Total Confusion on Home Studio

  • Thread starter Thread starter BeatDaddy
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Track Rat I guess I deserve a big DUH! on missing the www button. I went to the link.....dat dere is music!! It was a combination of Jim Morrison, George Harrison, with a little INX thrown in. Great Job!

What kind of computer specs do you have? What editing software do you use? Did you use live instruments or were they samples? If samples where did you get them? What kind of mics do you favor?

Believe me I'm not trying to steal anybody's design, but I always get my information from several sources before I try to formulate an opinion of what the truth is.
 
yep vegas video, in an unreal marketing suicide move, there is no longer vegas audio, only vegas video, which has all the audio features of vegas audio 2.0 plus some new ones
 
I thank you for the kind words sir. The kick and snare are samples but the cymbals are real (I miked them up and played over the tune). The baritone saxes are an Alesis QS-8. Everything else is real. Telecaster and a Martin D-41 on rhythm, Strat on slide and lead and a prototype Martin bass guitar.
The computer is 700MHz PIII Coppermine, 768M ram and a couple of 7200 RPM drives. And of course the MOTU 2408 mkII to tie everything together. I'm useing Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 and also Vegas for multitrack editing and Soundforge 5 for two track stuff. Decent mics and preamps help a lot.
Pipe, I have a Lucid GenX6 clocking the MOTU, the ADATs (through the BRC), the HD24 and the DBX 386. It made a big difference on the converters.
 
Hey Beat Daddy -

just wanted to throw in $.02 on a couple of things...

first off, I have to agree on mics... too many are never enough! But to get feet in the water, I agree that a SM-57 is great, but instead of 2 57's and 2 58's, I'd go for one 57, a pair of Oktava MC (or MK) 012's for small-diaphragm condensers, and an Oktava MC-319 for a large diaphragm condenser. That's 4 mics for under $500 if you wait for a sale at Guitar Center, and that's not a bad starter toolbox.

As for software, although personally I like Vegas (for audio-only recording) and Sonar (for audio & midi), I'd suggest you hit every website you can find and download demo versions. Cubase, Cool Edit Pro, Vegas, N-Track, the whole 9 yards. One of these will make more sense to you than others, or will look better or feel better to you. Vegas and Sonar work for *me*. Cubase or Nuendo or Logic might work for *you*. But you should be able to find demo versions for everything - try 'em all before you drop your hard-earned dollar.

good luck. enjoy the boards! just watch out for Sweetnubs.

- housepig
 
Housepig - Muchas Gracious on the Advice! I checked out those mics online and I think your right. I also have a friend who is a videographer and he has the Octava mics w/ Lomo heads and they did great on a live jazz concert we recorded.

Also, thanks for the heads up on the free downloads. The only remaining question I have for you guys is Should I use a separate midi connector like the MOTU Micro Express?

Okay take look at what I'm thinking about:

Motu 828 Recorder
Motu Micro Express
Cubase
Vegas (already have)
Sound Forge (already have)
1 - Shure SM58 mic
2 - Oktava 012 or 014
1 - Oktava 219 or 319
Roland XP 30 Keyboard
 
You might want to think about a mic preamp and a decent set of near field monitors. The monitors in particular. You're definately going to want to be able to accurately hear what's going on.
 
Yo, Beatdaddy! I will stay away from the PC voodoo. Of this, I know nothing. I liked housepig's mic list, but personally would substitute Studio Projects B1 for the MK319. ($20 cheaper, and more versatile) Oktava MC012 good. 2 of them- better. SM57- a must. Don't think in terms of a live band. In recording, you'll lay the tracks down individually. The only use for a bunch of 57's and 58's is mic'ing up a bunch of drums, or for stage work. You are going to need a mic preamp, no matter what soundcard you use.
For cheap, M Audio Audio Buddy. For better Studio Projects VTB-1
($200 ish) for actually nice- FMR audio RNP ($500 ish). Do not scrimp on this one, or the mics. In the end, if you spend your whole budget on cool computer capability, you will have no signal to send it, due to cheap mics, cables, preamps, and mic stands. Other items you have not even mentioned are monitors, headphones, pop filters, voltage regulator/power conditioner, room conditioning. You will also need a solid table and at least 2 chairs without arms that make *no* noise. You will need a minimum of 2 sets of headphones. I like Sennheiser HD280 Pro, but YMMV. A headphone distribution amp is cool.
For power conditioning check Furman products on line. Please note that good cables are more expensive than you think. Monster and Mogami good, HOSA bad. I would lose the standalone recorder, use the computer, and use the money you save to get the best mic preamp and mics you can afford. When you realize you haven't budgeted enough, and come back looking for the next step up, don't worry. We'll be there to enable you and help you through the divorce process. Best of luck.-Richie
 
Track Rat - I am looking at the Mackie 824s for the NF monitors. Are you saying I should have a mic pre amp even though there is one in the recorder I want?

Yo Richie!! Ya killin me here! Man If you ever decide to speak in english I will gladly listen ;)

Just when I thought I was getting a handle on this you crack my cranium with more info. I hope you won't be a fair weather friend; with the can of worms you just opened I will definitely need more HELP!

"solid table and at least 2 chairs without arms that make *no* noise"..................Sheeesh!!
 
Beatdaddy, you poor sucker. We thought you knew. An average home recording studio has an initial cost of a typacal NASCAR setup, although upkeep and upgrade path on the studio may be more expensive overall. You wouldn't need an exotic mic preamp right out of the gate if the pres in the MOTU are sounding good enough for you're purposes. The preamps in the MOTU would be OK but can be improved upon with an external unit. Plus it's nice to have a couple of different sounding units for another "color" sometimes. Something to think about down the road.
 
Track Rat - The funniest thing is I don't know enough to know if I need more than I'm trying to get! I started this journey playing with samples on Cakewalk. A friend of mine started doing live recordings and I tagged along. As I watched him doing the final editing of the CD, I thought Hell, I can do that...especially since I can play all of the instruments.......Hah!

I think the more you guys help the longer it will be before I start. Don't get me wrong, I value every syllabobble, you and the others utter, but just give me an idea of where I should start? While the budget I stated at the beginning of the post is the ideal, I can consider it a starting point.

And don't give me any of that "it depends on what your trying to do" Crap! :)
 
Well, a lot depends on what you're trying to do. :D

I mean, if you're a one man band who is going to overdub everything, then you only need one mic and soundcard that can handle a single input.

OTOH, if you want to record a 4-piece band live, you'll need mics for all the vocals and the instuments, and a soundcard that has enough inputs for each mic.

The standalone pre-amps are optional, but you will need something to boost the mic signal. Many people start out with a mixer (Mackie, Soundcraft) and then add a preamp later on to use primarily for the vocals.

The list Richie Monroe gave you, ain't a bad list - but you don't need to do it all at once. I guess what he was trying to tell you is that it ain't over (by far) after you acquire the "starter kit." In fact, it only gets worse from there. (GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!!).
 
dachay2tnr - Oh a comodian! What I want to do is compose songs for me and my kids, mix'em down to CD and give them to friends. I also have a couple of Hip Hop groups that I will do samples for and record music for. There will always be instruments and vocalists involved, but I will never leave the house for recordings.

I like the list that Richard had as well, I was kidding him. As a matter of fact I had this older studio rat tell me that if I record in someones home I should unplug the refrigerator to avoid the low line hum......dig that!
 
BeatDaddy said:
As a matter of fact I had this older studio rat tell me that if I record in someones home I should unplug the refrigerator to avoid the low line hum......dig that!
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Did he also explain to you that when you do this, you are supposed to send me all the beer so that I can keep it cold for you. :D
 
Well, beatdaddy, the studio rat spoke the truth. Good mics will bring out sounds you didn't even know you had. The change in your pocket, the fact that you didn't eat breakfast, your ticking watch, the furnace, your neighbor's Harley, and yes, the refigerator. Invest part of your budget in room conditioning, which will help. And yes, what I was pointing out is that the real budget includes a bunch of peripherals that you may not have considered, so I'm trying to help you create a more complete, more accurate budget.-Richie
 
Beat Daddy -

you're right. stop now.

go get your system set up, and do some recording on it. I think the system you outlined last (actually, the system you outlined first, too) will work fine.

If you do some intense recordings for the first 2 or 3 weeks, you can see if something is not to your liking, and possibly take it back and exchange it before 30 days are up (I'm thinking about Guitar Center, specifically, and their 30-day refund policy).

Sometimes I think we get too hung up on gear and not hung up enough on the music.

good luck.

- housepig
 
Richie - You make a very good point, I didn't really think about the actual room I will do the recording in. I may need to use a spare room for recording only and condition it for that purpose. I really appreciate all of your advice.

Housepig - I'm with you! I think I should start setting up and modify as need dictates. I hope to get to the level of guys like you, dachay, track rat, and pipeline and all of the rest of you recording monsters! Stay near, I'll be calling soon

"I won't quit......I got no where else to go!!!!!!!!!!!!"
 
IS there anybody out there, just nod if you can hear me!!!

Fellas, Has anyone had any experience with the Swissonic USB Studio D? I've been reading up on it and it sound like a great piece for the PC based recording studio.

Also I have been looking at the dbx 386 converter and a wiebetech 80GB external HD.

I've also decided two go to a dual monitor (computer screen) system for editing.

I know I said I was going to build my system and go from there, but I can't stop reading posts and opinions, so here I sit! ;)
 
I have a DBX 386. Definately a respectable mic preamp (actually two) and the A/D converters aren't half bad. I like mine.
 
Beatdaddy, please note the used equipment forum. I have a DBX386 without a scratch, ding, or problem for sale there. I'm selling it to upgrade to a $1000+ preamp, but it is only 6 months old, and most definitely not abused. Cheaper than Guitar Center. and what the hell, you can have the warranty card I was too busy to ever fill out.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
Beatdaddy, please note the used equipment forum. I have a DBX386 without a scratch, ding, or problem for sale there. I'm selling it to upgrade to a $1000+ preamp, but it is only 6 months old, and most definitely not abused. Cheaper than Guitar Center. and what the hell, you can have the warranty card I was too busy to ever fill out.-Richie
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Richie - Thanks for the head's up. Let me access the damage from XMAS (damn kids!) and I'll let you know.
 
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