Starting Out...

[stageicon]

I didn't see anything quite like my question in the forum, so here it is: I play in a band that uses traditional instruments (read: guitars, bass, drums), no synths, loops, or Edrums. We are wanting to record our originals using computer-based techniques for reasons unrelated to this forum. Any feedback you have regarding which software and soundcard would be most suited to analog input would be appreciated. We have a lot of experience with 4 and 8 track recorders, but are ready to move to this platform and do not want to make uninformed purchases. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[foo]

If you do a search for software and soundcards, you will find masses of information here.

Then we'll need to know how much money you want to spend, and what equipment you already have.

For example, whether you have Radio Shack mics or AT mics will give us an idea of your standards and what you're trying to do.


foo

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

Like foo previously stated........

You will need to tell us how much money is in your budget.

You will need to tell us your computer specifications.

You will need to tell us how many instruments will you be recording simultaneously.



pecae...

 

[stageicon]

Reply

Just for reference, our largest stage setup includes a 24 channel Peavey mixing board, our mics run anywhere from Shure to Sennheiser.

Let's stay this side of "money is no object," but we are willing to pay for the proper setup unless it is prohibative.

Since our big board has 4 channel output, I would imagine that 4 simultaneous inputs to the computer would be the limit. For example, if we first play a song "live" through the board, all could be mixed to 4 inputs.

As far as the computer itself, we agree that we would have better luck buying one for the purpose than trying to take one we already have and using it, so that is also wide open. However, we do not have the intention of running a studio, so we don't want an investment that we have to fund with outside projects.

As far as what we are trying to do, we are a popular regional band and have been getting many requests for a CD of our originals. We have been wanting to preserve our songs and could recoup some of our investment in equipment through off-stage sales.

 

[foo]

This isn't my strength, but here's one suggestion:

A dedicated PC computer to do what you need will run about $1,200 or so. You can get a new Dell with a P4, 2 Gig, 512 meg RAM for about that. (and that's plenty of muscle to do what you need) Go here:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/model_dimen_1_dimen_4550.htm

I think CD burning software comes bundled with it, too. I have a PC, but many folks who do this seriously are Mac users. Apparently Mac and MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn) is a match made in heaven but caveat emptor.

Recording software will run about $300 - $400. You can get good stuff for less, but this price range gets you into pretty good territory. For $600 you can get into major league pro stuff (e.g. the Cubases of the world).
Do a search for posts by Spinsterwun in the last two weeks. He (she?) has posted many links to inforamtion sites recently.

You will need a better soundcard than that which comes in your cpmputer. Soundcards (like everything else) are 'you get what you pay for'.

I have an Echo Audio 'Mona' - I like it but am a relative newbie at this so don't have much to compare. It has four inputs including phantom power and mic preamps and direct monitoring, and a sound I'm happy with. It's $800 discounted at GC; it's highly likely that there are cheaper/better sound quality choices out there that don;t have some ofthe features of Mona. I never read a bad review of this card when I was looking, so thats what fueled my decision (and for $800, it better not get any bad reviews )

I'm assuming you have all your mics for vocals and micing amps, guitars, power amps etc. etc. but you will need some kind of monitoring for mixdowns. PA speakers and stage monitors are not the best way to go.
There are two schools of thought on monitors:
1. Get the best you can afford - and best means most accurate. flatest response, most 'transparent'.
2. Get those that are most like what folks are going to play your stuff on - that way they hear what you heard when you mixed it.

My view is #2, above, but most of the 'pro' type guys here seem to prefer #1.
I can only respond that virtually every studio I was ever in or saw on TV has Yamaha NS-10s as their near-field monitors - but there are (apparently) significantly better out there.

You cna probably get away with your Peavey board to mix on. (Comments, anyone?)

So for now you're looking at probably < $3,000 or so. There are cheaper ways to go that may work well - but YGWYPF

Hope this helps.

foo