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New to recording requesting help :)

A

azfryguy

Feb 2, 2010
432
2
Queen Creek AZ
#1
I'm looking to get recording modern metal/djent music! As of now I don't have a laptop or PC though. I'm talking to my dude at Sweetwater and he suggested the new MacBook pro with 14 gpu and 20 cpu. It's not cheap lol but if it's easy to work with and last a while then I think it would be worth it. What is yall thoughts on that?

He also recommended the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD Gen 2 Essentials+ 10x6 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD DSP for an audio interface. It also isn't cheap lol. I don't know really anything about recording but kinda feel like he's trying to get into my wallet if I'm being honest but maybe I'm just uneducated.

I understand good quality gear that's easy to work with isn't cheap but I just don't want to get taken advantage of ya know?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
#2
Mac is good, Apple Silicon machines are nothing but great. M1 or higher MacBook pro is a top machine. Get at least 16G of RAM, you’ll also want some disk storage for your projects and virtual instruments, I think, that’s 1TB or more. The more of RAM and disk you’ll buy, the more expensive it will get, but those numbers as minimum are fine.

Apollo Twin might be not really justified tho, an entry-level Scarlett might be all you need at this point. You can always buy a better audio interface down the road when you’ll know, why you want it.
 
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#3
You don't need a Mac; Windows PCs work fine, too. I know Focusrite interfaces get a lot of love on here. I use a Presonus interface and have for years. Any interface will come with some sort of recording software, and depending on what it is, the learning curve may be easy or difficult. A lot of people use Reaper (cheap) and some use Audacity (free) for recording software as well.

16 GB of RAM and a separate hard drive onto which to record. It can be external or internal. At least 1 TB is a good starting point for that one.
 
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#4
Check out Ethan Winer. You can make fantastic recordings for not too much money, and spending more generally won’t make them better.

If you’re recording with a microphone then you need to budget for room treatment first. You can’t make good recordings in a bad room.
 
#6
Computer not needed to start out. They make multitrack recorders that are all in one. ZOOM and TASCAM do.
Probably better to start out this way if new to it.
IMG_0243.jpeg

IMG_0244.jpeg

You can always add a computer later to something like this.
 
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#7
Dont buy UAD DSP.
A new computer is so powerful on its own now.
I like Sweetwater, but NEVER take purchase advice from a salesman.

Expensive computers won't make your songs any better. Remember, people were making great music that still sounds good 10 years ago on 10 year old computers... 20 years ago on.........................etc.

I would also use whatever software, hardware, and operating system that your contemporaries are using. It will make working together and being collaborative more possible and fun, and hopefully that's why we are all making music anyway.
 
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#8
Mac computer are expensive and won't do anything for sound quality. If Mac are what you are used to, then go for one by all means(I'd look into a Mac mini personally), but if you are used to a Windowz computer then don't switch because you'll then have to learn a new operating system on top of everything else, a very frustrating endeavour(speaking from experience).

And looking at the rest of the hardware it does look like he's trying to extract every bit of money he can out of you :laugh:
 
#9
If this is a serious investment, determine the key components that will get you as far along as possible without rebuying 'better' gear. Here's my wish list:

Mac Mini (already have it)
Condenser mics (already have several)
Monitor - use a 43" 4k TV
Audio Interface - UA Volt 476p 4 channel preamps w/ superb software bundle
Monitors - Adam T5V - plenty for a smallish space
Misc - stands, chairs, etc.

YMMV based on component selections but you'll eventually need this much to get a decent hoem studio started
 
#10
A Macbook Pro and an Apollo interface are both excellent investments. Thinking long term, these are both great choices.

You could go the entry level route, but you'll need up with Macbook/Apollo type gear anyway.

I recently got a Mac Studio with a M2 processor and 96 GB memory. It's a beautiful machine when working with Logic Pro. Great with MIDI and plugin instruments.

azfryguy said:
I'm looking to get recording modern metal/djent music! As of now I don't have a laptop or PC though. I'm talking to my dude at Sweetwater and he suggested the new MacBook pro with 14 gpu and 20 cpu. It's not cheap lol but if it's easy to work with and last a while then I think it would be worth it. What is yall thoughts on that?

He also recommended the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD Gen 2 Essentials+ 10x6 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD DSP for an audio interface. It also isn't cheap lol. I don't know really anything about recording but kinda feel like he's trying to get into my wallet if I'm being honest but maybe I'm just uneducated.

I understand good quality gear that's easy to work with isn't cheap but I just don't want to get taken advantage of ya know?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
 
#11
For comparison, I'm looking at getting the UA 476P interface ($419) to marry up with a new M4 Mac Mini ($699) I bought recently. Am using a 43" 4k Samsung as a display. Already own several condenser mics and will add a pair of Adam Audio T5V monitors ($400) as well for my 12X17 recording space.

Not sure what the Apollo lineup brings for the extra money but it is a pricier rig. A Macbook Pro is good if you need mobility, I guess. Keep us posted on your decisions as your situation is common to a lot of us building a recording system. Sweetwater is a great resource but, yes, they will sell you whatever they can - it's theior job! You do get a de facto 2-year warranty on everything and that's worth a lot to me.
 

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