Home recording

[kmanley_29649]

I'm looking to get into recording in the next couple if months, and I'm not sure what to buy. I don't need anything too fancy, just a simple USB or FireWire interface that I can plug into my computer, preferably with recording and mixing software. I'm mostly going to use it to record my own stuff just for the fun of it, as I'm not in a band, so I'm not looking to spend a lot of money (preferably less than $300), but I still want good sound quality. Any recomendations?

[M Ramsey]

Alesis has a 8 interface module for about $400-$500 with quiet mic preamps. Maybe a bit cheaper. I know 3-4 home studios using this setup. Sorry I don't have the correct model number but here's a link.

My son has been using it for about a year with very good results and no problems.

I hope this helps.

[jkramer5]

I've been using a Presonus Firebox since last July. It's the first audio interface I've owned and it suits my needs very well. The audio quality is pretty good.

I don't write originals but I use it to practice cover songs too, and make the odd recording of me playing along. Coupled with some virtual instruments and some good plugins it does the job very well.

[fingers]

+1. I teach classes in Cubase and I recommend the Presonus Firebox to people trying to set up a basic system.

[kraigo]

I've had a pair of M-Audio Delta 1010's and they were very nice. I downsized because I felt like "production" was distracting me from composition, which is what I need to focus on.

I have had a FireBox for about a year and a half. I'm running on a laptop and it's done me well. I run a Peavey VMP-2 mic preamp into the line inputs so I have four inputs now as well as MIDI from both the FireBox and a Korg PadKontrol. Lots of options and I don't feel at all constrained by it.

The FireBox has nice quiet inputs. The output is noisy, at least the way I have it set up. I get a lot of crud (sounds digital) that is independent of where I have the FireBox's volume set. Again, this could be how I have things set up and not soley because of the FireBox and it's at playback, the inputs are clean.

The FireBox will run with power from FireWire, so the manual says. That only works with six wire (big plug) FireWire. It also doesn't work with the PCMCIA FireWire card I'm using.

The FireBox comes (last I knew) with CuBase LE. I haven't used it - I use Sonar Producer. It should be enough to get you going, but I suspect you're going to want to upgrade to something more full featured (with more effect and softsynth plug-ins) before long.

My biggest piece of advice: Recording is addicting. In my case it pulled me away from my real goal (song writing) into production. I put a lot of money into monitoring, mics, etc. and a lot of time into reading about production - and no song writing got done. Be sure to have a clear idea of your goals and stick to them. If production is a goal, pursue it - it's not evil. Just articulate to yourself what your goals are before you embark on this path.

KO

[chicagodoubler]

Mic choice is of the utmost importance! After years of engineering bad sounding upright bass sounds... this is the best advice I've ever received, from some truly world class engineers.

Shure KSM32 is a fantastic mic that sounds great on the bass, as well as dang near anything else you can throw at it. Cheap on ebay, and worth 5x the asking price.

Placement is really significant as well- 6-12 inches in front of the bridge is usually best, blended with a DI line from your PU, preferably with the best quality DI you can afford.

The reason for not using the "traditional" placement in front of an f- hole is twofold: The f holes produce massive bursts of air, perceived as excessive low end. As well, the lobes of the top resonate topically at different levels for different notes, so favoring one side will produce a signal that needs to be heavily eq'd to sound natural.

This solution is the most economic way I've found to get consistently great (or at least accurate) sounds without spending all day compensating for bad placement, the wrong mic, and crappy direct boxes.

Good luck!