software

I am really confused when it comes to digital recording.

This is what I want to do. I would like to have unlimited/near unlimited lines so I can layer my songs. Since I do not have a keyboard or know how to play several instruments I would like a program that has realistic sounds of the different instruments i.e. trumpets, string, drums ect. I want to record my guitar, vocals, ect into the program. I will probably be the only one recording at one time.

I want it to sound good. Not necessarily professional but I don’t want it to sound like a new punk band that hit the record button on a tape player.

Essentially what do I need?

Do I need a small mixer?
USB Computer Recording Interface?
What programs?
Or should I go for something like the Tascam US-428 USB Digital Audio Workstation Controller?
Do I need something with Phantom Power?
What else am I missing?

I don’t want to mess with changing my sound card. How do I avoid latency?

I would like to spend around $300 for the recording gear not including the microphones.

Thanks for the help.

-edm

Ok, well, if you're looking at software interfaces rather than stand-alone units, you're gonna have to get over not wanting to change out your soundcard. Sorry.

As for hard disk recording mixers, any of the middle-priced fostex or tascam products should do fine, and you'll only need phantom power if you'll be using condenser mics for any of your recording. If you're going to record live drums or want close to pro-quality vocal sounds, you'll need a condenser or two and phantom power from your mixer.

Also, if you want to be able to program in drums/synth sounds/etc. you'll have to invest in a drum machine or some other type of sequencer. We're talking a lot of gear now, and in all honesty it's going to be a lot cheaper to upgrade your PC to the necessary level hardware-wise. Once you do that, it's only a matter of acquiring the necessary recording and sequencing/synth emulation software.

I hope I was able to answer at least one or two of your Q's in all that mess. Good luck.

i think you could get close to waht you want with an M audio mobile pre (or even their new 1 channel version) as a USB interface and a good mic (for vocals) ... then use one of the s/w programs (cakewalk?) that lets you use general midi sequencing for all the other instruments (so you can program them until they are perfect instead of having to play them live in real time)

good luck
have fun
t4d


Originally Posted by tone4daysi think you could get close to waht you want with an M audio mobile pre (or even their new 1 channel version) as a USB interface and a good mic (for vocals) ... then use one of the s/w programs (cakewalk?) that lets you use general midi sequencing for all the other instruments (so you can program them until they are perfect instead of having to play them live in real time)

good luck
have fun
t4d

will this help avoid latency? do i have to get a new sound card?

i have a somewhat rigged makeshift system i use cakewalk music creator although i just got cakewalk home studio (for recording), sonar(plugins), and cakewalk fruity loops (drums), antares (fine tuning sound correction used in sound forge), sound forge. the soundcard unfortunatley theres not to much of a choice i got an EMU 0404 i got it for less than a hundred bucks on ebay brand new no shipping included 2 1/4 inch (L/R) inputs 2 outputs (L/R) midi in/ out and other plugs no latency and it comes with cubase and comes with a whole bunch of effects built into the card i use a tascam 4 track as a level mixer and preamp i use shure sm-57(less then a 100) which i use for vocals and guitar it doesnt need phantom power my guitarist got a cartiod condenser mic and it was so powerful he was picking up way to noise like his fish tank running 2 rooms away when he was locked in his bathroom with the door shut it also picked up his headphones both on its lowest setting and usb interfaces can get really expensive

reason is a really really good program. all of the patches are incredible. stay away from home studio or anything under like 200. some ppl like home studio but i hate it and the instruments are horrible. and yeah, if the latency is gonna be a factor (which it probably will be) you might want to look into getting a good soundcard. also, if you know how to use it, fruity loops is a good one too.

with a USB solution (like the m-audio), i'm pretty sure that you essentially completely bypass the soundcard - the A/D and D/A are in the external box and USB is damn fast ... so latency shouldnt be an issue ... is your laptop processor pretty substantial? and plenty of RAM?


Originally Posted by tone4dayswith a USB solution (like the m-audio), i'm pretty sure that you essentially completely bypass the soundcard - the A/D and D/A are in the external box and USB is damn fast ... so latency shouldnt be an issue ... is your laptop processor pretty substantial? and plenty of RAM?

yes... it has the most of everything i could fit into it.edm

The latency is always going to be there, but the better the soundcard the less pronounced. If you get a top of the line card, you probably won't notice it.

okay... i think i am going to go with the quot;Cakewalk Home Studio 2 XLquot; and the quot;M-Audio MobilePre USBquot;

I think that will give me the best setup for what I want. And what money I have left over I am going to see if I can get maybe a Sure sm57 mic.

Sound like a plan?thanks for the input so far.

edm

Let me know how you like like it im thinking of the same or I similar setup.


Originally Posted by FELIX57i have a somewhat rigged makeshift system i use cakewalk music creator although i just got cakewalk home studio (for recording),

could you tell me what instruments are found in the homestudio? thanks,
edm


Originally Posted by ericmeyer4could you tell me what instruments are found in the homestudio? thanks,
edm

theres a whole lot of instruments. everything from like 5-10 different types of pianos, organs, strings (ensembles and individual), bass, horns, woodwinds, synthy type stuff, and like a bunch of wierd stuff like gunshots (i think) and also some crappy drums like whole kits, and individual things like timpanies.
but none of the stuff really sounds all that great.

i have an M audio quattro USB that i have to let go. Perhaps i could sell it to you...


Originally Posted by nepalnt21reason is a really really good program. all of the patches are incredible. stay away from home studio or anything under like 200. some ppl like home studio but i hate it and the instruments are horrible. and yeah, if the latency is gonna be a factor (which it probably will be) you might want to look into getting a good soundcard. also, if you know how to use it, fruity loops is a good one too.

Reason is just an unbelievably good program. I got the ultimate synth refill and I have so many sounds now its unbelievable. The bosendorfer refills sound as close to a real piano as I have ever heard. But not to confuse anyone here reason is a midi workstation and it doesn't record audio.

Eric,

Hey, man. I'm in pretty much the same spot as you, but whilst investigating the different interfaces, I discovered that the MobilePre USB only goes up to 48kHz sampling rate! No good. So, I started looking at the M-Audio Firewire Solo: 1 XLR mic input, 1 1/4quot; instrument input, 2 1/4quot; line level inputs, and 96 kHz sampling rate (CD quality). It does what I'm looking for, I hope to pick one up soon. The Edirol UA-25 is very similar, but with the ability to take two mic inputs at once, and a bit better signal/noise ratio (106 dB as opposed to 101, which, in dB, can be a substantial difference). It's more expensive, around $240.

Anybody with any more thoughts on hardware, I'd be interested to hear. Later

Aaron


Originally Posted by aaronEric,

Hey, man. I'm in pretty much the same spot as you, but whilst investigating the different interfaces, I discovered that the MobilePre USB only goes up to 48kHz sampling rate! No good. So, I started looking at the M-Audio Firewire Solo: 1 XLR mic input, 1 1/4quot; instrument input, 2 1/4quot; line level inputs, and 96 kHz sampling rate (CD quality). It does what I'm looking for, I hope to pick one up soon. The Edirol UA-25 is very similar, but with the ability to take two mic inputs at once, and a bit better signal/noise ratio (106 dB as opposed to 101, which, in dB, can be a substantial difference). It's more expensive, around $240.

Anybody with any more thoughts on hardware, I'd be interested to hear. Later

AaronI think your completely confused. 48khz is a plenty good sample rate. CD's sample rate is 44.1 khz not 96. The only reason to use 96khz is when doing more high end audio stuff. For basic home recording theres really no reason for it as it will just be resampled back down to 44.1 when you bounce to disk.

all interesting stuff. gives me plety to think about. thank for all the replys!

has anyone use cakewalk music creator 2? the more and more i think about it i think the homestudio 2 or 2xl is going to be waaay to much program for me. From what i can see MC has the same plugins as 2. Then just download the mp3 encoder after the trial period and i think i will be set. Most of the songs I do will probably just be my voice, guitar, and an solo overdubbed. I don't want all the effect sims or amp sims. Thinking about it more and more I just want to record my voice and guitar. Also I would like some 80's sounding drum and sythn sounds (ala the cure). I think the music creator would be a better choice.

any opinions?

thanks,
edm

If your just wanting to record voice and guitar then just look at something like the lower end cubase program, its only 99, and while theres no bells or whistles its a good program. Cubase has good vst integration and you if you wanted to could buy like a drum plugin or a vintage synth plugin.

does the sm57 take need phantom power? i didnt see anything in the manual.thanks,
edm