SilverCarvin
New member
I've been looking to get started recording and have a couple of ?s. I browsed through the old posts and got a couple answered (since we all hate repeats), but I still have a few. Sorry if I accidently repeat anyway, I see it all the time on guitar forums and I know it makes you want to pull out your hair...
1.) What contributes more to the overall quality of the sound captured: Interface/soundcard or the tracking program being used? I realize that this may be quite broad, since there are lots of other factors which contribute such as mike quality and technique, room ambience, etc. but what exactly is the difference between $50 Powertracks and $5000 Pro Tools? It may be a matter of apples and oranges, but hopefully you can shed some light...
2.) In that same vein, I've seen lots of demos (hitsquad.com, etc.) but haven't used any yet. Is what seperates the demo version of Sonar 3, for example, from the purchased version a cut in features or quality. I'm not that big into fx and directx plugins seem to be quite prevelent anyway, but is there an alteration in the sound quality capabilities in the demo version or multitrack programs, or are just some of the bells and whistles dropped?
3.) How do I tell if a connection is balanced or unbalanced? Is it generally better record with all balanced connections?
4.) What precautions should I take to make sure I don't fry anything, such as a soundcard? I can probably find this on my own, but figured I throw it out there...
5.) How do you tell if a preamp is "good" enough to record with. Is it safe to assume that the ones which come in USB interfaces are pretty much all you need? PCIs need a seperate preamp and/or phantom power, correct? What should I look for if I go this route
6.) I think I might go USB versus PCI, but I'd like to have the option of recording a properly miked drum kit, which poses a problem with USB. Which would be more cost effective: to mix down to one track through a mixer then send it through the usb interface should I ever want to record 5+ channels simulataneoulsy, or just go for a delta 1010 package system that comes with I/O panal. Will this card handle that much audio at once?
I'm trying to build a basic DAW that I can get good results from for a minimal amount of $ (who isn't, right?) A local band did a great sounding record with a demo of Sonar 3, some fx plugins and a 8 channel XLR I/O box and it turned our great, so its indeed possible!
Thanks!
Matt
1.) What contributes more to the overall quality of the sound captured: Interface/soundcard or the tracking program being used? I realize that this may be quite broad, since there are lots of other factors which contribute such as mike quality and technique, room ambience, etc. but what exactly is the difference between $50 Powertracks and $5000 Pro Tools? It may be a matter of apples and oranges, but hopefully you can shed some light...
2.) In that same vein, I've seen lots of demos (hitsquad.com, etc.) but haven't used any yet. Is what seperates the demo version of Sonar 3, for example, from the purchased version a cut in features or quality. I'm not that big into fx and directx plugins seem to be quite prevelent anyway, but is there an alteration in the sound quality capabilities in the demo version or multitrack programs, or are just some of the bells and whistles dropped?
3.) How do I tell if a connection is balanced or unbalanced? Is it generally better record with all balanced connections?
4.) What precautions should I take to make sure I don't fry anything, such as a soundcard? I can probably find this on my own, but figured I throw it out there...
5.) How do you tell if a preamp is "good" enough to record with. Is it safe to assume that the ones which come in USB interfaces are pretty much all you need? PCIs need a seperate preamp and/or phantom power, correct? What should I look for if I go this route
6.) I think I might go USB versus PCI, but I'd like to have the option of recording a properly miked drum kit, which poses a problem with USB. Which would be more cost effective: to mix down to one track through a mixer then send it through the usb interface should I ever want to record 5+ channels simulataneoulsy, or just go for a delta 1010 package system that comes with I/O panal. Will this card handle that much audio at once?
I'm trying to build a basic DAW that I can get good results from for a minimal amount of $ (who isn't, right?) A local band did a great sounding record with a demo of Sonar 3, some fx plugins and a 8 channel XLR I/O box and it turned our great, so its indeed possible!
Thanks!
Matt