Super Newbie seeking purchasing advice (wow!)

[ShockSyxx]

Hi. I've never done any recording. Outstanding, huh? I've been going to sites like this for a while reading up on digital and analog recording, and I've decided to go digital just because its really hip. But really because, though I feel like analog would be super sweet, there just seems to be way more interest in digital out there (here) so I figure I'll have a bigger source of information for all the questions I'll probably be asking.

Anyway, I dont really have intentions to go off and become a super producer, so I want to keep things as simple as possible. Though I have done a good amount of researching it online, theres only so much you can learn from a sitting at a chair. What I want to do is record mostly acoustic guitar tracks (sometimes I would use an electric though), add a little drum action with a drum machine and spice things up with some keyboard. I'd be doing it all myself, thats why there would be no live drums, I only really play guitar and some piano. The reason I want a keyboard in there is just to give the song more life when the guitar riff isnt enough to hold a whole song. I'm looking at the Boss BR864 digital 8-track recorder, the reviews on it seem pretty nice. I know I'm going to need a new computer to deal with all this stuff, and I'm definently open to suggestions on what kind of sound card to get, and other computer-type specs.

For reasons relating to things that are awesome, I have about $2000 to spend on this project, which is way more spending money than I've ever had. So I should get a computer and a good sound card, some sweet software and an midi-controller keyboard? I'd like to focus mainly on just recording the stuff and then putting it on the computer to polish it up, too much computer involvement might make me confused and then dead. So if I could record from a decent keyboard directly into the BR864 (if thats what I end up getting) would that be more ideal for a less techo suavy guy like me?

Also, for reasons unknown to me, I currently have an SM58S mic and Cakewalk Home Studio 2002. I know theres alot of info I left out, but basicly I'm just asking whether you think the BR864 will be good for recording acoustic songs and what else should I get in terms of software, mics (the Shure SM58S is a good vocal mic, right? What about a mic for an acoustic guitar?) and anything else you think (or know) I will need. Thanks for your replies and sorry if I went on too long. I have that problem when I write sometimes. Like now.

Thanks,

Justin.

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

Hey Justin,
I asked the same questions this fall on the board and got some excellent advice that has worked well for me thus far. I wanted the same basic setup as you to record mainly acoustic guitar tracks, vox, some keys and some drum machine. What I ended up getting was a computer-based system rather than a dedicated unit such as the BR864 which was precisely the direction I was originally going as well. Here's the setup I have now, which has served me well in these the beginning stages of home recording:

PC:
AMD Athlon XP2800 (most people will recommend the AMD 64 processors, if you can afford that, go for it instead)
500 MB Ram (this is the minimum, go for more if you can)
2 x 7200RPM hard drives (one for your operating system & one for tracking)

Then I got an M-Audio 24/96 soundcard ($99 USD), and an M-Audio DMP3 preamp ($150 USD). As for a midi-controller, I already had an older Yamaha keyboard that does the job, so I'm not a good person to advise you on what to get there, but there are lots of great people on this board who could help you decide (I know there have been many threads dedicated to this which you'll find if you do a search).

For a mic I already had a Shure SM57, and as per the advice on this forum I picked up a Studio Projects B1 which works just fine for me for now.

As for your mic, I don't have much experience with anything other than the two I've got, check out the Microphone forum for advice. The best course of action from what I gather is to rent some mics and see which ones best suit your voice.

Since you've already got a version of Home Studio you save yourself some money there. You can also download trial versions of N-Track, Powertracks etc. to see if you like one of them more.

So, for well under $1000 USD you have a decent starter setup. I'm sure the other people on this board will be able to help you spend the other $1000, and will probably have some better advice than me. This is all just my two cents, which, correctly so since I'm still very new, has a street value of about 0.5 cents in comparison to all the other veterans on here.
But hey, got to start somewhere. Best of luck.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

You would generally go for either an all in one 'studio in a box' (SIAB) or a PC, not usually both. If you get a PC with a decent soundcard and some multitrack software then there'd be no need for the all in one unit at all.

You can dump stuff into a PC from most siab's for editing and such but I don't think you 'd buy a computer just for this purpose.

Computer recording is a bit more expensive but you'll have a lot more flexibility, really easy editing, an endless availability of VST effects and instruments to play around with etc.

My first foray into recording (not including the four track cassette recorder I'd had for years) was a SIAB. I got on OK with it but ended up selling it on and buying a PC after about six months and it's the best thing I ever did.

We're all different and we all like to do things in different ways so if you think a siab is for you then go for it but personally I think you'd be better off going the computer route.

For the more specific questions about gear and stuff I recommend you use the search function. If you still have specific questions then find the most suitable forum and post in there.

Good luck with it and welcome to the BBS.

EDIT: HEYHEYMYMY has a very nice little starter set up there. The only thing I would add is that you'll be needing some proper studio monitors also.

 

[Ibrow]

$2000? Sweet.

Since you already have Home Studio, that will get you by for now and should pretty much make up your mind. Since you already have an SM58, you are set in the dynamic Mic Dept.

Are you planning on building your own computer? Since, I am assuming, you already have a monitor and a mouse and a keyboard, building your comp is the way to go for home studio IMO. You can build a top-notch box, with most all the fixings, for $600 or less. That would be including the M-Audio 2496 soundcard.

Next, you "should" get a mixer for the Pre's and for ease of use. But, with $2000 to spend? I'm giddy.

$2000

-$600 Computer and M-Audio 2496 soundcard.

-$200 "good" condenser (I just got my AT-4033a condenser used off Ebay for $136)

-$500 FMR RNP Pre-amp.

-$400 M-Audio BX8 or Yorkville YSM1P Monitors

-$300 Yamaha MG16/4


That's just for jokes. LOL!


You should be able to get a pretty good setup for a LOT less. I would build the computer and start from there. If you are going to record acoustic, you will need a condenser mic. The Pre's in the Yamaha mixer are supposed to be pretty good, as stated above, so a step up to the RNP may not the be most logical for you. You may want to step up to the DMP, also as stated above.

Since you built a GOOD box, I would go with a software-based drum application such as Drumkit from Hell Superior or BFD. Both are sub $300. DKFHS has more/better sounds from what I have read, but is a bitch to integrate into other softwares. I believe both softwares come with their own sequencers. So, you could just produce your drums within either program, then export the wave files. At least, I think you can. DKFHS also takes up 40 GIGS on your HD. And you basically need 1.5GIG of RAM to run it well.

You will need good monitors. No sense recording the stuff if you can't hear it, right?

Do your research before spending any money. Decide how many tracks you think you will record at a time, and get a soundcard that matches that. Since you will primarily record by yourself, the 2496 is a good choice.

A computer with a recording soundcard, a mixer with good pre's, a condenser mic, some good monitors, and a software-based drum machine should get you putting out the hits in no time.

I hope that helps.

 

[ShockSyxx]

Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate the three of you taking the time to write all that out. Sorry I'm ridiculously late on responding, my computer has been flipping out (this isnt the computer I'm going to be using). Anyways, thanks again. I'll let you know how it goes.