| Home recording and general music post from the archived Yabb Recording Website Message Board. Some of the info here may be outdated but many of the audio recording and home studio tips are still good. Note: The only tags I made and attempt to convert are italics, bold, center and underline. So if you see some gibberish surrounded by brackets, just ignore it.
Recording Website Archived Yabb board Post
Febuary 2001 Yabb Message Board Archive
Subject: I don't have $50k but would $1500 do the trick?
by Daytona | 03/07/01 at 07:59:01
Hi everyone, first time here! I will basically be recording hard rock ideas and just need the basics. Ok, in order to start recording on my pc, I figure I would just need
1. Full duplex sound card
2. Cheap 2 channel mixer
3. Guitar processing unit (ie pod or an old rockman)
4. Software, like cakewalk or n-studio.
5. Microphone
6. Crappy something for delay (would even a d.d. pedal do?)
7. Drum machine? or a program like bio drummer?
I figure I can do this all for even under a grand. But I have one question. Are there programs out there that will replace needing a drum machine? This is mainly just for me to get ideas down on right now. I've been out of the music scene for about 6 years now and I NEED to write again.
Thanks in advance for any help!!!!!!
Subject: Re: I don't have $50k but would $1500 do the trick
by ds | 03/07/01 at 15:07:54
If you just need a basic set up to sketch out ideas on, you could do it for a lot less than 1000 dollars. I don't know anything about pc recording, but I'm pretty sure a decent sound card and basic software would be under 300. Get yourself an SM57 mic for your guitar and vocals, a used drum machine, and a cheap used mixer (check out the compact Mackie and Behringer mixers) off of Ebay and you'll be in business. If you want to use a condenser mic for vocals, make sure to get a little direct box with phantom power for the mic.
Subject: sure
by Silent_Bob | 03/10/01 at 19:23:08
There's really no such thing as a 2 channel mixer but you'll need a good stereo preamp. People seem to like those ART tube things. I think they're under $300 for stereo. Go through this site to Musician's Friend's site and get an Echo Mia for $200. It supports 24 bit full duplex and has 24 bit convertors (ya, I'm pushing this card b/c I petitioned them to make it). Get 2 decent condensor mics like the AKG C1000 for $200 each. You'll also want a good dynamic like an SM57 for $100. Last but not least, a good recording software like Cool Edit Pro for less than $400.
You can get all these things through MF and have a great sounding setup. CEP is a complete multitrack/editor with built in effect like EQ, compression reverb/delay as well as other things.
If you go this route please use this link to help pay for this site.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ex/ds/home/?sourceid=00365093292909004056You said you need a drum machine. Try leafdrums through leafdigital.com. It's cheap and you can use any sounds you want or even make your own. This way everything is in the computer.
That puts you right around $1,500
Subject: Re: sure
by old_dan | 03/11/01 at 01:36:15
[quote author=Silent_Bob link=board=rec2&num=983977141&start=0#2 date=03/10/01 at 19:23:08]
There's really no such thing as a 2 channel mixer
excellent advice cept for the 2 channel mixer. check out this:
http://www.klay.com/datasheets/x2mixer.html
Actually the Behringer MX602A Eurorack would be a better fit. MF has them for $100. In fact I like it so much I put a link to it at the top of the page.
Take care,
Dan
Subject: Re: I don't have $50k but would $1500 do the trick
by Daytona | 03/11/01 at 11:43:24
Hey thanks for everyone's input. Being kind of impatient and being without any kind of music gear for the better part of the 90's, I dove in like a smoker who hasn't had a smoke in 24 hours. Here's what I bought. By the way this is all in Canadian funds so I didn't get ripped off as much as it sounds.
Behringer MX602A mixer $175
ZOOM GM-200 $250 (POD was $550 and they had none)
ZOOM RhythmTrack 234 $340 (Bass sounds included)
Apex 350 dynamic mike (Like an SM57 clone) $75
I've just barely scratched the surface. Using n-trax shareware right now and it's cool for what I need. I expected a bit more from the drum machine though, the one I used to have 10 years ago was a bit more versatile. The ZOOM unit actually sounds good for the price and for what I need now. I'm also playing an Epiphone Les Paul.
Subject: Re: I don't have $50k but would $1500 do the trick
by Silent_Bob | 03/12/01 at 18:57:23
You will do well to get the full 24 bit registered N'track along with a 24 bit sound card. If you send me an E-mail, I'll send you a couple of demo plugs that I really like for EQ, compression and a couple of other miscelaneous effects. Also, a pair of condensors was the best investment I had for my studio. My first pair were Carvin CM90-Es. They aren't great but they sound much better on drums bass and vocals than my 58s.