Suggestions please!

[MSG_VT]

Hey guys,

I'm in a band and really got into this home recording this via computer today. I bought a book and all read it. I already placed orders for a few sm 57s. Now heres what I want to ask:

Current Specs :

Pentium III 450
786 MB RAM
Sound Blaster MP3 ( i beleive its 128 bit)

Now I was reading up on audio interfaces and saw a couple DigiDesign interfaces. Now.. will it work with my sound blaster card?

Would do you guys suggest?

Get a new , more appropriate sound card?
I saw the AARK... thats way too much money.

Is there any way I can work with what I have right now? If so what else would I need.. A mixer?

This is going to be semi serious recording. We used to record our jam sessions via comp mic and it sounded like crap. Especially the drums ( cymbals too bright).

Help a newbie out here Thanks

(*also keep in mind my college student level budget)

 

[prophessor]

First off we all start off "semi" pro, and now I have a room full of equipment.

To answer your question about your hardware: Soundblaster is fine to work with and it is what I started with and tried everything from Lexicon, Digidesign and M-audio. One of the important thing to look at when getting to the pro soundcard level is what motherboard chipset do you have. Many of the pro soundcard out there would not agree with the VIA chipset. I spend the premium for the INTEL chipset, many of the soundcard manufactures support it. As a college student budget is a big issue so I would visit www.midiman.com and check out some of the stereo and midi soundcard, it gives you 24/96 and midi implementation. I would then visit www.americanmusical.com, as I posted in another forum, spend $250 to $999 and you can split the payments up to three equal payments.

I have tried numerous hardwares and softwares and I have lost plenty of sleep but the enjoyment comes knowing that I don't have to pay for studio time and I can just let the equipment sit for about the clock.

I love the music and it is still a hobby but now moving to the part-time professional studio with my market niche well defined. Get to know the capabilities of you system. Be prepared for headaches and heartaches. There were days when I wondered "what the hell am I doing?"

Good luck and enjoy.

P.S.

I would also recommend the Mackie 1402 VLZ you can use the Mute/Alt 3/4 as you stereo input for recording and monitor with you output 1/2.

 

[MSG_VT]

More questions...

Now.. Sorry I'm really new at this.. I looked on ebay and they had a digidesign interface.. Interface only, not sound card. I was wondering if it would work with my sound blaster? Or does the card itself need to be Digidesign also?

thanks

 

[TexRoadkill]

What interface are you referring to?

You would be better off putting money into a new soundcard before any control surfaces. SB's are ok but you will notice a HUGE improvement with a pro level card. Check out the M-Audio Delta cards for the best of the cheapies.

 

[MSG_VT]

Mixer??

Instead of getting a new sound card, you think I should get a mixer and hook it up to the line in? Also.. maybe I should get a powered mixer so I can use it as a PA for our gigs.. so like 2 uses in one? or is this not the type of mixer for recording? please let me know.. thanks....

 

[TexRoadkill]

You would get a bigger improvement with a better soundcard. Then get a mixer later on. Powered mixers do everything, but nothing very well.