PC recording setup

[kingthing]

Hi, I was wondering if some of you out there might be able to offer me some advice. I've had a roland vs2000 which I've been using for home recording for the past few years but I'm looking into going for a pc setup. The reason I initially chose a multitrack rather than a pc was purely because of the hands on interface and the fact it was a dedicated music machine. In short I'd be looking to get something which can do everything my vs can so:
8 simultaneous inputs
dynamics and eq on every channel
saveable automixes

Any suggestions on recommended software and more importantly some kind of interface with the 8 inputs with decent pre-amps and faders/controls would be great. Also what's better as an interface, firewire or usb2.0

Cheers

[Rosco the Bosco]

Originally Posted by kingthing

Hi, I was wondering if some of you out there might be able to offer me some advice. I've had a roland vs2000 which I've been using for home recording for the past few years but I'm looking into going for a pc setup. The reason I initially chose a multitrack rather than a pc was purely because of the hands on interface and the fact it was a dedicated music machine. In short I'd be looking to get something which can do everything my vs can so:
8 simultaneous inputs
dynamics and eq on every channel
saveable automixes

Any suggestions on recommended software and more importantly some kind of interface with the 8 inputs with decent pre-amps and faders/controls would be great. Also what's better as an interface, firewire or usb2.0

Cheers

We have a MOTU 8Pre at work which is good. You should check it out.
Software wise, i use Nuendo mostly.

[humndislocation]

I'm sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but while USB 2.0 is faster than USB, it's still not as good for realtime applications as Firewire is.

[Thee Alex]

I believe that Firewire is far faster.

[kingthing]

Cheers for the replies, I'm a bit clueless with the pc audio stuff. Am I right in thinking that if I'm using a decent interface to communicate with the pc that the quality of the soundcard doesn't come into it or do I still need to fork out for a decent sound card too? If I'm mixing using the pc would I be able to run the output through the interface to my amp or would my sound card need to be connected to my amp

Also I assume that compressors eqs etc. would be handled by the software rather than needing anything external?

[Thee Alex]

All your effects will be software based normally. I use Ableton Live to do all my recording, it only allows you to do one track at a time, but that's fine for the way I work.

[humndislocation]

Originally Posted by kingthing

Cheers for the replies, I'm a bit clueless with the pc audio stuff. Am I right in thinking that if I'm using a decent interface to communicate with the pc that the quality of the soundcard doesn't come into it or do I still need to fork out for a decent sound card too? If I'm mixing using the pc would I be able to run the output through the interface to my amp or would my sound card need to be connected to my amp

Also I assume that compressors eqs etc. would be handled by the software rather than needing anything external?

I don't know if you get interfaces that are just interfaces, but my interface is also the sound card. Everything goes into, and comes out of the audio interface. My laptop's on-board sound is gash, so I don't use that.

I'm using SONAR power studio, comes with Cakewalk SONAR software, and a firewire audio interface.
Cakewalk Sonar Powerstudio 660 @ Millennium Music

I think the software you use is really a matter of what features you're looking for, and personal preference. I use SONAR because I like the interface, and it has the features I'm looking for. I'm not experienced enough to comment on whether or not it's really good, but it's more than enough for my purposes.

I use the (software) compressor and EQ plugins that came with SONAR. I don't know if people use external software for proper home recording, rather than just fucking around like me.

[kingthing]

Originally Posted by humndislocation

I don't know if you get interfaces that are just interfaces, but my interface is also the sound card. Everything goes into, and comes out of the audio interface. My laptop's on-board sound is gash, so I don't use that.

Cool, I was hoping that would be the case. So, just so I get this right as long as I have a firewire port on the pc and plug in the interface I can record everything through the interface, mix using the software on the pc and then monitor while I mix using the outputs from the interface connected to my amp? Phew!
Thanks again for the replies I'm just trying to get all this right in my head before wasting any money on a setup that isn't gonna do what I want. I love the ease of use of my multitrack but I'm having to get it repaired for the 3rd time and it's no longer under warranty so I'm trying to weigh up whether to pay to have it fixed or cut my losses and ditch it

[I_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by humndislocation

I'm sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but while USB 2.0 is faster than USB, it's still not as good for realtime applications as Firewire is.

Originally Posted by Thee Alex

I believe that Firewire is far faster.

USB is faster than firewire (spec'd anyway)

However USB transfers in bursts, firewire is continual. Which if i remember correctly is what makes the difference.

One thing to watch with some USB interfaces is they can only record two channels (1 channel stereo).

Firewire is def. the way to go. I've got a presonus Firepod, damned nice unit. Like the looks of the newish Firestudio Projects tho!

For software it is probably more whatever you prefer. Im currently using Cubase, but in the future i'm thinking of moving over to Reaper. I've used Sonar briefly and it just didnt do it for me.

[I_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by kingthing

Cool, I was hoping that would be the case. So, just so I get this right as long as I have a firewire port on the pc and plug in the interface I can record everything through the interface, mix using the software on the pc and then monitor while I mix using the outputs from the interface connected to my amp? Phew!
Thanks again for the replies I'm just trying to get all this right in my head before wasting any money on a setup that isn't gonna do what I want. I love the ease of use of my multitrack but I'm having to get it repaired for the 3rd time and it's no longer under warranty so I'm trying to weigh up whether to pay to have it fixed or cut my losses and ditch it

One thing to remember is that not all firewire ports are created equally. To get the best preformance you want a Ti chipset based firewire setup.

While not essential, it can make things alot easier. Obviously try with your current firewire first tho as it could work fine

[petpiranha]

>Cakewalk Sonar Powerstudio 660

is this the best option for recording electric guitar onto pc?

I'm looking into soundcards just now...

[humndislocation]

I don't know if it's the best option, but it certainly works for me. I have my guitar plugged straight into the sound card, using Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2 software as an amp.

[Scruffy]

aaahhh guitar rig, hours and hours of endless fun!

[humndislocation]

Aye, sounds much better than any setup I'd be able to afford while saving for my wedding!

The metronome, and tapedeck features are quite handy too.