Recording newbie - needs suggestions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Donm
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Donm

New member
Hi - I am very new to home recording but would like to try my hand at it. Just don't know exactly where to start other than I would like to try the PC route since I do know alot about PC's.

We have a 5 piece band that has been together for about 15 years and have been asked about making a recording - but would first like to try making recordings on our own - even if only demos.

The equipment we currently have is:

Mackie CFX16 mixer
4 - SM58 Mics
4 - SM57 Mics

Hewlett Packard
900mhz Pentium III
128 RAM
40 gig hard drive
CD-writer plus

We have 5 musicians and four vocalists - we want to try and do some "live" recordings. Any suggestions on additional equipment needed and setup appreciated.

Thanks !

---------------
donm
 
Sounds like you would want at least a 8-track audio interface, like the M Audio Delta 1010

http://www.m-audio.com/

or the Echo Layla24.

http://www.echoaudio.com/

That, and some good multitrack recording software, should get you going!

Personally I'm partial to Cakewalk Pro Audio

http://www.cakewalk.com/

but others hate it and use Logic

http://www.emagic.de/english/index.html

or Cubase

http://www.steinberg.net/

or something else. If you're just going to record audio those might be overkill for you, though I think they all have lite versions. Also check out n-Track Studio

http://www.fasoft.com/

Lot of people here like it a lot.
 
Thanks Alchuck for the response - lots of great suggestions and I see I have alot of reading to do.

One of the URL's doesn't seem to work - http://www.m-audio.com/

-

If anyone else has suggestions or tips to help me get started please do so !

Thanks again for your help !

--------------------
donm
 
Try that M Audio URL again -- I just followed it from your message and got there...
 
I always get some sort of bashing for this, but I suggest the Guillemot ISIS 8x4. Has 8 ins (you could do drums on 2, guitar on 1, bass on 1, keys on 1, main vox on 1, and backing vox on 2) and 4 outs. 20 bit converters. Soudns really clean to me. Has SPIDF. There are reviews out there that says it compromises sound quality, but I used to have an Echo Layla (cost me like $400 more) and my ISIS competes just fine with that. Don't you just love it when someone breaks into your house and steals everything you own? You can find the Guillemot on eBay, I've never seen it in a store. Maybe you can get them directly from the company, I've used their Tech Support.

As for the equipment you have, my suggestions:

Throw the 57's on the drums, one on the kick, one on the snare and two as overheads. Keep 'em low and try to maybe make a little drum iso booth by hanging blankets on mic booms.

Run the guitars direct. I know that kinda sucks, but unless you want to buy more mics, you don't have much of a choice. IF you had the $$, buy 2 more 57's and throw one on each amp, and point them away from the drums, or put them in a different room.

Run bass and key's direct into the soundcard.

Use the 58's for your vocalists. Have the 2 with the least parts share a mic.

Mix the drums down to one stereo pair, and put them on bus 1+2. Put the main vocals on Bus 3. Put the sub vocals onto Bus 4. Put the guitars if you mic them onto Aux Send 1+2. Keeps everything seperate, and lets you get as much seperation of tracks to ease in mixing in the end.

Jake
 
Ok - I have read through the bulletin board here and it looks like what I really need at this point is a sound card capable of digital recording to go with my PC.

I am currently looking at the Layla 24 and the Delta 1010. Could someone maybe enlighten me to the differences between the two? Preference and why?

Any other suggestions for soundcards to go with our system besides the two mentioned above? We want to be able to record "live" - getting the best possible sound - and be able to mix the final product down to a CD from our PC.

TIA,

Donm
 
the delta 1010 is the card for you as it has the best value for money and also the best sound.

www.m-audio.net or http://www.midiman.net

those guys won't tell you, but new delta cards are shipping with Logic and gigasampler AND unity ds-1 and on and on
 
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