starter home studio

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 19 Jun 2008 10:17 am

I want to start recording demos on my computer versus a 4 or 8 track then downloading. What do I need to get going?

I imagine it goes:
instrument>interface>soundcard or usb>software>cd

what are good start out interfaces etc.

I will mostly be using this for song ideas,demos,self critique,stuff like that.

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 19 Jun 2008 12:11 pm

This will work.A good sound card ,other than the one on your mother board,helps too..I know others will have different ideas so check them ALL out..PJ...
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=631263

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=700936

Carl Morris · Post by **Carl Morris** » 19 Jun 2008 1:44 pm

I messed around with an EMU 0404 USB for a while, but was annoyed that it required XP or Vista, and I don't feel like spending money to upgrade. So, I'm switching over to an EMU 1616 cardbus now (I like being portable, so I insist on laptop compatibility rather than PCI).

Both of them came with a stripped down version of Cakewalk Sonar that I found to be quite capable once I got over the hump of learning how to use them. I'm happy enough with that method that I wouldn't buy standalone recording hardware any more. I can burn CDs or create MP3s easily with it, and even the stripped version allows 64 tracks or something like that and includes synthesis software to create backing tracks.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 20 Jun 2008 11:00 am

Ill be using a pc,,I am hopeing to use linux based recording software via audacity and ardour

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 20 Jun 2008 11:27 am

Steve, What I have found interesting as a beginner, is the alesis 2.0USB mixer. I use it as a standalone 'sound card' In my view this is better than any internal sound card. I couple this with the recording software called Adobe 3.0. If you have been into pc recording, the learning curve should be smooth. For one who has never done this, I find it a bit difficult but not impossible.

Thing is, when you have these 2 units, you have 2 possibilities: Recording bare-bones, no effects type and add affects plus do your editing and mastering in Adobe. Or, you can add effects directly on the alesis unit and just do your edits and mastering on Adobe ..but then you have to accept the way it sounds and live with it.

Some might find it pricey..The Alesis is around 300 and the Adobe around 350. You can download a free full trial version of Adobe and use it for 30 days before buying it.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 20 Jun 2008 1:54 pm

thanks for the suggestions guys

has anyone tried one of these? they sure are priced right.

Brian McGaughey · Post by **Brian McGaughey** » 21 Jun 2008 6:54 am

Hey Steve,

I've recently put together a PC based recording set up using an M-Audio Firewire 18/14 interface.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=709201

This allows for 8 analog inputs, 2 of which have mic pre's and can accept mic or line ins. 4 analog channel outputs. Supports ADAT lightpipe I/O and S/PDIF also.

2 headphone outs, midi I/O.

It's been very stable, reliable and fairly easy to use once you figure out the routing scheme.

This along with Sonar recording software and BIAB has allowed me to record stuff like you want to do pretty quickly. A bit of a learning curve with Sonar, I don't know it inside and out yet but getting there. I think there are plenty of recording programs easier to use for less $$$.

If you want to check this out sometime, let me know. I'm over in West Seattle near Lincoln Park. Happy to show you.

Brian

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 21 Jun 2008 10:03 am

so Brian when you are using a usb or firewire interface,,it replaces your sound card n the recording process right?

Brian McGaughey · Post by **Brian McGaughey** » 21 Jun 2008 10:31 am

It does. Sonor "knows" I have both a sound card and the external firewire interface and allows me to select inputs from either during the recording process.

The 18/14 will allow 8 simultaneous analog input signals. Sonor will play the midi files generated in BIAB (band in a box) so for quick demos, play along practice, trial stuff, it works good for me.

I think there are a lot of ways to skin this cat, just have to figure out which one best strikes your fancy. I think as long as the system you assemble will do what you need, you'll adapt to it and learn it whatever it is.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 21 Jun 2008 12:05 pm

Brian McGaughey wrote:Hey Steve,

I've recently put together a PC based recording set up using an M-Audio Firewire 18/14 interface.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=709201

This sounds very close to my Alesis unit but it costs $150 more.
The Alesis also has the 3 eq's for each channel plus the digital effects.

I did a 3 hour session with my outfit today and I am starting to catch on a bit now. As soon as I found out that the level controls are very touchy, things went a lot smoother.
Now I'll have 10 hours worth of "fun" editing the songs in Adobe Audition 3.
(Bruce S., I need your help bad!)

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 21 Jun 2008 12:40 pm

thanks fellas,,lots to chew on here. the IRS decide I wasnt paying enough and got my notice of whats owed yesterday,,so It'll be awhile before I can get started.

Bruce Snow · Post by **Bruce Snow** » 23 Jun 2008 4:03 pm

Hey Bent, I see you are making progress with your recording,good stuff.Anything i can help you with ,no prob just let me know

bruce

Gary Richardi · Post by **Gary Richardi** » 23 Jul 2008 11:43 am

I've been using Cakewalk products since the DOS days and really like Sonar. That said, Reaper by Justin Frankel of WinAmp fame deserves a look too. You can download it free and evaluate it (full-function). A personal-use license is only $50.

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 24 Jul 2008 3:36 am

here is a site with a lot of info. I found it helpful.

http://www.tweakheadz.com

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 24 Jul 2008 7:12 am

Steve Norman wrote:Ill be using a pc,,I am hopeing to use linux based recording software via audacity and ardour

Before you buy an interface, be sure that a Linux driver exists for it. I think that would rule out more than half of them, but there are probably plenty in every price range for which Linux drivers do exist.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 24 Jul 2008 7:24 am

There are a few with driver support through alsa and freebob,,unfortunately most of the documentation is old on what has what. I may just build a mac box down the road when I recover from tax season.

Thanks for all the info guys...I will probably use Ardour and Audacity once I can get and interface.