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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Okay, C it is, Good Choice !!
You`ve got the PA,
You`ve got the Instruments,
You`re a Performing Musician, with Wife and Kids and little time,..(where have I heard that before..??..)..
Time to look at a "stand-alone", them are dedicated to AUDIO only, have (relatively) ease of use, there are many to choose from, they are directly compatible with your Instruments/Mic`s/PA, some are more reliable than others,.. Let me start of with a warning !!..KORG D888 has a problem with the faders (scratches when being moved), they claim that software can be downloaded to remedy it, but I know of 2 guys, who are selling theirs, less than a year old,( bad news first ! )..but generally speaking, stand-alones deliver the goods, and Importantly, do not get "outmoded", since that they`re Independent of extranous software, and, some models can be "upgraded" by downloading software from the internet, to enhance/expand, many can be coupled to computers by means of midi, totally compatible, there is no waist of money, I would say, these are valuable considerations, sound quality ,incl. FX (rev.,compressor.,etc.), can be superb indeed, a good foundation to base a choice on, would be, how many channels, built in drummer, size of LCD screen, that sort of thing... :)
Vic
...decisions...decisions.. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Thanks Vic, I appreciate it and I am looking at different options... |
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Location: closely held secret | Mike, if you click the CDBaby link in my signature... It's a CD I've done. Every track on it was recorded and dubbed using a $99 M-Audio sound card, a $50 mic, a $150 mixer and Cubase 2. (Oh, and 1 Ovation!)
I've experimented with just about all the DAW software, now I use ACID and Vegas, but the principle is the same.
Sorry Vic, I know some people swear by dedicated recording stand-alones, but I've found them to be very restrictive in what they let you do. Using my computer I can use whatever plugins I can get my hands on, VST or DX. I can use one app to record and another to master. I can use software synths and loops at will. Best of all, I can use the computer for other things when I'm not using it for recording.
Mike, Dave is correct. You will want all that gear, but you don't need it right away. What you will want however, is a decent set of powered studio monitors. You don't need to spend a fortune on them, and they don't have to be huge. M-Audio, Event, Behringer, Roland all make very affordable units that will give you a clear picture of your sound if you follow the guidelines for placement. You can get a decent mic for $100. The headphones don't have to be the best, you don't want to mix or master with headphones anyway. A small 4 or 6 channel mixer will help. Again, don't spend a bunch of money on it, there's lots of them on the market.
If you feel the need to spend money, do it on the computer. A fast processor (the best deals are on the next to latest), plenty of memory and a large hard drive dedicated to your audio files will help with performance. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Mike, I also have a pair of Event TR8N's that I replaced with Focal Twin 6's that are no longer being used. Great monitors for the budget you want to stay within.
First, I am going to see if Fugot is interested since he is just across town but if he doesn't need them, I would be glad to work something out and send them your way.
Near mint condition. |
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Location: closely held secret | The TR8's are great home studio monitors! |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Oh boy, if you go whole hog on this it's expensive. The cheapest, and perfectly adequate way is to record to a tascam 4 track, using your existing effects, then do a mixdown to a cd player/recorder. Then you can bring the cd to your pc.
OR
Skip, the mixdown to cd and mixdown directly to your computer using dell musicmatch. Never bothered doing it this way, but will try it tonight, with a concert from last night. Will let you know how it turns out. |
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Location: New Jersey, USA | I'll add my two cents to this discussion. I've released three albums on CD since 1997. See my sig if you're curious to hear samples.
Rather than list of bunch of equipment or opine confidently about what I think is the "right way to go," I have a different perspective to share on recording philosophy.
When you're working both the gear AND the instruments, it's easy to get bogged down with technical stuff that kills the inspiration. Especially if you are a newbie trying to figure out WTF you are doing. That's why when you go to a pro studio as an artist, you don't push faders. You sit with phones on in a comfy position, and focus on your music.
So my take on this is to get gear that gets the job done in the least obtrusive manner possible, and lets you focus on your playing. For a newbie, you may not have a clue what this gear is! That's a problem. But one that you may just have to face. Trial and error are often a way of life.
Personally, as a guy who makes a living at a PC screen, I loathe computers as a recording tool. I don't care if they're good for it (they are). I opt instead to use a standalone DAW. Since 1995 or so I've been a Roland VS user (went from a 1680 to a 2480). The VS-2480 has a VGA output that lets you hook up a big sexy monitor, so you have a great UI and tons of editing capabilities. It never crashes, it doesn't run any extraneous crap, and I have learned to work it efficiently.
I started on a Tascam 4-track cassette machine in 1985. Moved to a Tascam DA-88, and from there to the VS units. More important than your recorder by far is your selection of microphones and preamps. A mistake made by many is to skimp on those in lieu of impressive software, plug-ins, etc. Mics are not exciting to buy, but they are THE most important component in getting your ACOUSTIC guitar recorded well. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I just looked at that Lexicon deal at Musicians Friend. You get a free AKG mic (rebate) if purchased by 9/30. They don't say what model it is, but hey...it's free....and if you need one, I think I might have an extra cable laying around. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Again, thanks everyone for the help and ideas:
Wabbit: good ideas; if you look at my post with the picture of my rack, I listed several things: my computer, my great Studio Mic; and my keyboard DWS...that with the hardware I have in the rack and elsewhere (I have 6 other good mic's of various makes), I think I am just about set. One thing I forgot to mention is my DAT (Sony) that I can record to direct from my PA and to the computer or CD recorder (I have a DVD recorder and I think it records CD's too). So I will get everything hooked up and give it a shot. I do think I am going to buy the Lexicon...makes a great interface...and its cheap...also get some good speakers...got a line on a pair (Stephen pm sent)...so give me a bit and lets see what I can come up with! Thanks again for all the help friends...
peace out...
:rolleyes: |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Actually, Roger "nails it down", he`s got the knowledge to accurately evaluate the situation from "both sides",
Stephen and Wabbit are computer buffs, to them a comp. has no secrets, but Mike and other guys whom are in his situation , want to record some music, make a demo, use it to improve skills, etc.,
..now, I acknowledge that a computer is a Highly Versatile Tool, but it also takes Great Knowledge to Operate that machine,...
Musicians like Mike and many others , we need something that we can get along with,
Dave`s post pointed at the pitfalls, of buying this and that, computer, software, all kinds of "thingies",
Brad`s post pointed at the pitfalls of real life-use for a novice (and Flysig Second`it),
now, a Musician usually has a few items, Instrument(s), Mic`s., PA system, that stuff is costly, takes up space, so it would be Nice to use it for Multiple purposes,..
.. and here comes Roger, and tells "Like it is", ( Roger, about time too ) :) for he does both, understands both "corners", it`s easy for Stephen to come tumblin` down on me and, "move in for the kill" ( yeah right, and good old Wabbit cheerfully joins in, gangin`up on me ) :) , but it takes a Great deal of time, to figure out the comp. stuff,...
..but a li`ll machine, that can be hooked up to existing equipment, with some High Q. possibilities, a li`ll handbook, and Good Results, right here and now, is, as I see it, what is wanted/needed,
again, Roger "puts it down", when "Perfect Results", are needed, that`s when Miles (Mr.Ovation, a recording Pro!!) gets the call,..." Record this song , make me Rich & Famous "....but until then, Easy Does it :) ,
and ...Microphones are Xciting, for my voice, it`s the PEAVY PM 22 "Diamond",...the AUDIX OM 2 is good for rock (screaming into it),...and the "best allrounder" (Fem.Voc., Male Voc., Instruments), that is the AKG C535 EB (yummy !!),..but an SM 58 is not bad either...
BTW , I`ve discovered a real Gem, a PRODIPE MC-1 costing around 50 usd (overhere), it compares favorably to a SENNHEISER e945....for a 1/4 of the price ..!!.............sorry, could n`t resist.. :D
Vic
(stealin`& alterin` Tony`s underscore )
The Musician plays, loud, never unobtrusive ;) |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Vic,
The wabbit and I were merely answering the "Topic" which was "Computer Recording". :cool:
and why do you think it takes "great knowledge" to operate.......after all, Cliff did it! |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Mike,
Regardless of what media you choose, here`s some help regarding your recording endavours ...
http://www.bedroom-recording.com/recording-process.html
Vic
Good Luck :) |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Quote killer-Stephen " why do you think it takes "great knowledge" to operate.......after all, Cliff did it! "
------------------------------------------------
Yeah, but Cliff is Intelligent, he just does not want to admit it .. :)
Vic |
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Location: closely held secret | "Easy Does It"... great Supertramp song...
Vic, I wasn't jumping on you. Like Stephen said, it is the topic.
I started out recording on r2r in the 60's. I've gone through several of those. I have a Fostex Multitracker 4 track. I've experimented with several standalone hard disk recorders. So it's not like computers are the only medium I've used. They're simply the most powerful in terms of options and editing. And it's really not that hard.
No disrespect meant to Roger (in fact, I have a lot of respect for him!) but many of us are on a limited budget, while we do happen to have a computer. Why not make use of it?
Unfortunately, Cliff is intelligent. Kinda makes hash out of that whole Darwin thing, huh? |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Lo-Fi solution:
1)Record on a casette 4 track recorder, or mono casette recorder
2)Use "windows recorder" to record off the tape player (You'll have to use the insert function to expand player to the size of your cut)
3)Use mediaplayer to download to a cd and covert to wma format.
Hand out music to friends. This is good for live concerts where sound quality isn't paramount. Enjoy. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Hey all...just bought a Lexicon Omega on the bay for $133.50. Saved $65 over MF's $199.99 price. I believe I have everything else to begin...hope it works...I think it will...stay tuned... |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | Mike - let us know how you make out with that. I'd love to play around with some home recording but I've just been a little (ok, a lot) hesitant to open that door as it seems that the one thing that everyone agrees on is that it's just another money pit... |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Mike , congrats with that encyclopedia ;)
I have enjoyed the discussion here :) , and, is there any truth to that rumour, about a recording session in a couple of weeks, at Mike`s place, with Neumann`s, Blue Bottle`s, milk and cookies... :confused:
Vic
..."saw a dollar yesterday, but the wind blew it away"...D.Martin (Houston) |
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Location: closely held secret | Weas, it doesn't have to be a money pit. You've already got a computer. You can easily record on anything from a 1Ghz with 1/2Gb memory up with no problem.
I had about $300 invested in hardware (card, mixer, mic) when I started playing with computer-based recording. You can do it cheaper than that now, with USB mics (there's even an adapter out now to use any dynamic or condenser mic via usb) and/or single input usb devices, like Guitar Port or M-audio's Transit or Fast Track.
You don't have to invest in software like Cubase which costs $ and has a high learning curve - there's free software out there, for both Macs and PC's (garageband, audacity).
You'll never know what you can do till you try. And there's something really satisfying about listening to something you've created. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Weaser,
This is a great place to start..
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
..easy to follow, even for me :)
Vic |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | And "REAPER" is an incredible shareware uncrippled program. Use it for free to your hearts content and when you feel guilty, send the man $40 for a license. |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | Ok...but you guys may be sorry if I actually start recording...ah, what the hell...that's never stopped me before. I'll be in touch guys. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Wease...click on Reaper above and download it.
This will give you a good idea of what you are in for. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Okay, and for those who want to use REAPER, (or any other media), here is a quick tutorial about Miking Technique, from AKG, click on what is of interest..
http://www.akg.com/site/powerslave,id,12,nodeid,12,_language,EN.htm...
..wanna know more, an In-Depth article about Mics.( worth printing out ), How and Why, takes a li`ll while to download, from SHURE..
http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documen...
..and a li`ll NOSTALGIA, ...ahh.., the Good Old Days..
http://reel2reeltexas.com/vinAd57.html
Vic
...brings back memories.. :) |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | Will do - thanks, T. |
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Computer Recording
