some questions

[osion]

I've been wanting to record my music for some time but before I started buying stuff I wanted to make sure I had an understanding of everything. After doing a lot of research especially on this BBS I think I'll soon be ready to buy stuff so I'm going to list the products and my understanding of them and if I'm wrong about something I would greatly appreciate a reply. I also still have some questions that I could not find or understand from other threads.

I will be recording vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, one track at a time. I also have a synthesizer that can make some cool sounds and would love to use it. To record the synthesizer must I and/or should I use MIDI? MIDI is something I don't understand. To record Midi I connect a MIDI cable from my synthesizer and connect that to what? Can a song have tracks that are midi and tracks that are not?

Here are the components
1- Computer- P4 2.26- motherboard- ASUS P4B533e. I was thinking of going AMD with an AMD XP 2100 and ASUS A7v333 motherboard but I am not a computer person so I need a comp that I'll have the lowest chance of worrying about so I'll pay extra for the Pentium.

2- Soundcard- Either an audiophile 2496 or Delta 44. What are the differences between them? I will be recording one track at a time. I remember reading something about RCA but I don't know what that is.

3- Preamp- M-audio DMP-3- This has phantom power so I should be able to connect it straight to a condensor microphone. It also connects straight to the soundcard.

4- Microphone- I'm going to start off with one microphone. I don't know what microphone yet and I will go to a store to test them out. I want to get a condensor because it has a flatter frequency response. The models I plan on looking at are AT 4040, Studio Projects B-1, and Oktava MC012. I may also get an SM 57 dynamic.

5- Monitors- Yorkville YSM1p's- These are active so they should connect straight to my soundcard where speakers are normally connected. Should monitors only be used for the mixing process or do they also present good sound quality to listen to downloaded MP3s?

6- Headphones- headphones are connected to the headphone amp which is connected the headphone jack on the computer. Are headphones necessary though?

7- What cables do I need and what will they be used for?
I know I will need a cable connecting the microphone to the preamp. What else do I need?

8- Software- My OS will be XP. I don't know what software to use and will demo the software to choose from. I'm not really sure of the differences between the different software and which suits my needs best and that's something I'll research more and probably learn from firsthand experience when I demo them. I don't play drums so I will have to use software for that. I believe that Acid or Fruity loops are good programs to do this.

Replies are greatly appreciated.

 

[Stealthtech]

Simple answers...

1. The P4 and ASUS will be a great combo
2. The 2496 will be great and it has a midi interface...the 44 doesn't.
3. The M-audio preamp will be good as well.
4. Mic will be a personal preference...test em out.
5. Yorkvilles are nice and will play mp3's well and sound good.
6. Get a descent set of headphones but dont use them to mix.
7. if you get the 2496 card you will need a stereo pair cable with RCA at one end and 1/4" on the other end if you will be using a mixer or devices with 1/4" outs.
8. XP is rock solid.....Recording software once again is a preference. Try some demo's as you suggested and stick with what suits you best.

 

[stonepiano]

1- Computer- P4 2.26- motherboard- ASUS P4B533e. I was thinking of going AMD with an AMD XP 2100 and ASUS A7v333 motherboard but I am not a computer person so I need a comp that I'll have the lowest chance of worrying about so I'll pay extra for the Pentium.

no preference from me. I use a XP2000 with ASUS chipset and it's fine. no dropouts. go for a mobo with DDR (double data rate) ram slots but you probably already knew that.

2- Soundcard- Either an audiophile 2496 or Delta 44. What are the differences between them? I will be recording one track at a time. I remember reading something about RCA but I don't know what that is.

Again, I don't have either of these but RCA is a type of cable interface for some entry to mid-level soundcards among other things. I believe the 44 has 1/4" inputs, which would be preferable to RCA inputs. Balanced ins lead to less signal loss over long cable lengths.

3- Preamp- M-audio DMP-3- This has phantom power so I should be able to connect it straight to a condensor microphone. It also connects straight to the soundcard.

sounds good. I'm in the market for something dedicated like the DMP3 but, after the sheer dedication Alan Hyatt has shown answering questions here, I'm inclined to check out Studio Project's VTB-1 preamp. Just a thought.

4- Microphone- I'm going to start off with one microphone. I don't know what microphone yet and I will go to a store to test them out. I want to get a condensor because it has a flatter frequency response. The models I plan on looking at are AT 4040, Studio Projects B-1, and Oktava MC012. I may also get an SM 57 dynamic.

mc012's are good small diaphragm condensers (from what I've read) but for acoustic/electric guitar, I'd consider focusing on a Large diaphragm. just my thoughts. I own a Rode NT1 and enjoy it, but it is a bit bright. I've heard the AT-4033 is a good LD with good but contrasting characteristics.

5- Monitors- Yorkville YSM1p's- These are active so they should connect straight to my soundcard where speakers are normally connected. Should monitors only be used for the mixing process or do they also present good sound quality to listen to downloaded MP3s?

everybody here creams after these. Best bang for buck vote from what I've read.

6- Headphones- headphones are connected to the headphone amp which is connected the headphone jack on the computer. Are headphones necessary though?

think about it this way, if you plan on multitracking, how are you going to hear what was played previously when you're acoustically tracking overdubs? Yes, good monitor headphones (Sony MDR7506's or AKG 240's) are a necessity.

7- What cables do I need and what will they be used for?
I know I will need a cable connecting the microphone to the preamp. What else do I need?

XLR's, 1/4" balanced patches from preamp into soundcard and 1/4" unbalanced instrument patches. oh yeah, and speaker cables.

8- Software- My OS will be XP. I don't know what software to use and will demo the software to choose from. I'm not really sure of the differences between the different software and which suits my needs best and that's something I'll research more and probably learn from firsthand experience when I demo them. I don't play drums so I will have to use software for that. I believe that Acid or Fruity loops are good programs to do this.

don't have XP but I run 2000, and since they're both NT derivatives, I feel comfortable endorsing it. It's not like there are a ton of options.
I personally bought Sonar and Fruity Loops and love the interface. Used Cool Edit 2000 with *Studio* plug-in to start.

Replies are greatly appreciated.

Hope I helped!

Stone