Setting up a studio

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ncline

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I want to set up a small studio to do demos for my band. This is the stuff I already have:

HP Pavilion(667MHz/64MB memory/30GB hard drive/CDRw
Assortment of instrument and vocal mics

I have been recording my guitar riffs using Magix Music Maker and the soundcard on my computer. I want to be able to record four tracks at once. I know I need a new soundcard and a mixer. I was thinking on getting a Behringer MX802A mixer. What would be a decent soundcard? Keep in mind that this is for demos only. I don't have the money for an expensive soundcard.

Thanks in advance
Nick Cline
 
After checking there site, that is a MSRP of 229.00, but you can find em for 159.00
 
I bought the Audiophile last weekend at my local Guitar Center for $150.
 
brzilian said:
I bought the Audiophile last weekend at my local Guitar Center for $150.
Click to expand...

Does the Audiophile work with an Athlon/Via chipset?
 
I bought a Behringer 1604 mixer to go with my home studio. It seems to work great.. The 802A also looks like a nice small mixer and would probably do well for acting as an intermiary to your sound card. BTW, for demos almost any sound card will do. Most current sound cards can record at 16-bit 44khz, which is CD quality. Some reasons you might want a better sound card include:

1. You really care about quality and want to record at higher rates, or want better quality A/D converters.

2. You want to record multiple tracks at one time and need more inputs.

If you're really strapped you might try messing around with your stock card to start. It might suprise you.

Best of luck with your demos.
 
Xalien-
If I use my stock soundcard, can I record 4 tracks at once(for drums only)? If I do that I probably can't mix the drum track levels after I record, can I?

Thanks
Nick Cline
 
Your soundcard only has 2 inputs, therefore you can only record 2 tracks at a time. You would be only recording the L and R mains from your mixer, not the individual 4 inputs.
 
I won't go into the Behringer thing but whatever mixer you buy, to get maximum benifit make sure it has channel inserts on every channel that's equiped with a mic pre at the very least. Some mixers will also have direct channel outputs as well which is even better.
 
i think the larger behringer boards ahve the channel inserts on every pre channel... mine does, its an mx2004a (8 pres)
 
equipment

This thread seems to be on the subject of my question, so here goes.

I am also interested in setting up a small home studio to record my drum and guitar tracks. Just more so to get my ideas on a medium (CD). I plan to use my computer and sound card along with Cakewalk Studio to mix the tracks. So, I'm looking at getting a mixer, but I'm not sure what I really need. In my opinion, I would never be recording all instruments at the same time, therefore would only need a mixer for the drum mics. The guitar tracks could be recorded directly into the sound card via mic'd amp or line in. Although, if I want to record myself and the other guitarist and possibly the bass at the same time, again I need the mixer.

So, is my thinking correct? If I'm not going to record all at the same time, there's no need for a huge 16 or 24 channel mixer. I'm thinking the deciding factor is how I will mic the drums. So, maybe an 8 or 12 ch. mixer will work.

Thanks in advance.
 
well, if you mix all the mics on your mixer down to a stereo output, you will have to live with that mix once it is in your computer... you cant change certain elements like a snare in a stereo file, of course.

another way to do it would be to get a card with multiple inputs so that you can mix in your computer...
 
So, maybe this answers my question as to how big of board I need. In general, mixing the drum channels to a stereo output will probably be fine in most cases. But, ideally, should I be recording each [drum] mic to a different track?

Dave
 
But, ideally, should I be recording each [drum] mic to a different track?
Click to expand...
I would say yes, but opinions differ. Going this route is a treacherous one though, as it opens up the possibility for a slew of problems and headaches like bleed, phase problems, eq problems, etc...
 
well, having all the mics on separate tracks would also allow you to fix phase and eq problems. and, having each mic on its own channel will give you the greatest amount of control over the sound.
 
This would be ideal. But, my soundcard has only two channels (stereo). Sort of a problem. Even so, I would need an 8-track recorder, unless I can get away with 3-4 mics. I prefer to keep everything digital. Just simplifies getting the data to CD. Besides, I like playing with the software.

Dave
 
well, if you only have a stereo input then you will need a mixer to mix all the mics down to a stereo output...

but one it is in the comp, you wont have control over the individual drums, only over the whole drum sound...
 
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