Recording

[collinsguy]

Hey

I've Been Recording music for over a year now and i've been using Adobe Audition. I'm planning on buying a new laptop and i was wondering what would be the best laptop for music recording and what programs are best. Also I was wondering what all the other recorders here use for recording and what types of microphones and what other types of eqiupment they use. I'm currently going bare bones recording in my mic jack on my comp with a used audio-technica intrumental mic. Using a jack converter i bought from the dollar store. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[driftinginfluence]

It really depends on how much you want to spend. As for a laptop, convenience is nice but get lots of memory, as recording can take a lot, especially if you use VST instruments. As for an interface i would look into a Digidesign Mbox or similar interface made by M-Audio, they make great (for the most part) equipment, getting one with mic preamps and phantom power (48V) is key, so you can use good quality condenser mics. For mics I myself use condensers for vocals almost always, such as a small diaphram AKG1000s (which works off either phantom or a 9V battery which is nice if you don't have phantom, costs around $330 can.) or you can get a large diaphragm made by Apex for around $150 that sounds good for the price, but a dynamic will work well if its a good one such as a Shure SM58 (around $175), this mic is the industry standard for live performance.. When getting a condenser for vocals get a large diaphragh preferbly . Acoustic guitars sound best recorded with two mics, in my experience, and preferbly condensers. That's about all I can think of. Hope that helps.

[worldofnoise]

As far as programs go, I've played around on Nuendo, Cubase and Logic. If you go the Mac route (read $) Logic or Logic Express would be my suggestion as it is purpose built and very stable. On Windows, Nuendo was great. Also MOTU makes some really nice (read $) interfaces. Buy one good condenser mic and maybe a 'box' of drum mics like these which could be used to mic bass / guitar as well. Depends on what sound you like, e.g. I like to use a D-2 on the bass amp because I like the tone. And the "industry standard" for live vocals the Beta 58. It likes to hang about, and gets used quite a bit.

[heyrabbit]

I a couple questions. first off, would I be wasting my time purchasing a digidesign program, or anything else, without a decent sound card? I don't have a sound card, just stock , whatever came with my computer.

 

secondly, how much would I need to spend to get a decent recording interface? I don't need a million friggin layers, just a few. I downloaded the pro tools freeware but it has a terrible user interface and I can't figure it out. I'm not even sure that it works.

 

thirdly, I have to spend atleast, what, 150 bucks to get a good mic? If that's the case I might aswell forget recording altogether for now. the only thing I have going for me is I have good equipment and a good computer.

[driftinginfluence]

hey rabbit, I would rent mics from a store such as Long + McQuade instead of buying them,you can rent a $300 mic for like $10 a month, and yes the software doesn't really matter all that much, its the hardware, i just got a decent audiocard,a barebone 10 channel in/out and it was $400 can.

[heyrabbit]

oh right, never thought of renting a mic. 400 is still more than I have. I'll see if I can get a decent audio card cheap, which might be possible. around 100 bucks or so.

 

what software should I get?

[Dan #2]

thirdly, I have to spend atleast, what, 150 bucks to get a good mic? If that's the case I might aswell forget recording altogether for now. the only thing I have going for me is I have good equipment and a good computer.

I wouldn't pay $150 for a mic. You might as well keep saving and get a real one, but yeah, renting is a good idea, though i think $10/month is a bit of a stretch.

 

 

When you go to buy one, which you'll need to do eventually, make offers. Music stores have a huge mark-up, and if a sale means taking $40 off the retail price, they'll usually do it if you're getting a quality piece of equiptment.