Questions about a full equipment setup

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meinaminor

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I am new to home recording and I am looking to get a decent setup to record guitar, drums (electric set), and vocals.

All I know so far is that I want to get a Presonus Firebox http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Casio-WK3200-76Key-Portable-Keyboard?sku=706072

Has anyone heard anything about this interface? It looks good to me but if I can spend less money and get something just as good I'd like to.

Also..I need good reccomendations on:

-Choosing between an SM 57 and a condensor mic
-Good, cheap, powered speakers (200 or less)

Is there any other gear I should invest in to start? If you can put together a better gear list for me on a budget of 700 dollars by all means go ahead! Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
ok, well first off, the firebox is a cool unit. also, there are some cool m-audio units.
with the electronic drums, you want MIDI i/o im thinking. better off doing it that way.

as far as a 57 or a condensor, it depends still. are you going line in with guitar or micing an amp? if you are recording a cab, get a 57. i would get both if you can. i would use the condensor for vocals/acoustic guitar.

the link goes to a keyboard, is that what you want? is it supposed to be the firebox link?

powered monitors, i would try the behringer truths, i think the actives are around $279 or so. monitors are important too, dont skimp there! really, dont skimp anywhere, just save your money and wait it out. buy once, buy right.

cables, dont skimp there either, better off just getting a good cable..
 
TragikRemix said:
the link goes to a keyboard, is that what you want? is it supposed to be the firebox link?
Click to expand...

I dont understand what you're talking about here..clarify?

I'm getting Monster cables so that's all taken care of.

I'm gonna try to get two mics but I might have to get the 57 for now.

Are there any speakers for 200?
 
Hey dude, the search function is your friend. :D

But as far as guitar, acoustic or electric? Makes a diff. I've got some great sounds micing my amp with a 57 but el shitola on my acoustic. I do get some good ac results with my KSM 109 or maybe an SP B1 or maybe the AT 4050, which btw, would be good for vocals. Having said that tho, for a vocal mic, you'd be better off trying out a few LCD's to see what suited YOUR vocals.

Anyway, check thru the threads here and you'll find alot more info.
Happy tracking. :)
 
meinaminor said:
I dont understand what you're talking about here..clarify?

I'm getting Monster cables so that's all taken care of.

I'm gonna try to get two mics but I might have to get the 57 for now.

Are there any speakers for 200?
Click to expand...

click the link you gave us, it goes to a casio keyboard...
 
TragikRemix said:
click the link you gave us, it goes to a casio keyboard...
Click to expand...

Right, guess I forgot to switch links. Sorry about that. Yeah it was supposed to be to the firebox. I have that keyboard and I am using it as a midi controller.
 
meinaminor said:
I'm getting Monster cables so that's all taken care of.
Click to expand...

You don't need to buy Monster cables. You'd just be throwing money away that you could spend elsewhere on your equipment. Buy a decent cable that's well shielded (none of those $4.99 specials). You can probably buy a Canare or Mogami cable for a LOT less than you'll pay for that Monster.

Cable is cable, for the most part. Don't get sucked into the marketing hype around name brand/boutique cables. It's mostly horseshit.
 
tnjazz said:
You don't need to buy Monster cables. You'd just be throwing money away that you could spend elsewhere on your equipment. Buy a decent cable that's well shielded (none of those $4.99 specials). You can probably buy a Canare or Mogami cable for a LOT less than you'll pay for that Monster.

Cable is cable, for the most part. Don't get sucked into the marketing hype around name brand/boutique cables. It's mostly horseshit.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the only thing is that the only firewire cables GC has are Monster or planet waves. I'm gonna try to get them to throw the cables in free anyways.

I was looking at a Mogami mic cable.
 
$200 Monitors

About 4 months ago, I bought a pair of Roland / Edirol MA-15D powered monitors from musicians friend, they work great for me, and cost $179 for the pair.
 
meinaminor said:
Yeah, the only thing is that the only firewire cables GC has are Monster or planet waves. I'm gonna try to get them to throw the cables in free anyways.

I was looking at a Mogami mic cable.
Click to expand...

Good plan. Make them throw in a couple of Mogami cables. If you're spending a couple hundred or so, they should do that just as a courtesy IMO.

As for firewire, just buy a generic one on Ebay for a couple of bucks. All you're paying for is the name.

Incidentally, any Firewire interface you buy SHOULD come with a firewire cable...
 
tnjazz said:
Good plan. Make them throw in a couple of Mogami cables. If you're spending a couple hundred or so, they should do that just as a courtesy IMO.

As for firewire, just buy a generic one on Ebay for a couple of bucks. All you're paying for is the name.

Incidentally, any Firewire interface you buy SHOULD come with a firewire cable...
Click to expand...

I'm spending like 800 so i'm hoping they'll throw in a mic stand, all the cables I need, and maybe a little discount off the gear too. Especially since I just spent 550 there on an amp and did no haggling.
 
One last question..

Who makes a good cheap mixer for under 100 dollars?
 
I'm using my stock soundcard, so running monitors through it wouldnt be much good. Can I run a 1/4 inch from the fireboxs output to the speakers input and use this technique for high quality monitoring?

Would I be sacraficing much quality going with these monitors instead of the behringers? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-StudioPro-4-Active-Monitors-?sku=603706

Here is my almost final gear list:

Shure SM57 Instrument/Vocal Mic: $ 99.99

3 Packs Elixir Nanoweb Acoustic Light Strings: $29.97

3 Packs Elixir Nanoweb Electric Heavy Strings: $29.97

Mogami Silver Series Microphone Cable 25 Foot: $19.99

Behringer TRUTH B2030A Active Monitors – Pair: $279.99

PreSonus FIREBOX FireWire Recording System: $299.99

Musician's Friend 5-Pin MIDI Cable 5 Foot : $9.99

AKG Perception 200 Large Condenser Mic: $159.99

Hercules Stands MS655B EZ Glide Clutchless: $48.99
Tripod with Boom Microphone Stand

Hercules Stands MS540B Low-Profile Tripod: $48.99
Microphone Boom Stand

12 Ft. Mogami Silver Series 1/4"Straight: $14.99
Instrument Cable

The only thing I havent decided on are the speakers.
 
Last edited:
You can get better prices.

Don't forget about eBay.

Here is your AKG Perception 200 Brand New never opened for $99 no tax!! You have to get them quick. He lists them as "Buy it Now" and they go quick.
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=133001&item=220012924380

As for the FireBox. Several of the eBay listers have them for $299, but many of them use the "make an offer" feature. I know from experience that they can go as low as $245 free shipping, no tax!!

And just my 2cents on the powered monitor... you should at least have a look at m-audio... http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=studiomonitors
 
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