What equipment do I need to do home recording?

[keygen]

Hey guys,
I recently decided to get more serious about home recording, and need advice on what equipment I should get.
Currently I am using a desktop PC which is single-core and quite old, but has handled any audio programs I have thrown at it so far. The interface I am using is a Tascam US-122L, again fairly basic. Sadly I have yet to purchase a decent software, I am currently tolerating Acid Music Studio which certainly has its limitations in terms of recording. I also use Reason 4 with a standard 76-key home keyboard (Casio WK-3800) via USB, which does the job fine. Ideally, I would like to record guitar & bass (using a software amp such as Guitar Rig, which I already own and use), keyboard primarily through midi, and eventually recording my drums (which is an expensive undertaking).

Should I buy a new computer? Should it be a Mac? An iMac? A MacPro? My current one seems to handle my current interface okay, but will it handle say an Mbox?

Should I buy a new interface? I am currently looking on ebay at Mbox's, mostly Mbox 2's because they are more common and cheaper. Are Mbox's the best choice? Is Pro Tools the best choice?

If I am going to record drums, what are the best lower price range drum mic's (ideally 1 bass, 3 snare/tom, 2 overheads)?

How do I get from 6 drum mics to 2 inputs at the interface? Do I use a mixer? Or do I need a bigger interface with 8 inputs so I can control the mix from the computer?

Will I need a pre-amp? I've noticed people using these in their studios. Are they necessary for what I need to do? If so which one and how much does it cost?

Should I buy stereo monitors? I am currently using my home stereo system with an amplifier and half-decent speakers. I've noticed they don't handle bass well but overall the sound quality is okay. I've noticed almost everbody uses KRK monitors. Are these the way to go?

If you would a basic reference to the kind of quality recordings I am looking for (not necessarily by the same means) search 'Jack Conte' on Youtube and check out one of his videos.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mjbphotos]

Research long before buying anything! The interface you have should suffice until you want more inputs and unless you find your computer bogging down from multitracking, keep it for now. Recording drums by mixing down to 2 tracks first has its limitations - not being able to tweek certain parts of the sound in mix-down. Consider using a drum software (like EZ Drummer) to start.
Download Reaper for your DAW - it's free to try out, fairly intuitive, loaded with advanced features and only $60 when you buy it.
You don't mention mics, except for drum recording, so the preamps in any interface will work for you at this point. Preamps are mostly used for boosting or warming up a microphone's signal.
Most folks will tell you that guitar sounds better if you record an amp's speaker output with a mic, but if that's not an option there are many sims out there - and everyone has their favorite.

 

[Bobbsy]

Hey guys,

Should I buy a new computer? Should it be a Mac? An iMac? A MacPro? My current one seems to handle my current interface okay, but will it handle say an Mbox?

Not automatically. You may eventually need/want one but the recording phase doesn't put much of a strain on your computer--it's the mixing with real time effects that makes the problems show up. When/if you decide you want a new computer, it doesn't have to be a Mac unless you want. Windows machines can do audio just as well as a Mac (despite what the Apple acolytes will tell you). I've done audio professionally for 40 years and on computers for about 15 of those. I've never owned a Mac.

Should I buy a new interface? I am currently looking on ebay at Mbox's, mostly Mbox 2's because they are more common and cheaper. Are Mbox's the best choice? Is Pro Tools the best choice?

Maybe. See a later answer about your drum question. Probably NOT an M-Box. I've never used one but have heard many horror stories. Consider interfaces from RME, MOTU, Focusrite, M-Audio (and probably some others I'm forgetting) and see what facilities you can get for your money. I wouldn't dash to use Pro Tools unless you have a need to exchange projects with other Pro Tools users. Frankly, the choice of user interface is a personal thing. I'd try as many evaluation copies as you can and see what suits you.

If I am going to record drums, what are the best lower price range drum mic's (ideally 1 bass, 3 snare/tom, 2 overheads)?

Lower price range? I thought you were getting serious! Seriously (pun intended) "lower price range means different things to different people but my favourite kit for drums is Audix--they have several variations. Try to get one with a D6 for bass--it would be my choice even if I was mixing and matching mics.

How do I get from 6 drum mics to 2 inputs at the interface? Do I use a mixer? Or do I need a bigger interface with 8 inputs so I can control the mix from the computer?

If you want to get serious, don't pre mix your drums--this is where you need an interface with more mic inputs.

Will I need a pre-amp? I've noticed people using these in their studios. Are they necessary for what I need to do? If so which one and how much does it cost?

Not automatically. Any suitable interface will have built in pre amps on the mic inputs. I'd listen to the tracks you record for a while and only consider a boutique pre amp when you have a firm idea of what you want to add or change in your sound. I'd also make sure I had a good collection of top rate mics--then budget a lot for a worthwhile pre amp to match the mic quality. A cheap mic into a cheap pre amp into a cheap interface is just a gimmick to make you spend money on non-essentials.

Should I buy stereo monitors? I am currently using my home stereo system with an amplifier and half-decent speakers. I've noticed they don't handle bass well but overall the sound quality is okay. I've noticed almost everbody uses KRK monitors. Are these the way to go?

Probably. Decent monitors will help your mixing, though you'll still have to "learn" the monitors so you know how things have to sound on them to sound right on a wide range of playback systems. I say probably because some really good home stereo speakers are as good as monitors--but you have to have a system designed for accuracy, not "making everything sound good". KRK are good value monitors for the money but there are lots of others out there. This is probably a topic in its own right though.

To end, if you haven't already done so, make a pot of coffee (or crack a beer) and work through all the "stickied" FAQs on this board. There's a wealth of background info there.