the fate of my el-cheapo computer studio is in your hands

[ummwtf]

hey guys, just to warn you ahead of time, this is one of those "lyke omg i have $XXX wut should i bye" threads.

anyway, i'm not really "new" to recording, in that i've recorded myself with random engineers, bandmates, friends, etc. using their recording equipment over the past few years. basically, i want a setup of my own for when i want to cut demos and not have to schedule times/rates with other people unless i'm recording an album. i'm not looking forward to doing the "engineering" work myself - i just like being told "alright, play" - but desperate times..

anyway my budget is $350-400 and i'll be recording using cubase & my dell. i need:

- a mixer (currently looking at a behringer ub1202)
- vocal mic (currently looking at an sm58, how original!)
- instrument mic (currenty looking at, you guessed it, sm57)
- mic cable / boom stand

altogether this would set me back about $350 or so. oh here's a question -- how do i connect my mixer (let's assume i get that behringer) to my computer?

also, my computer's current soundcard isn't fantastic or anything, any recommendations?

thanks so much guys.

 

[MadAudio]

First of all - do you really need a mixer? With a decent preamp and soundcard you could likely do without one. If you're only recording one source at a time a mixer seems like an unnecessary piece of gear.

And exactly what instrument(s) will you be recording? Acoustic guitar? Electric? What kind of music in general? More info will help.

And what is your current monitoring set-up? How well you can playback is as important as how well you can record if not more so.

 

[ummwtf]

First of all - do you really need a mixer? With a decent preamp and soundcard you could likely do without one. If you're only recording one source at a time a mixer seems like an unnecessary piece of gear.

interesting, yeah it definitely would only be one source at a time so that might work. of course i have to ask, what would be considered a decent preamp and soundcard? keep in mind my budget.

And exactly what instrument(s) will you be recording? Acoustic guitar? Electric? What kind of music in general? More info will help.

80% of the instrumentation recorded will be an acoustic guitar. as for the style of music, i'll say folk/indie/pop stuff. or click this thread to listen to an example. there will also be percussive stuff like shakers, tambourine, casio drum loops, etc.

And what is your current monitoring set-up? How well you can playback is as important as how well you can record if not more so.

you don't want to know. you really don't.



ok, it's a creative labs itrigue 3300 (2.1)

 

[idrisguitar]

sm57 is not the best for acoustic guitar mostly.

theres a company that is raved about on here who supply unbelievabley heap microphones that work brilliant with acoustic guitars.

i imported the full set and it sounds brilliant.

ofcourse if your buying a pair of any microphone you may want that mixer

 

[ummwtf]

oh? what's the mic?

 

[Cult_Status02]

Buy an sm 58 - $100
an AKG Perception 100 or 200 - $100-150
Behringer Xenyx 802 - $60
2 Musiciansfriend mic cables - $16
An RCA to 1/8" cable 10ft - $8

Use the 58 for vocals and the Perception for guitar, or just use the perception for both, that would be fine too. Plug both, or one mic, into the mixer using the mic cables. Plug the RCA into the "tape out" on the mixer and the 1/8" into the line in on your soundcard on your computer. Set up your input and press record.

People will say to you that you need a good set of monitors and a better soundcard than what comes with your computer and better mic cables, but it sounds like this is all you'll need.

Or, you can do it more digital can just get something like this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lexicon-Alpha-USB-Audio-Interface?sku=245507

this will allow you tho plug your mic in and it will be streamed via USB to your computer and you'll get a bit better quality. You can just use headphones to mix. This comes with Cubase and a nice reverb plugin, too.

Good luck. And don't let anyone talk you into dropping a $1000 into this if you don't need to.

 

[andycerrone]

oh? what's the mic?

http://www.naiant.com

 

[ummwtf]

http://www.naiant.com

the msh-10 i'm assuming -- $22? better than an sm57 for acoustic guitar? that's awesome.

and cultstatus -- thanks a lot, your post was very helpful.