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mitchmolson
New member
I want to start recording at my home and i need to know what i need. What hardware, software, anything i need. I want to record electric guitar, vocals, and maybe in the future drums.
drossfile
nope
is there anything you already own that could facilitate recording? have you even minimally researched the subject? tell us what you know, what you have, and you'll get some informed answers.
M
mitchmolson
New member
i have nothing for recording at all. and i dont really know much. i was thinking about buying either an 8 or a 16 track recorder, but then my friend was telling me to buy a line 6 tone port. i just want to do what will get me the best sound.
O
Oancient1
New member
PC recording vs. Standalone multitracker
Some prefer to use PCs and software to record, about which others can provide advise. I prefer the a standalone multitracker, the features and quality of which will depend mostly on how much you want to spend. You can check them all out at:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/multitrack-recorders-recording-pro-audio?N=100001+338361&Ns=P_Price%7c0&rpp=20
The less expensive multitrackers support 4-16 tracks and allow you to record only two tracks simultaneously, which is OK for a one man operationo except for recording drums, which will require a minimum of 4 recorded simultaneously. More expensive multitrackers allow more total tracks and allow more tracks to be recorded simultaneously. Some machines have built in fake drums; most have some built in effects. Some record in compressed mode which lessens quality but uses less data storage space. Others record in uncompressed mode, which provides better quality and in most cases allows the data files (WAV files) to be moved to a PC and tweaked with software such as mastering software.
If I were just starting out, I would probably go with the Tascam DP-02FX/CD at around $500. The DP02CF at around $300 is another option if you don't need the built-in effects and don't mind moving files to the PC to burn CDs.
You will also need a dynamic microphone in the $70-100 range and maybe a $50 preamp for the mic because the preamps in the cheaper multitrackers are not all that good.
Just my 2.
Some prefer to use PCs and software to record, about which others can provide advise. I prefer the a standalone multitracker, the features and quality of which will depend mostly on how much you want to spend. You can check them all out at:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/multitrack-recorders-recording-pro-audio?N=100001+338361&Ns=P_Price%7c0&rpp=20
The less expensive multitrackers support 4-16 tracks and allow you to record only two tracks simultaneously, which is OK for a one man operationo except for recording drums, which will require a minimum of 4 recorded simultaneously. More expensive multitrackers allow more total tracks and allow more tracks to be recorded simultaneously. Some machines have built in fake drums; most have some built in effects. Some record in compressed mode which lessens quality but uses less data storage space. Others record in uncompressed mode, which provides better quality and in most cases allows the data files (WAV files) to be moved to a PC and tweaked with software such as mastering software.
If I were just starting out, I would probably go with the Tascam DP-02FX/CD at around $500. The DP02CF at around $300 is another option if you don't need the built-in effects and don't mind moving files to the PC to burn CDs.
You will also need a dynamic microphone in the $70-100 range and maybe a $50 preamp for the mic because the preamps in the cheaper multitrackers are not all that good.
Just my 2.
T
TimOBrien
New member
Didn't even use the Search button on the subject, did you??? This has been covered hundreds of times before... OK....
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My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:
First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!
Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)
Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!
Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm
Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm
Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html
Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) not quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com
Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...
Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.
And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad:
First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!
Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)
Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!
Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm
Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm
Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html
Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) not quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and suggestions:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com
Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...
Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.
And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)
Thanks, I got a good laugh out of that.