Software and Interface Recommendation for Newb, please!

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fattytca

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Hello all!

My cover band, in an effort to sound more authentic, would like to start crafting some backing beats, pre-recorded background vocals, samples, etc without breaking the bank.


I have no more than $400 to spend.

Would FL Studio Producer version be enough for us to try to replicate some tones that we might want as a cover band?

If so, what interface should I use for recording knowing I have a total of $400 to spend between hardware and software. Please note that we can definitely one-at-a-time our instruments into an interface to save on money.

Finally, does FL Studio Producer allow me to tweak the electric guitar tones? (overdrive, etc), or would I need to run it through separate software or even an actual stomp box first?

Thank you in advance!
 
Why are you set on FL? You can pick up a Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL with a starter version of Studio One for $425. Or get a 2 channel for a couple of hundred then get a couple of mics.
 
bongoboy said:
Why are you set on FL? You can pick up a Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL with a starter version of Studio One for $425. Or get a 2 channel for a couple of hundred then get a couple of mics.
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I'm not set on it, but I'm familiar with the program and I found it easy and intuitive on the free demo.

Serious newb question, is a starter version of Studio One adequate for what I described and also why would I need a two channel?
 
fattytca said:
I'm not set on it, but I'm familiar with the program and I found it easy and intuitive on the free demo.

Serious newb question, is a starter version of Studio One adequate for what I described and also why would I need a two channel?
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Then stay with the free FL for your track building. For more "linear" recording get Reaper. I understand it has a passing decent guitar effects palette in it? There are shedloads of free plugs.

AI? Basic but good, Steinberg UR22. Better and with 2 extra line inputs, Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. Very good value at the moment, but you probably don't need the connectivity, Tascam US 1800.
All have MIDI ports (trust me, you WILL thank me one day!) and the first two come with a Cubase starter (which IIRC has a guitar mangler in it?)

Dave.
 
So to make sure I understand, I should keep the FL for building beats, etc, but do my recording through Reaper?
 
Reaper is solid full-feature DAW. Not sure of your 'band' but why would you want to be tweaking guitar sounds in a DAW, rather than recording the good tones from an amp?

Note that if you are using backing tracks, you need to use a metronome/click track that is fed to the drummer's in-ear monitor to keep everything in time - is your PA/monitor system set up to do this?
 
mjbphotos said:
Reaper is solid full-feature DAW. Not sure of your 'band' but why would you want to be tweaking guitar sounds in a DAW, rather than recording the good tones from an amp?

Note that if you are using backing tracks, you need to use a metronome/click track that is fed to the drummer's in-ear monitor to keep everything in time - is your PA/monitor system set up to do this?
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I was previously told by someone that if I'm laying down a guitar riff into a DAW, that it would go in clean and I would need to have separate software like guitar rig to craft different tones. Is this not correct?

Either way, as a cover band, I want to be able to replicate very specific tones and I do not have nearly enough money to buy unlimited pedals and record from the amp. That is my reason. Thank you for letting me know that Reaper is a solid, full-featured product. Not sure the quotes on 'band' was necessary! No need to be condescending. I am just looking for help.
 
Hey man - it's just that we have people coming in here saying one thing but meaning another. 'Band' to a teenager in his bedroom means "him" and his recorder.
Get a good guitar tone out of your amp and record it -pedals are for 'extra' things like delay, flanging, etc. If you can't get the right tone from your live rig, yes you can do what you are thinking of, but as a 'live act' do pre-recorded guitar parts really jive with what you want to present to an audience? I don't know what type of music you're aiming at, so maybe it'll work for you.
 
Cool. Thanks. I'm way past my teen years, unfortunately. Will it play well live? I don't know. But we do a fair amount of 80's one-hit-wonder synth pop stuff and it would be cool to sound more authentic so I'm looking for options.
 
fattytca said:
I was previously told by someone that if I'm laying down a guitar riff into a DAW, that it would go in clean and I would need to have separate software like guitar rig to craft different tones. Is this not correct?

Either way, as a cover band, I want to be able to replicate very specific tones and I do not have nearly enough money to buy unlimited pedals and record from the amp. That is my reason. Thank you for letting me know that Reaper is a solid, full-featured product. Not sure the quotes on 'band' was necessary! No need to be condescending. I am just looking for help.
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I don't think Mike was being condescending*? I suspect he put band in quotes because a "band" is one thing, a bunch of guys (or just one!) building backing tracks is another .

Howisoever! Software. I guess most of the guys here use different DAWs for different jobs. You are right in that a common technique is to record a clean DI'ed guitar (the KA6 has excellent instrument inputs and the UR22 is no slouch I think!) record in a "conventional" DAW like Reaper or Cubase or, in my case, Samplitude, then (keeping a clean backup!) "effecting" them to your needs and taste. The resultant file can then be exported as a.wav and plugged into Loops?

*Once you leave the sanctuary of Noob you will find few people are condescending...You will find a few that are impatient, rude, bloody minded and some downright nasty!

Rock on,
Dave.
 
fattytca said:
Cool. Thanks. I'm way past my teen years, unfortunately. Will it play well live? I don't know. But we do a fair amount of 80's one-hit-wonder synth pop stuff and it would be cool to sound more authentic so I'm looking for options.
Click to expand...

One option might be to check out a Blackstar ID amplifier? You can go onto the website, download the Insider software and joint the community. Guitar Amplifiers, Valve Guitar Amps, Guitar Pedals, from Blackstar Amplification

Sorry for the spam-ish! (I am not on an earner.. Promise!)

Dave.
 
I would say, E-mu 1212m card(s), Behringer ADA 8000 (8 in and out via ADAT) and Reaper--I don't use Reaper (I use Samplitude 11 Pro), but I know it's good and really cheap. When I record electrics, I use emulations that I might or might not punish in the DAW. You have scads of possibilities available to you, and you will develop your own style, as it were, if you really dive in. The 1212 card used on Ebay will set you back about one fifty or so. It has the 8 ADAT in, in addition to two analogue in, and S/PDIF (2 more digital in, stereo that is). The Behringer can be had for 120 or so. I know that you said you can put one instrument in at a time, but my suggestion here provides cheap, good sounding multiple ins and outs so that you can avoid clowning around with plugs being pulled in and out all the time. If you have a drummer you can run eight mics in, simultaneously. (Have a good PC please!) Just more options, and once you outgrow that, you can give it away and move on . . . .
 
Yes TimN,

That is a viable option IF you had to go that way but you don't. That Emu/ ADA setup comes out at £270, the Tascam US 1800 is available from Thomann for £230 and there are even better deals around.

There have been a few stories of operational difficulties with the 1212 and it is getting on a bit now. The Behringer unit is good value but I doubt the mic pres are as good as the Tascams?

In addition to 8 mic inputs the 1800 has even more line ins plus MIDI and (I think!) S/PDIF.

I do however applaud your mention of Samplitude Tim! We (son and I) have used Sam ever since we found the freebie SE8 in Computer Magazine and I also have Sam Silver Cloud and Sam Silver Pro X (both free) . If son came home permanently to do his music I would splash the cash on Samplitude Pro x.

Dave.
 
fattytca said:
Serious newb question, is a starter version of Studio One adequate for what I described and also why would I need a two channel?
Click to expand...

I have no idea what features and capabilities the "starter version" of Studio One has, but you can download a free version of Studio One from PreSonus. I don't know if that's the same as the "starter" version, but since it's free you might as well try it out.
 
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