starting a studio

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ironing boards

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alright, i've been recording on absolutely nothing for a while (aka straight into the back of the computer from an amp, or using a terrible mic). i am financially ready to buy some equipemnt, but i am in a bind. i know i need a mixing board, i'm looking at an 6 or 8 channel berringer, but i am not sure what else is essential other than a new sound card. i just want to know what is going to eliminate all the fuzz i get recording how i am now. thanks a lot.
 
If you want a cleaner signal getting a behringer mixer probably isn't a great idea. Look at the new yamahas or soundcrafts. I have an Alesis 12R that I love aswell.
 
thanks guys, but i am also on a budget...and i'm looking on a small scale. i was wondering what benifit i might have from a gate...or a condenser?
 
aardvark direct pro 24/96

(sound card to break out box... 4 inputs.... software mixer)
 
From what you've described you may want to hold off on the mixer.

First step is to get a good quality sound card. Many are made with several inputs so you may not need the mixer right away. Personally, I have an M-Audio delta 66/Omni studio that I am happy with.

Second is some type of recording software. (Again, there's several out there ... I have Cakewalk Sonar)

Third would be to upgrade your mics. A good LD condenser is nice on vocals, or even a good quality dynamic might be good to get you started.


good luck
 
How much money do you have to spend exactly? You might just have to hold off until christmas or something to save up some more.

Soundcard will cost you around $150 and up depending (any M-Audio cards, Aardvark 24/96)
A good mixer will cost you around $399 depending (Soundcraft E Series, small Mackie)
Mics can cost anything from $89 and up (SP B1, V67g)

Also, you don't need a mixing board. What you're probably thinking of is you need preamps, which is what you plug your mics into that amplify the signal. Some sound cards come with pramps built in, so you would just need the card and it would do everything for you (pramps and analog to digital conversion). You'll also need a program to record multitrack to your computer, I recommend N-Track because it's free for the 16bit version (only like $60 or so for the 24 bit version).

Here are a few other threads you can read:
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96308
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96700
 
i'm looking to spend minimal money. and not looking to be recording top line artists, just basicly me in my basement. and so i was looking at a small 4, maybe 6, channel mixer, which shouldn't cost me more than $100 (correct me if i'm wrong, but note i am not looking for top of the line), and a sound card, perhaps the audigy 2, which weighs in at 130, which is even a little too pricy. so the run down is...

4-6 channel mixer (price: under 100)
24bit/96kHz sound card (price: hopefully 130 the highest)
new mics/cables

is there anything i'm missing?
 
What is the highest total you can spend? Kind of hard to make recommendations without that. And unless you are recording for DVD's you might want to stick to 24 bit 44.1 khz recording since the conversion from 96 khz to 44.1 might do more harm than the 96khz recording did good in the first place.

If your budget is truly tight, I say hold off on the mixer and get the best sound card, pre-amp, and one single mic that you possibly can.
 
ironing boards said:
i'm looking to spend minimal money.
Click to expand...
And what is that? We really need to know an actual price other that 'minimal' or 'low.'

Seriously, if you want to start out start out with an Audiophile, anything lower isn't needed. If you can afford $130 save up the extra $20 and it will be worth it. If you can find a mixer for $100 then buy it. I'd check ebay for some low costed brand names (mackie or soundcraft, try and stay away from the almighty B) and you might be able to find something worthy of buying.

But really, if you're going to try and get a recording setup and you can spend more than 3 bills, then just record with what you have until you can. The experience from recording, no matter on what, will be worth more than the equipment.
 
i'd say about 300-350...and again, i am not going for top of the line, but more along the lines of 'it will get the job done'
 
I'd say get an Audiophile (150?), a DMP3 (stereo preamp) and then use the last $100 on a v67g or a B1.
 
Chris Fallen said:
I'd say get an Audiophile (150?), a DMP3 (stereo preamp) and then use the last $100 on a v67g or a B1.
Click to expand...
The Audiophile is $150, the DMP3 is $200. How does he have any money left in his budget for a mic? (He said $350)
 
I was basing the DMP3 at $119. I'm sure you could find it for that much at ebay if not at guitar center.

150 + 119 = 269. If he spends another 100 on a mic then he's over by 19 dollars (we ignore tax for this).


I guess that's how.
 
i ama in the same boat as you and i gotta say, the ego quata fire is looking pretty damn sweet to me. firewire, bus powered, spidf, 24/96, four channels, two built in preamps... should go for about $360 when it's released at the end of september
 
Geeze....now you guys have me feeling like I over spent! Should I return the mBox and go with something cheaper? What would be comparable? Am I getting my money's worth in the Mbox and Pro Tools?
 
hmm. You will be the first to test the ego quatra fire. let us know how it is.

You could get a SP VTB-1 for $120-$130 and use that until you need something stereo. Seems like you dont need stereo right now because you wont have two mics. Then upgrade later.

And as far as chosing between the B1 and V67, i would go the B1 route first.

Danny
 
From Zzounds.com:

Fostex has broken the digital recorder price barrier with their new MR8. It's the world first 8-track that records into solid-state, Compact Flash Card memory — and there's more! It's got a USB port for WAV file data transfer to a Windows PC for data editing, CD burning, and backup. And operating the MR8 is more intuitive than many other digital recorders — it's ideal for users who have no experience in digital multi-track recording!


More!

You could get this little gizmo and a mic or two and call it a day!
 
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