Avalon U5 + PC + ???

[Andy V.]

I want to record some bass tracks on my pc (P4 3GHz/2GHZ Ram).
I use the search function a lot, but when it comes to home recording, I'm clueless...

Right now all I have is an Avalon U5 and the pc.

I asked for some advice (thanks Caesarbass) but I want more info.

What do I need to get a decent recording micro studio going?
Soundcards? Interfaces?

I feel ashamed to come here and ask, but...

[thewanderer24]

You need a decent sound card for starters. Your avalon preamp might as well be an old radio shack model if it's going in through the stock sound card and it's A/d converters.

You should be able to get a reasonably decent soundcard for a couple hundred bucks on up depending on what you get. Presonus and M-Audio are the first names that come to my mind, though there are loads of makers. I have a presonus firepod that I love. They have a few with less I/o's depending on what you need.

A lot of the sound cards will come with light versions of popular recording (sequencer) software.

I'd recommend a Firewire soundcard if you aren't installing it in a PCI slot. USB is really not fast enough for good audio.


Of course, the above assumes you want to do fairly hifi, flexible recording. if you are just looking to make scratch tracks, you can find audio freeware, like Audacity, and just get an adapter to plug your 1/4" cable into the inputs on your soundcard.

[pretaanluxis]

you could get a Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Audio Sound Card for like $50 and a high quality 1/8" cable with 1/4" adapter...I'm think that would work well for mono recording

[Andy V.]

Thanks for the input, guys.

Like Wanderer said, I want to do want to do fairly hifi recordings.

I'll start searching for info on the Presonus and M-Audio's.
I'll take a look at the Creative stuff too...

[caesarbass]

Hi Andy,
Welcome to the BIG world of recording gear!!! If you get an external interface like the Saffire, M-audio, or PreSonus, or the likes, that will become your soundcard.
Check out:
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/compu...io_interfaces/
There alot of interfaces to choose from, from firewire to usb to internal PCI cards. I would suggest an external USB or Firewire, and get something that comes with some kind of softare, ot check out:
http://reaper.fm/
It's great inexpensive software that really works well!!!
Good Luck!!
Steve

[caesarbass]

Don't forget:
www.gearslutz.com
Check out the Low End Theory forum.

[Andy V.]

Originally Posted by caesarbass

Don't forget:
www.gearslutz.com
Check out the Low End Theory forum.

I'm there!
Thanks again for your help, man!
I really appreciate!

[Andy V.]

Found a M-Audio 1010lt at a nice price.
I just found posts regarding the 1010.

Is this a good choice?

[caesarbass]

Here's some info:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/searc...archid=4905209

[Andy V.]

I should have serched there too...

[thewanderer24]

If you want to torture yourself with endless recording related GAS...

http://www.homerecording.net/bbs/index.php?

Also, creative soundcards have a pretty lousy rep among the recording types.

In general, I am not an expert with recording. I'm about a year of playing around here and there ahead of you.

[caesarbass]

Here is a unit that has great specs and is pretty inexpensive:
Emu-0404USB2.0
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/0404USB/