
 
Re: Ouch!

The Byre said:
I must agree that by the time you have paid for all that rental, you have paid to have the thing done propperly in a real studio.

If you feel that you MUST do the DIY thing, then go to a pro studio, track and record and mix there in a couple of days, but also take the project away with you as a series of WAV files on a DVD-R (check that they can do this up front and check that they will give it to you Apple or PC compatable - depending on what you use).

By all means learn the recording process, but not like that. It does not make much sense. I have several tips for aspiring musicians and DIY audio engineers on my website at www.the-byre.com

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Hey Nice studio !
 
ForeverBlind said:
My band is recording a EP soon, and we're doing it at my house. The thing is, we don't know much about recording.
Click to expand...

:confused: Am I the only one who feels that statement's a bit incongruous?

Sorta like: I am going to be doing brain surgery over the weekend, but, hehe, the funny thing is I never went to medical school. :rolleyes:
 
I do agree with the warning about selecting where and with whom you are going to work on recording. I learned the hard way last year when my daughter attempted her first demo recording. We had virtually no money available and so resorted to basement producers. The one studio which used protools and had a pretty decent setup as far as soundproofing and equipment, mixing boards etc. was pretty good. The other one was scary. If you have ever seen a Michigan basement with the scary octopus furnace and the likes you can just imagine. Anyway my worst fears all came true and by the time record label execs heard the CD it was a fiasco. I don't think the term Demo should even be used anymore. The industry wants "ready to go" produced CD's. Which means it has to be of the same quality that you buy at the store and pop in your stereo. If your levels, mixing and mastering are not done by a professional it will show and all your hard work was for nada!
 
the byre; i must agree AND disagree with you. it's good to DIY even with no experience if you plan on A: learning to do this often later on down the road or B: you have even a minute grasp on most things but the actual software.

i'm VERY computer inclined, and i have a good ear (IMHO) so i've decided to spearhead the entire thing by myself.

www.tomorrowspast.com/music.html i know these don't sound 110%; but keep in mind i'm working with $2000 of recording equipment, including the PC. i'm learning new things everyday; just by reading this board i get new tips and tricks.

it all really depends on the person and how comfortable they are doing this kind of thing themself.

just my humble opinion though.
 
Re: Re: PART 1 of HELP ME RECORD: Choosing the Right Equipment

dachay2tnr said:
:confused: Am I the only one who feels that statement's a bit incongruous?

Sorta like: I am going to be doing brain surgery over the weekend, but, hehe, the funny thing is I never went to medical school. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I agree TOTALLY with you, dachay2tnr. :cool:
 
I will still think that FB and rest of the crew should spend the money on a professional studio.

I think that FB can eventually DIY. But, that will take a LOT of TIME and MONEY.

Heck, even the equipment they are renting isn't what you would call GREAT.

I just think that there isn't enough time (one month) to learn...

signal paths
recording
tracking
overdubbs
punching
EQ'ing
COMPRESSION
gain structure
panning
MIXING
monitoring
mic placement
frequency placement of instruments in the MIX
FX's
LEVELS
What are FB's computer specs?
What kind of chip?
How fast is the HD (Hard Drive)?
How many HD's?
How much RAM?
Is the computer dedicated for music production?
Has the computer been tweaked for AUDIO production?

Etcetera....

My $.02

spin
 
I would suggest finding another Home Recordist and working out something. I know for most home and project studios that $800 would get you a LOT of time.

That would also be a good way to learn. Most people into recording love to talk about it so hang out with the guy, hear some of his gear and then worry about doing it yourself.

I would never have even attempted my meager project studio had I not been in and recorded at other studios.

You aren't in a month going to get anywhere near enough knowledge and practice at getting good. Hell, that's probably barely enough time to get used to the monitors! I'm not trying to discourage you but I think on your time frame it's not going to end up well.
 
Hmm thanks everyone for replying, but no one is really helping me! Just telling me I'm stupid and am an idiot... ;)

But I AM going to record. I AM going to rent the equipment. I am NOT going to mix OR master.

Now that we got that outta the way....I guess I'll get the ball rolling.

I'll probably get the Behringer Eurorack UB2222FX Pro. I know Behringer isn't the best quality, and since it's going to be used it will probably be in even worse shape....but it will do.

I contacted LA MUSIC and they said they can basically rent you anything they want, and the stuff I listed is just the main stuff they have.

SO....for drums I'm thinking of:

Bass Drum: Sennheiser MD 421, Neumann FET 47 or Audio Technica ATM 25 (a Shure if we're running low on $)

Snare: Shure SM 57

Overheads: 2 AKG C1000's

Toms: Probably use Shure 57s or 58s. Which is better?

I will see if they have the AKG C12 for overheads, and then I can use them on vocals.

For guitars.........I'm stuff not sure. What do you guys think is the better way? I really want to use amps......and since LA can rent me anything (5150II) I might just do that. I could always use direct recordings for overdubs or to layer rhythm.

(waits for more replies about how I'm not good enough)
 
No one here is saying so much that your an idiot. They are just trying to tell you that you don't know what your getting yourself into.

The learning to DIY isn't the issue... its the cutting the EP for your band thing that has everyone concerned. They just know that it won't sound as good as it could and if your going to try and actually GET anywhere with it, then you should do it right.

Ron
 
Just to let you know, this isn't an EP that we're going to send to labels and sell. This is just for us. The music we play isn't popular (melodic death metal w/violins and pianos) so getting signed isn't really going to happen. We're just doing this for our own satisfaction.
 
I say take your money and buy your own equipment. Sure it might take you a while to get good at it, but you will be able to start recording right away with little know-how. If you are planning on recording in the future then learn it at home, otherwise you will need more money when you are ready to start another project. If you don't know much about mixers or monitors and you don't have your own equipment then you aren't ready to go into the studio and pay for wasted time. That will cost a fortune. Learn as you go and do it the best you can. I bought my first recording equipment a few years ago with blind ambition. After my experiences I have to say that I am so glad I didn't spend my money in a pro studio because that would have been my only record until I could afford another one. Bands and projects will come and go but you have the money now! Spend it wisely because it's not easy to come by. Also, It is nice having your own equipment at home because you can record rough takes and get an idea of what you want to do in the "BIG" studio. This way it won't take as much time$$$$.
 
Re: Ouch!

"By all means learn the recording process, but not like that. It does not make much sense. I have several tips for aspiring musicians and DIY audio engineers on my website at "

I checked out your "tips" to home recording... hmmm???

foreverblind,

as much as I love this website (and I really do) There are a lot of pro studio guys who hate the fact that recording is so affordable at home. Yes, they do get overcompressed crap and they do have a reason to be frustrated, but the minute their advice turns into a "business venture" BEWARE!!

To the PRO STUDIO OWNERS, engineers, etc.

This site is called HOMERECORDING.COM

So why do you spend so much time telling everyone to use professional studios? Sorry to make a fuss, but it just doesn't make sense.
 
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