Will pay for help...

[Freakfarm]

Here's the situation. I own a very successful internet clothing company and travel a lot. I want to get back to music and would like to put together a mobile recording studio that I can bring with me when I travel.

I have to dough to buy the best of the best (but I have no idea what that is).

I'm looking for someone who REALLY is an expert on what is out there now, what may be coming out in regards to everything I will need (laptop, software, misc equipment, etc). I need some serious direction as I have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE.

I'm willing to pay someone $1000 to help me through the process and to be there for me. I'm not talking about tons of hours of work, just a general availability (like that of a friend) and the initial direction on exactly what to get. Maybe some tips on how to use everything.

It's possible that I would need tutoring after I'm set up, and if you're capable in that regard, we can talk about that additionally.

I realize it's possible that more than one or two people may respond and I will decide based on... who knows what?

Preferably, but not necessary, someone in the NYC area for possible in person meeting.

Also, if this isn't the place to find someone for what I am requesting, maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

 

[Minion]

How many Tracks do you need?? and what Type of Stuff will you be Recording (Acustic,Midi,Full Rock Bands,a Guy with a Harmonica)?? this will help determine how many Mics and what type you will need.....

Also How Portable do you need it ?? Cuz if you need 24 Tracks of Simutainius recording it is going to be hard to make it very Portable as a 24 Track Audio Interface isn"t something you can easilly Pack away especially will the other equipment you will need.....

Any other related info will be good to help us determine the best options for what you want to do.....

Cheers

 

[ssscientist]

I'm looking for someone who REALLY is an expert on what is out there now, what may be coming out in regards to everything I will need (laptop, software, misc equipment, etc). I need some serious direction as I have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE.

There are plenty of REAL experts here --- everything from oldschool analog recording engineers to new computer music experts and everything in between.

You can visit here as many times as you want and ask as many questions as you see fit for free.

You've already got a reply --- and it was a good one because it asked a salient question. What kind of music do you want to do?

Just from your chosen screen name and obvious internet savvy, I assume it's not Country.

If it's any kind of Urban music (hiphop, rap, r+b, etc.) or any type of Rock short of Death Metal, then there's a program called 'Reason' which is all you need to produced finished music tracks. It runs on both Mac and PC so you can take your choice of platform. If it interests you, you can find it here.

Propellerheads Reason matches up well with Ableton 'Live', (link) which they bill as a 'Total Music Solution'. It's cross platform as well (Mac or PC) and these two programs are basically all I use anymore even though I have many, many more to choose from.

The combination of Reason and Live on either a PC or a Mac laptop would give you a state-of-the-art, VERY powerful package on which you could record commercial CD's.

A word of warning --- although both of these packages come with very good manuals there is a learning curve to both. If you go into it with the same attitude you've displayed in this post - that you're a newbie with basic computer skills but no real computer music knowledge - you will probably have an easier time with the learning process.

 

[Creamyapples1]

Keep your money, the majority will offer assistance for free.

Yeah, this place is definatly friendly enough that you shouldn't need to throw around any money to get assistance. Just be patient, and don't be affraid to do some reading and get on here and ask some questions. There is already a wealth of information in threads already started and starting a thread on a specific question/problem is usually welcomed with open arms, as long as it isn't "OMGZ I R A PRODUCER HOW DO I HOOK UP A MIC TO A MIXR!"


To better assist: Answer these questions

What type of music are you planning to record?

How many microphones/guitars/keyboards or other input devices do you anticipate using at a single time? (I.E. 2 guitars at once, 1 guitar and vocals at the same time, keyboard, guitar and bass at the same time)

Will you need midi capability for a midi device, such as a keyboard?

Are you willing to do a little bit of research on your own?


I assume that this would be used while you are at home too, so Answer in regards to what you want to do on the road and at home. I'm sure we can find a decent home setup that you can easily breakdown and take part of it with you on the road.

 

[Freakfarm]

I appreciate the replies, but I am looking for devoted effort from one person so that I don't have to spend a lot of time searching the boards or asking questions.

I am looking to create electronic music with vocals placed over. No live drum sound. Looking to create hip hop, electronica, alternative (with the possibility of dubbing guitars over digital tracks). Definitely want a small keyboard.

I will get however many tracks that keeps me mobile (whatever set up I can get away with/keep mobile).

Anyway, my offer still stands and if someone would like to work directly with me, please let me know ASAP.

You can e-mail me directly at freakfarm22@earthlink.net

Would like to go with someone who can show me that they have some experience with this kind of thing and are very on top of what is currently out there and what it does.

Thanks

 

[guitarboi89]

although i dont entirely love protools, it is a crowd pleaser. I would go for an mbox2, its highly reccomended (even ben gibbard uses one). Its not the cheapest but it is good

 

[Creamyapples1]

The first step to doing it right would be actually learning it, and putting forth the effort it requires to know what is what and why. I doubt $1,000.00 will be worth much for someone (who actually knows wtf is going on) to "help" someone who isn't willing to help themselves. On any account, I wish you luck with your endeavor.

 

[Freakfarm]

The first step to doing it right would be actually learning it, and putting forth the effort it requires to know what is what and why. I doubt $1,000.00 will be worth much for someone (who actually knows wtf is going on) to "help" someone who isn't willing to help themselves. On any account, I wish you luck with your endeavor.

I appreciate the honesty. I'm a very busy person and I'm trying to keep the time I use for "learning" for the actual equipment and software I purchase. Don't think for one second I am lazy. I manage a major enterprise and right now, I'm just trying to get set up so that my EXTREMELY valuable time is put into learning the actual items (I'm only being slightly sarcastic when I use the work EXTREMELY).

I believe with the right person giving me advice, I will get a setup that I like (even if there are 3 or 4 possibilities, I know that the one I set up will at least be comparable to the others).

 

[junplugged]

if you want to plug in 'now' and start working, and don't want to use a computer to edit, mix, etc., or if you don't want interfaces etc, the most simple is the all-in-one a.k.a. stand-alone a.k.a. dedicated portastudio/multitrack DAW unit. Low learning curve. no keyboard or mouse or monitor, maybe less noise, easy to fit in a flight case.

I've used these since the Fostex x-14 4track to tape. also used the Tascam 488, Fostex MR-8, Sony MDMX4MKII, and Korg D1600mkII. Plenty to choose from and loads of reasons to go w/ computer instead, especially like software synths and drum machines and Fruity Loops instead of hardware drum machines.

my tune up now is all 100% D1600 except for mic preamp, but I also used the ones built in to the D1600. but mixed effected recorded mastered and burned to cd on it. i didn't even usb it to pc for convert to mp3, i put the cd in the pc and ripped it.

just another option.

 

[gecko zzed]

Freakfarm is not being lazy by asking for personal help rather than trawling through webpages to get the information he needs.

The value of a personal 'coach' is immense: someone with knowledge with whom you can discuss your specific needs and get objective recommendations that match them. If Freakfarm can get this kind of help from someone willing to provide it, then he is far better off.

An acquaintance of mine was trying to get back into music after an extended absence, and was having difficulties figuring what what he needed to do; technology had changed so much. He didn't know what questions even to ask. That all changed once he was able to develop a rapport with someone who did understand.

 

[A Reel Person]

...

You said recording music, but gave no specifics.
You said mobile recording studio (a wide definition), & that you know absolutely nothing about it, yet you immediately locked yourself into a laptop with software, a narrowly focused single solution in the field of many different solutions.

The type and quality of the answers will depend on the nature of the question, which in this case is both narrow and non-specific, simultaneously.

So my basic answer is,... take two Portastudios and call me in the morning!

 

[gecko zzed]

What Freakfarm was asking was for a $1000 consultancy service from someone. To me that sounds like a reasonable request. With a consultancy service I would expect the consultant to establish what my recording ambitions were, what my recording needs would be to realise those ambitions, and how those needs could be met in terms of equipment.

I can't see him as having locked himself into any option, notwithstanding the way the request has been framed. I can easily imagine myself doing the same thing: asking a question based on what I know, not on what exists, and I would expect the consultant to have knowledge of the options and set me straight.

I would be quite happy to offer my services, except I am no expert and I expect I'm too faraway. What I wouldn't do is question the client's motives or character for seeking a particular form of help, nor would I propose solutions before knowing the problem to which they are solutions.