Cheap Home Studio 2021 for those behind the curve

[74hc]

If you are looking for a digital mixer as an audio interface into a computer running a DAW, make sure you look at how many separate audio channels it can support over the USB simultaneously. I think the USB standard is a total of 128 audio channels. Most computer users only are aware of 2 (stereo L and R).

The Studiolive series 3 at church can send up to 64 audio channels. Some digital mixers can send all the channels they have. Some low cost ones can only send the main mix left and right.

I don't use a mixer at home. Just a Focusrite Scarlet audio interface into my Mac running Reaper with plugins. I also use Ableton Live, but not as often. Most of the time it's click and backing tracks.

 

[FDR Jones]

I use a 2i4 and just plug in one instrument at a time. You really have to spend a lot of money to get a noticeable improvement in audio interface preamps these days over what is offered at that price point (like 10x).

If I wanted to keep my stereo guitar rig, mono bass rig, and stereo keyboard all plugged in at the same time, I would just get an el-cheapo brand 5-channel mixer. Probably Behringer. They were the butt of every home recording joke 20 years ago, but I feel like they've improved over the years (as a lot of gear has done).

 

[JimmyM]

Boy, a lot of awesome options here, guys! I seriously need to balance my need for convenience with what I spend, so I guess I need to figure out how much inconvenience I can stand. I don't think I see myself recording more than 4 tracks at a time, but it would be kind of cool to be able to do 8 at a time, and it would cool to be able to leave some stuff set up all the time like a bass line, a guitar line or two, a mic line, and a handful of electronic drum tracks, probably could get away with two sometimes, might need a couple more at other times..

 

[Sam Evans]

I have it on good authority that recording to a dedicated multitracker and then exporting the tracks to your computer DAW software for editing, mixing, etc., is the way to go, both in terms of ease of use and resulting quality. To that end, I recently bought a Zoom R16 bundled with a not-so-light version of Cubase. I've only just started to use it, but so far so good, even for a Luddite such as myself.

 

[JimmyM]

I have it on good authority that recording to a dedicated multitracker and then exporting the tracks to your computer DAW software for editing, mixing, etc., is the way to go, both in terms of ease of use and resulting quality. To that end, I recently bought a Zoom R16 bundled with a not-so-light version of Cubase. I've only just started to use it, but so far so good, even for a Luddite such as myself.

I've heard that, too, but I've done some really nice sounding recordings with little $100 soundcards and a FastTrack, so saving a buck is definitely a priority when recording goofy stuff to entertain myself is the priority. I just want to up the budget a little, not too much

 

[Roxbororob]

I have it on good authority that recording to a dedicated multitracker and then exporting the tracks to your computer DAW software for editing, mixing, etc., is the way to go, both in terms of ease of use and resulting quality. To that end, I recently bought a Zoom R16 bundled with a not-so-light version of Cubase. I've only just started to use it, but so far so good, even for a Luddite such as myself.

This is generally the technique I prefer with the L12/L20.

 

[Sam Evans]

I've heard that, too, but I've done some really nice sounding recordings with little $100 soundcards and a FastTrack, so saving a buck is definitely a priority when recording goofy stuff to entertain myself is the priority. I just want to up the budget a little, not too much

For sure. I probably went a little overboard on the R16, but I thought I might grow into it eventually, and those eight inputs might come in handy. There are definitely cheaper ways to go though.

 

[JimmyM]

OK, so I think I'm just going the interface route. I get all my raw sounds happening before they get recorded, at least on bass and guitar, and plugins are fine for anything else needed. And if I decide on that Behringer Uphoria 8 ch interface, it'll save me over $200 on the Scarlett.

1. What makes the Scarlett worth $200 more?

2. Anything glaringly wrong with either of them that your favorite interface fixes?

 

[boylebass]

I think the $200 is in better mic pre's on the Scarlett. I've run both brands and both run great, but I think the Scarlett pre's are better. If money is an issue you'll be pleased w the Beringer.

I just bumped my interface from 8 inputs to 16 via lightpipe, and my intention in to plug everything up so its ready to go- multiple keyboards and drum machines, guitars and basses, and vocals- either little to no re-patching, not to track large groups, but maybe after covid...

Make sure you get a fast external drive, and I love my faderport. Don't skimp on headphones or monitors.

 

[Highroler79]

Boy, a lot of awesome options here, guys! I seriously need to balance my need for convenience with what I spend, so I guess I need to figure out how much inconvenience I can stand. I don't think I see myself recording more than 4 tracks at a time, but it would be kind of cool to be able to do 8 at a time, and it would cool to be able to leave some stuff set up all the time like a bass line, a guitar line or two, a mic line, and a handful of electronic drum tracks, probably could get away with two sometimes, might need a couple more at other times..

The Presonus 16a is a great choice, 16 pres (8 outs) and you can add compression, EQ limiting etc on each channel with there integrated DSP. You can also do sub mixes, headphone mixer via the internal patch bay. the only downside is it all has to be done on a PC.

 

[Highroler79]

OK, so I think I'm just going the interface route. I get all my raw sounds happening before they get recorded, at least on bass and guitar, and plugins are fine for anything else needed. And if I decide on that Behringer Uphoria 8 ch interface, it'll save me over $200 on the Scarlett.

1. What makes the Scarlett worth $200 more?

2. Anything glaringly wrong with either of them that your favorite interface fixes?

The Scatlett sounds great the pres are very clean, I had a 18i a few years back.

 

[Highroler79]

I think the $200 is in better mic pre's on the Scarlett. I've run both brands and both run great, but I think the Scarlett pre's are better. If money is an issue you'll be pleased w the Beringer.

I just bumped my interface from 8 inputs to 16 via lightpipe, and my intention in to plug everything up so its ready to go- multiple keyboards and drum machines, guitars and basses, and vocals- either little to no re-patching, not to track large groups, but maybe after covid...

Make sure you get a fast external drive, and I love my faderport. Don't skimp on headphones or monitors.

nice, I just switched from light pipe to AVB, it is fantastic to have everything patched up and ready to go (with cables ran and hid) I want to get a fadderport or something tactile for use in my daw

 

[JimmyM]

I think the $200 is in better mic pre's on the Scarlett. I've run both brands and both run great, but I think the Scarlett pre's are better. If money is an issue you'll be pleased w the Beringer.

I just bumped my interface from 8 inputs to 16 via lightpipe, and my intention in to plug everything up so its ready to go- multiple keyboards and drum machines, guitars and basses, and vocals- either little to no re-patching, not to track large groups, but maybe after covid...

Make sure you get a fast external drive, and I love my faderport. Don't skimp on headphones or monitors.

Good advice. Got good headphones, and that will have to do for now, but a good little set of monitors is in the cards.

Have to ask what the external drive would be needed for, though. Just storage? Or does it help with latency issues or something?

BTW, better pres are enough for me. Scarlett it is.

 

[LowActionHero]

Jimmy, what do you use to program drums?
I'm still learning Reaper, but I used to be really good in Cakewalk (around 93, 94, I imagine it's changed alot since then), I need to figure out how to make Reaper look like old school Cakewalk for programming

 

[boylebass]

You will want to record your tracks to your external drive so your internal drive (that's running your DAW and the rest of your computer functions and all that other crap you left open Jimmy lol) doesn't bog down. Trust me, you will need external drive and you should budget for it. Get the fastest one you can afford.

 

[JimmyM]

You will want to record your tracks to your external drive so your internal drive (that's running your DAW and the rest of your computer functions and all that other crap you left open Jimmy lol) doesn't bog down. Trust me, you will need external drive and you should budget for it. Get the fastest one you can afford.

OK, that makes sense, especially since I want to record at 192. Thx for the tip!

 

[JimmyM]

Jimmy, what do you use to program drums?
I'm still learning Reaper, but I used to be really good in Cakewalk (around 93, 94, I imagine it's changed alot since then), I need to figure out how to make Reaper look like old school Cakewalk for programming

I used an Alesis HR-16 for years. I have an SR-18 now, and even though I haven't figured it out, I will. But eventually I want to get an electronic set. Not a fan of them but I can actually play drums so I'd rather just play sometimes than program.

 

[4stringfarley]

I'm another fan of the Tascam model 12/16/20 series. You can use it as a standalone and record to SD cards, or an interface. I'll bring my Model 16 to rehearsal, track everyone, dump everything into reaper when I get home and edit it. If a part didn't get recorded right I can punch in and out with over dubs. Drummer is currently using the model 12 and will bring me his SD card of prerecorded drums and I can over dub on that using either the DAW or the board alone. The pres are much better and easier to use than the Presonus.

 

[Gizmot]

I decided to skip the mixer and get a better quality interface to minimize the signal path and equipment clutter. Don't let anyone tell you that there isn't any difference in the sound quality differences between interfaces- there is. I went through a few cheapies before deciding to get serious and get a Universal Audio. I use Apple Logic Pro as a DAW and it's fantastic. The learning curve is a bit steep, but you just have to keep at it.

 

[LowActionHero]

I used an Alesis HR-16 for years. I have an SR-18 now, and even though I haven't figured it out, I will. But eventually I want to get an electronic set. Not a fan of them but I can actually play drums so I'd rather just play sometimes than program.

Ahh, I recorded a bit with my acoustic set before I had to pack it up for the space. I still have an old electric set I might try if I can figure out the MIDI,
but I used to be really fast programming them in software , and I could possibly do that upstairs on the couch with the family.
There's videos, one from Periphery in particular, where they program them, then quantize and add accents and stuff and it sounds pretty natural. Multi samples, uh, I can't remember all the lingo.