what to do next

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Milkman

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ok...here is the deal. right now, my current gear list is:

Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro Mixer
1 shure sm57
fostex m321 mic

this goes into my sblive platinum.....

so, this is my dilemna:

I have a $450 budget...now with this i could:

buy some behringer truths
and one other mic..like an sm57

or I could:

buy two ecm 8000's
an mxl v67g
a pro sumer card of some sort (could someone recommend one...about $150)??

i am really not sure what to do next...i guess that the new mics and card would greatly improve recording quality...but i do need to get some monitors some time...

Thanks and Happy Holidays.

Milkman
 
It depends on your needs...what sources will you be recording (vocals,drums,???)

how are you monitoring now?...is their a stereo reciever hanging around that could power some passive monitors until an amp can fit in the budget?...
 
You need to specify what you'll be recording...
A good tip is to get a 24bit soundcard, e.g. M-Audio Audiophile 2496...
 
I'll second Meshuggah's suggestion. I think that your soundcard is a weak link in your chain right now.
Spend some dollars on a MOTU, M-Audio or Digi001 or something like that. You won't regret it.
General computer soundcards are not designed for recording at this level.
Mark
 
recording vocals, drums, keyboard...and some other percussive instruments...

right now i monitor on computer speakers...i don't have a stereo receiver or amp...will the Behringer Truth suit my needs? keep in mind i need anything professional...i might record some kind of demo, but mostly just fiddling around and learning what all this stuff does. I am only 15...
 
only 15?...dont blow your wad (sorry bad pun) on monitors.....if you spend it all on monitors, their just accurately show you how bad the rest of your equipment sucks.....

get you one of those cheapy deskstop stereo systems to monitor with that has a flat eq setting option.....make sure it has RCA inputs (VIDEO/AUX) so you can hook your soundcard to it....try to stay around $100
something like this?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...ct_id=1224719&path=0:3944:3961:4479&dept=3944

get the pair of ecm8000's for when you do record drums.....

get a Delta Audiophile 2496 soundcard....you can still use the SB Live for midi/soundfonts....if you want a card that will record more than 2 tracks simultaneously, you will have to go with something like a Delta 44, but its over $100 more....

If you go the Delta 44 route, youve reached your budget....

if you go the Audiophile route, you may be able to squeeze in the v67, which is an awesome mic, and if you want really nice vocals, it would do you well...in the future if you have to, you can record 4 channels at once with the audiophile with a preamp that has s/pdif outs....
 
thanks a lot gidge. you have been a great help. I know exactly what I need now. thank you and happy holidays.
 
Happy Holidays!....

just a side note i have to add....if possible, dont go out and spend all your $$$ at once...get the stereo first because you really do need something decent to monitor or.....play with that for awhile....a sm57 thru a Mackie into a SB Live isnt a bad setup....

from there, let your ears tell you where you need to go next....a better soundcard will give you better sound, but the difference wont knock you over in amazement....you really notice it when you get into high track counts......

what im saying is to make the most of your $$$$ by getting the mostout of everything you have....concentrate on learning good recording techniques and then mixing.....because in the end, its the magician, not the wand......
 
thanks for the advice...I have heard you say that before LOL!

i am going out to pick up some ECM 8000's this weekend, and possibly some monitors. I do need something decent to play back on...thanks.

Happy Holidays to you too!!!!!!!!!!
 
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