Studio

[Vision]

I first of all would like to thank everyone for replying to my last post, It is really helping me to get started on the right foot. I just need to finalize my list of needed things, and could use a little bit of help.

Just for those who did not see my last post, I am wanting a 99% digital studio off of my computer (avoiding all possible analog) and I record hiphop/rap music.

I have decided in not getting the shure 58, and to rather splurge and get the better vocal mic, now which one should I get ? I would really like a specific recommendation on what is the best vocal mic out there for the best possible price. would really like to hear a few options, and the pros and cons.

As for the mixer, could someone also point into the right direction as to which one I should buy ?

Finally I beleive I am going to go with cakewalk, does anyone feel I am making a mistake ?

I was reading the FAQ's, and the word "compressor" caught my eye. Do I need one to master my tracks ? I would like to learn how to do the mastering myself.

If I go out and buy a good vocal mic, a good mixer, a compressor (optional ?), and cakewalk, is that all I need to record ???

I understand I will need the proper connectors to get the system all together.

How about for when I record on my computer ? do I need some software for recording, like on the different tracks (like an analog recorder) or do I record directly to cakewalk ?

Thanks in advance for your responses

PS. If anyone out there could make me a point form list of everything I need to get my studio up and running(with prices ?) It would be greatly appreciated.

THANKYOU !!!

 

[Eddie N]

vision ,

best mic - do a little research , flip through some catalogs ( pssl , musicians friend ) and then type in the make and model # of the mic your interested in into the search at this site... there were numerous discussions on the " best mics " here.. something will come up... although... im not really sure.. but do specialized mics exist for exclusively recording rap music ? hmnn.

use the same technique looking for a mixer , mackies and studimasters are highly recomended at this site for their price and functionality...

cakewalk is a good program , but if your going to be exclusively recording rap music , you might want to look into a good loop based recording application like acid.. and maybe just a simple wave editor like sound forge...

you will need a compressor... what a compressor does is depending on your settings , it evens out the amplitude of the sound.. for example , say your at a dj friends house , and you decided to make a demo... you cue up an instrumental and pic up the mic , and start laying down verses.. your verse goes smooth , and the next guy jumps on the mic and starts bellowing out his verse , then settles down a bit.. when you listen to the tape , you notice that after your verse , and your friend comes on , he is extremely loud in comparison to you , then when he settles down .. he is too quiet.. needless to say , the demo never makes it out of car tape player.. what a compressor would do , is even out all that sound , your verse would be just as loud as his , and whether he yelled his verse or spoke softly , the amplitude would be lowered or boosted where need be , and it would be smooth.. in my opinion , a really good example of great compression would be the new r kelly song " turn back the hands of time ".. he sings softly and yells , all in the same verse and the amplitude doesnt budge... for more technical information type " compressor " in the search..

you need a good mic , mixer ,and recording s/w to record.. but your forgeting a major component...a good quality sound card.. w/o one your recordings will be plagued with pops and noice... as far as a compressor goes ,its your choice whether to use an out board compressor , or a direct x plug in...

make sure you purchase good quality cables , you get what you pay for.. and if any soundcard or equipment has 1/8 inch inputs or outputs , hang on to your wallet and run the other way !!

when you record , it is stored on your computers hard drive .. cakewalk and many other s/w programs handle all of this internally..

heres a few more points to ponder... with computer recording , there are so many factors that affect the outcome of your recordings.. think about upgrading if your running slower than a 300 mmx pentium , and less than 64 megs of ram.. if you have less than 4 gigs of hard drive space , a second bigger faster and cleaner hard drive would be optimal... then...there are your soundcard options... also the purchase of a cd burner would be a nice touch to burn your own cds...

heres a VERY general and vague idea of what you need for your studio... excluding computer upgrades..

vocal mic - 100 and up
mixer - 300 and up
soundcard - 100 and up
software - 40 and up
compressor ( if not using plug ins )200 and up
cd burner - 150 and up

the " and up " is basically saying , depending on exactly what you want your studio to be able to do , the overall cost can rise...

that was very general , youll catch the bug , and splurge on alot of other equipment like samplers and sequencers..

you still need to do alot of research , and alot of learning... no one becomes puff daddy or david geffen over night... home recording is more difficult than recording a demo over an instrumental.. but thats what makes us special.. and next time you over hear a friend of yours say " im gonna go make a demo " , ask him if hes gonna use compression , what kind of mic they are using , if they are recording digitally or using analog equipment , and if the end product is going to be on tape or cd.. then sit back and watch the funny looks you get.. and feel proud that you have a clue what your doing.. dont be so anxious to get started..take your time..ask questions.. and youll make less mistakes.. and save money along the way.. surf this site for days ,use the search , and learn as much as you can before you spend a penny.. youll be glad you did...

sorry for any typos or my grammar.. this is too long to edit..

- eddie -

 

[tmcbrinn]

If you're gonna do your own mastering, you will probably waant some mastering software as well. A limiter might be good too. I would highly reccomemd getting a sonic maximizer for mastering as well. If you don't overuse it, your final outcome will really sound nice. They start at around $200, but I don't see a need to get one right away.