Something is missing..

[seancfc]

Hey guys. I'm still a newbie at Recording and I have a AT2020 + Shock Mount & Pop Filter, a Stand + Boom, M-Audio Fast Track 2 Interface, HP Laptop 4GB & a Desk. I had headphones, but they were cheap ones (£10 they cost me) and they broke after 1 week. (can only hear out of one earphone now) I need to get new ones ASAP, right? ..

I feel as if there is still something/equipment that is missing.. Something that I don't have yet to complete a basic home studio setup?

I also have a daw, I have the Trial of Reaper 4. But I only record with that, i dont mix.. because I can't mix. I don't know how to.. But I will learn, all I need is a little help.

Thanks in advance

 

[p_wats]

I think you'll find most people will suggest you get a decent pair of monitors. Headphones can work very well (I've got several pairs of Audio-Technica cans I swear by), but some good reference monitors will help your mixes, for sure.

 

[seancfc]

I think you'll find most people will suggest you get a decent pair of monitors. Headphones can work very well (I've got several pairs of Audio-Technica cans I swear by), but some good reference monitors will help your mixes, for sure.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

I was looking at a pair of Audio technica ATH-M40's .. Are they good? And I was also looking at a pair of Audio Techinca monitors or the Rockits.

What do you recommend?

 

[p_wats]

I've got the KRK RP5s and love them. My setup isn't pro by any means, but it has yielded some great sounding (to my ears) recordings. If you can get them for a good deal (I got mine used for a very low price) then I say go for it!

As for the ATH-M40's, I've got 2 pairs of those as well as a pair of the M30's. To my ears I like the M40's better, but I believe they are discontinued. My first pair got me through an entire album before I got the KRKs! If they are a good price, I say go for it.

If you're stuck with headphones, just listen to your mixes on any and every stereo you can try (car, coffee shop, crappy earbuds, friend's hifi, anything...).

When I started out I had the ATH-M40 headphones, an AT3035 mic (that I still use) and an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB interface...that setup was great for getting me going! You'll do fine as long as you realize the limitations.

 

[seancfc]

I've got the KRK RP5s and love them. My setup isn't pro by any means, but it has yielded some great sounding (to my ears) recordings. If you can get them for a good deal (I got mine used for a very low price) then I say go for it!

As for the ATH-M40's, I've got 2 pairs of those as well as a pair of the M30's. To my ears I like the M40's better, but I believe they are discontinued. My first pair got me through an entire album before I got the KRKs! If they are a good price, I say go for it.

If you're stuck with headphones, just listen to your mixes on any and every stereo you can try (car, coffee shop, crappy earbuds, friend's hifi, anything...).

When I started out I had the ATH-M40 headphones, an AT3035 mic (that I still use) and an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB interface...that setup was great for getting me going! You'll do fine as long as you realize the limitations.

Yeah.. The KRK RP5s look really good. I have a hifi.. But how can I hear my mixes on that?

And how much did you spend altogether to get that setup?

Do you know how I can record without headphones? Because I need to be able to hear the backing track whilst recording.. Right

 

[seancfc]

I think you'll find most people will suggest you get a decent pair of monitors. Headphones can work very well (I've got several pairs of Audio-Technica cans I swear by), but some good reference monitors will help your mixes, for sure.

CORRECTION : I mean M-Audio Studiophile monitors. I never meant to say Audio Technica monitors lol

 

[RAMI]

Do you know how I can record without headphones?

Unless you're recording something direct, like a bass, you record with headphones. So you will want at least decent headphones for tracking.

But like p_wat said, getting monitors for mixing is a good idea. So is room treatment, but one thing at a time I guess. Having decent headphones, good monitors, and getting to know how they translate on most other systems is very important at this point.

 

[arcadeko]

If you are recording overdubs with a mic and don't want bleed you will need headphones. I have the KRK 6's and they work great - for mixing you will probably need some room treatment also.

For recording you can use just about anything to monitor the sound - we use a PA when we record.