Putting together my first Home Studio - help!

[Shanelor]

Hi, so today i got an amazing deal on craigslist and i couldn't pass it up. I got a $300 condensor mic (Audio-Technica AT4040) with a nice stand, pop filter, and $60 mogami gold plated XLR cable, a $200 M-audio 88 key Keystation ES, and a $130 PreSonus TubePre Preamp with all the cables i would need. ALL of that for $160! Like i said, i couldn't pass it up.

But here's the thing. Apparently i need an Interface, because the Mic isnt a USB mic, so instead of buying an interface i bought an XLR-USB converter cable, which seems to work fine, and i cant seem to get it to work through the PreAmp, maybe i just don't know how to work it, but the XLR-USB cable has phantom power on and you cant turn it off, and the preamp also had a phantom power switch, along with an O with a line through it, a PAD, and an 80MHz, button. I dont know what any of them do, am i doing something wrong? well anyways i have the preamp set aside since i don't really have a use for it.

But i digress, I play drums and would like an interface that is CHEAP, GOOD QUALITY, and apparently i need one that has at least 4 XLR hook ups? or something like that....

Im basically just curious as to what else i would need to start my own little home studio in my basement. Should i figure out how to keep the preamp? I really dont even know what its for, im a complete noob to this stuff. Also what interface would you recommend i get for recording drums and eventually guitar etc?

I hope i made some sense there.

thanks!


EDIT: By the way, i'm using an iMac desktop computer on Snow leopard OSX.

 

[moresound]

Well to start off with ..... down load Reaper as your recording software.

 

[Shanelor]

Well to start off with ..... down load Reaper as your recording software.

I've never heard of that.

Would that be better than using Garageband or Logic Pro?

and if so, how?

thanks though, downloading it right now to check it out.

 

[mjbphotos]

Now start reading all the Noobie threads here!

 

[Shanelor]

Ok, so i figured out how to use the Preamp, but with or without it, theres this ambient background fuzz when i record vocals, when i turn the gain and drive up, it only amplifies the fuzz, is there a way to maybe adjust the mic sensitivity?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

 

[mjbphotos]

I would suspect it's that XLR/USB converter cable. You need a good audio interface - the converters in those $30 cables suck!

 

[moresound]

I've never heard of that.

Would that be better than using Garageband or Logic Pro?

and if so, how?

thanks though, downloading it right now to check it out.

And do you like it?

 

[Shanelor]

And do you like it?

I cant get sound to come out. It shows that is picking up the mic and everything, and i arm the track, but when i play it back, nothing :[

 

[Shanelor]

Yeah, i know i do. I am on a pretty tight budget and cant really afford one. I wish there was an interface with 4 XLR ins so i could record drums, but i dont think one exists.

 

[Papanya420]

I would get a Presonus One box studio kit -------------ProAudioStar.com

You get a $150 interface and a $200 recording program. Plus you get a decent pRESONUS microphone with XLR cable and $70.OO HEADPHONES.

 

[Papanya420]

I would get a Presonus One box studio kit -------------ProAudioStar.com

You get a $150 interface and a $200 recording program. Plus you get a decent pRESONUS microphone with XLR cable and $70.OO HEADPHONES. It's only $250.oo!

 

[daydreamer]

+1 on the Presonus package. Studio One (the DAW you get with the interface) is getting really good reviews, and the price is fantastic.

More than anything you need to understand the 'audio chain' you are setting up and how each component works.

for a simple example; Mic>cable>preamp>interface (convertor)>computer>Digital Audio Workstation(DAW) (there are more chains than this, but it is a start)

And surrounding all of that is your environment: you MUST HAVE somwhere quiet without echoes and reflective surfaces. It doesn't really matter what you are recording, being in a room that sounds good is VERY important. Even purely electronic music benefits from a good room when it comes to mixing.

Regarding inputs, there are plenty of 4 channel interfaces, I'm not sure where you are looking,but for drums you don't really need more than 2 mics for most things, it is a common misconception that you have to have a mic for every drum or it won't sound good. The reality is a good room, smart mic placement, and a musical drummer are all that is needed. But start with the room, even a couple of heavy curtains or blankets make a world of difference. And then LISTEN. IF IT SOUNDS GOOD, IT IS GOOD!.

Work with the room and 2 mics and you will be able to keep your budget intact. anymore than 2 mics and you will get into phasing issues and that is something even the pros struggle with to get right.

 

[Shanelor]

My main concern is, if i used 2 mics, i would mic the bass, and snare? What about overheads? a friend says he mics bass, snare, and uses 2 overheads, but i also heard from other sources that if you dont mic the toms, when guitar and vocals etc get put onto the track, the toms become non existant. Thats why im kinda stuck on an interface having 4 XLR ins, i want the drums to sound as good as possible.

The only problem i have with the room im in, is that im in a basement, its finished, nice big rooms, but the heater is in a room down here and i can always hear the ambient "whoooosh". I dont think that is even treatable so im not sure how to go about dealing with that.

I appreciate the detailed responses guys

 

[showstone]

I cant get sound to come out. It shows that is picking up the mic and everything, and i arm the track, but when i play it back, nothing :[

Check your routing matrix, I believe it's under the VIEW drop down menu, double check your connections and make sure you have the outputs routed correctly under the routing matrix.

 

[moresound]

My main concern is, if i used 2 mics, i would mic the bass, and snare? What about overheads? a friend says he mics bass, snare, and uses 2 overheads, but i also heard from other sources that if you dont mic the toms, when guitar and vocals etc get put onto the track, the toms become non existant. Thats why im kinda stuck on an interface having 4 XLR ins, i want the drums to sound as good as possible.

The only problem i have with the room im in, is that im in a basement, its finished, nice big rooms, but the heater is in a room down here and i can always hear the ambient "whoooosh". I dont think that is even treatable so im not sure how to go about dealing with that.

I appreciate the detailed responses guys

Just turn the heat off for the time that your recording.
You'll get a wonderful recording with just Kick, snare, and overheads!

 

[Shanelor]

Just turn the heat off for the time that your recording.
You'll get a wonderful recording with just Kick, snare, and overheads!

i have my mind kinda set on this. what do you think? Tascam US1800 USB 2.0 Audio Interface at zZounds

 

[moresound]

i have my mind kinda set on this. what do you think? Tascam US1800 USB 2.0 Audio Interface at zZounds

That's not a bad interface and they throw in those extras for free. You'll now at least have enough inputs to record a full drum set (all drums, two overheads, high hat and a room mic!

 

[daydreamer]

I guess my main concern is that you have success with your setup, the more complicated you make it the steeper the learning curve. Definately do what you feel is right, there is no right or wrong in this, just degrees of diffficulty. the tascam will give you plenty of options, I have not heard / read anything about them though, make sure you have unbiased reviews before buying.

Andy

 

[superqwertyboy]

I bought an Mbox mini from Guitar Center for $199, it came with protools. I'm happy with it for now... I'm at the "I need a good compressor" stage

 

[Shanelor]

I guess my main concern is that you have success with your setup, the more complicated you make it the steeper the learning curve. Definately do what you feel is right, there is no right or wrong in this, just degrees of diffficulty. the tascam will give you plenty of options, I have not heard / read anything about them though, make sure you have unbiased reviews before buying.

Andy

:] i just ordered Tascam US-1641 - USB 2.0 Recording Interface US-1641 B&H Photo and now heres my question, Since this thing has 8 preamps built in, do i no longer need my "PreSonus TubePre PreAmp"? Because id liek to sell it and use it towards some drum mics/cables if i wont have any use for it, and also, i bought an XLR-USB converter for my Condensor microphone since i didnt have an interface, now that i am going to have a USb interface, i can just plug my condensor mic into the interface right? i can also take the XLR-USB converter back?

sorry for all the questions i just hate not understanding things!

This question is for anyone really! help! lol