Stoked! Looks like I'm getting the green light...

[MakiSupaStar]

to teach students recording with computers. I have a lab running 33 iMacs with OS 10.5 and iLife is installed on all of them. This is meant to be an intro class for 7th and 8th graders. I want to teach them how to compose basic songs using Garageband. Anyway, I'm putting together an equipment list and would like some input/advice on what to put on my purchase list.

I'm planning on getting some mikes/stands so I can set up a few machines for actual recording and then students can work on editing on the other machines. I'm thinking 3-4 stations. So what would you add to this list? Keep in mind this is a public middle school, not a school for music or anything. The idea is to get them to create without necessarily being trained in music. Throw up your ideas for brands/ curriculum too.

This is the list I have so far:

Mikes (what do you guys recommend for economic mikes? - SM58's, Behringer SM58 copies)
Mike stands - booms and straight.
instrument stands -
midi keyboards (M-Audio, Korg Nanokeys)
midi cables-
interfaces (USB - Line6 Toneports UX2 or 4) -
XLR and 1/4" cables -
headphones
monitors

[baba]

If you are really strapped for funds, pick up the Behringer SM58 copies. I bought one for my daughter and you can't beat the bang for the buck.

Don't forget the xlr cables.

[bassteban]

Is 46 too old to take 7-8th grade again?

[stflbn]

If you went with something like a Zoom r16 for one or more of the interfaces you could record 8 channels at a time (16 total) to SDHC card and then transfer via USB to the macs. The unit also operates as an interface.

I have both the R16 and a Presonus Firebox.

[jmattbassplaya]

This is really cool! I`d love to hear some more ideas of yours behind the class and what you`ll be teaching them

[GeoffTPS!]

Zoom R16's are nice but I think they're out of his price range?

I'd suggest the SHURE PG series or maybe the SM48 to save cost as opposed to 58's. Also you will save money if you just buy a huge roll of Cable and make your own XLRs. This could also serve as a soldering intro for the kids.

For USB keyboards just grab M-Audios or if you're more stripped for cash get the Korg NanoKeys.

[Lurker79]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Is 46 too old to take 7-8th grade again?

For real. First thing you should do is tell them how hard it will be to buy all that saucy gear irl.

[varunkapahi]

am i having deja vu or i have a read about your class with 33 macs before, idk maybe that one was about something else?
anyway behringer mics are ok
you will need mic pre's unless the soundcard interface you go for has one built in
also, some kind of monitors to hear what they are recording

[tZer]

Re: Curriculum

As you know there are many facets to composing, recording, engineering and editing music. I'd demonstrate how you can be a one-man band through multitrack + midi as well as how working with a complete band to lay 'bed tracks' and overdub solos, vocals, and other features work.

They're very different mindsets and both yield cool results but it's easy to slip into the one-man thing when it comes to computer-based recording and editing and overlook or perceive the 'live band' thing.

Very cool that you get to do this! I am GREEN with ENVY, man!

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by baba

If you are really strapped for funds, pick up the Behringer SM58 copies. I bought one for my daughter and you can't beat the bang for the buck.

Don't forget the xlr cables.

Thanks man. I added that to the list. Cables too.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by baba

If you are really strapped for funds, pick up the Behringer SM58 copies. I bought one for my daughter and you can't beat the bang for the buck.

Don't forget the xlr cables.

Originally Posted by stflbn

If you went with something like a Zoom r16 for one or more of the interfaces you could record 8 channels at a time (16 total) to SDHC card and then transfer via USB to the macs. The unit also operates as an interface.

I have both the R16 and a Presonus Firebox.

Originally Posted by GeoffTPS!

Zoom R16's are nice but I think they're out of his price range?

I'd suggest the SHURE PG series or maybe the SM48 to save cost as opposed to 58's. Also you will save money if you just buy a huge roll of Cable and make your own XLRs. This could also serve as a soldering intro for the kids.

For USB keyboards just grab M-Audios or if you're more stripped for cash get the Korg NanoKeys.

Thanks. The zooms are too much. I'm just thinking of a straight interfaces. Those MBox's suck. I've had bad experiences with them. I'm seriously considering the Line6 Toneports because they're not software dependent like the mbox's (they proprietary for ProTools), and Line6 has some great modeling features. I'm looking at the 2 (possibly 4 channel boxes).

Edit: I just realized that I misread your post about the M-Audios. I thought you were talking about interfaces. Does presonus make a little one 2 - 4 inputs? M-Audios or Korg NanoKeys. Noted. Thanks.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

am i having deja vu or i have a read about your class with 33 macs before, idk maybe that one was about something else?
anyway behringer mics are ok
you will need mic pre's unless the soundcard interface you go for has one built in
also, some kind of monitors to hear what they are recording

Headphones, and 1 - 3 sets of cheap monitors (around 200 bucks if possible). Brand/model suggestions?

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by tZer

Re: Curriculum

As you know there are many facets to composing, recording, engineering and editing music. I'd demonstrate how you can be a one-man band through multitrack + midi as well as how working with a complete band to lay 'bed tracks' and overdub solos, vocals, and other features work.

They're very different mindsets and both yield cool results but it's easy to slip into the one-man thing when it comes to computer-based recording and editing and overlook or perceive the 'live band' thing.

Very cool that you get to do this! I am GREEN with ENVY, man!

I haven't really sat down to hash out an agenda and course outline yet. Off the top of my head this is exactly what I was thinking. I was going to start with beats and loops. Then go over adding midi tracks or other kind of loops. Then at the end of the course, recording with live instruments.

[varunkapahi]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Headphones, and 1 - 3 sets of cheap monitors (around 200 bucks if possible). Brand/model suggestions?

you will surely need some real speakers so that the students can hear whats happening on garage band while you are showing them something.
i really dont know what brands and models are popular around there. but i dont think you'll need flat frequency response monitors unless you are really going in depth about eq and mixing, tone and such. so just plug in your usual stereo speakers?

[Kipaste]

Congratulations, that's awesome.

Two things about the line6 interfaces: They don't have midi i/o's, so midi interfaces would have to be bought separately. Also, not all affordable interfaces have enough gain to work with very low output mics like sm58 and it's clones. I tried googling this, and I found no complaints so I'm guessing that should be fine, but I'd definately verify this from a line6 interface user or by trying one out.

Also it might be worth considering maybe sharing the interface since I presume your going to use computer speakers. There are switchable ubs hubs that would allow sharing one interface between many computers so other kids could edit the stuff they just recorded while others are recording. That would atleast minimize the time spent transferring recorded sound between computers.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by Kipaste

Congratulations, that's awesome.

Two things about the line6 interfaces: They don't have midi i/o's, so midi interfaces would have to be bought separately. Also, not all affordable interfaces have enough gain to work with very low output mics like sm58 and it's clones. I tried googling this, and I found no complaints so I'm guessing that should be fine, but I'd definately verify this from a line6 interface user or by trying one out.

Also it might be worth considering maybe sharing the interface since I presume your going to use computer speakers. There are switchable ubs hubs that would allow sharing one interface between many computers so other kids could edit the stuff they just recorded while others are recording. That would atleast minimize the time spent transferring recorded sound between computers.

Oooh. Good point about the midi stuff. My MOTU has midi included with it. I know about switching the hubs around. I was just going to get 3 of them. Is there something comparable to the Toneport that has MIDI too?

[Passinwind]

Cool!

A few sets of decent headphones seem mission-critical to me.

[KeithBMI]

You need mics and mic stands, not mikes and mike stands.

[Pilgrim]

Got the computers networked so you can move files easily? (I'm sure you do...)

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Cool!

A few sets of decent headphones seem mission-critical to me.

A class set for sure.