Decent Home Recording - What Equipment Do I Need?

Fritz · 18th November 2007, 05:12 PM

Hello.

I'm very eager to start making decent home recordings. I own a digital 8-track, which is all fine and well for producing 'sketches' but I would really like to get my hands on a computer/laptop that would allow more possibilities. I know next to nothing when it comes to computers and recording programmes so I would very much appreciate any advice, along with any ideas on how much £ I would need to get started.

azzemojo · 18th November 2007, 05:39 PM

This would help me a lot too

I_got_a_mohawk · 18th November 2007, 07:36 PM

So many options.

A firewire interface would be a good start. Im using a presonus firepod which i really like.

Besides that, a half decent PC, but when it comes to PC specs, it depends on a number of factors, how many tracks your going to be using, how many VSTs your going to be using, which software you are using etc etc.

Curate · 19th November 2007, 10:10 AM

I do all my recordings on a digital 8-track, and once I got hold of a decent drum programme on the computer (just some free demo) to use with it, it upped the recording possibilities massively without costing a penny. Although if you want to record millions of guitars etc, the 8-track will eventually piss you right off.

Thee Alex · 13th December 2007, 12:15 PM

Fritz, as you're also an artist I'd recommend getting a MacBook. Get a firewire or USB interface for it, a couple of decent mics and you're set. Garageband (comes with the Mac) isn't bad, but if you can afford it I'd recommend getting Ableton Live or Logic on there. Also upping the RAM won't do you any harm.

I_got_a_mohawk · 13th December 2007, 08:26 PM

PC's are just as adequete at working on audio as macs are these days. Alot is just down to personal preference.

However, i'd try and steer clear of USB interfaces, as USB works by burst trasmission as opposed to streaming like a firewire connection does, the USB setup could give you a whole host of latency issues.

That said, it comes down to how many tracks you are recording, how many times its going to be overdubbed etc.

inDundee · 20th December 2007, 11:06 AM

Back in the old days I used a Tascam 4-track tape-recorder (still have it), but recently got a Mac and then a Tascam US-122 off ebay. As someone mentioned, GarageBand is pretty decent + came included with the Mac (PCs + Vista were p*ing me off, hence the switch).

@mohawk, interesting about the USB / latency, will have to look out for that, up till now just recording voice / guitar / bass, 1 or 2 tracks at a time.

Thee Alex · 20th December 2007, 11:55 PM

As I record on my own I have absolutely no latency problems on my MacBook using an M-Audio Fastrack USB thingy.

humndislocation · 21st December 2007, 12:40 PM

I need to get a firewire interface for my laptop when I can afford one. The ASIO performance on my other PC has gone to shit since I changed the motherboard.

I_got_a_mohawk · 21st December 2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thee Alex

As I record on my own I have absolutely no latency problems on my MacBook using an M-Audio Fastrack USB thingy.

It really depends on how many tracks you are recording and how many overdubs you add. More than a couple either way and the difference in latency will start to become apparent.

I dont have any specific numbers to go with this, but using my firewire interface the latency is usually down to about 4-5ms, which is pretty darned good

Thee Alex · 21st December 2007, 09:04 PM

I only record one track at a time but have dozens and dozens of them. My latency sits solidly around 4ms.

I think one track at a time + 2gb of RAM + decent processor + Ableton Live = happy days.

Scruffy · 28th December 2007, 12:40 AM

seconded...nae probs with above configs

THEBIRSECLAN · 9th January 2008, 04:17 PM

An imac... logic express or pro... a decent csond card... i have just ordered an alesis io 14 that accepts adat so am going to add 8 mic inputs using the behringer ada 800 giving me 12mic inputs in total enough to do any drum kit and do my bands own demos....

a decent set of monitors i have a set or roland active monitors
and a decent set of headphones....

And i would sat from experiance macs are much better than pc in all aspects.... it wont dissapoint .. i have a white intel and my mother has a new intel imac which takes 4g of ram it flys... mine takes 2g and still rocks

I have BFD drum sampler for drums it is very good but a pain if you have little ram... i use this via midi into a set of v-drums...

I_got_a_mohawk · 9th January 2008, 09:05 PM

PC are just as good as mac these days as a recording solution. Decent modern computers in general are powerful enough to handle audio work easily, aslong as you have a good enough soundcard.

However, you are right about needing decent monitors, well, they help alot anyways. KRK also do several decent yet not ridiculously expensive ones (im pretty sure most of their ones are active aswell).

18th November 2007, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fritz Uzi Lover Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dundee Posts: 3,038 Band: Pretty much everything I touch turns to gold. Don't know what bands I play in? You should get out more you sad fuck!	Decent Home Recording - What Equipment Do I Need? Hello. I'm very eager to start making decent home recordings. I own a digital 8-track, which is all fine and well for producing 'sketches' but I would really like to get my hands on a computer/laptop that would allow more possibilities. I know next to nothing when it comes to computers and recording programmes so I would very much appreciate any advice, along with any ideas on how much £ I would need to get started.

18th November 2007, 05:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
azzemojo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dundee Posts: 580	This would help me a lot too

18th November 2007, 07:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
I_got_a_mohawk Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blairgowrie Posts: 4,733 Band: Spengler	So many options. A firewire interface would be a good start. Im using a presonus firepod which i really like. Besides that, a half decent PC, but when it comes to PC specs, it depends on a number of factors, how many tracks your going to be using, how many VSTs your going to be using, which software you are using etc etc.

19th November 2007, 10:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Curate Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Leith Posts: 191 Band: Curators	I do all my recordings on a digital 8-track, and once I got hold of a decent drum programme on the computer (just some free demo) to use with it, it upped the recording possibilities massively without costing a penny. Although if you want to record millions of guitars etc, the 8-track will eventually piss you right off.

13th December 2007, 12:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thee Alex Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Solihull, West Midlands Posts: 3,649 Band: Thee Moths, Wülfstabber, Explosions and Screaming, Catface, DJ Wrong Homer, Señor Citizen, Thee Infinite Golden Universe, Sports, WRRRMS, former member of Lipsick!	Fritz, as you're also an artist I'd recommend getting a MacBook. Get a firewire or USB interface for it, a couple of decent mics and you're set. Garageband (comes with the Mac) isn't bad, but if you can afford it I'd recommend getting Ableton Live or Logic on there. Also upping the RAM won't do you any harm.

13th December 2007, 08:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
I_got_a_mohawk Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blairgowrie Posts: 4,733 Band: Spengler	PC's are just as adequete at working on audio as macs are these days. Alot is just down to personal preference. However, i'd try and steer clear of USB interfaces, as USB works by burst trasmission as opposed to streaming like a firewire connection does, the USB setup could give you a whole host of latency issues. That said, it comes down to how many tracks you are recording, how many times its going to be overdubbed etc.

20th December 2007, 11:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
inDundee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dundee Posts: 8	Back in the old days I used a Tascam 4-track tape-recorder (still have it), but recently got a Mac and then a Tascam US-122 off ebay. As someone mentioned, GarageBand is pretty decent + came included with the Mac (PCs + Vista were p*ing me off, hence the switch). @mohawk, interesting about the USB / latency, will have to look out for that, up till now just recording voice / guitar / bass, 1 or 2 tracks at a time.

20th December 2007, 11:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Thee Alex Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Solihull, West Midlands Posts: 3,649 Band: Thee Moths, Wülfstabber, Explosions and Screaming, Catface, DJ Wrong Homer, Señor Citizen, Thee Infinite Golden Universe, Sports, WRRRMS, former member of Lipsick!	As I record on my own I have absolutely no latency problems on my MacBook using an M-Audio Fastrack USB thingy.

21st December 2007, 12:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
humndislocation Hardcore is serious guys Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dundee Posts: 5,735 Band: Blasphemous Necrorapist	I need to get a firewire interface for my laptop when I can afford one. The ASIO performance on my other PC has gone to shit since I changed the motherboard.

21st December 2007, 09:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
Thee Alex Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Solihull, West Midlands Posts: 3,649 Band: Thee Moths, Wülfstabber, Explosions and Screaming, Catface, DJ Wrong Homer, Señor Citizen, Thee Infinite Golden Universe, Sports, WRRRMS, former member of Lipsick!	I only record one track at a time but have dozens and dozens of them. My latency sits solidly around 4ms. I think one track at a time + 2gb of RAM + decent processor + Ableton Live = happy days.

28th December 2007, 12:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
Scruffy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dundee Posts: 102 Band: Greenwell	seconded...nae probs with above configs

9th January 2008, 04:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
THEBIRSECLAN Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: dundee Posts: 114	An imac... logic express or pro... a decent csond card... i have just ordered an alesis io 14 that accepts adat so am going to add 8 mic inputs using the behringer ada 800 giving me 12mic inputs in total enough to do any drum kit and do my bands own demos.... a decent set of monitors i have a set or roland active monitors and a decent set of headphones.... And i would sat from experiance macs are much better than pc in all aspects.... it wont dissapoint .. i have a white intel and my mother has a new intel imac which takes 4g of ram it flys... mine takes 2g and still rocks I have BFD drum sampler for drums it is very good but a pain if you have little ram... i use this via midi into a set of v-drums...

9th January 2008, 09:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
I_got_a_mohawk Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blairgowrie Posts: 4,733 Band: Spengler	PC are just as good as mac these days as a recording solution. Decent modern computers in general are powerful enough to handle audio work easily, aslong as you have a good enough soundcard. However, you are right about needing decent monitors, well, they help alot anyways. KRK also do several decent yet not ridiculously expensive ones (im pretty sure most of their ones are active aswell).