Starting out

[Fusco]

Right, here's the game...

I've been wanting to create my own studio in my bedroom for a long while now, but never really got around to it, and now I'm onto it, I'm after a little help. Basically, I want a bunch of things, so I can record my own albums, and then later on, allow other people to record things. I want to do a whole range of things from punk, to ska, to metal, to acoustic, to trance etc.

I have a brand new top spec PC, so the PC isn't a problem. The drums won't be a problem either, as I purchased myself FL Studio 5, and I'm quite good with that.

The only thing I'm stumped on is things for my guitar/bass/trumpet, and other things which I may want to expand on, such as piano/keyboard. I would prefer it if I could maybe record my guitar/bass into the computer itself via my amp/effects pedal. I tried hooking up a two way audio cable to the mic in slot, and then playing along to the drums, but there was a delay on when I played a chord to when it played through my speakers, so there's that idea out of the way.

Is there any programs, or any pieces of hardware which I can get, or use to record things like that?

I also need some help with vocals, and trumpet. I have a regular mic, like from a karaoke machine, and I know it's going to be really bad to record with, but I guess it could do me for demo's, and stuff, but yeah, any good mics, and anything I could use to record them, and then mix the recordings with the already recorded instruments? At the moment, I use Goldwave to match up the different sounds, and match them together. It takes a long time, and a lot of goes, but it works, but I'm after something a lot better.

Anyway, any ideas on what to get, or what to do?

 

[LfO]

First of all, here's a great reference:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Take the time to read it, and you'll have a much more specific questions.

The first things you're going to need are:

General multitrack recording software (I use FLoops for beats, too, but its really not suited to audio recording). Consider things like Steinberg's Cubase, Cakewalk's Sonar, or Pro Tools (or the lite versions of any of these - you really don't need the full versions to do good work).

A good audio interface (another name for pro-recording-quality soundcard). You can get those that install in a PCI slot, or attach via USB or Firewire. The main consideration, though, is how many simultaneous inputs and outputs you need. Things that really drive up the number are micing full drum kits, and recording a full band at one time (as opposed to laying down one track at a time).

You'll also need to start working on a mic collection. That's a whole other can of worms. A good mic to start with is a Shure SM-57. They're cheap, durable, and very flexible (they're not the best mic for many things, but they're decent on a lot of things).

Finally, when asking for recommendations, let us know what budget you have.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Count of Monte Fusco:]

You might also start looking for a decent mic preamp and a compressor. One of the faves for compressor is the reasonable in price RNC. A dandy little box for the 175 pezzutos, which was the price last time I looked.

Get some decent cables--no need to go way out on price. I don't buy cables any longer than 15 feet--they suit my needs and long cables cost more.

Also, if you're going to do vocals, you might want a headphone amp too! I just replaced an old model Peavy with a 4 input Rolls HA 43--works fine and each input has its own volume control. This is especially nice when the vocalist needs it LOUDER and you don't!

Good luck and have fun.

Green Hornet

 

[Pro Tooler]

SM-57's are great for miking guitar amps.. not trumpets.. Audix has a great line of great priced mikes that sound awesome and are far better and cheaper than alot of big name condensor mikes... check them out

 

[fraserhutch]

Generally, I prefer ribbons on trumpet. I use an AEA R84 on mine.

The Royer 121 is another used a lot. It is Jerry Hey's goto mic.

 

[Fusco]

Thanks for the information everyone, it's much appreciated.

I've been looking through everyone's suggestions, and also other posts on here, and I was thinking of rather than recording directly onto my PC, is there any decent portable recorders, which I can then upload the recordings onto my PC? Just even a four track will do me, nothing too extravagant, as it's only going to be used for guitar/vocals, and maybe them both at the same time, then the other bits recorded seperately.

I'm on looking into the microphones too, to see what takes my fancy. I quite like those old style metal ones with the lines on, if they're any good? Kind of brings the retro back, I think.