Starting Out

[Slizz]

I don't really know very much about recording but i really want to get started so I can record my band and a few friend's bands.

I'm not sure what equipment i should start off with. I want it be a decent quality as i want to use it to record saleable eps.

I've already got loads of decent mikes, leads and moniters due to my promo company and I've got about £900 to spend on a mixer basically: I'm not sure what i should be looking for really and how to get value for that kinda money. Can anyone help me?

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Cheers
Liam

 

[mikeh]

One of the first things you need to decide is what recording medium you prefer (and why you prefer that). How many tracks do you want to record at the same time (acoustic drums can eat a lot of tracks)? Recording to computer provides a lot of options (software plugins. etc) but also requires D/A converters (a lot if you want more than steros drums). Stand alone units can be easier to use and more portable, but the ins/outs can be limited (and the effects options may also be limited) unless you spend alot. If you already have a decent computer - maybe you decision is easy)

If you are planning on recording bands I would think you would want at least 16 tracks (8 tracks get filled up very fast). If you decide on at least 16 tracks - your choices are then dictated by those systems that can do 16 tracks. Computers can do alot of tracks (depending on speed and space) - stand alone machines are limited to whatever design configurations.

I'm not trying to be an ass - but you need to do a fair amount of reading, determine the pro's and con's of the different recording medium and then you will be in a position to ask more specific questions - which in turn improves your chances of get helpful answers.

 

[Slizz]

yer I was stupidly vague. Your right i do want to get a 16 track and i will be recording acoustic drums and i've already got a decent computer-It a brand new ibook and ive got a usb soundcard for it.

I've had a little experince using a stand alone unit before but the recording quality was quite poor compared to recordings i have heard that used a computer. Is that something that is true of all stand alone units?

Once again, you help is massively appreciated

 

[pandamonk]

yer I was stupidly vague. Your right i do want to get a 16 track and i will be recording acoustic drums and i've already got a decent computer-It a brand new ibook and ive got a usb soundcard for it.

I've had a little experince using a stand alone unit before but the recording quality was quite poor compared to recordings i have heard that used a computer. Is that something that is true of all stand alone units?

Once again, you help is massively appreciated

So 16 channels? What kind of thing are you looking for. I'll give you my list of equipment for my 16channel studio(it's not complete yet though). Ohh and what kind of monitors do you have. Studio monitors and live monitors are completely different.

Mics:
Studio Projects B1
3x mb75
4x mb85 beta
2x sc300
bd300

preamps:
Behringer ADA8000
SPL GOLDMIKE
CPEQ-Box

AD/DA converter/interface:
Tascam fw-1804

PC

Software:
Sonar Producers Edition 6/cubase le

Control Surface:
Behringer BCF2000

Monitoring:
Alesis M1 Mk2
M-Audio LX4 5.1 Surround-Set
2x the t.bone HD-990D
4x Behringer HPS 3000
BEHRINGER HA8000

Accessories:
patchbay
cables
etc.

Just now all i have is the tascam fw-1804 with cubase le, alesis m1 mk2s, and the mics. Hope this helps. Any questions, just ask.

 

[mikeh]

The end result is more about skill and proper use of available equipment - so don't convince yourself that a stand alone can't give you good results. Having used various stand alones & computers - I prefer a computer (you can do many things). I do a lot of MIDI in addition to audio - so having all the controls in one box makes sense from me - my main software application being Sonar Producer Pro.

If you choose the computer route there are many good software applications - Pro Tools is probably the standard (although I don't feel Pro Tools does MIDI as well as other platforms, so even though I have Pro Tools, I use Sonar more often).

You indicate you already have decent mics and monitors (I assume you mean audio monitors) - which are important parts of the signal chain. A decent pre (or more than one if you plan to record several instruments at once) is another important part of the chain. Compression and at least one multi effects unit (for delay, reverb, etc) are considered must have.

After those basics, the quality of your recording space (both for tracking and mixing) is something that should demand some funding.

 

[Slizz]

I've got a much better idea about where I stand now. Thanks alot!