Working Starter Setup

[AOGB21]

Okay, so I am an acoustic drummer in a band, but am looking to set up a quiet home studio in my wide open 2nd bedroom.

I've been doing my research, and I think I've found all the things I need, that will work together as well.

First, being a drummer, I want a decent e-drum kit. After looking around, I think I am going to go with the Alesis USB Studio, because it has quite a few pads, and without a brain it comes cheaper. I wouldn't need the brain, because I just want to trigger a drum program through my computer. Latency?

Besides the drumkit, I am looking to buy a small 25 key midi keyboard, because I want to trigger weird effects and virtual instruments using that. Looking at either the AKAI MPK Mini 25-key, or the M-Audio Oxygen 25. Also, is their anyway I can play the drums through the computer, as well as assign a virtual instrument to the keyboard and play that at the same time? (So I could possibly jam out with a friend..?)

I know the drumset has a built in MIDI interface (as far as I know), but I would still need a MIDI Interface to run the keyboard to the computer to avoid latency...right?

If thats the case, I am looking at the Phonic Firefly 302 Recording Package. It's on musiciansfriend (Recording>Recording Packages>and its in their for 249.99) It includes the Firefly 302 interface which has a MIDI in, as well as Mic inputs so I could mic and record my bass amp or my guitar amp. Also it seems to come with a lot of the stuff I need as a starter, such as a Condenser Mic, Speakers, Mic Stand, and software.

So my question is, would I be set to do some simple recording (not worried about quality, because I don't plan on doing anything with the recordings) with the stuff I mentioned? In the end I would have:

USB Electric drumset (Alesis Studio USB)
Midi Keyboard
Audio Interface (Firefly 302)
Condenser Microphone (for vocals and guitar/bass amps)
Mic Stand
Audio Monitors
Included DAW

The only thing I can think of I would still need, is an actual drum program (EZ Drummer, etc.)

Am I missing anything? Are their better methods for doing anything I've mentioned? Thanks guys.

 

[tomanderson1991]

Providing you set your DAW correctly to use your Interface correctly latency shouldn't be a problem from the drums to your computer, just make sure your computer is up to spec to run everything without problems also if your thinking of EZDrummer I personally would go for that too as it loads everything into memory so when you say hit your kick instead of loading it on the press it's already there and waiting to be used which also lowers latency.

You don't need a MIDI interface to use anything related to MIDI as your Interface will take care of things for you (providing like I said before you set your DAW correctly)

As for an interface I personally have the UX2 from Line 6 because I am a guitarist and it seems to suit me well (it also has two mic inputs which can be used in stero mode) along with the phantom power for mics. But there is plently out there you can choose from.

I've also just started with the home recording too so I'm sure others will have more information for you.

 

[AOGB21]

Okay. Thanks! When you tell me to make sure my computer is up to spec, I am under the impression (from research) that most computers general soundcards suck, and that is what causes latency...but when you buy an audio interface that is supposed to be like some kind of external upgrade so your computer doesn't have to rely on its crappy boring soundcard. Are their any other speeds of the computer that play a major role?

My laptop is less than a year old, but nothing special. It's one of those "netbooks."

 

[gecko zzed]

Internal soundcards are not designed for simultaneous playback and recording, though some do this. They are a prime cause of latency.

The interface takes the role of the soundcard (it really is just an external soundcard), so you record and monitor through it.