What should I get?

[dpsmith]

Hi! It's been a while but I am back, I have been trying to save
money to get some recording equipment, but things
as we all know, come up and I havn't been able to save as
much as I wanted to. What I did save I had to use
So I am back and want to know, What should I get?

I am going to take the $300 that everyone
in the US is SUPPOSED to get. and put it along
with $300 from what I usualy get monthly
to get $600 to spend on geting me setup
with a modest (if possible with $600), yet good, home studio...

I would like you tell me what you think I should buy
and please tell me why you think I should get it.

Here is what I was thinking about buying:

Mixer:
Alesis MultiMix 8 FireWire
(if the 12 is still on sale for the price of
the 8 is on next month I am going to
get that, if not the 8)

Mic:
MXL 3000 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
(is this one as good as the MXL 990? anyone know?)

OR

Musician's Friend DX4 Studio Bundle

I do know I want a Firewire mixer.

As the type of music you can find my first demo here
my demo has a rather long intro that I am going to
cut out when I re-record it.

Also I don't have any recording equipment,
I was able to record what I did because
my uncle lent me a mic (a very cheap mic)
and had it pluged strait into the PC...
Honestly, it turned out better then I
thought it would...

Anyway,
I know $600 isn't a lot, but it is all I have,
when I get my music recorded and put up
for sale and I do manage to recive some money,
I am going to put it right back into the studio..
make since?

Also if you do have a myspace account,
post a comment or request an add or both
as I said with my comment I put on there...
"Listened to my song?
Love it?
Hate it?
Post it!"

Thank you for sharing your knowlage,
I hope one day I will be able to share it
with someone who needs it in the future.

David Smith

 

[Nick98338]

Why do you think you need a "hardware" mixer? All of the various recording software titles are, in effect, a software mixer. Once you get all of your audio tracks into the software, you can mix them in the computer. No need for an external mixer. However, if you do need to mix things *outside* of the computer, then yes, you need a hardware mixer. Of course, if you just prefer to use real hardware sliders and such, then that's a good reason to have a hardware mixer. I'm not saying don't get a mixer. Just make sure that you have a good reason.

 

[dpsmith]

Why do you think you need a "hardware" mixer? All of the various recording software titles are, in effect, a software mixer. Once you get all of your audio tracks into the software, you can mix them in the computer. No need for an external mixer. However, if you do need to mix things *outside* of the computer, then yes, you need a hardware mixer. Of course, if you just prefer to use real hardware sliders and such, then that's a good reason to have a hardware mixer. I'm not saying don't get a mixer. Just make sure that you have a good reason.

I tottaly get that the software now days are virtual mixers.
As you say I prefer to use real sliders. I just seem to be
able to get my levels the way I like them. I have barrowed my
uncles hardware mixer and used it, and also didn't use it and
I could hear the differance.

I do wonder, does the recording industry have a set
limit on ones voice? Like the music might be recorded at -4db.
Do the record the voice just a little higher then the music, say
at -2db? So at any given recording level, the voice is always
recorded at 2db the music was recorded at.

It's a raging debate I have with my uncle, he says my music
should be a whole lot louder then the music, I say the voice should
complament the music, adding to the music, and not being so loud
that it acctualy takes away from the music. But thats my
opinion. Perhaps you all could shine a little light on it.

 

[gecko zzed]

in the box and vocals

Before experiencing PC-based software I had not been able to imagine working without my hands playing with physical sliders.

It is true that a sense of immediacy is lost when you mix in the box. However, I find that there are so many other benefits that now I don't miss it at all. You learn to use different techniques, most of which are a lot more powerful than manual activities.

The schools of thought about vocal placement in relation to the backing are many, and argument is vigorous. There are extremes: I've heard many tracks where the vocals may not as well exist because they are so mixed down into the track, and likewise I've heard many where the backing may as well not exist because the vocals are so dominant. Between these two extremes there is a very wide range of what is acceptable, and within the bounds of acceptability it comes down to a matter of taste.

I admit to having a leaning towards your uncle's view. I like strong, confident vocals that are clear. I like not having to struggle to hear the lyrics. If someone has gone to the lengths of writing a song, I feel they deserve to have their words heard.

I also admit that when I was less experienced in both performing and recording, I tended to hold back on the vocals. My rationale was the same as yours, i.e. the vocals should complement, not dominate, the music. However, it seemed to me that all I was doing was using that as a justification to disguise a lack of confidence in singing. It is possible to get a good strong vocal mix without destroying the integrity and detail of the music . . . just ask George Martin!

 

[dpsmith]

Read your reply about an hour ago gecko zzed,
And been thinking, you hit me on the head.

I feel pretty much the same as you did, I am not very confident in
my vocal abilitys, They say you are your own worst critic.
So got on my space and been just listing to whom ever.
I did hear that most of the volcals are louder then what I am
confterable with, but they still complament the music,
only heard one so far that was really bad, but I think it
was due to equipment or whatever, lots of buzzing and hissing....

So got another question, if you don't get a mixer, how do you
plug XLR microphones into the PC? And how do you add the phantom power.
I have went around and listend to the qulity diff between XLR and non
XLR (down at clubs and stuff) and took note of their equipment.
I know that a live set up is a little differant then recording, but the
same things apply, good qulity equipment makes the sound better...
unless the performer is just really bad.

So I know I want to use XLR Mics, as stated above was wondering
between the MXL 990 and the MXL 3000. I do know that higher
priced things may not be as good as the cheaper things, but thats
the exception and not the rule.

I really appreciate you all taking your time to discuss this with me,
the first step is a big one in this field since most of the stuff
you will buy can make you sound good or bad, excluding the
performers abilitys. So thanks

 

[andyhix]

So got another question, if you don't get a mixer, how do you
plug XLR microphones into the PC? And how do you add the phantom power

You need an Audio Interface. There are many from probably $20 or $30 and up. Some connect via USB, some Firewire, some PCI. the Audio Interface is basically a music-quality external soundcard, that will replace your stock soundcard. Most have XLR jacks, and can provide phnatom power. The main thing to consider is how it connects (you said you want to go with FW, which works well, so I'd encourage that). and how many tracks it can record at once. Something like the presonus firepod (which is what I have) can record 8 + tracks simultaneously, while others may only do 2 or 4. Totally depends on your needs. If you are a one man band, doing each track seperately, you probably don't need 8 inputs. You may only need 1 or 2.

In my opinion, that is the biggest critical peice of gear. Next, get a decent mic, and start saving for some decent studio monitors, so you can hear what you've recorded in order to mix properly. [If that puts you over budget, use whatever speakers you have to mix with - run the output of your Audio Interface into the Aux jack of your stereo and use those speakers. If you don't have a stereo, they can usually be found at thrift stores for next to nothing.] Generally some half way OK consumer stereo speakers are still a better option than mixing on headphones.

And of course cables, adaptors, etc. of all shapes and sizes...

 

[andyhix]

double post...

 

[guitar zero]

Before you go buy a bunch of gear, I think you should try this mic. It plugs right into your USB port, you don't need an interface, and for a hundred bucks, the sound is surprisingly good. Take it home, try it for a couple of days, and if you don't like it, take it back. I suspect you might just like it, and save yourself some dough. JMHO

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/product/reviews/base_pid=279015/rpp=10/

 

[jdier]

I tottaly get that the software now days are virtual mixers.
As you say I prefer to use real sliders. I just seem to be
able to get my levels the way I like them.

Bear in mind if you are using a computer and a firewire mix controller, it is just a very expensive mouse. It is NOT the same as the analog control of a sliding potentiometer (fader) which directly controls resistance... it is just a link to a DSP which sends info to the computer (or something like that.)

I am not saying that there are not valid reasons to have a control surface, but sound is not one of them.

(btw, I am right about this.)