What equipment to buy?

  • Thread starter Thread starter meltedtelly
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meltedtelly

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Hi,
I’m looking for some help and advice, any at all is highly appreciated. I have been recording at home for quite a while using a Fostex VF08 and Audacity on a Hasee laptop. I track using both of these, putting the Fostex tracks into Audacity, and mix it all in Audacity. I’m by no means an expert but have recorded in studio and at home with various bands over the past ten years and I’ve learned a lot about the process. I want to get myself some good equipment, as my laptop is now no more (sniff) and although I find the Fostex great for the price I paid for it, it’s a bit limited and cumbersome compared to using tracking software on a laptop / PC. (That being said, some of the Fostex’s functionality is still a mystery to me)

I want to get a Mac book, Ableton live and a decent soundcard. I’ve come to this decision because I’d really like a Mac (who wouldn’t!) and I’ve seen and heard great things about Ableton. I have the funds to get equipment that will serve me well for a decent spell of time, so although it’s not a case of no expense being spared, I’m setting aside enough for good gear (I’ve priced a few items already). To get to the point then, are there any compatibility issues between a Mac and Ableton? Is this a decent professional combination of equipment? What soundcard would you advise I get? And, lastly, if I were to spend a little less on any of the three, which would it be?

Thanks all.
Also, if I’ve left something out just tell me straight up!

Rob
 
Hey there Rob, welcome! First off, yes, Ableton will work on a mac book (I have both). If you are just recording bands though, I would not recommend ableton as it is more for creating "beats" and what not. It is kind of a pain in the ass to record with. Also, how many ins will you be simultaneously recording? 1,2,4,8?

Drew
 
Hey Drew!

Thanks for the warm welcome and taking the time to write! I had feared that Ableton wasn't really for "studio" use and if it's a pain in the ass for tracking then it makes me think twice.

I want to record my music plus that of friends, for now. So I'll track each instrument or voice one at a time. This will include electric guitar and bass, but also Double Bass and Cello (I have a pick up on each). I'll use two ins for these two, the pick-up plus a mic placed close to the bridge / f holes, when recording. I don't have a drum kit and don't know if I can get a drummer to record with at present so was just going to sample sounds to use as beats (which I heard Ableton was good for). I'd say at most, the songs I'll record will require no more than 24 tracks.
So when you say Ableton is for creating beats, is it more suited to creating electronic music or music where you won't need to record "acoustic" instruments?

Many thanks again,

Rob
 
Well if you don't have a drummer and are looking to create beats to fill that gap, then Ableton could be good for you. Propellerhead's Reason/Record is another thing to look into.
 
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