Interested in starting a small computer based recording setup.

nkossnar · #1 10-13-2008, 09:14 PM

Hey. I want to get a small recording setup started. I want to use a computer program with my PC. I don't really know what programs there are. I was messing around with Garageband on a mac and I really like that. I was wondering if they was a PC equivalent to that or if you could recommend some other software that is simple to use and gives good quality recordings too.

I also need an interface. I know there are USB and Firewire. Is the difference between the USB and firewire in terms of latency really that big a deal? I know firewire doesn't have as bad latency but is it worth putting a firewire card in my computer. It wouldn't be that big a deal to put one in.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Vin_MM_Sabre_79 · #2 10-13-2008, 10:44 PM

AFAIK USB only carries 2 tracks, Firewire handles more. My Alesis io|26 theoretically pipes 26.
I don't know about latency but I believe its more up to your computer's hardware/software.

Fletch · #3 10-13-2008, 11:58 PM

A couple of questions for you.

a) How many inputs are you looking for?
b) How much do you want to spend?

Personally for software I really like Cakewalk Sonar Home Studio XL. It's fairly low cost, not too complicated, and is capable enough to do everything I need it to do. And for support their forums are almost as good as talkbass ... almost.

For an interface I use one of these

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ace?sku=241483

and have been quite happy with it.
If you go firewire make sure you research the specs to see if your computer is compatible. They can be a little finicky but IMHO are better especially for higher numbers of inputs.

Delta T · #4 10-14-2008, 02:49 PM

Hello! It's hard to really give hard facts as to what you should get because we don't know more details about what you want to do with the recording system.

However, regarding software - a great program to start with is Audacity - it's FREE and can be found here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

It's available for PC or Mac. Also - go to www.kvraudio.com and you can find a boat-load of free VST plugins covering just about anything you may need. VST plugins are small software applications that simulate effects like reverbs, delays, distortions, eq, etc...

Regarding the audio interface, the drivers are one of the primary factors influencing latency. Sample rate and system proccessing power are other influences. You will probably want to find an interface that has ASIO drivers - these give very low latencies in general. USB 2.0 can do mutli-channel audio (8 channels for example) - perhaps more but your system needs to be tweaked for maximum performance. Actually you should do that no matter what interface you use. Firewire comes in two basic flavors - FW400 and FW800. The latter is much faster, but the interface cards are harder to find and not too many audio interfaces are out there. If you decide to go Firewrie - check the manufacturers website for any information regarding interface cards. Most FW interfaces seem to work well with FW cards that have the Texas Instruments FW chipset...but check with the interface manufacturer to be sure.

Some manufacturers to check out: M-audio, Edirol, Mark of the Unicorn, Tascam, RME (more expensive but one of the best, IMO), Lexicon, Echo,....

Also - you can get a simple setup going using your internal sound card and a FREE ASIO interface program called ASIO4ALL - I think this is the URL for it: www.asio4all.com This may allow you to use your computer sound card for some basic recording - enough to get you started. Mind you - it will not be as high-performance as a dedicated pro-card will be.

Once you go thru some of the free software and such you should be getting an idea of what features you like, don't like, would like to have, etc... and then start checking out the various software venders to see who hit's closest to the mark. Also - and probably more importantly - talk to your friends and see what they use. This way if you have a question you have someone you know you canbounce it off of...

Dave

CheckmateIbanez · #5 10-16-2008, 05:31 AM

Well up to now I've always used a PC program named Cubase. It has never let me down and it does extremely accurate and good recordings.

Of course there are other programs that I have used but Cubase is the best up to now.

Hugh G Wrekshin · #6 10-16-2008, 05:34 AM

I used mixcraft 4 for the one week trial... If you're looking for a PC equivalent of GarageBand, this is it. There are probably better programs out there though, and this one I think is pretty expensive once the trial runs out.

SuperDuck · #7 10-16-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheckmateIbanez

Well up to now I've always used a PC program named Cubase. It has never let me down and it does extremely accurate and good recordings.

Of course there are other programs that I have used but Cubase is the best up to now.

I would also recommend Cubase. Audacity will get you by, but it's not as fully-featured as some of the programs that you have to pay money for, unfortunately.

David Vector · #8 10-17-2008, 12:35 PM

The closest Windows-based equivalent of Garageband is Sony Acid...that's actually where the whole concept of "painting" loops across a timeline started, AFAIK, long before Garageband was around. I don't use Acid anymore myself, now that Sonar can import Acidized WAV files and lock them to key/tempo changes just like Acid.

Noosh · #9 10-20-2008, 04:26 AM

Im actually Loving My MBox2 Mini, and it comes with protools. its relitively easy to get the hang of, and everything sounds great, it dosent have much of an issue with latency, in my opinion anyways.
its fairly inexpensive at around 300 bucks. and it comes with alot of bonus programs.

51m0n · #10 10-20-2008, 05:20 AM

WRT software Reaper is the best bang for the buck short of going down the whole Linux open source route.

In comparison audacity is really only much good for simple wav editing (dont bother flaming me, I know audacity inside out, its OK but really do yourself a favour and try Reaper!)

Joe Nerve · #11 10-20-2008, 05:54 AM

Another cubase user here.

I suggest you go to all the online music stores and start researching interfaces. Just about all of them come with free software that will do plenty. I've been using the free cubase for a couple of years and never had any need to purchase the upgrades. The research is time consuming and daunting, but really the only way you're going to be able to find what's best for you. Decide what it is you want the interface to do first, how much you want to spend - then read up on them all and go to the respective software websites to do a little research on the programs they come with. Or ask specific questions here. I'm pretty sure you can get started these days with as little as $30.

http://www.americanmusical.com/ItemS...erface&srcin=1

If you like bass FX you should also check out the ZOOM bt1u. You get a whole lot there for not all that much money. It comes with cubase, and is an excellent interface. Good luck.

Delta T · #12 10-20-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51m0n

WRT software Reaper is the best bang for the buck short of going down the whole Linux open source route.

In comparison audacity is really only much good for simple wav editing (dont bother flaming me, I know audacity inside out, its OK but really do yourself a favour and try Reaper!)

Audacity is very basic - but the OP didn't give us much to go on. Also, being free he could get his feet wet and start deciding what he really wanted to do - and what questions to ask - and then move up the food chain....

Myself - I use SawStudio and to a much lesser extent Cakewalk Sonar. It's what works for me. I wouldn't recommend either though for a noobie in PC recording.

Dave