Starting out...

[Rednefjazz]

Hey everyone,
First post here, hence in the newbie section.

Simply, I'm looking to start out in the wide world or recording. I have a pretty simplistic understanding of the recording process(I've recorded a few songs before with the band) but look to expand my knowledge.

So i've been looking for basic stuff to get me started and come across a range of yamaha mixer/recorders.

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/mixers/mg_series_usb_models/mg166c-usb/?mode=model

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/mixers/mw/mw12c/?mode=model

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/mixers/mg_series_c_models/mg166c/?mode=model

I guess firstly, should I steer clear of yamaha? I'm on budget so that factor appeals to me and I've heard decent things about them.

I know the last one is purely just a mixer, but its the cheapest, so is there away of sending it to the computer from the mixer. By using an audio interface or something. (I dont even really know what that is)

I've got a macbook pro with garageband so thats a start....

I'm looking to record my band, and other bands so I figure I will need at least 6 tracks to simultaneously record off. I'd also like to be able to mix each channel on the computer.

hopefully thats enough information for now. thanks in advance.

 

[FunkDaddy]

You don't need a mixer, you need an interface. Some mixers are integrated via USB/Firewire like the ones you linked. There's plenty of interfaces with 8 inputs for a decent price.

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

That's a good link with setups of all sorts from cheap to expensive. It's a good starting point to educate yourself.

Garageband, from what I've seen and heard, is a very weak program. I'd check out Reaper for your multi-tracking/mixing needs.

 

[Rednefjazz]

thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into the interfaces.

But on the note of mixers with usb links, will that just hook into my computer and with the right software allow each track to be mixed down or will it transfer it in one big heap. or is this dependant on the rig your using?

 

[FunkDaddy]

http://www.tweakheadz.com/choosing_a_mixer_for_your_studio.html

"The newest analog mixers have USB or Firewire interfaces added. These usually have totally analog signal paths throughout the board and may be used to output analog. However, individual tracks and the master output may also be converted to digital to give you another option of getting your audio to the computer. (You have to check specs to see exactly what goes down the firewire or USB pipe. It may be different in each mixer.)"

(No Tweakheadz is not my site FYI )

I would assume most USB/Firewire mixers allow multi-track output to your DAW. Looking at the Yamaha mixers you linked to I honestly can't find where/if it says exactly what comes through the USB connection, just the sample rate, maybe somebody else can chime in on what Spec that would be.

 

[ZeroZero]

the focusrite liquid channel 56 is a good choice. If you record a band you will need a lot of mic inputs and some decent mikes. This can get very expensive, but you can srtart with SM57s

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470385421
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and user-tested suggestions that work: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)
Another good article: Choosing an audio interface - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/audiointerfaces.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Sony ACID Express (free 10-track sequencer): http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/xpress/
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[Chili]

thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into the interfaces.

But on the note of mixers with usb links, will that just hook into my computer and with the right software allow each track to be mixed down or will it transfer it in one big heap. or is this dependant on the rig your using?

Some do, some don't. You have to be careful when shopping around. I suggest looking at firewire interfaces because most will stream multiple inputs. I have a Phonic Helix Firewire mixer and it serves well. The audio streams right after the inserts so the mixer section is not included in the audio. This is important because you don't want to make adjustments until you get all your tracks recorded and are ready for mixdown.

A lot of USB mixers will stream the audio from the Main Outs. That means if you adjust eq, that will be recorded. If you add reverb, that will be recorded. Not desirable.

HTH,

 

[Armistice]

I guess firstly, should I steer clear of yamaha?

No reason to steer clear of Yamaha, they make pretty good stuff for the price. I have one of this series of mixers. It's fine - FOR LIVE USE. It's of no use to me at all for recording.

What you should steer clear of is mixers, unless you have a particular use for one that you understand.

You're asking whether you can get the individual channels out of the mixer into your PC. Ask yourself why you put them into the mixer in the first place if all you want to do is get them out again, unmixed... that's what an interface is for. You can mix in your PC.

Get an interface would be my advice... what FunkDaddy said...

You can do it with a mixer if you want to, but it's generally not regarded as the most efficient at a budget level... assuming, like most newbies, you're budgetarily constrained.

 

[moresound]

One good reason to have a mixer is to use it so as you can have real time headphone monitoring .... but that can go south real quick if you don't know what your doing while setting it all up.

 

[Rednefjazz]

thanks alot guys, I think I'm getting the jist of it. just one small problem, can someone explain to me in super basic terms what an interface is? or point me in the right direction of research. because I don't want to be spending any more money then I have to be.

thanks again.

 

[austinm08]

An interface is a piece of hardware which has inputs for you to plug in microphones or instruments (XLR or 1/4in). The interface converts the analog audio signals into digital 1s and 0s (so your computer can understand it) and sends this data through a USB or Firewire cable into your computer.

It's basically just the necessary bridge between your microphone/instrument and computer. As already stated, a mixer is not necessary because you can mix ITB (in the box) with your software.

 

[Rednefjazz]

Ok, sounds simple enough. I hope.
any recommendations on interfaces? I found behringer one but haven't read great things about them, then again I could be wrong.
thanks again for all the help guys.

 

[austinm08]

I'd check out something like:

Presonus FP10 (on eBay)

or

M-Audio Profire 2626 (on eBay)

-------------------

These are both firewire interfaces. I used to own a Firepod, which is like the older version of the FP10, and it worked great for me. I've heard good things about the Profire 2626 also, but honestly I think the FP10 would be fine for you and it's a little cheaper.

 

[pezking]

the focusrite liquid channel 56 is a good choice. If you record a band you will need a lot of mic inputs and some decent mikes. This can get very expensive, but you can srtart with SM57s

I think you mean the Liquid Saffire 56.

Good recommendation though, as are the two in the post above.