What do i need?

[Dijon]

Basically i want to record on a computer. no physical mixer like use cubase if you can as a mixer i dont no cause i dont no what im talking about. lol. but i dont want to have to carry anything aroudn with me to record but my computer and the box thats lets you plug mics and guitars and bass into the computer. if you can do that. So if you guys tell give me like items that i can buy maybe specific names. i dont want like state of the art just stuff to get the job down hopefully under 1500 or 2000 max. just to start of and if i cant do it for that price as close as possible

 

[adam_in_audio]

hi,

since you said you wanted to carry the computer around, I'm assuming you want a portable setup right? In this case you should definitely go for a laptop. It's up to you what kind of laptop to get, I've got an Ibook for my mobile setup and it's fantastic! Macs can be expensive, it threw me back about $1300 for the laptop alone (but WELL worth it) I had a PC laptop previously (a compaq) that overheated like crazy.

The 'box' you're talking about is called a breakout box. It's basically an interface/sound card unit that allows to to plug instruments in via ordinary xlr and 1/4 inch cables. I have a Edirol FA-101 for my soundcard. It's great! about $500 and it has a decent amount of inputs (10 total I believe) in addition. It is also a firewire interface, so it can record 24 bit at 192 khz no problem (this is a good thing)

that's just my couple of cents..I'm sure others will give you good advice. Just do yourself a favor and research/review as much as you can and even try before you committ to a purchase. It'll help in the long run.

good luck!!

Adam

 

[Dijon]

hi,

since you said you wanted to carry the computer around, I'm assuming you want a portable setup right? In this case you should definitely go for a laptop. It's up to you what kind of laptop to get, I've got an Ibook for my mobile setup and it's fantastic! Macs can be expensive, it threw me back about $1300 for the laptop alone (but WELL worth it) I had a PC laptop previously (a compaq) that overheated like crazy.

The 'box' you're talking about is called a breakout box. It's basically an interface/sound card unit that allows to to plug instruments in via ordinary xlr and 1/4 inch cables. I have a Edirol FA-101 for my soundcard. It's great! about $500 and it has a decent amount of inputs (10 total I believe) in addition. It is also a firewire interface, so it can record 24 bit at 192 khz no problem (this is a good thing)

that's just my couple of cents..I'm sure others will give you good advice. Just do yourself a favor and research/review as much as you can and even try before you committ to a purchase. It'll help in the long run.

good luck!!

Adam

Thanks but like what kinda mics and stuff do i need and programs and stuff lke that cause i know the computer is going to be alot the computer yes i want it to be mobil im getting a powerbook g4 maybe g5 if it comes out by then

 

[adam_in_audio]

if you're getting a mac then the programs you should use for multitracking should either logic audio or digital performer. I've heard great things about ableton live, espescially now that it has gone into a full multitrack/midi sequencer program. I've used ableton back in the version 1.5 stage and it was extremely easy and intuitive.

as for mic's...well...that can be a rather personal thing for each person. I'd recommend at the very least a Shure sm57 and some kind of condenser microphone such as the Shure KSM27. I believe if you at least have one decent dynamic microphone and condenser you should be set. Honestly, I personally use dynamics more than condensers. Since I'm a 'screaming' singer, the shure SM7 is a must have for me. I've also gotten great recordings from my acoustic using a (dynamic) Sennheiser md421...another great mic. My condensers still come out to play, but only if I am singing softly or I'm micing drum sets and acoustic guitars occassionally. Have you noticed I kinda have a shure bias yet?? Seriously, it's all about finding your own sound man.... listen to some of the recordings people have made on here with different programs/microphones.

Adam

 

[leaversday]

Thanks but like what kinda mics and stuff do i need and programs and

If you plan on buying an ibook , there is a good entry level program called Garageband. Beware of the memory requirements because I have an imac and had to upgrade to 1 GB to get better results. The problem is that when you start using the built in guitar effects and software instruments like drums, resources become stretched. There are however some things that you can do in the OS and GB settings to make things a little more stable.

For mics, I have an SM-57 for instrument recording and for vocals and the occasional acoustic guitar an MXLV63M Condenser Studio Microphone. The SM-57 is well know and has been around the block but there are other instrument mics to choose from. The MXL is outstanding for vocals especially when you add the Garageband preset vocal effects. There are other entry level programs such as Cubase SE that will also give you a great start but you may want to do some research.

I have actually never tried to ge straight into the sondcard with a mic but rather the mic to a mixer with a pre-amp and phantom power especially for the condensor mic so you may want to pick up a cheap mixer. a good portable mixer starts around 130.00 - 150.00 and can make a difference. Some of these mixers even come with a USB connection that can go into your ibook

Good luck and have fun!

 

[leaversday]

if you're getting a mac then the programs you should use for multitracking should either logic audio or digital performer.

Good point, I forgot about Logic. You can actually download a 30 day trail copy of Logic Express off of the Apple website. It may be a bit hard to understand at first but with some time, you can make some sense of it. it's not as expensive as the full blown logic application but is a bigger step up from Garageband.

 

[Dijon]

hi,

since you said you wanted to carry the computer around, I'm assuming you want a portable setup right? In this case you should definitely go for a laptop. It's up to you what kind of laptop to get, I've got an Ibook for my mobile setup and it's fantastic! Macs can be expensive, it threw me back about $1300 for the laptop alone (but WELL worth it) I had a PC laptop previously (a compaq) that overheated like crazy.

The 'box' you're talking about is called a breakout box. It's basically an interface/sound card unit that allows to to plug instruments in via ordinary xlr and 1/4 inch cables. I have a Edirol FA-101 for my soundcard. It's great! about $500 and it has a decent amount of inputs (10 total I believe) in addition. It is also a firewire interface, so it can record 24 bit at 192 khz no problem (this is a good thing)

that's just my couple of cents..I'm sure others will give you good advice. Just do yourself a favor and research/review as much as you can and even try before you committ to a purchase. It'll help in the long run.

good luck!!

Adam

Can you find me a couple of these "breakout boxes"

 

[acorec]

Thanks but like what kinda mics and stuff do i need and programs and stuff lke that cause i know the computer is going to be alot the computer yes i want it to be mobil im getting a powerbook g4 maybe g5 if it comes out by then

You can get away with the mic that comes with any MAC. It is a budget mic, but it will get the sound down. You will need at least some software to record with. May I suggest Logic?

MAC has Logic now, so it would be your best bet. You can plug your bass directly into your computer with the DI box software supplied in the Logic program (it is a software DI).

It will be mobile and certainly sound pro. After all, it is the experience and the ears and not the gear!