Sub $1000 (USD) Recording System

[man2525]

Hi,

I'm new to music recording/production, and am looking for advice on essential equipment, including hardware and software, for a hobbyist digital production setup (recording, sequencing, arranging, mixing, (let me know if I've left any out)) for under $1000 USD. Terse advice and thinking outside the box (such as "spend more money", "work with what you have", etc.) are equally appreciated. I'm not on a deadline.

I would like to record as many as 2 live instruments at a time. If there is any money left in the budget, I would like to experiment with looping software and other styles of electronic music.

I live in an apartment complex with noise policies, so I will need to monitor everything quietly.

Equipment I have (details to right of item):

2 electric guitars - passive pickups
Carvin X100B Guitar Amp Head - lots of switches [speaker impedance (4 ohm, 8 ohm, 16 ohm), RMS power (25%, 50%, 100%), effects loop (-10 dB, 0 dB, +4 dB)] and a 600 ohm Preamp Out (3 pins -- I think this is an XLR connector)
2 acoustic guitars
48 key midi keyboard - came with Miracle Piano Learning software
guitar effects pedals
Compressor/Limiter with Gate - rack effect
Grado SR-60 headphones - made buzzing sound when connected to an SB Audigy Drive headphone jack. Not sure if they can handle low end.
PC

My PC specs are as follows:

Win XP Pro
1600 Athlon XP
Epox HK8A+ Mobo (with onboard Audio!)
No Sound Card
512 MB PC2100 SDRAM
40 GB EIDE ATA100 7200 Maxtor HD
Cambridge Soundworks PC Speakers - these probably need to be replaced...

Thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[Uladine]

Well it looks like you're well on your way to a nice home studio. You just need a sound card/converter, multitrack software and maybe a decent monitoring system and a nice mic or two and you're ready to get started. But I'm gonna let the veterans give you the advice on what to do. They should be along any time now....

 

[man2525]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Uladine.

In regards to my original post, I'll be more direct.

1. Should I use an external mixer?
2. Can I use the Preamp output (600 ohms) on my 100W Amplifier Head for direct recording?
3. Should I get another keyboard? Is it easy enough to transpose sampled instruments (I'm using a 48-Key Midi Keyboard--I'm going to be missing some range)?
4. Will my Compressor/Limiter be of any use? Where in the setup?
5. Is it worthwhile to to perform audio production with headphones alone?
6. How should $1000 (U.S. Dollars) be allocated? Should more money be spent at the outset, or is it better to start small?
7. Am I forgetting something important, besides saying "Please?"

I've used the search feature on this BBS. I'm starting to grasp what's involved, but I hope to save some trouble (and $) by getting advice on how (and if) I can work my current equipment into a home recording setup.

Thanks

(forgot to mention that my PC also has a 16X/10X/40X CD-RW Drive)

 

[Alan McGuinness]

Man2525

Here’s my humble opinion for what it’s worth.
As the man said you are well on your way, you just need some fine tuning. If, like most, your doing this as a one guy in his bedroom deal there are a few areas to address.

Firstly the PC,
There are a zillion articles all over the web regarding good setup for home recording. The good news is you do have a monster PC more than capable of the task.

Dual boot system.
Whilst this is not a must have, a lot of people would argue that it is (me included). You’ve just got to get away from your normal drive and all the MS Office and associated garbage that comes with. Having checked your profile, this should be no problem for you. You have a 40 gig running XP Pro, so your going to need a new HD (this is an issue where size DOES matter) biggest is best.
I fitted a Maxtor 80gig ide 7200. Big HD’s have never been cheaper (IDE, Scuzzi is another matter)

Operating System:
Win 2000 is generally regarded as “good to go” out the box for this purpose. But there are lots of tweaks you can make to optimize this OS for what is going to become your studio.
By the way file systems are going to be an issue, if memory serves me XP uses NTFS (optional I think) but your gonna want Fat 32. Check these links:
http://www.allaboutaudio.co.uk/ http://www.computermusic.co.uk/main.asp http://www.futuremusic.co.uk/hl_news.asp
These are the main pages, so go to the tutorials section regarding setup for PC.

Software Studios: (sequencer)
This is a never ending argument about who is better than who, and there are lots of options, some more suitable than others, depending on what you intend to do within “your” studio. I personally use Cakewalk (Pro 9) why? I just find it much easier to use and more user friendly than most. Cubase and Logic are great tools, if you like rocket science. But personally I just want to get on with being creative, spending less time in the learning curve and more time doing my thing. If this is your first venture into the world of computer multi tracking then even Cakewalk is, as everything else in life, going to need learning. But your in the right place, this is one of the best BBS site’s you’ll find.
So download the demo’s and see what works for you.

Software vs Hardware
Here’s another monster argument, bottom line is that these days you can do everything (and then some) from within the software environment without the need for any external stuff. (I can here the guys now, HERECTIC, BURN THE WITCH!!!!!) I make no apologies for the truth.
But you may (and lots do) prefer to work with hardware going to your software.

Money and where to spend it:
Well, working on the assumption that you are based in the bedroom and not out gigging. (please advise) You have a whole heap of stuff you don’t need and therefore money tied up that is better spent elsewhere.
Keep the guitars, sell the rest and buy a POD from line 6 or similar.
(I can hear the guys again, THAT’S IT!!!!, FLOG HIM TILL HE BLEEDS THEN HANG HIM FROM THE YARD ARM AND PUT LEACHES ON HIS TESTICELES).
I am taking into consideration “I live in an apartment complex with noise policies, so I will need to monitor everything quietly.” Sticking mikes in front of an amp may not be an option for you. So POD or similar is just what you need
(check out the reviews and home page). http://www.line6.com/main/main.cfm http://www.tonefrenzy.com/line6_pod.htm

What to buy:

Active nearfield monitors, it’s the only way to get “true and acurtate” sound that’s going to come through good once burned to CD. I know, “I live in an apartment complex with noise policies, so I will need to monitor everything quietly.” I don’t see a way around this, but remember you don’t have to monitor at ear splitting level, in fact that’s just what you don’t want to do when monitoring. (do a search on this BBS regarding this subject, as there are people on here who are infinitely more qualified than me on this subject)

A mixing desk, is never a bad thing. May I tentatively the Mackie 1402 VLZ. (budget permitting)
Why mixing desk? EQ is everything, repeat this mantra parrot fashion before every session. Plus this is one area that most people agree on, it’s a hand on thing that is not easily replicated in the software environment.

Keyboards, midi and stuff:
I’m not even going there! What I know about that subject could be written on the back of a postage stamp with room to spare. But there are lots of people on here who know their stuff and no doubt will contribute. I, like you am a humble guitarist/singer/songwriter jack of all trades, master of none.

Hopefully this will generate response, and get you the advise/info/words of wisdom (delete where appropriate) you need to get you up and running.

Enjoy and welcome to the big house.

Alan.