Really new to home recording..

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ilikebacon3000

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Hey people, I'm bacon. I'm a multi-instrumentalist (bass, drums, and guitar.. little bit of piano as well, and I sing). I'll just cut to the chase.
My friends and I have had our own bands within our group, on and off, for about 3 years now... there's around 15 of us that all sorta hang out mutually, and we all jam with each other and have month long "bands" that never go anywhere, and that is mainly due to the fact that none of us have recording equipment, or the money to get studio time (we're all 16ish, the oldest is 19, so not all of us have jobs. Personally, I do.)

I used to have a TASCAM DP-01, and was pleased with it, but sold it as I didn't have the time to use it.. Now I find myself wanting to record again, but I simply lack the resources.

So here I am now. Using a laptop (presario CQ62, windows 7, 64 bit) and a reallllyyyy bad USB mic (Rock Band, you know, the video game.. yeah I'm using that to record acoustic songs) and I'm doing it all through Audacity.

Remember that TASCAM DP-01? Since I used a digital recorder first, I got really used to have all my knobs/dials/buttons to push, and now some of my friends meddle with stuff on Macs and all that jazz, and I just don't know how to do it.. But I figured rather than going out and buying another 8 track, or a 16, I'd just go ahead and learn how to do home recording on computers.


So I have some very very very newbish questions... Some of them I should really already know considering I've been around music all my life (my parents met in a band, so I've always been around their music equipment and some of their friends in the past who had home studios.. I would sit in on studio sessions and whatnot). I'm looking for detailed, but not super long answers.
-What is a USB interface?
-How can I run a microphone right into a computer, besides using a USB mic?
-What kind of mic would be the best to buy on a small budget (500-600 is my budget as of now, and that isn't just for mics, that's overall. but that isn't set in stone at all).
-What is a mic preamp?
-Are there programs that are better than Audacity?
-How do MPC's (beat machines or whatever) work? Are they still widely used? Would I be better off learning something like FL Studio, or Logic? I've tried FL and it's just confusing to me... Again, I first made beats on an old Casio keyboard with a record function, and an 8 track capability on it, so... I'm old school for my age :cool:
-What are some other basic things I should consider getting, if I want to do all types of music? Ranging from hiphop to punk rock..

Thanks ya'll... I feel like a total loser cause everyone else my age is really into the whole Mac thing, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I'm stubborn and really feel out of place on a computer.. However, I know that there are pros to it, and I only feel that way because I haven't really given it a shot outside of acoustic demos I've done by myself... and also, it's just Macs are quite a bit of money, and I would rather budget around a Windows computer for now. I don't wanna spend more than I have to.
Any of those "For dummies" books are apperciated too.. if anyone here has read one about home recording, or studios, or just music in general that would help me, let me know!
 
1. A device that allows you to connect signals (from mics, guitars, effects, keyboards) to your 'puter. Often contains preamp and DA converters and MIDI and monitoring capability

2. You can't - at least not with any quality. That's what your USB interface is for.

3. Depends what you're recording - more info. There are a couple of standard-ish cheap mics that people will recommend when you tell us what type of music and instruments you're planning on recording

4. Something that amplifies the very small microphone signal to a level that your equipment can work with

5. Many. Try Reaper. Audacity isn't much use for tracking but has other uses so hang onto it.

You only get five answers a post... I have no idea what MPCs are.. .they sound awful.

Your basic set up is USB/Firewire interface / microhone(s) / monitors so you can hear what you're recording / software. That'll get ya started.
 
BTW - you might want to revisit the concept of "cutting to the chase" :laughings:

Welcome to the jungle...
 
ilikebacon3000 said:
-What is a USB interface? -Run a microphone right into a computer without using a USB mic. -

What kind of mic would be the best to buy on a small budget (500-600 is my budget as of now, and that isn't just for mics, that's overall. but that isn't set in stone at all). I would put my money into a multipurpose condenser. You could grab a Studio Projects B1for about $120

-Are there programs that are better than Audacity? Most interfaces will come bundled with some sort of software that will more than likely stump Audacity.

-How do MPC's (beat machines or whatever) work? Are they still widely used? Would I be better off learning something like FL Studio, or Logic? I've tried FL and it's just confusing to me... Again, I first made beats on an old Casio keyboard with a record function, and an 8 track capability on it, so... I'm old school for my age :cool: in that case I must be real old school. I just worked for months and bought a drum set which i spent another few months learning how to play :p

-What are some other basic things I should consider getting, if I want to do all types of music? Ranging from hiphop to punk rock.. You can never have enough cables or mic stands. a lava will be useful. good monitors will be very important to your mixes. Also, when I started I wish I wouldve known what a channel strip was and bought one of those instead of a cheap preamp. It's a nice, versatile piece of outboard equipment that could be very useful on a tight budget. its got your preamp, your compressor, and your eq
Click to expand...

welcome to the site :drunk:
 
Start by reading all the rest of the "I'm a newbie" threads here!
 
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