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New to Recording

melodiaopus

melodiaopus

Gold Supporting Member
Feb 9, 2007
1,915
2,211
Northern California
www.adam-prado.com
#1
I am trying to piece together everything that I am going to need to purchase to begin recording my ideas. I am leaning more towards a mac, and hopefully a laptop. What am I going to need to record? I have never recorded myself before, nor have I ever owned a Mac. I was thinking I would get a MacAir to start recording on GarageBand to get an idea of how to do it. I have a few orginal compositions that I would like to expand on and record. Please any suggestion would help...

Thanks,

-Adam
 
#2
Take the system you're familiar with. If you've never owned a Mac, don't get one. It makes things a lot easier.
There are a lot of DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation aka as "recording software") but I'm not familiar with cheap ones (Cubase-user :bassist:). I'm pretty sure though that there's a windows (are you a windows-user?) equivalent to Garage Band.
You'll need an interface to plug your bass into your computer and for monitoring purposes. I own the M-Audio Fast Track Pro, which is a pretty good one.
This will get you started. For better sound (in my opinion) I'd recommend to mic your amp.
 
#4
Sorry Ajak but I totally disagree with you. If melodiaopus never owned a Mac he should GET ONE. They are a 100x more intuitive than PC's. When it comes to recording they can't be beat IMO. If you are new to recording Garage Band is hard to beat for something that comes for free with a Mac. What it comes down to is preference but to not go Mac because it is different is not a good reason not to.

There are a lot of descent USB interfaces out there too. If you get a MacBook Air you will only be able to use a USB interface because the air does not have a Firewire connection. I really like M-Audio interfaces and have used one for years. Here is one that I recommend. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] This also happens to include Pro Tools SE.

Here are a couple tracks I have recorded and mixed in Garage Band on a Mac

Something Simple
http://soundcloud.com/bassbubble/if-i-even-care

Something a little more involved
http://soundcloud.com/bassbubble/its-not-my-fault
 
#5
If you haven't used a mac I'm not sure I'd recommend it. I've spent less than 2 hours on them because I can't figure them out. Windows is only easier for me because I've used it before.

If you have technical aptitude try linux. Cheapest (free) and super lightweight. Downside is less commercial products for music. Plus is some free ones.

You can learn almost any arranger / sequencer / recording software fairly quicky, and the better ones tend to have support for major OS's.

Keep in mind Garage band is only free after the very high markup on the apple hardware. Don't invest heavily without a lot of research and demos.
You can get trials, free software / shareware as well as OEM type software with some audio interfaces.

You'll end up spending time arranging that could be used for practicing.

I've ordered a Zoom H1 - stereo mic. Great for quick Ideas & verbal notations keeping things neat, while allowing decent quality recording of me playing....

Maybe it'll work for me. Good luck, hope you get something to fill your needs, and don't get screwed in the attempt.
 
#6
I have some difficulty believing that anybody can NOT figure out a Mac in two hours. To the OP: a good Mac laptop will last much longer than a windows machine with less problems and much simpler ease of use. My last Mac lasted over 7 years. I don't know about the current MacBook Air, but my wife had one for work and it was good for travel, but probably not ideal for use with peripherals if they still have the little flip-down USB/FireWire port. When I bought my first Mac, I was patching together songs on Garage Band within minutes of taking it out of the box. In my opinion, they are perfect for creative types who are uninterested in programming/computer jazz. I don't know what your comfort level is with software/hardware, but I mod basses, not computers. I don't think I've ever known anyone who squeezed 7 years of (virtually) maintenance-free use out of a PC.
 
#7
Bassbubble11 said:
They are a 100x more intuitive than PC's. When it comes to recording they can't be beat IMO. If you are new to recording Garage Band is hard to beat for something that comes for free with a Mac.
Click to expand...

And how exactly is an expensive, fancy version of BSD and Darwin any more intuitive than Windows 7?

Anyway, Garageband can be good, but it's the least efficient DAW I've ever seen. Ran out of memory on my macbook with 2GB of ram midway through recording a second track. I recorded 17 tracks with REAPER (as a test to see whether it was the macbook or garageband) and it was still able to keep recording 2 or 3 tracks at a time.

I would recommend a nice windows machine (Desktop or Laptop is up to you), a copy of REAPER, and a nice USB or Firewire interface, maybe some VSTs if you have money left over.

Also, consider whether you want to mic your amp (Like Ajak suggested) or use amp sims. I prefer a DI and amp sims but that is a personal opinion on what gets me the tone I like.
 
#8
Bassbubble11 said:
Sorry Ajak but I totally disagree with you. If melodiaopus never owned a Mac he should GET ONE. They are a 100x more intuitive than PC's. When it comes to recording they can't be beat IMO. If you are new to recording Garage Band is hard to beat for something that comes for free with a Mac. What it comes down to is preference but to not go Mac because it is different is not a good reason not to.
Click to expand...

I think I didn't express myself carefully enough. I don't say Mac is bad. But just the fact Mac isn't bad doesn't make it better than Windows.
What I meant is when you're new to recording and when you don't know the softwares you should stick with what you know system-wise.
I totally agree with you that you should try Mac once you are used to computer-based recording. Then do what feels more comfortable.
There are a lot of people that say Mac is better for recording. They may be right. But the difference starts at a very very high level that most people don't have.
After my experiences you can go professional on recording using Windows.
Software can make a difference too. I know somebody who always tries out the newest stuff on Mac and PC and at the moment he sticks with Cubase 6 on PC. There's a good chance he'll switch back to Mac, maybe even this year.
 
#9
If you're new to recording Macs come loaded with Garage Band already. I've heard credible albums recorded on Garage Band. The industry standard here is Pro Tools and it's cross platform (Mac and PC).
Disclosure: I'm a PC guy and prefer Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 or Sonar 7.
 
#10
chatterbox272 said:
And how exactly is an expensive, fancy version of BSD and Darwin any more intuitive than Windows 7?
Click to expand...

I own both types of computers and in my user experience The mac OS's (even going back) offer a slicker and more inviting interface. There's no denying there user friendliness and low maintenance. I mean Macs are for those of us who want to spend more time creating and less time messing with our computer. It's just a better over all experience IMO.
 
#11
+1 for Reaper. I've been using it for several years and am very happy with it. They also allow you to download and use it for a month free with no restrictions. But be prepared that using any DAW will have a learning curve. You can start doing basic things pretty quickly though. I have a simple M-Audio Jamlab as an audio interface which is ok and you can probably get one for about $25 used. I also use ASIO4ALL driver which is free. You can read more about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASIO4ALL You can also download GT Player Express for free here [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] that you can use standalone for jamming or use the plugins in Reaper for recording. So if you have a PC already you can get going for just the cost of the interface. Of course you will need studio monitors when you get serious.
 
#12
Wow, thank you all for all the suggestions and help. No matter what I end up using I'm going to have to buy a new computer. I have an ancient Dell Desktop and a somewhat newer Compaq Presario (4-5 years old). I am familiar with PC's primarily, but have wanted to go MAC for quite some time, but investing in a laptop that is worth as much as my bass is little alarming. The new Macbook Pro's seem pretty nice, which is sort of the route I would be going. In my experience for recording has been me just playing, but what I have found out is that my bass sounds horrible when it's plugged in direct. What would I need to buy to make my bass sound a lot better. I was thinking of Aguilar DI pedal, I am totally new to pedals too, so I don't really know what I these DI do. Though I am only 28 I seem to be very old school when I comes to equipment. I just have my bass, head, and cabinent to set the tone for my bass. Maybe some other suggestions in this area would be great too.
 
#13
Well an audio interface will help get your signal into the computer without using the computer's sound card. GT Player Express has several bass presets that sound good. You can find VST plugins that simulate amps and effects that will allow you to tweek your sound. I don't know about other DAWs but Reaper doesn't use a lot of resources, at least the way I used it. I have a Dell Dimension 9100 with a Pentium 4 running a 3.00 Ghz and have no problems so you should be able to get you feet wet without spending a bundle. See what you like and don't like then spend the big bucks.
 
#14
melodiaopus said:
Wow, thank you all for all the suggestions and help. No matter what I end up using I'm going to have to buy a new computer. I have an ancient Dell Desktop and a somewhat newer Compaq Presario (4-5 years old). I am familiar with PC's primarily, but have wanted to go MAC for quite some time, but investing in a laptop that is worth as much as my bass is little alarming. The new Macbook Pro's seem pretty nice, which is sort of the route I would be going. In my experience for recording has been me just playing, but what I have found out is that my bass sounds horrible when it's plugged in direct. What would I need to buy to make my bass sound a lot better. I was thinking of Aguilar DI pedal, I am totally new to pedals too, so I don't really know what I these DI do. Though I am only 28 I seem to be very old school when I comes to equipment. I just have my bass, head, and cabinent to set the tone for my bass. Maybe some other suggestions in this area would be great too.
Click to expand...

Here's what I do.

RecordingBass.jpg
 
#17
Bassbubble11 said:
Here's what I do.

RecordingBass.jpg
Click to expand...

Epic setup.... I'd learn mac just to get that rocking (I've serious GAS for a sansamp ATM, but a VT I think...)

When I was perplexed by mac it was trying to configure wireless network detection - some trickery with SSID's as I recall.
I just found the Layout weird. I'd figure it out if I had another hour or so I guess.

A linux front end I did figure out in 2 hours is Ubuntu 12... using the HUD based newfangled system. Kinda like an iPad OS, but nicer (coz i've 1GB video ram in my machine...).

I think musicians can combine software & hardware to their advantage, but days spent learning an OS may be better spent on chops. YMMV:hyper:
 
#18
I don't know how hardcore you are planning to go with your project, but an easy way to do this on the cheap is to get somebody's used iPad 2 then purchase an Alesis ioDock: http://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Sideki...-Flashlight/dp/B005GF58F6/ref=pd_sim_sbs_MI_2.

At that point you've got an extremely portable recording setup that can record two tracks at once, the drum programming in it is pretty nice: . Now I just need to get better at mixing and mastering :)

Peace,
Greg
 
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#20
I added a midi controller keyboard to my "studio". But, it wasn't one of the first things I added. It has been good to have, though. I generate all of the sounds in computer software, so the controller is really just the trigger for the sounds. As well as a regular piano keyboard, it has other knobs, and sliders, and pads that I use to trigger sounds. Very helpful for drum sounds.
 

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