Beginner/Basic Recording Equipment

Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 352 Location: Illinois

I'm looking for free to inexpensive recording equipment to get my toes in the water, but I don't even know what's considered "bare bones" in the recording world. There's the DAW (I think FL Studio and SONAR Producer are examples) where you record and do most of your editing, some sort of audio interface, a program for drum tracks, mastering software, and maybe even a software for adding effects.

From what I know, those programs will get most people to where they want to be. For me, though, I'm thinking bare minimum. I believe the "must haves" are an interface along with recording/editing software. I plan on doing research on some of these software programs to see what they offer. Another free one was "REAPER."

In terms of the audio interface, I can either go guitar to interface to (free) digital modeling amp or guitar to amp to mic to interface. The former would be cheaper, but how close to the original sound can a mic bring you (I heard mic'ing your amp gives you considerably better quality sound rather than going guitar-to-interface and using a digital amp)?

Obviously, mastering software is a "no," but am I missing anything? I think drum tracks would be sweet, but they sound like a pain in the butt (especially for someone with no experience on the drums).

Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 1268 Location: Easton Ma

I got a Tascam 008, I've Run mics to cabs, vocals, and live recorded drums all at once but 8 tracks you can do everthing separate and I have a few SD cards then I work the recordings on the computer. I like it because it can go anywhere it has built in mics along with 2xlrs and one 1/4in in with RCA outs headphone jack and phantom power. The direct guitar input is pedal friendly Iv also run an amp out to mixer into it with good results.
It's a cool little box

Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 1282

Get something like this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/avid-fast-track-c400

It will come with a recording bundle, but you may prefer to use other available software, maybe like Reaper which is free to use until you feel like purchasing:

http://www.reaper.fm/

And an SM57 for guitar cabs:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/shure-sm57-stand-cable-package

And maybe an inexpensive condenser mic for vocals, acoustic guitar, and ambient distance micing your amp. Like maybe:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/audio-technica-at2020-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone

For Drums you can use something like:

http://www.leafdigital.com/software/leafdrums/

Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 990 Location: Arid-Zona!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/tascam-dp-03-digital-portastudio-sd-cd?src=3WWRWXGP

Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 352 Location: Illinois

Yea, the more research I did the more I found out how quickly recording gear costs can go up. Thanks for the help, guys, but I am nowhere near that level yet (even if this gear is relatively cheap/entry level from your point of view). I think the safest option for me to start off with is an audio interface and both a free DAW and a free amp simulator before I actually buy anything that I might end up not using.

That leafdigital drum software looks like a good start in terms of drum tracks, though. Thanks, boombazilla.

For an audio interface, I've been recommended either the Scarlett 2i4 or Saffire 6 (I think the only difference is the case) by countless people and it's also a bit cheaper than what you guys recommended. A used version of either sounds like the best possible bang for my buck.

As for the DAW, I know that Kristal Audio Engine is free, but I think REAPER has an unending free trail? That would be perfect until I feel like I want to spend the $60 on it.

I'm sure finding a decent, free amp simulator is easy enough. And with that, I will have spent less than $200 on my first home studio. Sounds like a start!

I apologize for not being as forthcoming as I should have. I am completely new to this side of music. I mean "new" as in I'm devoting today to Google terms like "VSTs," "plug-ins," "phantom power," and now "xlrs." Yea, that new Laughing

EDIT: Scratch that. My first home studio will most likely be under $100 because I'm finding Saffire 6s on eBay like there's no tomorrow.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

Most interfaces also come bundled with free/lite versions of recording software too so you may get all you need with an interface. If you buy an inexpensive M-Box or M-Audio interface you'll get bundled software with them to get you going. Line 6 also has Pod Studio interfaces that come with Pod Farm and some other stuff. You don't need to try and find everything separately because these companies know you're looking for a taste of software and give it to you with the hardware. Just make sure your computer matches the minimum system requirements for what you'r looking to buy because DAWs and other VSTs can be taxing on your system and you can face all sorts of issues if you're not set up to run these programs.

Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 352 Location: Illinois

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

Most interfaces also come bundled with free/lite versions of recording software too so you may get all you need with an interface. If you buy an inexpensive M-Box or M-Audio interface you'll get bundled software with them to get you going. Line 6 also has Pod Studio interfaces that come with Pod Farm and some other stuff. You don't need to try and find everything separately because these companies know you're looking for a taste of software and give it to you with the hardware. Just make sure your computer matches the minimum system requirements for what you'r looking to buy because DAWs and other VSTs can be taxing on your system and you can face all sorts of issues if you're not set up to run these programs.

I built my desktop for medium-to-heavy gaming, but I'm pretty sure I'll have no issue with turning it into a beginner DAW computer, as well. Granted, DAWs most likely require more CPU speed than GPU power, but I'll still look at the requirements. Thank you for the heads-up.

In terms of the software, I think I'll stick to REAPER first. It appears to be one of the most well-known DAWs and for me, most importantly, that means a ton of tutorials and online help. Granted, the same thing could go for the interface's software, but I'm willing to look at anything in front of me Very Happy

I have no issue with trying as many software programs as I can to see what I like best and just to get some experience with different programs.