Part II of 'What do I want to buy' -> getting closer

  • Thread starter Thread starter thirdrate
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thirdrate

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Okay, I've spent a good amount of time searching through this bbs looking for relevant posts, and I think I'm getting closer to buying. Thanks for the responses to my previous post.

I'm Pretty sure on:
Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro mixer
Shure 57 and/or 58 mics
One of the popular multitrack programs: n-track, cakewalk

I am a completely new to this, and I will be recording to comp through my SB Live gold, at least for now. I am concerned the mixer is not suited for someone new like me.

What I must decide:
Monitors and/or headphones (no idea here)
mic stands, any cables and adapters I may need (ie: mixer to soundcard)


Questions I couldn't find answers to:
1) Will I be able to use that model of mixer to send it to something like the Echo Layla that has multiple inputs, if I choose to buy one? I heard about some problems, not enough outputs of something?

2) Where am I plugging the reference monitors? Do they replace my computer speakers? Do I need more hardware to get them working?

In the previous post, MISTERQCUE suggests:

"Near-field active(if you have no amp)or passive monitors
to judge your mixes.Check out some Tannoy Reveals@$350.00
per pair or Tannoy Proto J's @$200.00 a pair."

3) Will I have evertyhing I need, besides the instruments, to get started right away?
 
Hey 3rdrate,basically you will be using your mixer for monitoring your mixes and pre-amping mic and other low line-level devices. You will be doing the actual mixing on the computer with the recording soft-ware of your choosing.
You can plug active(or powered) monitors out of your computer,otherwise you will need an amplifier.
And yes, you will have the basic's to start recording your music.
Peace
Mr.Q
 
here are a few ideas to consider.

first id reccomend cubase over cakewalk(trust me) not that cakewalk is bad, but cubase is a more accepted standard and all around more professional.

get an offboard reverb effects processing unit such as the lexicon mpx-500.good reverbsplug ins eat up cpu.and a quality reverb is very important

in addition to/instead of an sm-57/58 id also reccomend a rode nt-1 microphone( a much better mic than the sm-58).

if you look around you can get a midiman delta 1010 for much less than the layla and the delta aint too shabby.
check out the price
http://www.bayviewproaudio.com

and you do need monitors so look around for what you can afford.

as for a mixer, to interact with the softwares mixer youll either need a digital mixer or a control surface(wich isnt neccesary but very helpful).

presonus has an 8 i/o tube preamp setup id reccomend instead of the mackie if you can afford it.

the easiest way to get started i can reccomend would either be cubase with the delta 1010
or the digi 001 pro tools package.whats nice about the 001 is that it comes with great software and you get 2 built in mic pre's.then all youd need are a couple mics,heaphpones and monitors to be up and running.
download the free version of pro tools to check it out-
http://www.digidesign.com

then download the cubase demo-
http://www.steinberg.net

when you get your basic setup running, then save up for the waves power pack or gold bundle.waves is a software collection of plug in efx that can make the difference between a pro and a shoddy production.

also, youll need a second hard drive to record audio onto that is 7200rpm or faster.

dont buy crap cause youll outgrow it.quality over quantity!!!`

peace,
rob
 
Rob,the 1 thing that 3rd rate stated was his budget is $700
and the gear you suggested (which is well worth it) would put hi WAY over hos budget of 700. The NT2 alone is $200+.
 
Rob,the 1 thing that 3rd rate stated was his budget is $700
and the gear you suggested (which is well worth it) would put hi WAY over his budget of 700. The NT2 alone is $200+and the Lex 500 is $400+ .
 
for $750 the digi 001 kicks tail.
otherwise record with pro tools free and spend your money on mics(rode nt-1),monitors,interface(delta 1010),hardrive etc.

without the right hardware the software is useless.
once youve got that hardware down save up for spiffier software.

mr ques advice is also sound btw.
ps-you can get the nt 1 for $175 if your slick
peace,
rob
 
The budget is flexible, keeping in mind that i'm a newbie and I Don't know how much I'll be getting into this stuff, and alot of this coudl be wasted on me since I be happy with lower-end stuff. However, I am attracted to equipment that I know is quality and people agree on. That in mind, my shopping list:

* Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro - $380
* Shure 57 + 58 mic - $180
* Sony MDR7056 monitor headphones - $100
* Event PS-5 or PS-6 (PS-6 is $459 on music123.com
with pricematch on zzounds.com, otherwise PS-5)
* various cables, mic stand

Headphones are so I can record vocals while listening to the tracks.

Now, there's a mixer that can integrate with software? That sounds very cool, cuz it can be a pain to mess around with the software's controls. Since I will be doing most things on the comp, I have a feeling that most of the Mackie's capabilities are going to go unused.
 
you will use all of the Mackies capabilities, easily. My 1402 seems very very small. No need to spend $100 on headphones right now. Get some YAHMAHA RH-5Ma's for $45. Spend the money on better cable.

-jhe
 
I've gathered some good brands of cable are Canare, Belden, Mogami. Also, Monster is good, but too expensive.

Where I can buy these? Monster 500 is too expensive for me.
 
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