pre recording planning help!!!!

[david7287]

Ok so i read Home Recording for Dummies and i have good rec software and i got the mics and i got the room..............I am recording my band ( two guitarists drummer and bass and vocals). Heres the problem-- i thought my friend had a presonus fire pod and I thought I was goin to borrow it but guess wat, he nver got the fire pod. So, I have everything that I need for a good recording except the computer interface. Before, I use a pa and hooked it up to my comp using the input jack in my sound card. HERES MY QUESTION: should i borrow a good PA mixer or should i go another route? My budget is practically nothing, seeing as I spent zero dollars on our last two demo CDs. Please help!!!

 

[ssscientist]

I use a pa and hooked it up to my comp using the input jack in my sound card. HERES MY QUESTION: should i borrow a good PA mixer or should i go another route?

I don't understand why you need help/reassurance to go with what has worked for you in the past. If you get results that satisfy you out of a PA mixer plugged into your sound card, then borrow a PA mixer and plug it into your sound card again.

And welcome to the board.

 

[wishtheend]

Well, recording with a PA or mixer direct into the computer is only going to give you a single stereo output. So, that being said, if you can mic just the drums, and get them to sound good, I'd say record that first. And then go back and do each instrument afterwards. That way you do have things saved to seperate tracks for better mixing/mastering. If recording your band is something you think you are going to be doing more of, I'd really start looking at some interfaces.

 

[david7287]

Well i have recorded each instrument on different tracks in the past, but i am also worryed about the preamps and i am also not sure how i can use effect and stuff on each of my drums if i use a mixer. I would like to be able to add commpressor settings and stuff to individual drums. And i dont know how i am gonna put certain drums onto sepcific places on the stereo field if i use the mixer into computer method. And i dont know how just plugging in a mixer into my computer will affect the quailty. And by that i mean what is the best way to plug in a mixer into a computer. Before i wasnt even concerned with what cords to use, if they were stereo cords and if they were balanced or not.

By the way i dont have an actual physical compressor or anything i was just gonna use the software's.

Please anything on any of these problems would be great help!!

 

[david7287]

and also buying an interface could be a possibility but that would be using all of our band account money. I would need to talk to the band and see if thats something they would want to do. If we could trial run an interface to see how the the recording would turn out then that might convince them. Of cousre that seems mpossible because i have never used an interface ( but im confident i would do a good job)

 

[david7287]

I don't understand why you need help/reassurance to go with what has worked for you in the past. If you get results that satisfy you out of a PA mixer plugged into your sound card, then borrow a PA mixer and plug it into your sound card again.

And welcome to the board.

Thank you for the welcome.
And i didnt get that great of a reocrding with the mixer beacuse it was before i read that Dummies book, but now i guess i might be albe to get an ok recording

 

[ssscientist]

This probably wouldn't break the bank and you can get 4 mics at a time into the computer. The tracking strategy I would recommend would be to track the drums first - one kick, one snare and two overheads then take an overdubbing pass over the finished drum tracks for bass, guitar and vocals.

Tell the drummer you need his cooperation - maybe have him come over by himself - and experiment with various mic placements and levels, then listen back frequently and note what sounds good.

 

[david7287]

well luckely, i am the drummer so i could probably get a good sound and mix the way i like it. And i looked at your product and i have to ask to everyone readign this: How does this product compare to the cubase fire pod besides the mic inputs and the firewire and USB interface difference? Do i really need to spend $500 more for the firepod? I would really like to get the firepod cause everyone says its the best bang for your buck deal.

 

[david7287]

Also, does the product you linked to, separate each input into different tracks?

 

[FALKEN]

depending on where you live, you might be able to rent an alesis hd24 or something similar and transfer it all to your pc. that might cost you like 25 bucks for a weekend.

 

[Quantagee]

Ok so i read Home Recording for Dummies and i have good rec software and i got the mics and i got the room..............I am recording my band ( two guitarists drummer and bass and vocals). Heres the problem-- i thought my friend had a presonus fire pod and I thought I was goin to borrow it but guess wat, he nver got the fire pod. So, I have everything that I need for a good recording except the computer interface. Before, I use a pa and hooked it up to my comp using the input jack in my sound card. HERES MY QUESTION: should i borrow a good PA mixer or should i go another route? My budget is practically nothing, seeing as I spent zero dollars on our last two demo CDs. Please help!!!

You are on the right track. Get a PA if that is what you are used to. Spending 0 dollars is right up my alley. I bet the demos sound as good as what you spent on them.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[david7287]

well guys i think my band is seriously getting a firepod as long as I promise a good recording.

 

[FALKEN]

well dont forget that after its recorded you need money left over to make copies...

 

[david7287]

hahah yeah thanks for reminding me