Recording equipment for home

Kenny Burford · Post by **Kenny Burford** » 10 Feb 2010 12:49 am

I am getting home in April and want to set up a 16 to 24 track recording system. I have looked at the Roland Workstation, but was wondering what other options folks here on the forum thought were equal if they are not. Just need some firsthand thoughts on the matter with folks that have more experience than me.

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 10 Feb 2010 4:52 am

tweakheadz.com

here is a very informative site.

I use a USB digital interface. a Lexicon Lambda. I can record as many tracks as my computer can handle.
I am limited only by the amount of inputs on the device. ( 2 instrument, 2 mic, 1 MIDI ).
no experience with the Roland you mention.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 10 Feb 2010 9:19 pm

Kenny,

I used Roland VS workstations for years, and I was happy, but now the all in one machines are on the way out, being replaced by computer based recording. I made the switch a few months ago and if I'd known what I know now, I would have done it long ago. I'm using Presonus interface with Mac, and the new Presonus Studio One DAW software. It's complete with a lot of effects and other handy stuff and unlimited tracks. Depending on how many tracks you need to do simultainously, the interface is like $300 (Firestudio Mobile) for 2 mic inputs and 2 instrument inputs and about $600 for 10 inputs with tube pre (Firestudio Tube) they come with the Studio One software artist version. Artist does everything except mastering, and you can upgrade to Studio One Pro for about $200 that gives you mastering too. It's worth it. I did a cassette to CD conversion last weekend that when fast as lightning and was so easy to do. If you've already got the computer, you're half way there. Of course there's also Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, etc.... I looked at all of them and choose Presonus over the rest. I'm very happy.

Jason Hull · Post by **Jason Hull** » 11 Feb 2010 3:20 am

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 11 Feb 2010 5:38 am

Kenny, I got great results with my Yamaha AW-1600 and now with the Yamaha AW-2400 workstations. I am also able to do well with mastering using Reaper on the PC where I also do all my drum patterns. Here's a shot of my "studio" which I have since moved to its own room:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Home%20Recor ... rding.html

Whatever method you choose, it will take a while to find the right mic placements and learn decent mastering techniques but it's not rocket science. Any modern recording equipment whether its USB inputs to a PC or a stand alone station can produce spectacular results with the right skills and mics.

Greg

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 11 Feb 2010 1:24 pm

Kenny,

Just be aware that with Pro Tools, you have to use their hardware, and it can get kind of expensive, and restrictive. Nothing wrong with PT, but make sure you understand that part of it.

Lot's of good stuff and they all produce the same results in the long haul. As others have said, you have to learn how to use them. Some learn fast, some slow. Recording is more about experience and knowledge than it is equipment. Just like playing an instrument, some people are just better at it than others, but practice doesn't hurt anything, and the sooner you start....... I'm far from good at it, but I learn something everytime I mess with it. It's an intersting and rewarding hobby.

One more thing...... a lot of times you can offset the expensive equipment in pro studios with your having the chance to spend as much time with the process as you need to in a home studio. Studio time can get expensive and I've always feel under the gun in a session to get it right as fast as possible. In the home studio, all that pressure is absent. Sleep has a way of becoming absent too.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 11 Feb 2010 4:19 pm

Rick Campbell wrote: As others have said, you have to learn how to use them. Some learn fast, some slow. Recording is more about experience and knowledge than it is equipment. Just like playing an instrument, some people are just better at it than others, but practice doesn't hurt anything, and the sooner you start..

Amen to that

Quite frankly when folks who have minimal exposure ask me what I think I tell them to get a small inexpensive 4 or 8 track workstation, learn how to use it and record. Learn how to get good results with it. If you can't produce reasonable tracks with a small unit ..well..you get the point...

I own several recorders as well as a full blown PC based Cakewalk Sonar .The easiest to use which gives very nice results is the old Boss BR-8 /8 track. Sometimes I wonder why I got all this other stuff..

The process is exactly the same, the gear varies , the effects vary but the results still require the same seat time.

Don't forget to look at the Tascam 2488, nice value .

t

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 11 Feb 2010 7:45 pm

Tony Prior wrote: Sometimes I wonder why I got all this other stuff.

Don't forget to look at the Tascam 2488, nice value .

t

I know why.......because we're gear sluts.

Yes, that Tascam is an impressive unit. I've always been attracted to that.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 12 Feb 2010 2:14 am

Rick Campbell wrote:
I know why.......because we're gear sluts.

And it doesn't get better with age

t

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 12 Feb 2010 3:45 am

I like Logic on the Mac. I use a MOTU 828 firewire interface and a large second storage drive. Huge library of samples, effects, loops and synth patches.
Clete

Leroy Golden · Post by **Leroy Golden** » 12 Feb 2010 6:14 am

I use a Roland VS-2400 in my Studio and I have never had anyone say "that doesn't sound like what I just recorded" in fact most are amazed at the quality of sound. As stated previuosly learn to use your equipment correctly and almost any modern recording equipment will yield very good results.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 12 Feb 2010 5:47 pm

Another ProTools fan here. I've done a lot of work on all-in-one workstations and they seem to universally cut corners in some area, like quality of verb and compression...
For home recording you can get into a really slamming system with ProTools LE and minimal hardware.

I started via a used 002 rack for $600, bought a new hot rodded PC to run it on. Now I'm using the same rack on a Mac. If you're not doing commercial work, you could probably get by with almost any adequate PC.
yes, you can spend tons on hardware and plugin software, but some really good stuff comes with the program these days, definitely enough to make great recordings.
One of the biggest advantages is the ability to trade sessions/ carry your work to other ProTools equipped studios.

Mikey Phillips · Post by **Mikey Phillips** » 20 Feb 2010 6:34 am

Kenny,
You might want to check out Presonus Firestudio, it has 8 direct inputs. I have the older version, Firepod, and it works great and is real flexible with PC and you can use just about any software effects with it. You are sometimes limited with using othe software with workstations. You can also gang 2 more units together to make a total of 24 direct inputs. You can record even more on each individual unit if you wish.

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 24 Feb 2010 10:37 am

For S/W I like cubase... I can use digidesign or digital boards or what ever equipment I want and it works great. I use an alesis f/w board with any number of outboard effects/pre's. Very versital.

YMMV

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