Recording Gear

[eguitaranlead]

i am going to be running into some good money this summer. and i want to buy some recording gear. so i was wondering what would be some good gear to get. i just want an easy begginer set-up that i will be able to just get home from work and mess around on and lay down some tracks.

[British Kid]

I hear those Bass POD things are really good for recording since they have all those amp modelling capabilities. They're not too expensive either. basically, any DI would be good. The Hartke bass attack DI/Preamp is pretty good for recording too.

[eguitaranlead]

i really want to get an avalon u5 for it, but i am talking actual recording gear.

[eguitaranlead]

This is kind of directed twards supernaut becasue i know he just finsihed putting together a nice set-up

[Thonk]

Maybe an external recording type dealy?

Edit: I'm thinking of MIDI interfaces.

[Mr. Pickle]

here's what i'm going to be doing after i get a new computer. adat ===> emu 1212 ===> computer. i dont have any experience w/ it, but a friend of mine uses that exact setup and its sound pretty nice.

[Wintermute]

I get a good sound simply by running my bass into my Tascam US-122. Katana Manatee does the same. When I want more control / when I can be bothered I run into the Tascam US-122 from my Boss GT-6B - which is also how Coffeekiller gets his sound. :)

[naut]

This is kind of directed twards supernaut becasue i know he just finsihed putting together a nice set-up

well, first of all...around how much money are you looking to spend?

[Mailman]

well, first of all...around how much money are you looking to spend?
Hey supernaut

kind of a q for you too...

I want to be able to record onto my computer - preferably 2 tracks simultaneously - bass and drums (stereo mix.)

How would I go about doing this? And what is good, cheap (or easily attainable ie. not cubase) software to do it with.

[naut]

pc or mac?

[Mailman]

Pc.

[naut]

alright, too drunk now, gimme til tomorrow.

[eguitaranlead]

supernaut i will be putting this together bit by bit, so i will be willing to get all of this when the money comes my way starting from ost expensive to least expensive. and i have a pc if that is needed.

[naut]

well Thonk mentioned it...MIDI Interface. i'd start out with that. it leaves you with multiple recording options.

A. you can plug your bass directly into it, then have the interface run into your computer. basically as simple as the 1/4"-1/8" adapter method, except A LOT better considering you have the ability to manipulate the gain, plus, you just get a better recording quality.

B. run your bass through an effects processor/pedal/whatever, then run a cable into the interface. that's what i do.

bass > BP200 > interface.

C. you can plug a mic into the interface, and just mic your bass amp.

D. run a line from your amp into the interface.

now, like i said, i use option B. i just feel it suites me best. i listen to myself with my speaker monitors, (which run out of my interface). although, you can use headphones as well.

as for an interface...check out the PreSonus FIREBOX (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=184133). it's what i use, and i think it's great. M-Audio makes a cheaper one; but it uses USB as opposed to Firewire to connect to your computer. since USB is a slower connection, it can cause a delay in your bass signal; and that's going to make recording difficult if timing is of any importance to you.:p

do you have any software? if you don't want to buy anything, i suppose you could look into downloading CoolEdit or AcidPro. although, i can't really help you much there...i'm not too familar with PC recording softwares.

so, you're looking at around $300 for the PreSonus, and maybe $100 or so for a decent mic, (if you choose to go that route. it's not necessary, of course). also, you can get a good pair of monitors for about $300, if you'd like to do that.

by the way, the PreSonus comes with Cubase LE, so if you're in need of a software, it might be your best bet. just remembered that.:p

[naut]

Hey supernaut

kind of a q for you too...

I want to be able to record onto my computer - preferably 2 tracks simultaneously - bass and drums (stereo mix.)

How would I go about doing this? And what is good, cheap (or easily attainable ie. not cubase) software to do it with.

well, to do that, (and make it sound decent), cheap is gonna be hard to come by...you might want to look into digital recorders. like maybe a Fostex 8-track or something, (around 250 bucks). most digital recorders can work in unison with a computer as well. if you want something more computer-based, Lexicon makes a litte unit that might interest you, (which includes Cubase LE):

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Recording/Computer/Hardware?sku=245505

or, you can go the interface route, as i explained to eguitanlead. it won't be cheap though. obviously, with the drums, you'll need at least one mic. for this type of thing, you might want to check out some package deals that places like musiciansfriend.com offer; or go visit some pawn shops.

[erk5000]

I have a pedal/processor called Zoom B2.1U Bass Effects Pedal and it has USB so u can hook it up to the PC and record. Its pretty kool. I like it a bunch and it comes with its own program to make music called Cubase LE. Check it out some time.

[JamesXKillXyou]

So if i were to not run my bass directly throught the mic using an adaptor, but invested in a preamp or bass pod to then direct into a computer it will enhance the quality greatly? cause now with being directed into the computer with just a cable im getting a bit of fuzz in the backround...

[nisakss]

I don't know about the emu 1212 , I have that soundcard in my comp and my recodings are pretty noisy and low fidelity.

[Wintermute]

Comments!

well Thonk mentioned it...MIDI Interface. i'd start out with that. it leaves you with multiple recording options.

It's a quibble, but you don't mean MIDI interface - you can't record real audio with MIDI. Many audio interfaces do have inbuilt MIDI In/Outs, and they're very handy things to have, but still.

since USB is a slower connection, it can cause a delay in your bass signal; and that's going to make recording difficult if timing is of any importance to you.

Not actually true. For a start, USB2 has a speed of 480mbps, and Firewire 400 has a speed of 400mbps. But it's all semantics anyway - I get very good latency recording two tracks at once through USB2.
(Note - don't actually know if Firewire 400 is still the standard. :) Either way USB is easily fast enough, but you might want to go down the Firewire road simply to free up USB ports. If you're anything like me they'll be in short supply.)

do you have any software? if you don't want to buy anything, i suppose you could look into downloading CoolEdit or AcidPro. although, i can't really help you much there...i'm not too familar with PC recording softwares.

Ok... recording software... There is no good free stuff. Some of it's better than others though - Audacity is incredibly crude and clunky. Baby's first multitrack sequencer. Krystal is better, and still free, but still lacks quite a lot.

If you're willing to spend money (Or dodge spending money >.> <.<) I would recommend something from the Cubase SX line. As you start to get more familiar with the way the software works, and more demanding from your system it'd be good to also look into Wavelab and the Waves plugin sets. You can do virtually anything with those things, with a little knowhow.


so, you're looking at around $300 for the PreSonus, and maybe $100 or so for a decent mic, (if you choose to go that route. it's not necessary, of course). also, you can get a good pair of monitors for about $300, if you'd like to do that.

For miking up a bass amp, you'll probably want a Dynamic mike. That'll also save on batteries, as a side advantage. The classic choices are still the Shure SM58 and SM57, but look into AKGs as well. Frankly though I'd usually DI the bass where possible. You don't lose as much as you would with guitar, and it tends to make life simpler. Especially if you've got a good quality DI box or a good effects system/amp with a DI/Line Out/Aux Out (all pretty much the same thing)

Monitors are a complex one always, but look for ones with as flat a frequency response as you can afford, and pay close attention to where you position them. And since almost all monitors work as conventional hi-fi speakers, you may need something in the middle - you may find your audio interface has a hi-fi amplifier, or at least the outputs to connect to one.

by the way, the PreSonus comes with Cubase LE, so if you're in need of a software, it might be your best bet. just remembered that.:p

Bonus. :)
SX is better, but LE is pretty solid. :thumb:

[naut]

It's a quibble, but you don't mean MIDI interface - you can't record real audio with MIDI. Many audio interfaces do have inbuilt MIDI In/Outs, and they're very handy things to have, but still.

it's always been referred to as a "MIDI Interface" to me. meh, if that's wrong it's wrong. i believe it's called that because it accepts MIDI devices.

Not actually true. For a start, USB2 has a speed of 480mbps, and Firewire 400 has a speed of 400mbps. But it's all semantics anyway - I get very good latency recording two tracks at once through USB2.
(Note - don't actually know if Firewire 400 is still the standard. :) Either way USB is easily fast enough, but you might want to go down the Firewire road simply to free up USB ports. If you're anything like me they'll be in short supply.)

i believe it depends on a number of factors. i mean, if you use cable to connect to the internet, as opposed to 56k, it doens't necessarily mean you'll have a faster connection. but in most cases...? of course cable is faster. USB can cause a lag in the signal, i've never heard of that happening with FireWire.

For miking up a bass amp, you'll probably want a Dynamic mike. That'll also save on batteries, as a side advantage.

not to mention...save on money of the actual purchase.:p no point in pissing money away on a condenser when you don't need one.

Frankly though I'd usually DI the bass where possible.

agreed.

[naut]

So if i were to not run my bass directly throught the mic using an adaptor, but invested in a preamp or bass pod to then direct into a computer it will enhance the quality greatly? cause now with being directed into the computer with just a cable im getting a bit of fuzz in the backround...

i'm confused? do you mean the mic input on your computer? if so, yeah, putting somekind of preamp or processor will increase the quality, in most cases. that's what i did for a while, and it worked fine.

[Walk In The Park]

Hey...I have never recorded before.
My questions are...

What is a good setup for mac?

What would you reccomend for a total newbie at recording to lay down some bass tracks?

also if i could kill two birds with one stone... is there one recording system i can buy to record bass, guitar, drums, vocals, etc... all at reasonably good quality???

Thanks

[Wintermute]

Hey...I have never recorded before.
My questions are...

What is a good setup for mac?

What would you reccomend for a total newbie at recording to lay down some bass tracks?

also if i could kill two birds with one stone... is there one recording system i can buy to record bass, guitar, drums, vocals, etc... all at reasonably good quality???

Thanks

Recording on a Mac is pretty similar in terms of the hardware you need - you still need to choose either DI or microphone, and you still need a good audio interface. Just be sure that the one you choose is Mac compatible before you buy it.

The software is a little different though... I'm not a Mac user, but off the top of my head you should check out Logic for multitrack sequencing and Biaspeak for wave editing.

You should also look at the ProTools MBox line - it's a seriously trimmed down version of the industry standard in digital recording. Mbox2 has come out now, so you should be able to pick up a standard Mbox for fairly cheap. That will cover both your audio interface and your software, as ProTools requires and comes with specific hardware. :thumb:

[naut]

i've got a Mac and i use Sound Studio, GarageBand, and Cubase. although GB is the one i primarily use, it's just so easy...:p honestly, i'd suggest it over most others. if you're new to recording, there's no need to jump into anything too complex.

[Wintermute]

I didn't know Mac supported Cubase, that's cool.

There is a big appeal with the simpler programs, I guess. They tend to just annoy me, though, as I want them to do things they simply can't do. I remember getting furious with Krystal and Audacity after using both of them together for over half an hour to do something I could have done in minutes, with Cubase or ProTools, and to a higher standard.